evolving support for youth transitioning from foster care

evolving support for youth transitioning from foster care

Author: Marcy Bursac, Adoptive Mom & Founder of The Forgotten Adoption Option November 18, 2025 Duration: 37:20

Tom Baldwin serves as the Director of Strategy and Development for the Belmont University Social Innovation Labs, where he helps students, leaders, and organizations rethink how meaningful social change is made. With more than two decades of experience launching innovations across the business and social impact sectors, Tom brings a thoughtful and creative lens to today’s most complex challenges.

The Innovation Lab recently released its Impact and Investment Case—a bold invitation to reimagine how we support youth transitioning out of the foster care system. Their work explores what it takes to shift systems, unlock new forms of capital, and develop leaders who can build a more supportive future for young people.


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
challenges facing youth who age out of the foster care system [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:13
Lisa Schelbe is the associate dean of academic affairs and an associate professor at Florida State University College of Social Work and a faculty affiliate at the Florida Institute for Child Welfare. She is the Director…
how to know if you can parent children with special needs [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 44:26
Crystal & Justin share what it's like to be a family that has adopted multiple children with unique, special needs. Pages 5-9 in this document are an example of a list of behaviors, conditions and medical needs you might…
tips for thriving as a second mother [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:26
Jodi founded Second Mothers, a community for women who are foster mothers, adoptive mothers, and/or step mothers.
connections to prioritize if you age out of the foster care system [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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…
mental health and emotional literacy for children [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:26
Justine Froelker is an educator who uses storytelling, humor, and passion to help individuals to rise from difficulty, cope with emotions, and move forward in a healthy, authentic way.
HOW to know it's time to close your license [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 47:07
Christopher and Ashley adopted a young boy through foster care and then later decided they no longer felt called to accept more children into their home.
how to help adoptees thrive [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:42
Simon Benn resides in the United Kingdom and is the founder of Thriving Adoptees. He is an adoptee who helps other adoptees thrive. He also shows parents how to help their adopted children to thrive, too. He also shows p…