The staff at Foster & Adoptive Care Coalition (the Coalition) are no strangers to fiercely championing the children and families we serve. In February 2024, Daniel and Connor contacted Karen Alyasiry, Director of Family Development, seeking information about the fostering and adoption process. After speaking with Karen, the couple determined that pursuing licensure to foster was the best path forward.
Midway through their licensure process, Daniel and Connor were contacted by an external agency about a sibling group of four boys who had been in care for several years. The boys were living apart and reuniting them was the top priority.
“The boys were all separated prior to us getting them,” said Daniel. “They were experiencing some behaviors and needed emergency placement. We were advocating hard to get the boys all under one roof.”
Shortly after receiving this information, Daniel and Connor encountered an unexpected setback. They were informed, midway through their licensure process, that the external agency would no longer be moving forward with their licensing, although they had passed all Missouri licensing standards and background checks. The couple, feeling disheartened and unsure of what to do next, reached out to Karen for guidance.
Determined to advocate for the family, Karen reviewed the policy and found that it did not prohibit pursuing both fostering and adoption paths simultaneously. Karen reached out to her supervisor, Cisely Beard, Senior Program Director of General and Targeted Recruitment, to discuss a plan forward. Karen and Cisely then met with the external agency to clarify this, serving as strong advocates for Daniel and Connor.
“Karen called to clear things up and things started moving in a positive direction,” said Daniel. “They [Karen and Cisely] put forth a lot of effort to help get us licensed. Through their advocacy, they refused to take no as an answer,” Daniel chuckled. “I don’t think we would have gotten licensed as quickly had it not been for them.”
Thanks to Karen’s unwavering commitment, she successfully completed the couple’s home study and helped them become licensed—despite being previously told it wouldn’t be possible. In November 2024, the four brothers were officially placed with Daniel and Connor, marking the first time they were all able to live together under one roof.
“The stars all finally aligned, and we got licensed,” said Daniel. “We had a big celebration, and the boys were all excited to see each other and be with us. We had a nice little road trip picking them up from Macon, MO and we all got to learn more about each other. They’re sweet boys and we work hard to make sure that they have everything that they need.”
This moment is the heart of what the Coalition stands for—keeping siblings together and providing safe, nurturing homes for children impacted by foster care. It’s the embodiment of our vision: For Every Child…A Place to Call Home.