connections to prioritize if you age out of the foster care system

connections to prioritize if you age out of the foster care system

Author: Marcy Bursac, Adoptive Mom & Founder of The Forgotten Adoption Option January 9, 2024 Duration: 40:39

Dr. Wynter is a Foster Youth Voice Whisperer, Child Welfare Strategist & Systems Thinker. She and I met after I published my first book "The Forgotten Adoption Option". A few local readers had told me barriers they were facing as they tried to get licensed to adopt through foster care. Dr. Wynter took me under her wing and pointed me to some existing legislature that I was able to share with my state - Missouri.

Gaelin Elmore is a professional speaker, a board member at the Association for Training on Trauma and Attachment in Children, and the director of coaching at The Forgotten Initiative. Dr. Wynter and Gaelin have recently debuted their book called "Follow the Love". It is about the importance of permanent connections for young people transitioning out of foster care.



Now in its sixth season, The Forgotten Adoption Option Podcast moves beyond statistics to explore the human heart of foster care adoption. Hosted by Marcy Bursac, an adoptive mother and founder of the initiative, this podcast creates a space for voices often overlooked. Conversations flow naturally with adoptive parents, adoptees themselves, adults who experienced the foster system, and seasoned child welfare professionals. Together, they unpack the complexities, joys, and raw realities of building families through this path. The central, sobering truth guiding these discussions is that nearly 30% of children in U.S. foster care are legally free for adoption, yet many potential families encounter hurdles that prevent finalization. This series exists to bridge that gap with authenticity and practical insight. By listening, you’ll hear firsthand narratives that challenge misconceptions, offering a clearer picture of the process and the profound connections it can forge. Marcy’s role as a mentor shines through in each episode, fostering dialogues that are as informative as they are deeply personal. It’s a documentary-style journey into the layers of society and culture surrounding child welfare, designed for anyone curious about adoption, involved in the system, or simply seeking stories of resilience and belonging. Tune in monthly for these essential conversations that illuminate a path toward permanent homes.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 86

The Forgotten Adoption Option Podcast
Podcast Episodes
how to know you're ready to adopt a teen [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 48:29
In addition to being the mother of 3 daughters, 1 through adoption, ⁠Katerina Canyon⁠ is an award-winning poet and author. During our conversation, we revisit stories from past guests, including ⁠Ben & Emily⁠, who faced…
realities I faced as I aged out of the foster care system [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 36:51
Michael, who resided in California, had a successful career as a technology manager within the banking industry. His dedication and insights continue to inspire those who knew him.
the realities of foster care and human trafficking overlapping [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:18
In this episode, you'll hear about the realities of foster care and human trafficking overlapping. Janet Craig wrote and directed Wake Up. She has experience as a foster mom and has a degree in theatre, was a professiona…
core issues in adoption and permanency [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 43:43
Allison Davis Maxon is a nationally recognized expert in the fields of child welfare and children’s mental health. She specializes in attachment, developmental trauma and permanency/adoption. Allison co-authored "Seven C…
HOW a waiting child found his forever family [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:11:55
In 2013 Davion Only-Going warmed hearts around the world after standing before a Florida church congregation and asking for a family to adopt him. A few years later he was adopted. Today, he is a chef in the Tampa area.