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ADOPTUSKIDS.ORG BLOG FOR PROFESSIONALS LOG IN Log In Search for... Path to parenthood Family life Most popular ADOPTUSKIDS.ORG BLOG FOR PROFESSIONALS LOG IN Navigation Menu Path to parenthood Family life Most popular Search for... Home Check out our podcast! A series of six episodes that bring experts and families together to discuss topics related to foster care and adoption. Listen now Outstanding Caseworker treats each family as if they are her only concern” Drema Neely has worked with families for 16 years, most of that time as a case manager. She first joined the Tennessee Department of Children’s Services four months after adopting a baby through kinship care because she wanted to help other parents like her. Continue reading Recent posts You don’t have to be special…you just need to be willing March 26, 2024 Kayla Moffitt will always remember the moment that she shared her desire to adopt a child from foster care with her husband, Jerad, in the fall of 2018. Growing together: how a family of five adopted a teen they knew February 5, 2024 Ann Marie Root and her husband, James, became foster and adoptive parents to a teen who was friends with their daughter. Sibling bonds: Three families share their stories of adopting siblings January 26, 2024 Hear from three families as they share their stories of growing their families through sibling group adoptions. Meet the Parkers, adoptive parents and creators of fantasy children’s books January 2, 2024 Adoption Excellence Awardees Brian and Josie have written, illustrated, and published more than 20 children’s books, many of which include themes of adoption with the goal of better representation of lead characters of color. Why the holidays can be hard and how to make them better December 14, 2023 Many youth in foster care experience the holidays as stressful. Foster care alum Jamerika Haynes-Lewis shares her perspective and offers six tips for making youth feel included. Parenting as a team: foster and adoptive parents share what they have learned December 8, 2023 How might adopting or foster parenting affect your relationship? How parents can build trust: what 3 foster and adoptive families have found December 1, 2023 How can you demonstrate your trustworthiness to a teen who has experienced foster care? Here’s advice from three sets of foster and adoptive parents. A father with lived experience in foster care adopts five youth from the same system November 28, 2023 Author, US Navy veteran, and former banking executive Rob Sheer says dad” is by far his best title. A nerve-racking” choice on their minds for two decades, then taking the leap to adopt November 6, 2023 Discover Nikki and Mike’s greatest joys and the biggest misconception about adoption from foster care. Adoptive families highlight the need for adopting teens in new public service advertisements October 26, 2023 Real parents and youth share about their adoption journeys—In. Their. Own. Words. I know first-hand the importance of sibling relationships in foster care September 28, 2023 I’m sharing my experience so that current foster families understand how important it is to keep siblings connected to each other. Foster and adoptive mom of 15 years: Teens are great!” September 1, 2023 Melissa is the adoptive mother of three children and continues to foster many more. Here’s her advice. Not your style? Think again. Trauma-responsive parenting really works. August 21, 2023 Trauma-responsive parenting should be used for children with any type of trauma history. Here’s why. Parents adopt 6 siblings from foster care: The love is forever” August 7, 2023 Discover how adopting from foster care has brought more love and fulfillment to this family than they could have imagined. Good grief: Finding strength in facing grief and loss as an adoptive parent August 2, 2023 There is a lot to gain when we understand our grief and look at it head-on. Maintaining contact between birth and adoptive families July 5, 2023 Maintaining contact with birth families is important to a child’s sense of belonging and well-being. And there are a lot of approaches that can work, depending on your family’s circumstances. Summer ideas for kids in foster care or adoptive homes July 3, 2023 Surf’s up! Here’s how to make this summer a great one. What does permanency mean to me? June 2, 2023 Tyler Hunter Boards shares how being in the child welfare system impacted his life. Celebrate National Foster Care Month by lifting up youth mental health: 6 ideas to get you started May 1, 2023 Every day, children across the country—including those in foster care—can suffer deeply from mental illnesses. Here’s how to help. Adoptive parents: Find the post-adoption support your family needs now April 13, 2023 Learn about post-adoption support for adoptive parents. Foster parents: Celebrate everything—and other secrets to success March 21, 2023 As a foster parent, here’s what you can do to help the children and youth in your care. Transracial parenting resources March 9, 2023 Are you caring for children or youth of another race or culture? These resources will help you support your child’s well-being. This foster parent brings lessons from her own experience in foster care March 2, 2023 How can foster parents form close bonds with children in their care? It comes down to this important thing. Understanding adverse childhood experiences and what you can do to help February 7, 2023 ACEs can have far-reaching consequences for children. Here are the ways that adults can step in. Outstanding Caseworker is a breath of fresh air” in foster parent’s journey January 24, 2023 A Rhode Island social worker helps foster families and birth families connect. Here are her insights about adoption and foster care. What is kinship care? January 17, 2023 Also, discover the benefits for children and youth who live with kin. Adoption story: Adopted son inspires his parents December 19, 2022 Lissa and Corey took the deep dive into becoming foster parents a decade ago. Discover the lessons they’ve learned along the way. Celebrate National Adoption Month by learning about teens in foster care! November 10, 2022 This year’s theme is Small Steps Open Doors.” What I want foster and adoptive parents to know October 25, 2022 I went into foster care at the age of five years old. When I meet foster and adoptive parents, here are the pieces of advice I share. New ad campaign highlights the rewards of adopting teens October 4, 2022 Each year, almost 20,000 young people age out of care before being adopted. That’s why AdoptUSKids is shining a spotlight on teen adoption. I was adopted into the perfect family for me” September 27, 2022 Victor was adopted when he was 12. Now an adult, he shares what made his adoptive family so right for him. Adoption success story: Father and son bond over church, choir, and a love for computers September 9, 2022 A single father shares what he has learned after adopting his son from foster care. Back-to-school resources August 30, 2022 As the school year begins, learn how to advocate for your child or youth and help them succeed. Helping foster youth discover their dreams August 19, 2022 Jamerika Haynes-Lewis is the former USA Ambassador Ms. 2021. Having been in foster care as a child, she uses her platform to empower youth and advocate for families. Caseworkers share what makes a great foster parent August 11, 2022 What makes a great foster parent? That’s a question we’ve asked dozens of caseworkers over the years. Here’s what they’ve said. I fell in love with both boys. There is an earnest sincereness to them.” July 29, 2022 Michael and Shay were moved to adopt a pair of siblings. Now, the boys really complete their family! Every child deserves to have at least one adult who is always on their side” July 11, 2022 Nominated as an outstanding caseworker, Noel Weber works with children with high needs and foster families. How foster parents can support reunification...