Eight years ago my husband and I were driving away from an orphanage in Congo, with our newly adopted eight-month-old daughter. Behind us was a line of older children standing shoulder to shoulder on the orphanage porch, crying. At one…
This is a really common question and the answer is simple: “Yes!” Basic requirements to know: Specific requirements are set by states (and in some cases counties), but typically the requirements to foster are fairly straightforward. Generally speaking, foster parents…
Plenty of well-meaning people ask: “Can I bring over a bag full of my daughter’s old stuffed animals?” “Where can I bring my used children’s clothing?” “Do you guys collect suitcases for kids in care?” These are questions we get…
As a foster mom and foster care recruiter, one of the most common questions (or reservations) I get is, “But what about my children?” This is a question I have helped countless families navigate over the past ten years and…
As 2023 winds down our staff at America’s Kids Belong reflected on personal highlights from the past year in our efforts to improve the experiences and outcomes for kids in foster care. Here’s a quick recap by state. California –…
The holiday season is often portrayed as a time of joy and togetherness, but for foster families, it can also bring forth a complex mix of emotions. Kids in foster care, who have experienced trauma and instability, may find the…
Are you considering opening your heart and home to a child in need? Foster care and adoption can be life-changing experiences for both child and caregiver. But understanding the different goals and process for each path is important. Fostering itself…
When we foster or adopt, we open our hearts and homes to a beautiful yet complex journey. Along with the joy and love we experience, we also welcome an unexpected guest named grief. Grief sneaks in when we experience the…
Our co-founder, Brian Mavis likes to say, “A good family is better than a great program.” And it’s true. For kids in foster care, the gift of belonging in a family can prevent severe social wounds – like trafficking and…
While foster care is a system designed to protect and provide safety for children, there are many layers to the experiences that a child has to process and heal from. Lindy Green Johnson, LCSW, defines it this way…”Trauma in general…
On Wednesday, Oct 11 at 8:30pm America’s Kids Belong hosted a repeat of its first foster parenting info webinar, “What Does It Mean to Engage Foster Care?” This second edition featured a different roster of panelists from around the country.…
Recently America’s Kids Belong hosted a live panel addressing the most pressing needs currently in the foster care system. A variety of panelists joined host, Kristin Allender, Executive Director of TN Kids Belong, on September 26th for this free webinar.…
