Support for Foster Adoptive and Kinship Families
You are not alone. We get you because we are you! Our team of foster and adoptive parents are ready to support you. Join the Alliance by subscribing to our Family Support Newsletter or by getting involved with the opportunities and resources on this page.
Find A Support Group
Need foster care approved babysitters?
Attend an Alliance Retreat
FIND YOUR COMMUNITY
Foster, adoptive or kinship parent . . .
No family should walk this journey alone.
The Alliance team understands you because we are you. We are foster and adoptive families. We help build the support you need as you help kids heal 24/7.
We can help! We offer lots of opportunities to find community. Get connected today!
ALLIANCE FOSTER, ADOPTIVE, AND KINSHIP SUPPORT GROUPS
The group leader email is provided. Please contact the leader for information and to join the group.
Great Oaks Fellowship
Northwest SA
Leader: Delayna Wilkins
delaynawilkins@hotmail.com
Gateway Fellowship
Northwest SA
Leader: Marleyna Davis
mdavis4610@gmail.com
Northeast Bible Church
Northeast SA
Leader: Janai Kane
janaikane@gmail.com
Northside Church of Christ
North Central
Leader: Rebecca Light
rebeccalight@outlook.com
First Baptist Boerne
Boerne/Hill Country
Leader: Rachel Russo
rachel@vaultfosteringcommunity.org
Crossbridge Church
Bulverde/Spring Branch
Leader: Alex Wallendorff
fosteradopt@crossbridgecommunitychurch.com
Join our Family Support Newsletter
Help Your Friends and Family Play Their Piece
Do you struggle to find trusted foster care approved babysitters? You do the heavy lifting of serving children in the foster care system 24/7, finding help for a night or weekend off should be easy.
The Babysitting Collaborative allows your friends and family to easily work through all the steps needed to support you. The virtual platform is self paced and meets the requirements for 12 local child placing agencies. We have helped over 600 people become verified babysitters through this process.
We know, it is so hard to ask for help but people who love you want to help. They only need to be invited into this mission with you.
January 23rd - Jan 25th
Simply put, this 5th annual retreat will be a place of restoration, rejuvenation, equipping, and a safe place to be transparent with other dads about the joys and challenges of being a father. There will also be times to be encouraged in your faith journey as we will CenTer on our identity in Christ.
- All foster/adoptive/kinship dads are welcome regardless of faith tradition
- The location is in the beautiful Hill Country near Leakey Texas at the H.E. Butts Foundation Camp - Headwaters Campsite
- All meals will be provided (Friday dinner – Sunday breakfast)
- Plan to bring your toiletries and bedding. Details will be emailed to you.
- Hiking, fishing [bring your gear], and sporting activities are available. You are welcome to bring your mountain bike, basketball, football, baseball ball/glove.
The agenda will be low key allowing dads to retreat in solitude or engage to the level you are comfortable.
Join us for an unforgettable retreat weekend starting Thursday evening with optional activities and food for early arrivals, followed by a Friday evening kick-off gathering, Saturday morning breakout sessions, a Saturday evening gathering, and Sunday morning send-off.
March 20th -March 22nd
Join us for the 2nd Annual Renew: Marriage Retreat, a ministry effort of Pillar Church SA, designed exclusively for foster, adoptive, and kinship families in the beautiful Hill Country at H. E. Butt Foundation Camp. Reconnect with your spouse, relax, and create lasting memories together. Don’t miss this opportunity to be refreshed with other parents who get it! Save your spot today!
$ 129 per couple
- This is open to any foster, adoptive or kinship family in and around the San Antonio area.
- Each couple will have their own casita with a Queen or King bed.
- Food and snacks will be provided from Friday dinner to Sunday breakfast.
Enjoy moments for relaxation, exploration, and connections, all while finding rest in between impactful messages and discussions tailored to empower parents raising children who have endured trauma. Recharge your marriage, fortify your faith, and rekindle your hope.
Here's Our Recommendations
INBRIEF: THE SCIENCE OF NEGLECT
View video hereWHAT NEUROSCIENCE AND SOCIAL SCIENCE TELL US ABOUT THE EFFECT OF CARE ENVIRONMENTS ON CHILDREN
View video hereEMPOWERED TO CONNECT VIDEOS
View video hereTrust Based Relational Intervention (TBRI)
View VideoRemembering Trauma
View VideoHow Childhood Trauma Affects Children over a Lifetime
View Video
THE FOSTER MOVEMENT PODCAST
The Foster Movement Podcast, featuring former foster youth and national leaders in foster care advocacy, provides powerful insights and practical tools to help you work with others to provide More Than Enough for kids and families in foster care where you live.
CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE AND LISTEN
TAPESTRY PODCAST
Tapestry’s Empowered to Connect podcast is for parents, professionals, and ministry leaders. Join us as we discuss how to connect with, empower, and correct our kids.
CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE AND LISTEN
THINK ORPHAN PODCAST
The Think Orphan podcast is hosted by Kelly Stewart, Social Worker and adoptive mom, and Philip Darke, President of Providence World and co-author of In Pursuit of Orphan Excellence. Each week, they discuss the difficult issues and hot topics involved in the global orphan crisis with leading voices from around the world, such as Jedd Medefind, Rick Morton, and Peter Greer. From poverty alleviation and family strengthening, to best practices in caring for orphaned and abandoned children, to human trafficking and mentoring, Phil and Kelly will work with you to navigate the issues that affect millions of children and families all over the world.
TRAUMA-INFORMED CARE
THE CONNECTED CHILD: BRINGING HOPE AND HEALING TO YOUR ADOPTED FAMILY
By: Karyn Purvis, David Cross, and Wendy Lyons Sunshine
The adoption of a child is always a joyous moment in the life of a family. Some adoptions, though, present unique challenges. Welcoming these children into your family and addressing their special needs requires care, consideration, and compassion.
Written by two research psychologists specializing in adoption and attachment, The Connected Child will help you to build bonds of affection and trust with your adopted child, effectively deal with any learning or behavioral disorders, and discipline your child with love without making him or her feel threatened.
This book is truly outstanding because of its numerous examples of scripts and phrases that parents can use. This book is strongly recommended.
Buy on Amazon
BORN FOR LOVE: WHY EMPATHY IS ESSENTIAL AND ENDANGERED
By: Bruce Perry and Maia Szalavitz
Buy on Amazon
THE WHOLE BRAIN CHILD
By: Tina Payne Bryson, PhD and Daniel Seigel, MD
Your toddler throws a tantrum in the middle of a store. Your preschooler refuses to get dressed. Your fifth-grader sulks on the bench instead of playing on the field. Do children conspire to make their parents’ lives endlessly challenging? No – it’s just their developing brain calling the shots!
Buy on Amazon
NO DRAMA DISCIPLINE
By: Daniel Siegel, MD and Tina Payne Bryson, PhD
The pioneering experts behind the bestselling The Whole-Brain Child – Tina Payne Bryson and Daniel J. Siegel, the New York Times bestselling author of Brainstorm – now explore the ultimate child-raising challenge: discipline. Highlighting the fascinating link between a child’s neurological development and the way a parent reacts to misbehavior, No-Drama Discipline provides an effective, compassionate road map for dealing with tantrums, tensions, and tears – without causing a scene.
Buy on Amazon
READY OR NOT: 30 DAYS OF DISCOVERY FOR FOSTER & ADOPTIVE PARENTS
Entering the journey of foster care and adoption can be one of the most daunting decisions that you make as a parent. Parenting a child who has experienced trauma and loss is a rewarding experience, but it’s not easy.
- Consider the impact of foster care and adoption on their lives and families.
- Evaluate their motives and expectations for the foster care and adoption experience.
- Explore foster care and adoption through the lens of scripture.
Buy on Amazon
CHILDREN’S BOOKS
FAMILIES CHANGE: A BOOK FOR CHILDREN EXPERIENCING A TERMINATION OF PARENTAL RIGHTS
By: Julie Nelson
Buy on Amazon