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 Aug 26, 2024
Monday Aug 26, 2024
"For the LORD gives wisdom; From his mouth come knowledge and understanding; He stores up sound wisdom for the upright; He is a shield to those who walk in integrity, Guarding the paths of justice and watching over the way of His saints.Then you will understand righteousness and justice and equity, every good path; For wisdom will come into your heart, And knowledge will be pleasant to your soul." -Proverbs 2:6-10
Welcome to The Adoption & Foster Care Journey—a podcast to encourage, educate and equip you to care for children in crisis through adoption, foster care and kinship care.
Maybe you’re dancing a jig because the kids are back in school and you’re getting a much needed break. Or, maybe you cringe every time the phone rings knowing it’s probably the school…again…because your child is in trouble…again. Or maybe you homeschool one or more kiddos and feel overwhelmed trying to get them to sit still and pay attention.
Whether you have kids in public school, private school or you homeschool—this episode is for you. Listen in as host, Sandra Flach, shares her family’s school experiences. Sandra will also unpack ways to support your child for success this school year.
Please be sure to subscribe to the podcast, leave a review, and share it on your social media.
Links mentioned in this episode:
justicefororphansny.org/hope-community
Monday Aug 19, 2024
Monday Aug 19, 2024
"Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed. Take up the cause of the fatherless; plead the case of the widow." Isaiah 1:17
Welcome to The Adoption & Foster Care Journey—a podcast to encourage, educate and equip you to care for children in crisis through adoption, foster care and kinship care.
On this episode host Sandra Flach talks with adoptive dad, Darrin Jahnel. Darrin is the founder and CEO of Jahnel Group, a 135-person software consulting company headquartered in Schenectady, NY. He leads with energy and is obsessed with creating an amazing work environment for his team. Jahnel Group has made the Inc. 5,000 list 7 years in a row and has won multiple best workplace awards for their amazing culture. In addition to being a successful businessman, Darrin is happily married and has four children (ages 13-23)—including two by adoption.
Listen in as Darrin shares his passion for investing into the lives of kids from hard places.
Please be sure to subscribe to the podcast, leave a review, and share it on your social media.
Links mentioned in this episode:
justicefororphansny.org/hope-community
Monday Aug 12, 2024
Monday Aug 12, 2024
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight." Proverbs 3:5-6
Welcome to The Adoption & Foster Care Journey—a podcast to encourage, educate and equip you to care for children in crisis through adoption, foster care and kinship care.
On this episode host Sandra Flach talks with Kim Sheagren. Kim and her husband Joel are adoptive parents to two children, now young adults ages 21 and 19. Their oldest son lives with effects of fetal alcohol exposure and their parenting journey has been, and continues to be, wide and vast. Their priority is continued learning of FASD, supporting and encouraging other caregivers, and working to successfully and safely launch their kids into adulthood.
Listen in as Kim shares her parenting journey and how she’s found help and hope through the Hope For the FASD Journey support community.
Please be sure to subscribe to the podcast, leave a review, and share it on your social media.
Links mentioned in this episode:
justicefororphansny.org/hope-community
Wednesday Aug 07, 2024
Wednesday Aug 07, 2024
“Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” -Galatians 6:2
Welcome to The Adoption & Foster Care Journey—a podcast to encourage, educate and equip you to care for children in crisis through adoption, foster care and kinship care.
On this episode, host Sandra Flach, talks with Andrea Bowling. Andrea is a US Army veteran and licensed clinical mental health counselor with 20 years of experience in human services. She primarily works with children and families involved in the child welfare system. Andrea is author of the new children’s book, From Foster to Forever—Jack’s Journey Home.
Listen in as Andrea shares why she wrote From Foster to Forever and how she hopes it will help children in foster care feel less scared and experience healing.
Please be sure to subscribe to the podcast, leave a review, and share it on your social media.
Links mentioned in this episode:
justicefororphansny.org/hope-community
Email: sandraflach@justicefororphansny.org
Andrea’s Instagram: @author_andereabowling
From Foster to Forever at Amazon & Barnes and Noble
Monday Jul 29, 2024
Monday Jul 29, 2024
“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.” -Colossians 3:12
Welcome to The Adoption & Foster Care Journey—a podcast to encourage, educate and equip you to care for children in crisis through adoption, foster care and kinship care.
On this episode, host Sandra Flach, talks with returning guest, Dr. Jerrod Brown, PhD. Dr. Brown is a professor, trainer, researcher, and consultant with multiple years of experience teaching collegiate courses. Jerrod has also provided consultation services to a number of caregivers, professionals, and organizations pertaining to topics related to autism spectrum disorder (ASD), fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD), confabulation, suggestibility, trauma and other life adversities, traumatic brain injury (TBI), and youth fire-setting. Jerrod has completed four separate master’s degree programs and holds graduate certificates in Neuropsychology, Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Other Health Disabilities (OHD), and Traumatic-Brain Injuries (TBI). In 2021, Jerrod completed a post-doctoral certificate in Leadership and Organizational Strategy and a Professional Certificate in Forensic Psychology. Jerrod has published several articles and book chapters and is also regularly featured on several national and international podcasts.
Here Dr. Brown explains the vital role hormones play in the human body and how prenatal exposure and childhood trauma can disrupt this important body system. Listen in as he explains the signs of hormonal dysfunction and how parents and caregivers can help the children in their care.
Please be sure to subscribe to the podcast, leave a review, and share it on your social media.
Links mentioned in this episode:
justicefororphansny.org/hope-community
Monday Jul 22, 2024
Monday Jul 22, 2024
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” -Jeremiah 29:11
Welcome to The Adoption & Foster Care Journey—a podcast to encourage, educate and equip you to care for children in crisis through adoption, foster care and kinship care.
On this episode, host Sandra Flach, talks with Dr. Kimberly Offutt. Kim is an inspirational speaker, author, child advocate, social worker, and adoptive parent. She began her career in child welfare as a foster care case manager for the State of Georgia. Dr. Kim has served at Bethany Christian Services for more than 20 years in various capacities in the child welfare field, advocating on behalf of children who are in foster care and available for adoption. She has developed statewide and national recruitment programs, led church engagement recruitment teams, and created innovative programs focused on youth most at risk of aging out of foster care.
As a speaker, leader, and program developer, Kimberly has used her unique personal and professional skills to impact the lives of children and families around the world. Kimberly and her husband, Dr. Marcus Offutt, have seven children (four adopted from foster care) and six grandchildren.
Listen in as Kim shares her passion for vulnerable children and families and offers hope to those of us on the journey.
Please be sure to subscribe to the podcast, leave a review, and share it on your social media.
Links mentioned in this episode:
justicefororphansny.org/hope-community
Email: sandraflach@justicefororphansny.org
They Need You Now—One Mother’s Plea for the Church to Embrace Adoption
Kim’s Social Media: FB DrKimberly Grace & Insta drkimberlygrace
Monday Jul 15, 2024
Monday Jul 15, 2024
"But He knows the way that I take; When He has tried me, I shall come out as gold." -Job 23:10
Welcome to The Adoption & Foster Care Journey—a podcast to encourage, educate and equip you to care for children in crisis through adoption, foster care and kinship care.
On this episode, host Sandra Flach, talks with Barb Clark. Barb is the Director of training at Families Rising and is a parent to five adult children. She is passionate about learning from her many mistakes, and sharing them with others so they can avoid the same mistakes. She uses humor and real-life experiences to help professionals and caregivers challenge the use of traditional strategies and push them to think outside of the box. Barb is committed to improving the education & lives of individuals who were prenatally exposed to drugs & alcohol through her work at Families Rising, as the lead coach in the FASD Caregiver Kickstart and as a private consultant.
Listen in as Barb shares what she’s learned from her own parenting journey and how she trains and supports foster and adoptive parents today.
Please be sure to subscribe to the podcast, leave a review, and share it on your social media.
Links mentioned in this episode:
justicefororphansny.org/hope-community
Monday Jul 01, 2024
Monday Jul 01, 2024
"Jesus straightened up and asked her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” “No one, sir,” she said. “Then neither do I condemn you,” Jesus declared. “Go now and leave your life of sin.” -John 8:10-11
Welcome to The Adoption & Foster Care Journey—a podcast to encourage, educate and equip you to care for children in crisis through adoption, foster care and kinship care.
On this episode, host Sandra Flach, talks with Melissa Pemberton. Melissa is a trauma aware parent coach, podcaster and owner of Mending Families, LLC. She has close to 20 years of experience working with families in the child welfare system from case management, to writing home studies, to running a foster care nonprofit and is trained in a variety of curricula.
Listen in as Melissa shares how her own experience with childhood trauma has shaped her journey.
Please be sure to subscribe to the podcast, leave a review, and share it on your social media.
Links mentioned in this episode:
justicefororphansny.org/hope-community
Monday Jun 24, 2024
Monday Jun 24, 2024
"Though my father and mother forsake me, the LORD will receive me." Psalm 27:10
Welcome to The Adoption & Foster Care Journey—a podcast to encourage, educate and equip you to care for children in crisis through adoption, foster care and kinship care.
On this episode, host Sandra Flach, talks with Marina Carrier. Marina lived through early trauma as an illegitimate unwanted child. As a little girl she was sexually abused and left for dead. As an adult, she became a teacher, married, and adopted a child. Then, God called her back to the Church where she learned what it means to live in “spirit and in truth.”
Listen in as Marina shares how the suffering of her childhood became revealed and unraveled as she embraced her faith and allowed her heart to change. With greater understanding of the effects of trauma and PTSD, healing in faith brought compassion and a heart to bless and serve others who also bear the heavy burdens of lovelessness and shame.
Please be sure to subscribe to the podcast, leave a review, and share it on your social media.
Links mentioned in this episode:
justicefororphansny.org/hope-community
Monday Jun 17, 2024
Monday Jun 17, 2024
"You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you." -Isaiah 26:3
Welcome to The Adoption & Foster Care Journey—a podcast to encourage, educate and equip you to care for children in crisis through adoption, foster care and kinship care.
Throughout the month of June, we’re focusing on dads! This week we’re talking with foster and adoptive dad, Adam Southerland. Adam is the missions and ministry pastor at New Hope Community Church in Queensbury, NY. He grew unpin southeast Michigan, where he married his wife Hanna. Their oldest daughter was adopted as an infant in 2018, followed by two biological sons. Adam and Hannah are currently foster parents and lead their church’s foster and adoption ministry—including CarePortal.
Listen in as Adam shares his family’s “yes” to adoption and foster care.
Please be sure to subscribe to the podcast, leave a review, and share it on your social media.
Links mentioned in this episode:
justicefororphansny.org/hope-community