Kansas Caregivers Support Network (KCSN) partnered with Adopt Kansas Kids, Sammy’s Window KS and Cornerstones of Care to host a Reunification Celebration Event. Families served by Cornerstones of Care, who had successfully reintegrated, were offered an opportunity to come to the FosterAdopt Connect offices in Kansas City, KS to enjoy free snacks, a professional family photography session and a free unlimited “shopping” spree in the Sammy’s Window clothing closet and food pantry. Each of the families left with a fresh supply of hygiene products, food, toys and clothes. In addition, each family went home with a framed professional family portrait to commemorate their success.

Mary was licensed as a relative provider in February 2022 to care for a teenage boy who was her employee at McDonalds. Teenage boys are difficult to place and he had no family eligible to care for him. Mary offering to take him into her home gave him a chance to finish his senior year at his school and maintain his employment. In the beginning, her placement struggled with socializing and exhibited many emotional setbacks involving issues with anger and isolation. Mary worked closely with him and the school to make sure he graduated with his class. She found a therapist who helped him work through his trauma and continues to work with him. The teen graduated from high school in May 2022. He is now residing independently (while still in care), attending a vocational school where he has made a couple friends and is succeeding in his courses. Mary continues to be his support while he is in school and her home is still his “home.”

Breanna’s family registered for the Back 2 School event, as they weren’t in a financial position to get all the items they knew she would need to start her 5th grade year off right. When they showed up to receive their supplies, Breanna was a bit shy. She stuck tight to her mom as they navigated the people and stacks of supplies. FosterAdopt Connect staff greeted Breanna and her mom and could see she was getting excited and more relaxed as they made their way to the backpacks. Her face lit up as she was able to select the perfect backpack in her favorite color. As they opened the bag and went through the supplies inside, it was obvious how much it meant to Breanna’s mom, as well as to Breanna. The smile on her face told it all, as she carried her backpack out the door. FosterAdopt Connect providing school supplies to Breanna, and numerous children just like her, speaks to how much the little things make a huge difference, allowing kids to get excited about school knowing they have the essential things to start school with confidence.

The holidays can be a tough time for youth in foster care, as what’s normally a time for celebration and family togetherness can be a time of uncertainty and instability. Logan wasn’t sure which version of the holidays he would be facing last year. Through his foster parents participating in Give Joy, it presented the opportunity for Logan to receive gifts they wouldn’t have otherwise been able to provide. The family’s excitement and joy that was obvious when they arrived on pick-up day was impossible to miss. As he looked over the stack of gifts provided by generous donors, a smile spread over his face and his foster folks were so grateful. Loading up their trunk, Logan proudly held on to one of the gifts and, as they said their thank yous, Logan gave a quick hug to one of the volunteers. Logan let his foster mom know that, because of Give Joy, it was his most favorite Christmas morning ever!

We recently met with two teen parents who are living in their car with their baby. We partnered with Sammy’s Window to provide them with baby items, clothing, food and hygiene items. A housing assessment was performed to help them qualify for temporary shelter and get them on the waiting list for an apartment. We helped the couple qualify for a scholarship for Parent Education classes at Creating Parent Readiness (CPR) of the Ozarks. We continue to see the couple when they need support or resources. Once they get into the permanent apartment, they will be assigned a case manager. When they have achieved housing stability, we will refer them to Fostering Prevention.

The Springfield EFF team began working with Nick in October 2022. Through exhaustive efforts of family finding, they located Carl, a former youth staff. Carl and Nick had built a relationship and connection through his time in foster care. Carl was approached by the EFF team to see if he was willing to be a support for Nick. Carl jumped at the opportunity to reconnect and, in July 2023, the two had some reconnection visits. Carl stated he would like to become a permanent placement option for Nick. Nick was asked if he would like to live with Carl and excitedly said “YES”. With the support to move forward with licensing, Nick moved into Carl’s home in September of 2023 and was officially adopted on March of 2024, 5 months before his 18th birthday. Nick has since graduated high school and Carl is helping him navigate life as a young adult.

We received a referral for a newborn, born in July 2024, with concerns of neglect, substance use and untreated mental illness. The mother declined substance abuse and mental health treatment, citing her mental health diagnosis “went away in 2020”. The biological father was a non-option, due to current legal convictions. A maternal uncle was located and, after a walk through and home study were completed, the team agreed to place with the uncle after bonding time with the infant and education on withdrawal symptoms took place. The infant was discharged from the hospital to a foster home, allowing the uncle to obtain necessary materials and equipment. He took placement on 10/19/24. The 30 Days to Family specialist located additional relatives to assist in supporting the uncle and infant. Overall, eighty-six family members were identified and twenty-five family members contacted. The infant is still under the care of their uncle and doing well! Per the case worker’s report, “baby is happy, healthy, and very social.”

Eva’s family was referred to Fostering Prevention after DCF took legal custody of her daughter Anna, but left her placed in Eva’s home. Anna was attending the alternative school program, was on probation, attending anger management classes and in substance abuse treatment. She was verbally aggressive toward Eva and other authority figures. As a mother, Eva was struggling parenting Anna, as well as with her aggressive ex-husband, who often took advantage of her. Eva started in the program, where she learned skills to help children with problem behaviors, help teens learn independent life skills, how to communicate with her children and how to improve her self-worth. Eva successfully completed the program and, at the time of closure, Anna had successfully completed anger management classes, probation and was attending half days at alternative school and high school. Eva became more confident in her parenting, setting healthy boundaries, standing up for herself and using nurturing parenting strategies. She and Anna communicate better and have developed a closer relationship. We were able to help her pay a portion of Eva’s car registration, so she could continue working, and she has decided to go back to college, focusing on a degree in social work. She will continue with Fostering Prevention for the next 6 months through the aftercare program, where she will receive support and resources as needed.

The Legal Advocacy Program (LAP) was contacted by a young parent who had spent time in foster care. They had accumulated a number of traffic violations and had warrants for their arrest. With the assistance of LAP, they were able to get their warrants withdrawn and their tickets resolved without being put out financially. Two years later, the client was awarded a grant to attend a program to get their Commercial Driver’s License. As the program was coming to an end, the client was required to go to the DMV to get their CDL permit. While there, they learned that their license had been suspended. As a result of the license suspension, they were kicked out of the CDL program and were at risk of losing their grant. The client immediately reached out to their previous attorney with LAP to explain their situation. The two worked together tirelessly over the next two weeks to get the client’s warrants withdrawn and license reinstated. As a result of this effort, the client was able to keep their grant and the CDL program allowed them to re-enter the class to complete their certification. The client received their CDL and is now beginning their job search!

“I cannot express how grateful I am for all the help you’ve given our son and our family during this incredibly challenging time. To us, you are more than just a therapist—you are a lifelong supporter and someone we will always remember as a pivotal figure in our son’s journey. Even though our son’s path often feels like a battle against the systems of this world, we press on because of people like you who walk alongside him and help him. As his mother, it is heartbreaking and terrifying to send him into the world and into the school system, but we will continue to fight for his rights and the support he deserves. Your support has been such a source of strength for us. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.”

– Clinical Services Client

A teenage client struggling with school-related issues came to see Dr. Kilo. The client and his caregiver identified that he often exhibits behaviors at school because he feels singled out by his teacher due to his different learning style and what she perceives as his inappropriate responses in class. The teacher was not aware of the child’s trauma history and how that contributes to current behaviors. Dr. Kilo worked with the caregiver and youth on ways they could better communicate about needs, ask for help and set boundaries, even when they were triggered. Eventually, the client finished their assignments for this class, the teacher assisted them in learning and showed appropriate respect to the client. This client is learning to find their voice while seeking help from healthy adults!