Host Sandra Flach is a mom of 8 children, 5 through adoption—one kinship and 4 international. Her youngest 2 are teens diagnosed with a Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD). With over 30 years of parenting experience and 20 plus years as an adoptive and kinship parent, she’s made mountains of mistakes and learned loads of lessons. She understands the difficult road of parenting children with trauma histories—and she is still in the trenches! The Adoption & Foster Care Journey is a podcast to encourage, educate, and equip you to care for children in crisis through adoption, foster care, and kinship care. We aim to support adoptive and foster families by sharing encouraging real-life stories and equipping them with modern-day research and parenting techniques.
Episodes
Monday Feb 21, 2022
Monday Feb 21, 2022
“…Mercy triumphs over judgement.” James 2:13
The FASCETS neuro behavioral model is based on recognizing an individual’s brain differences and preventing problems instead of punishing them. By focusing on the person’s strengths and providing accommodations—people prenatally exposed to alcohol can celebrate success.
This week on our Orphans No More podcast, host Sandra Flach, talks with adoptive mom and FASCETS Program Director, Suzanne Emery. If you are an adoptive, foster or kinship caregiver or work within the child welfare system—you won’t want to miss this informative and encouraging episode.
Please be sure to subscribe to the podcast, leave a review, and share it on your social media.
Links mentioned in this episode:
Monday Feb 14, 2022
Monday Feb 14, 2022
“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord. Plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11
Trent Taylor spent his early childhood experiencing horrific forms of abuse and neglect. As a result, he entered the foster care system at age four and endured a tumultuous four-year journey before finding his way to his forever family.
This week on our Orphans No More podcast, host Sandra Flach, talks with Trent Taylor and his adoptive mom, Pam. Listen in as this amazing trauma informed mother-son duo transparently share Trent’s trauma to triumph testimony.
Please be sure to subscribe to the podcast, leave a review, and share it on your social media.
Links mentioned in this episode:
Monday Feb 07, 2022
Monday Feb 07, 2022
“Now see to it that you drink no wine or other fermented drink and that you do not eat anything unclean. You will become pregnant and have a son whose head is never to be touched by a razor because the boy is to be a Nazirite, dedicated to God from the womb…” Judges 13:4-5
This week on episode 311 of our Orphans No More podcast, host Sandra Flach talks about her experiences as a mom of children with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder.
She says, “Our prenatally exposed kids - no matter their age - can learn. They might learn differently. But they can learn. While we tend to try everything in an attempt to find something that works (myself included) - diet, exercise, supplements, therapies, medication, etc….there is no magic cure for an FASD. And our kids are not going to turn 18 or 21 and suddenly outgrow it.”
Listen in as Sandra shares about focusing on strengths rather than trying to “fix” a child’s disability. Please be sure to subscribe to the podcast, leave a review, and share it on your social media.
Links mentioned in this episode:
Monday Jan 31, 2022
Monday Jan 31, 2022
“Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.” Romans 5:3-5
This week on episode 310 of our Orphans No More podcast, host Sandra Flach speaks with Claudia Fletcher. Claudia is a seasoned foster and adoptive parent of twelve adult children—5 still live at home. She’s a pastor’s wife, Chief Program Officer with Patrick Henry Family Services, and an Area Director for CarePortal.
Listen in as Claudia shares her adoption and foster care survival tips as well as her heart for children and families in crisis. Please be sure to subscribe to the podcast, leave a review, and share it on your social media.
Links mentioned in this episode:
Monday Jan 24, 2022
Monday Jan 24, 2022
“Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm them…” Ephesians 6:10
This week on episode 309 of our Orphans No More podcast, host and FASD adoptive mom, Sandra Flach, shares FAFASD Fact 38—Many behavioral symptoms of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder are due to a combination of differing brain functions.
Adoptive, foster and kinship caregivers are often familiar with meltdowns and explosive rages. These behaviors could be caused by sensory overload, difficulty communicating, or frustration due to being misunderstood and punished for behaviors related to a child’s disability.
Listen in as Sandra draws from her lived experience and shares how parenting through the lens of FASD—always considering the brain first and making necessary accommodations for success can decrease the frequency, intensity and duration of meltdowns and rages. Please be sure to subscribe to the podcast, leave a review, and share it on your social media.
Links mentioned in this episode:
Monday Jan 17, 2022
Monday Jan 17, 2022
“Don’t be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your families, your sons and your daughters, your wives and your homes.” Nehemiah 4:14
Children with a Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder are highly overrepresented in the child welfare system—including foster care. Most have either been misdiagnosed or not diagnosed at all. It’s vital for adoptive families and foster and kinship caregivers to be FASD informed.
This week on episode 308 of our Orphans No More podcast, host and FASD adoptive mom, Sandra Flach, shares FAFASD Fact 37—Myths about women who give birth to children with FASD.
Listen as Sandra draws from her lived experience and shares the FASD symptoms and resources every parent and professional needs to understand. Please be sure to subscribe to the podcast, leave a review, and share it on your social media.
Links mentioned in this episode:
Monday Jan 10, 2022
Monday Jan 10, 2022
“No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.” Romans 8:37
The responsibility and complexity involved in raising someone else’s child can seem overwhelming. Regardless whether you’re an adoptive, foster, kinship or stepparent, it is on you to take on the challenge of caring for them, helping them to move forward while also meeting their unique emotional needs.
This week on our Orphans No More Podcast, host Sandra Flach speaks with Debbie Ausburn. Debbie is author of Raising Other People’s Children—What Foster Parenting Taught Me About Bringing Together A Blended Family. Debbie has worked with at-risk children for more than 40 years. She has served as a juvenile court probation officer, criminal prosecutor of crimes against children, a single foster parent, and a stepparent.
Listen as Debbie draws from her vast experience as she shares how to navigate the complicated world of raising other people’s children. Please be sure to subscribe to the podcast, leave a review, and share it on your social media.
Links mentioned in this episode:
Monday Jan 03, 2022
Monday Jan 03, 2022
“Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.” Ephesians 3:20
This week marks fifteen years since Sandra and Wayne Flach adopted three children from Ukraine. In honor of this milestone, Sandra reads two chapters from her book Orphans No More—A Journey Back to the Father and shares some thoughts about what she’s discovered as an adoptive mom.
Listen to Episode 306 and please be sure to subscribe to the podcast, leave a review, and share it on your social media.
Links mentioned in this episode:
Friday Dec 24, 2021
Friday Dec 24, 2021
“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end…” Isaiah 9:6-7
Welcome to the last episode in our Advent series. Each week in December we released an advent focused show to help weary adoptive, foster and kinship caregivers survive the holiday season.
This week host Sandra Flach wraps up our Advent series with supernatural peace from the Prince of Peace.
Episode 305 includes an Advent Assignment, Song, and Prayer to help you survive the holiday season. Please be sure to subscribe to the podcast, leave a review, and share it on your social media.
Links mentioned in this episode:
Friday Dec 17, 2021
Friday Dec 17, 2021
Mission: Joy
“When they saw the star, they were overjoyed.
On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.” Matthew 2:10-11
Advent means arrival—a time to prepare for the coming of Christ. My hope is that each week leading up to Christmas, I will help point your heart toward hope, faith, joy, and peace as we prepare for the arrival of Jesus.
This week host Sandra Flach shares about the supernatural joy we can experience when we, like the wise men—stop, drop and roll into the presence of Jesus.
Episode 304 includes an Advent Assignment, Song, and Prayer to help you survive the holiday season. Please be sure to subscribe to the podcast, leave a review, and share it on your social media.
Links mentioned in this episode: