Trainings Intro & Instructions
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Select a training below to get started:
Finding Her Village: Tierra’s Story
Tierra was in a difficult spot. In her early thirties and raising four kids on her own, she felt like she was drowning, and that there was no way she could raise them by herself. After posting about her situation on social media, an acquaintance recommended...
Child Abuse and Neglect: Know the Signs
April is Child Abuse Prevention Month, and at FosterAdopt Connect, we believe that everyone can play a part in ending the generational cycle of abuse and neglect for children in our community. Part of this is knowing the signs of abuse and neglect and what to do if...
Five Ways to Support the Social Worker in Your Life
Let’s talk about social workers. In many ways, they are the scaffolding that holds up our society. They show up every day for the people they care for, and sadly, they often go unnoticed and unappreciated. We love our social workers at FosterAdopt Connect, and...
Meet Three of FosterAdopt Connect’s Women Leaders
At FosterAdopt Connect, we have the privilege of being led by a female executive leadership team. They would be the first to tell you that they stand on the shoulders of countless women before them who have paved the way and laid a strong foundation for the work we do...
The Power of Advocacy: Three Stories of Hope
At FosterAdopt Connect, we believe in the power of advocacy. In fact, we have a whole program dedicated to it! Our Advocacy team is made up of current or former foster parents who have extensive experience navigating the child welfare system and can help other foster...
Black Hair Care Tips for Foster Parents
So, you’re fostering a child who is from a different ethnic background than you. Foster parents who are not used to styling Black hair can find it challenging or intimidating. If this is you, fear not! We’ve put together a crash course on starting the journey to caring for African American children’s hair. There’s a lot to learn, but thankfully, there are a lot of resources available to help you along the way.
A Fresh Start: Emma’s Story
During an intake call, a FosterAdopt Connect Community Connections YouThrive (CCYT) specialist met Emma* — a youth who didn’t hold back her tears when describing the abuse she was experiencing at the hands of her boyfriend. She began to describe a toxic relationship...
Meet FosterAdopt Connect’s Clinical Team!
FosterAdopt Connect’s Clinical Team is made up of highly-qualified, licensed therapists and mental health professionals who work together to care for children and families who have experienced trauma.
Filling the Gaps: Why We Started Our Own Clinical Services Program
One of FosterAdopt Connect’s commitments is to constantly look for gaps in the child welfare system and figure out ways to fill them. One of the biggest challenges for the kids and families we serve is mental and behavioral health, but the resources, we found, were...
A Merry Christmas? Holiday Advice for First-Time Foster Parents
When Joseph Yearns became a foster parent, he knew he wanted to make a difference in the lives of children who had experienced trauma. In his first year of fostering, he and his husband welcomed three teenagers and two infants into their home. They got to know and...
A Beautiful Transformation: Bree’s Story
Bree’s* early life was marked by abuse, neglect, and exposure to domestic violence. Due to these experiences, she was eventually diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Reactive Attachment Disorder (RAD), and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder...
Five Simple Ways You Can Help FosterAdopt Connect for the Holidays
With the year coming to a close and the Holidays approaching, you may be looking for unique ways to give back to the community during the season of giving. We may be biased, but we are pretty big fans of the work we do, and always can use support as we serve children...
Giving Joy for the Holidays
On Saturday, December 10, a band of volunteers braved the cold and gathered in a former Macy’s department store in Independence, MO for our annual Give Joy distribution day. Give Joy is our way of providing free gifts to children in foster/adoptive care, making sure...
From Teacher to Parent: Amanda, Chet, and Chris’ Story
Chris* was placed in foster care in 2017. His mother struggled with substance abuse and untreated mental health, and sadly, she passed away the following year from an overdose. Chris was nearly a teenager, and unfortunately, it can be very difficult to find families...
Thankfulness Can Look Different for Youth in Foster Care
Thanksgiving, as the name would suggest, is a natural time to reflect on the things we are thankful for. Oftentimes, families will gather around a dining room table and name these out loud, expressing gratitude to each other. However, for youth in foster care, this...
We All Need Somebody to Lean On: Ashley’s Story
As a young girl, Ashley had very little stability in her life. In foster care since the age of 14 due to neglect, she bounced between several homes without any sense of permanency. Ashley became pregnant during high school, giving birth to her son, Ashton. During this...
Building Better Outcomes: Road to Home Gala 2022
Our Road to Home Gala is an event we look forward to every year. However, the pandemic put a damper on our being able to meet in person for the last two years. But this year, we were back in a big way! On October 8, a flock of costumed guests descended upon the...
Caffeine for a Cause: Introducing the Connect Café
Because they have their own trauma histories, talking to children in foster care about school shootings can be a challenge. Here’s how.
How to Talk to Children in Foster Care about School Shootings
Because they have their own trauma histories, talking to children in foster care about school shootings can be a challenge. Here’s how.
Finally, a Forever Family: The Shelleys’ Story
After almost a decade in foster care and two failed adoption attempts, one teenage boy finds his forever family.
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~ Mission Statement / Vision / Quote
Frequently Asked Questions
What types of children are in State care?
Are there different levels of foster care?
There are various levels of foster care need which may require less or more training. All are valuable and we encourage you to find the best fit for your family.
- Respite — Temporary, short-term care that gives other foster parents a break from foster-care responsibilities.
- Traditional — Care for a child in state custody for an indefinite period of time.
- Emergency — A 30-day maximum placement that provides caseworkers an opportunity to identify a long-term home.
- Medical — Care for children who require extra support because of disabilities or medical needs.
- Elevated-needs (levels A and B) — Care for children with moderate to severe behavioral/emotional needs.
- Treatment (or Career) — Care for children with severe behavioral/emotional needs.
How long will a foster child be in my home?
There is no set length for a foster placement. It depends on the circumstances of the child and his/her birth family. When a child is placed in your home, there may be an estimated length of time the child is expected to stay.
What is the process for placing a child in my home?
Many children enter state custody on a daily basis and need quick placement in a home. Child placing agencies begin looking for placements immediately.
- The child’s placing agency searches a database for available foster families.
- If you match some basic criteria needed for the child, the agency will call you.
- After careful consideration, you decide whether to accept the child into your home.
- If you accept, the caseworker calls you to set up a meeting location.
- You inform your resource development advocate of the change.
- If you say ‘no’, the child’s placing agency simply calls the next person on the list.
Do I have a say as to which child is placed in my home?
Yes. Foster parents specify the race, age, gender, and number of children they wish to care for. You have the right to ask questions about the child’s history and the option to decline any placement.
Program Video Intro Headline
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