fbpx
  • Careers
  • Volunteer
  • Blog
  • Email List
  • My Account
  • Contact
Foster & Adoptive Care Coalition
  • About Us
    • About Us
    • Board & Staff
    • Careers
    • Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
    • Mission, Vision & Values
    • Press, Awards & Publications
    • Newsletters
    • Reports & Financials
    • Official Policies
  • Our Work
    • Family Finding
      • All Recruitment Programs
      • A Place to Call Home
      • Extreme Recruitment®
      • Family Connections
      • Family Development
      • RESPOND
    • Supporting Families
      • All Support Programs
      • Birthday Buddies
      • Coalition CareLine
      • Educational Advocacy
      • Family Enrichment & Volunteering
      • Families United
      • Family Works
      • Little Wishes
      • Older Youth Readiness
      • ReFresh/Resource
      • Regional Family Support
      • Youth Acceptance Project (YAP)
    • Training
      • The Institute
    • Impact Stories
  • For Parents
    • Coalition CareLine
    • Child Welfare Terms
    • Waiting Children
    • Support Services
      • Birthday Buddies
      • Little Wishes
    • Training for Parents
    • ReFresh/ReSource
  • Become a Foster Parent
  • Events
  • Donate
    • One-Time Donation
    • Give Monthly
    • Project Dream Dress
    • Birthday Buddies
    • Little Wishes
    • ReFresh/Resource
    • Corporate and Community Giving
    • Now & Forever Society: Planned Giving
    • Giving Society
    • Donor Advised Funds
    • More Ways to Give
    • My Account
  • MENU

Author: Kylie Dickerson

Khalia

January 12, 2025
Meet Khalia! Khalia is a girly girl firecracker who is about to turn 13. She loves all things fashion and is up on all the latest trends. She enjoys shopping for colorful outfits that match her personality and working on her nails. When she isn’t working on her fashion, she is found putting together dance [...] Continue Reading

Tayana

January 10, 2025
12-year-old Tayana is an aspiring singer, songwriter, and artist. She has an art gallery of songs she has written and drawings she is working on, which she loves to show off. Get her talking about her passions, and she won’t stop. She might even ask you, “Am I talking too much?” She loves to spend [...] Continue Reading

Empowering Change: Trisha Gordon Joins the Foster & Adoptive Care Coalition to Advance Mission

January 29, 2024
The Foster & Adoptive Care Coalition (the Coalition), a trailblazing non-profit force in the St. Louis region, is excited to announce the addition of Trisha Gordon as their Chief Growth Officer. This strategic move reflects the organization’s commitment to addressing the evolving needs of the community impacted by foster care. Trisha has 25 years of [...] Continue Reading

Fostering Hope Newsletter | 2023 Winter Edition

December 12, 2023
Your browser does not seem to support iframes. Click here to read this PDF. Created using FlowPaper Flipbook Maker ↗ Continue Reading

Coalition Anniversary: We’re Turning 35!

December 4, 2023
Author: Kylie Dickerson We are thrilled to announce that next year marks a significant milestone for the Foster & Adoptive Care Coalition – our 35th anniversary of serving children and families in the St. Louis region! For Every Child . . . A Place to Call Home! For three and a half decades, the Coalition [...] Continue Reading

Our Take on Missouri Attorney General’s Opposition to Supporting LGBTQIA+ Children in Foster Care

November 30, 2023
Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey at swearing-in ceremony, January 2023. (Photo by Ozark Radio News) Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey opposes the support of LGBTQIA+ children in foster care.  In his news release, Attorney General Bailey says that he is a foster parent and disagrees with proposed rules by the U.S. Department of Health and [...] Continue Reading

A Compassionate Approach to Navigating Picky Eating Habits

November 16, 2023
Author: Ginette Rhodes Managing children with selective eating habits can pose challenges for even the most experienced caregivers. While some kids naturally outgrow their restrictive habits, "picky eating" can persist in others. After weeks or months of negotiating meals, it's easy to feel defeated. In this short guide, we’ve compiled friendly suggestions to help you [...] Continue Reading

Third Time’s A Charm: Another Enchanting Foster Hope Day!

November 16, 2023
Author: Norah Okilee What an adventure! This year, we raised an enchanting $243,356 to ensure no child faces the future alone. We couldn’t be more grateful that you once again made Foster Hope Day such a success. From our family to yours, thank you so much! Because of you and our community of generous volunteers, [...] Continue Reading

Reflecting on a Year of Progress: The RESPOND Program’s Journey Since Relaunch

October 24, 2023
One year has passed since the relaunch of RESPOND, and in this time, we've achieved remarkable progress in our mission to provide culturally competent homes for Black children affected by the foster care system. What Is RESPOND? Founded in the 1990s by foster/adoptive parents Howard and Vickie Denson, RESPOND, a culturally competent approach to foster [...] Continue Reading

Trever

October 17, 2023
Music is 17-year-old Trever’s love language! He’s crazy gifted on the guitar — which was self-taught. He fell in love with the instrument when he was just five years old. Not only is Trever musically gifted, but he is also creative. His favorite class is woodworking, where he can use his skills to create unique and [...] Continue Reading

Trick-or-Treating Safety Tips for a Spooktacular Halloween!

October 17, 2023
Are ghouls, ghosts, jack-o-lanterns, and creepy crawlers on display in your neighborhood yet? Maybe a simple but cute pumpkin or fall wreath adorns your front door in anticipation of this year’s spooky season. Enjoy every second of seeing your bright-eyed child dressed as perhaps their favorite Disney character or superhero. As we know, these moments [...] Continue Reading

ReFresh Makes Its Debut at May’s Night Market

October 11, 2023
May's Night Market is among the many gems that make St. Louis City a true treasure. This quarterly vendor market brings out a fanfare of vintage enthusiasts, homemakers, trendsetters, and families alike. Located conveniently at the City Foundry, May's Night Market is your one-stop destination for a wholesome variety of artistic pieces, clothing, handmade trinkets, [...] Continue Reading

The Gold Standard of Child Welfare Policy: ICWA Continues to Protect Native American Children

October 6, 2023
When and why was ICWA established? The Indian Child Welfare Act was established in 1978 in response to a disparate number of Native children entering the foster care system. The common Termination Era ideology that Native children would be better off living with White families served as a catalyst for this mass displacement. At the [...] Continue Reading

DDP Parent Labs

September 26, 2023
About Course DDP Parent Labs 12 Hours Training Credit The DDP-PPL program has been designed to meet an unmet need in the community to more comprehensively support children with histories of developmental trauma heal and thrive. It is aimed at giving support to the parents and caregivers with the knowledge that this level of therapeutic [...] Continue Reading

Therapeutic Foster Care (TFC)

September 22, 2023
About Course TFC 30 Hours Training Credit Interested in becoming a Therapeutic Foster Parent? Therapeutic Foster Care is the highest level of service, caring for our children most in need. This patented and individualized training will equip the foster parents with techniques that will encourage and propel growth and healthy development of children! The participant [...] Continue Reading

Level A | Elevated Needs

September 22, 2023
About Course Level A 18 Hours Training Credit The Coalition's mission in offering Level A training, known as CORE (Critical Ongoing Resource Family Education), is to empower resource parents to effectively meet the needs of older youth facing moderate to serious emotional and behavioral health challenges. These young individuals require intensive and coordinated services and [...] Continue Reading

Kinship Care Month | Darius’s Story

September 14, 2023
Author: Norah Okilee Christy, the eldest of three siblings, has a twin sister named Jenna and a younger brother named Michael. When they were young, they were placed under the care of their paternal grandmother due to their mother's substance dependency. However, when Christy was 13, their grandmother passed away, leaving no plan for their [...] Continue Reading

Kinship Care Month | Ashley’s Story

September 11, 2023
Author: Ginette Rhodes Jennifer, a 30-year-old woman with a heart of gold, serves as the primary caregiver for her father, who has become immobile due to a stroke. Despite dedicating a significant part of her day to her father's care, she made a life-altering decision in July of 2022. Upon learning that her 16-year-old niece, [...] Continue Reading

Celebrating a Milestone: A Place to Call Home’s 500th Forever Family!

September 11, 2023
Author: Ginette Rhodes In the world of television, where stories often come and go, there are exceptional programs that leave an undeniable legacy. For over 21 incredible years, KSDK 5 On Your Side's ‘A Place to Call Home’ segment has been a source of hope for local children. With each heartwarming feature, this segment has [...] Continue Reading

Kinship Care Month | April’s Story

September 8, 2023
Author: Ginette Rhodes Grandparents Louis and David share a unique, enduring bond with their granddaughter, April. Since her toddler years, they cherished precious moments with her. However, their relationship faced challenges due to April's biological mother/their daughter's worsening mental health. Over time, it became clear that April's safety was at risk in her mother's care. [...] Continue Reading

A Parent Guide to Demystifying Individualized Education Programs (IEPs)

August 17, 2023
Author: Ginette Rhodes Every human mind is uniquely different. People come in many shapes and sizes with equally different ways of thinking and brain functionality. One of the key goals of the term neurodiversity is to remove the negative stigma surrounding varied brain functionality. This approach provides a framework for recognizing and embracing the unique [...] Continue Reading

National Exercise With Your Child Week (August 6-12)

August 4, 2023
Author: Ginette Rhodes This week we are celebrating family fitness! Working out as a family helps establish lifelong habits and promotes family bonding! Not only does it bring you closer together, but it also encourages healthy habits for both you and your child. Remember to check in with the Coalition daily to discover a new [...] Continue Reading

Achieving Success: Your Guide to an Amazing School Year!

July 17, 2023
Author: Ginette Rhodes The age-old expression, "time flies when you're having fun," couldn't be truer as summer gradually comes to a close and the countdown to the school year begins. Summer walks in the park, amidst blooming flowers and freshly clipped grass, sun-soaked evenings spent on family vacations, and the sheer bliss of sleeping in [...] Continue Reading

Embracing Inclusive and Affirming Care For LGBTQIA+ Youth in Foster Care

June 15, 2023
Author: Ginette Rhodes If you are thinking about or have already become a foster or adoptive parent, it's important to understand the landscape of foster and adoptive care is more diverse than ever. In fact, one in three youth identify as LGBTQIA+ in foster care compared to 10% of the general population. It's probable your [...] Continue Reading

Bites at The Big Top: A Night to Remember

May 18, 2023
Author: Ginette Rhodes Bites at The Big Top was easily one of the top food festivals in St. Louis this year! The air was thick with excitement as guests arrived at The Big Top early for the first Bites at The Big Top fundraiser hosted by the Foster and Adoptive Care Coalition. Their outfits dazzled, [...] Continue Reading

Remember to Go Outside and Play in Celebration of Earth Day

April 12, 2023
Author: Ginette Rhodes Let's take a moment to celebrate Earth Day by feeling the grass beneath our feet and the warmth of the sun on our faces! Spending time in nature can benefit children's physical and mental well-being while enhancing social skills. Encourage your children to explore and appreciate their environment by providing access to [...] Continue Reading

4 Ways You Can Support Children in Foster Care Without Becoming a Foster Parent

January 30, 2023
While becoming a licensed foster parent may be the most apparent way to benefit children in foster care, there are several other ways to make a direct impact on the lives of children in care. Whether you’re giving time, money,  or material support, the effort you put forth for children in foster care is always [...] Continue Reading

Guide to Foster Hope Day: Everything You Need to Know

November 7, 2022
About Foster Hope Day 4 Steps to Foster Hope Day Donate and enter to win one of our incredible raffle prizes. Share our social media posts, forward our emails and tell your friends about us. We'll be live throughout the day on Facebook (Miss anything? Don't worry, videos will also be posted on the Charidy [...] Continue Reading

Kinship Care: The Hidden Heroes of Child Welfare

September 22, 2022
Kinship care refers to the care of children by relatives or close family friends. There are two main aspects of kinship care. “Relative kinship” care refers to the child being cared for by a relative. However, the term "kin" encompasses this and “fictive kinship”, which refers to all non-relatives.   This kind of kinship care [...] Continue Reading

Adult Adoption: An Overlooked Path to Permanence

August 30, 2022
Over 23,000 children age out of the foster care system each year. Children who age out of foster care are removed from their foster homes to live independently upon their 18th, 19th, 20th, or 21st birthday (the age at which one ages out depends on the State and foster home). Once they age out, many [...] Continue Reading

The Coalition’s Summer Fun Guide

July 12, 2022
Happy Summer! 🌞 The Coalition's got you covered if you are looking for fun ideas to make the most out of this summer with your family! We have compiled a list of fun summer activities, including pools, festivals, and learning opportunities, for you and your kids. Free and low-cost options are included as well as [...] Continue Reading

A Record-Breaking Spring Event Season

June 27, 2022
This spring was our first in-person event season since 2020—the most successful ever in Coalition history. And while the dollars raised and new supporters are incredible, the real story is the impact your investment will have on kids who have spent time in foster care. This year our Give STL Day goal was $250,000—our largest [...] Continue Reading

Family Fun at the St. Louis Aquarium

April 18, 2022

After two long years, we held our first family event in person! Earlier this year, we received a generous donation of 300 free tickets from the Aquarium Foundation for our foster, adoptive, and guardianship families. We sent out the invite to our families and sold out within minutes.  On April 3rd, we got the chance […]

Continue Reading

The Coalition RESPONDs to the Need for African American Foster Parents

April 8, 2022
"African Americans adopt more than anyone, we just do it informally. It is a part of our history and culture." Our local community is in desperate need of more African American foster parents. Why? Racial disproportionality is a pervasive issue in child welfare. In St. Louis alone, African American children represent nearly 70% of kids [...] Continue Reading

The Cinderella Project in 2022

March 7, 2022
2022 is the second year in a row that the Cinderella Project has been scaled down because of the COVID pandemic. During this time, we have not been able to provide girls with the full Cinderella experience, but our dedicated ReFresh team has found creative solutions for girls to still receive the prom gowns of [...] Continue Reading

Celebrating Black History Month

February 25, 2022
Each February, National Black History Month serves as both a celebration and a powerful reminder that Black history is American history, Black culture is American culture, and Black stories are essential to the ongoing story of America — our faults, our struggles, our progress, and our aspirations. In honor of Black History Month 2022, we’re [...] Continue Reading

Let Go Your Ego: A Barrier for Child Welfare Workers

January 11, 2022
By Dr. Karen Alyasiry, Family Development Specialist, Foster & Adoptive Care Coalition Child Welfare is a multi-faceted system of agencies working to improve the efficiency of permanency for youth that enter alternative care. The Missouri Department of Social Services has reported 14,221 children in the foster care system as of November 2021 (dss.mo.gov, n.d.). The [...] Continue Reading

Creating the Most Innovative Foster Care and Adoption Community in Our Country

January 4, 2022
Link to flyer. The Foster & Adoptive Care Coalition held a series of “town hall” meetings with hundreds of local child welfare community members after learning that the State of Missouri is making a $5 million investment to expand foster care and adoption services. These conversations helped the Coalition form a bold vision for changing [...] Continue Reading

The Holidays in Foster Care – Top 5 Tips

December 15, 2021
During the holidays, we are inundated with messages from a number of sources (movies, music, TV, social media, commercials) about how we should be feeling joyful, happy, and thankful. Surrounded by loving (and attractive) family, laughter, fancy food served at perfectly set tables, and loads of expensive gifts, these images rarely reflect the truth for [...] Continue Reading

30 Days to Family®: Royce’s Story

November 29, 2021
Royce entered foster care after allegations of domestic violence were filed against his maternal great-grandfather who was his primary caregiver. He had lived with his great-grandparents since losing both of his parents. Entering foster care added yet another layer of trauma and hurt to this 11-year-old boy who had already lived through difficult hardships. Upon [...] Continue Reading

2,531 Days in Foster Care: Colton’s Story

November 22, 2021
November is National Adoption Awareness Month. We would like to take this opportunity to highlight the powerful work of our Extreme Recruitment® program, and what better way to do it than through one of our wonderful adoption stories?! In the spring of 2021, Colton was finally adopted into his forever family. But this was not [...] Continue Reading

Celebrating National Kinship Care Month

September 27, 2021
Kinship care refers to the care of children by relatives or, in some jurisdictions, close family friends. During the month of September (and every month) we celebrate these amazing families! In honor of Kinship Care Month, we thought we could share a few of our family stories. Check out our previous blog post for more [...] Continue Reading

Celebrating National Kinship Care Month

September 16, 2021
September is National Kinship Care Month. During this month our nation highlights what our Coalition Families United program celebrates every day: the commitment and love our relatives and kinship families provide to children in foster care. To celebrate we thought we could share a few of our amazing family stories. Stay tuned, as we will [...] Continue Reading

Press Release: Governor Parson Signs Historic Investment for Foster Care Support Services

July 29, 2021
Click here to download this press release as a PDF. ST. LOUIS, MO - July 29, 2021 - The State of Missouri made a historic investment on behalf of children in foster care when Governor Mike Parson signed the social services portion of the FY 2022 budget on July 1, 2021. $90 million in new [...] Continue Reading

A Child’s Journey Through Foster Care

July 6, 2021
Have you ever wondered what happens to a child after entering foster care? Because every child has a right to privacy, foster care is invisible by design. But that also means the system is often unaccountable and, to most people, completely unknown. When the state removes a child from their home due to alleged abuse [...] Continue Reading

Debunking Foster Care Myths

June 2, 2021
Right now, there are around 4,500 kids in St. Louis foster care and 400,000 kids in foster care in the United States. Quality foster homes are always needed to care for our community’s most vulnerable children. While there are incredible individuals ready to help, many more folks would like to become licensed foster parents. Still, [...] Continue Reading

Give STL Day 2021

April 20, 2021
There Has Never Been a Better Time To Support Our Kids www.givestlday.org/fosteradopt Give STL Day is Thursday, May 6th (add to your calendar), and the Coalition has set a goal of $180,000. That’s an ambitious goal, but there has never been a better time to support our kids. Why? We learned from the pandemic that [...] Continue Reading

Standout Volunteers of the Year

April 14, 2021
On April 7th, 2021 the Coalition was thrilled to thank some of our extraordinary volunteers for their wonderful contributions to our mission. Because of the continuing COVID-19 pandemic, we had to get creative. We were elated that volunteers could attend our socially-distanced Appreciation Luncheon. We wanted to give volunteers a safe and superior experience! Lunch [...] Continue Reading

Your Give STL Day Investment Last Year Allowed Us To Change 2020 From a Threat to an Opportunity

April 14, 2021
Join us for Give STL Day 2021 on May 6. Your investment on Give STL Day last year allowed us to change 2020 from a threat to an opportunity. Rather than widespread instability and further trauma, our families experienced unparalleled support. Your support over the years made that possible. The Coalition had the luxury of [...] Continue Reading

“What Inspired You To Work With Youth in Foster Care?” 14 Staff Members Share Their Stories

March 25, 2021
To commemorate social work appreciation month, we turned the spotlight to the real engine of change at the Coalition: our program staff. We interviewed 14 of them so they could share their journey in the child welfare field – what inspired them to do this work, some of their favorite aspects, words of wisdom for [...] Continue Reading

COVID-19 Vaccine Information for Foster, Adoptive & Guardianship Parents

March 16, 2021

All foster, adoptive, and guardianship parents who receive subsidy are eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccination starting Monday 3/15. As you may have heard, getting a vaccination appointment in St. Louis can be very difficult! Below is a guide to help you. Don’t wait to be contacted!  You should pre-register at all the websites listed […]

Continue Reading

Family is Everything

March 4, 2021

This year we celebrate 10 years of our 30 Days to Family® program in the St. Louis area with a BIG milestone: 1,000 kids served! 30 Days to Family® helps place kids with relatives, significantly reducing their time in foster care and creating stable placements by weaving together a robust support system. This short intervention has […]

Continue Reading

10 Years, 1,000 Kids: The 30 Days to Family® Story

February 10, 2021
This year we celebrate 10 years of our 30 Days to Family® program in the St. Louis area with a BIG milestone: we will soon reach 1,000 kids served! 30 Days to Family® helps place kids with relatives, significantly reducing their time in foster care and creating stable placements by weaving together a robust support [...] Continue Reading

The Holidays in Foster Care – Top 5 Tips

December 1, 2020
During the holidays, we are inundated with messages from a number of sources (movies, music, TV, social media, commercials) about how we should be feeling joyful, happy, and thankful. Surrounded by loving (and attractive) family, laughter, fancy food served at perfectly set tables and loads of expensive gifts, these images rarely reflect the truth for [...] Continue Reading

After Five Years in the Foster Care System, Gianna Finally Feels Safe Enough to Heal

October 22, 2020
Gianna’s father, Joseph, was struggling with drug addiction when Gianna came into foster care at 11 years old. Her mother had passed away and Joseph was Gianna’s sole caregiver. As Gianna’s case progressed, her father was unable to overcome his struggle with substance use and a judge made Gianna available for adoption. Gianna suffered immense [...] Continue Reading

An Educational Advocate’s Tips for Surviving Distance Learning

October 2, 2020
Mariah* spent 2 of her last 3 years in foster care bouncing in and out of residential facilities.  When she transitioned to the residential facility, she had an IEP in place.  The residential facility refused to hold the annual IEP meeting when the case manager requested it, so her IEP was over a year old [...] Continue Reading

LGBT+ Youth in Foster Care: 7 Simple Actions You Can Take To Make Youth Feel Safe and Promote Acceptance

August 19, 2020
Xavier had been separated from so many people- first from his parents at age nine and then from his two brothers as they were moved from placement to placement. He had already lived in six different foster homes and attended three different schools. But even as a sixteen-year-old who desperately wanted permanency and family, he [...] Continue Reading

Our Work Continues During the Pandemic

July 30, 2020
Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, we have responded to over 1,000 CareLine calls, distributed 2,500 clothing items, finalized 10 adoptions, continued to place kids with relatives, advocated for foster children in schools, and trained dozens of foster parents. You won’t be surprised to learn that, over the past five months, we’ve seen our [...] Continue Reading

10 Adoptions / Guardianships Finalized During the Pandemic

July 30, 2020
During the pandemic our Extreme Recruitment® program has finalized 10 adoptions/guardianships! One of the biggest challenges faced by foster care professionals has been delayed adoption timeframes due to cancelled and postponed court hearings and generally slower communication. Adoption/guardianship day is the most important date for many of our children who have lingered in foster care [...] Continue Reading

Staff Day of Diversity & Inclusion Stewardship

June 9, 2020
Acknowledging the systemic racism that hurts our kids and families is just the first step; injustice also demands action. Last week Coalition staff took 4-hours, an intentional block of time, to steward Diversity and Inclusion either personally or collectively with an activity of their choice. In a time of pain, anger, confusion, grief, and thirst [...] Continue Reading

P-EBT Benefits: Get $250+ for Food for Children

June 9, 2020
Download Missouri P-EBT Flyer Download Illinois P-EBT Flyer Get $250-302 for Each School-Age Child to Spend on Food Deadline for P-EBT: July 7 (Missouri) | July 15 (Illinois) The State of Missouri and Illinois have created P-EBT to support the unforeseen burden of buying more food when normally children may have been fed at schools. [...] Continue Reading

For Our Kids, Families, and Staff, Silence is Not an Option

June 5, 2020
This week, our staff asked, “The Coalition turned on a dime for COVID-19, why haven’t we done the same for racism?” George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and Ahmaud Arbery were murdered, and yet the Coalition was silent on the many ways systemic racism manifests in the lives of our staff and families. We did the same [...] Continue Reading

Talking to Your Children About Racism

June 2, 2020
In light of the most recent outcry for justice for the African American community, the Coalition recently shared with our foster and adoptive community this reflection on how to talk to your children about racism in these tragic times. Horrific events like the death of Mr. George Floyd force us to confront the ever-present racial [...] Continue Reading

A Tribute to John Kuntemeier, Tenacious Advocate for Children in St. Louis

May 28, 2020
The sole reason we are able to be innovative is because of the investments of forward-thinking, dedicated individuals that care about the welfare of our children. Today, we give tribute to John Kuntemeier, who passed away in February. John was a dedicated Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) Volunteer who throughout his life was an advocate [...] Continue Reading

Does Anyone Out There Have Any Idea What We Should Be Doing Right Now?

May 13, 2020
Seriously, please, please, please tell me I am not alone. That I have not gone completely off the deep end. That at least someone else is as confused, frustrated, morally-torn, and exhausted as I, trying to figure out where we are at with all of this? Triple this if you are parenting, Quadruple it if [...] Continue Reading

Recommended Reading: That Discomfort You’re Feeling is Grief

April 21, 2020
"That Discomfort You're Feeling is Grief" by Scott Berinato and published by the Harvard Business Review Link to article. As an introduction to next Thursday’s video, “Why Do I Want to Stop, Drop and Roll (into a Ball and Back Under the Covers?”), this article, suggested by a fellow foster parent, really lays the ground [...] Continue Reading

Family: A Child’s Most Basic Need

April 15, 2020
“Every kid needs a family. This, we know. We know it when we look at our own children and think about our dreams for them. We know it in our hearts, in our bones and from our own stories. Whether “family” means a mother and father, a single parent, a beloved aunt or uncle, a [...] Continue Reading

A Special Message to Our Community

March 18, 2020
We know that the coronavirus (COVID-19) continues to be top of mind for many of you – just as it is for all of us here at Foster & Adoptive Care Coalition. As a Coalition, we rely on all of you to carry out our mission. As such, we want to share our plan to [...] Continue Reading

Extreme Recruitment®: Tarah’s Story

February 13, 2020
Late one winter night in 2008, 7-year-old Tarah* and 8-year-old Anthony came into foster care because their mom was addicted to heroin and struggled with mental illness. They were immediately split up and placed with strangers. Their caseworker was brand new. She tried to contact relatives but found fewer than 10.  With no known father, [...] Continue Reading

Celebrating Diversity: Coalition Hosts Training On Transracial Parenting

January 14, 2020
“All you need is love” and “skin color doesn’t make a difference.” We hear these comments all the time in conversations about transracial parenting. While people say these with the best intentions, they can become a barrier to engaging in deeper thinking, self-evaluation, and conversations around the complexities of transracial families. These conversations can have [...] Continue Reading

Institute for Child Welfare Innovation Launched in St. Louis with $1.4 Million Grant

December 3, 2019
December 04, 2019 - St. Louis, Missouri - Ian Forber-Pratt, a Distinguished Alumnus from the Brown School at Washington University in St. Louis and a graduate from Principia College, and his team have received a grant from a private donor to formally launch the Institute for Child Welfare Innovation. The Institute is a spin-off 501c3 [...] Continue Reading

Playfulness, Acceptance, Curiosity, and Empathy: Building Trust in Our Relationships with Children

December 2, 2019
We were thrilled at the outpouring of interest in our last blog post: Why Traditional Parenting Fails Children with Trauma. In that post, our Director of Family Works, Anne Zink, discussed Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy (DDP), the only evidence-informed therapy for children with complex trauma between the ages of 2-21. As Anne discussed in the last [...] Continue Reading

Why Traditional Parenting Fails Children with Trauma

October 30, 2019
Much of traditional day-to-day parenting assumes that the child feels safe at home and is able to trust their parent and their motives when they discipline them. They may not like the discipline but they never doubt the underlying security and unconditional love. This traditional parenting, based on social learning theory, assumes that children learn [...] Continue Reading

Every Year 20,000 Youth Age Out of Foster Care with Little Support

September 30, 2019
Issue Spotlight: Transition-Age Youth (TAY) in Foster Care Do you remember being 21 years old? Maybe you have memories of signing your first lease, going off to college, searching for jobs or trying to find yourself. Oh, a time of change and endless possibilities… and stress, confusion and the overwhelming feeling of “having no idea [...] Continue Reading

Back to School: The Road to Success

August 7, 2019

Time flies when you’re having fun! Camps, vacations, and pool days are winding down, and reality is slowly sinking in; it’s already time to prepare for the school year. We know this is often a tough season for foster, adoptive, and guardianship families. That’s why we do everything we can to make this transition seamless. […]

Continue Reading

ReFresh: Not Your Typical Resale Store

July 17, 2019
It had been a tough day for 16-year-old Marcie*. She had just learned that her brother was being adopted. She was glad for him, but couldn’t help but wonder when she would find her forever family, too. She missed him already. Edna, The Coalition’s Wendy’s Wonderful Kids Recruiter, recognized that she needed a little extra [...] Continue Reading

30 Days to Family®: Hear from the 2018 Innovative Practices Award Winner

June 25, 2019

Find out how Foster & Adoptive Care Coalition, winner of Council on Accreditation’s 2018 Innovative Practices Award, is leading the charge to create stability for kids in the chaotic world of foster care.

Continue Reading

School’s Out for the Summer … Make the Most of Your Break

June 14, 2019

Final projects turned in, desks cleaned out, and the classroom doors are closed … summer has arrived! For many families, there is much to anticipate: sleeping in, vacations, and camps. But for foster parents, it is often a season of uncertainty as the kids in their care adjust to a new daily routine, away from […]

Continue Reading

30 Years of Volunteers

June 4, 2019
It was a sea of smiles at Wells Fargo Advisors last month, as the Coalition welcomed longtime supporters to our 30 Years of Volunteers Luncheon. It felt more like a family reunion, bringing together extraordinary individuals and groups who have been committed to serving our most vulnerable kids for the last three decades. The room [...] Continue Reading

The Real “Crisis” in Foster Care

May 20, 2019
How many times have you heard the following? We don’t have enough foster parents. There aren’t enough qualified parents to care for our kids. There is a crisis-level shortage of available homes. If you live the child welfare life, we’d guess every day. But that’s not the full story. Those statements would lead you to [...] Continue Reading

Radical Acceptance

April 11, 2019

Click here to download a pdf. “Pain is inevitable, suffering is optional” Caring for children and youth who have survived severe and complicated trauma can be exhausting and finding peace among the chaos can be daunting. When we enter survival mode, we can lose perspective and situations can quickly spiral out of emotional control. WHAT […]

Continue Reading

Ian’s Story: Imagine Something More

April 4, 2019
Part 3 of a 3-part blog series about The Coalition’s National Program Advisor, Ian Forber Pratt On July 11, 2018, Ian Forber-Pratt boarded a plane to St. Louis. Over the last 9 years, he’d been at the forefront of a movement to change the face of child welfare in India. Now he was headed back [...] Continue Reading

Ian’s Story: Overcoming the Odds

March 14, 2019
Part 2 of a 3-part blog series about The Coalition’s National Program Advisor, Ian Forber Pratt In a cluttered, sweltering government building in Rajasthan, India, Ian Forber Pratt stood sweating in the office of the Director of the Department of Child Rights (DCR). He had come to ask permission to do something unprecedented: create a [...] Continue Reading

Ian’s Story: Standing in the Gap

March 6, 2019
Part 1 of a 3-part blog series about The Coalition’s National Program Advisor, Ian Forber Pratt Ian Forber-Pratt went to the courthouse in 2009 to begin his first case as an Extreme Recruiter. He entered the courtroom to the sound of screaming. Ian backed against the wall as Mallory*, age 14, was wheeled out of [...] Continue Reading

Tess & Ayden Gaeng

February 7, 2019
We sat down with Tess Gaeng, a recent “graduate” of our Dennis & Judy Jones Family Foundation Foster Care & Adoption Program, and mom to four-year-old Ayden. Why did you decide to foster? I always knew I wanted to be a parent, but I wasn’t sure that biological children was the way that would happen. [...] Continue Reading

Maliek #30Years30Stories

January 30, 2019

Maliek was hospitalized after a terrible beating by his father. Lost to addiction, his mother was unable to care for him. 30 Days to Family® found that his maternal grandma wanted him. As a refugee from the Rwandan genocide, however, she didn’t have a good grasp of English. Family Court said that because grandma couldn’t […]

Continue Reading

Our Story

January 14, 2019

“What began as a handful of reform-minded dreamers is now a cutting-edge leader in policy and practice. 30 years in, our groundbreaking and data-driven work has created dramatic change in the lives of our region’s most vulnerable children.” In the late 1980s and early 90s, the United States was gripped by a drug epidemic. Cheap, […]

Continue Reading

The Holidays in Foster Care: Why Things Might Get Rough

December 5, 2018

During the holidays, we are inundated with messages from a number of sources (movies, music, TV, social media, commercials) about how we should be feeling joyful, happy, and thankful. Surrounded by loving (and attractive) family, laughter, fancy food served at perfectly set tables and loads of expensive gifts, these images rarely reflect the truth for […]

Continue Reading

Recent Posts

  • Keeping Children in Foster Care Connected
  • William
  • $245,679 Raised on Give STL Day!
  • The Path to Permanency
  • May 8 & 15 | Big Behaviors: Making Sense of Lying, Stealing & Meltdowns

Donate

About Us

Blog

Meet the Staff 

Careers

Volunteer

Contact

Child Welfare Terms

Follow Us


© Foster & Adoptive Care Coalition | 1750 S Brentwood Blvd. Suite 210 | St. Louis, MO 63144 | (314) 367-8373
  • About Us
    • About Us
    • Board & Staff
    • Careers
    • Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
    • Mission, Vision & Values
    • Press, Awards & Publications
    • Newsletters
    • Reports & Financials
    • Official Policies
  • Our Work
    • Family Finding
      • All Recruitment Programs
      • A Place to Call Home
      • Extreme Recruitment®
      • Family Connections
      • Family Development
      • RESPOND
    • Supporting Families
      • All Support Programs
      • Birthday Buddies
      • Coalition CareLine
      • Educational Advocacy
      • Family Enrichment & Volunteering
      • Families United
      • Family Works
      • Little Wishes
      • Older Youth Readiness
      • ReFresh/Resource
      • Regional Family Support
      • Youth Acceptance Project (YAP)
    • Training
      • The Institute
    • Impact Stories
  • For Parents
    • Coalition CareLine
    • Child Welfare Terms
    • Waiting Children
    • Support Services
      • Birthday Buddies
      • Little Wishes
    • Training for Parents
    • ReFresh/ReSource
  • Become a Foster Parent
  • Events
  • Donate
    • One-Time Donation
    • Give Monthly
    • Project Dream Dress
    • Birthday Buddies
    • Little Wishes
    • ReFresh/Resource
    • Corporate and Community Giving
    • Now & Forever Society: Planned Giving
    • Giving Society
    • Donor Advised Funds
    • More Ways to Give
    • My Account
  • GIFT SEARCH
    • Browse the Shop
      • Shop – 3 Products
      • Shop — 3 Products
      • Shop — 4 Products
      • Shop — 5 Products
        • Product Types
      • Shop — 6 Products
      • Shop — On-Screen Sidebar
      • Shop — Off-Canvas Sidebar
    • User Account
      • Login / Register
      • Orders History
      • Billing / Shipping Addresses
  • Login / Register
  • My Account
  • Cart
  • Blog
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • Instagram
  • Youtube

Cart

Foster & Adoptive Care Coalition
  • About Us
    • About Us
    • Board & Staff
    • Careers
    • Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
    • Mission, Vision & Values
    • Press, Awards & Publications
    • Newsletters
    • Reports & Financials
    • Official Policies
  • Our Work
    • Family Finding
      • All Recruitment Programs
      • A Place to Call Home
      • Extreme Recruitment®
      • Family Connections
      • Family Development
      • RESPOND
    • Supporting Families
      • All Support Programs
      • Birthday Buddies
      • Coalition CareLine
      • Educational Advocacy
      • Family Enrichment & Volunteering
      • Families United
      • Family Works
      • Little Wishes
      • Older Youth Readiness
      • ReFresh/Resource
      • Regional Family Support
      • Youth Acceptance Project (YAP)
    • Training
      • The Institute
    • Impact Stories
  • For Parents
    • Coalition CareLine
    • Child Welfare Terms
    • Waiting Children
    • Support Services
      • Birthday Buddies
      • Little Wishes
    • Training for Parents
    • ReFresh/ReSource
  • Become a Foster Parent
  • Events
  • Donate
    • One-Time Donation
    • Give Monthly
    • Project Dream Dress
    • Birthday Buddies
    • Little Wishes
    • ReFresh/Resource
    • Corporate and Community Giving
    • Now & Forever Society: Planned Giving
    • Giving Society
    • Donor Advised Funds
    • More Ways to Give
    • My Account
Foster & Adoptive Care Coalition