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
Meet Jane - Adoptive Mom (when her son was 6-years-old!) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 19:00
Jane is a caring coworker who adopted a son when he was 6-years-old. She didn’t feel finished parenting after raising three biological children. Hear how “love can be a noun, a verb, and a decision” when it comes to fost…
Meet Robin - Adoptive Mom (of a teenager!) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:58
"It is the best thing and the hardest thing she's ever done." Robin of Exodus Fitness Retreats shares how she went from "mentor" to "mother" overnight.
Meet Jennifer - Adoptive Mom (and fellow author!) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:49
This episode is about a 3 month-old baby girl who met her forever family on Christmas Eve. Adoptive Mom, Jennifer Elwood is the Author of Counting Up to Christmas: 24 Gifts from the Gospel of Luke. Her book is available…
Meet Nathan - Adoptive Dad (who also happens to be my husband!) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 23:41
This has the feeling of a private conversation in our home. Learn from an adoptive dad who went from zero to two kids overnight. Learn common reservations for pursuing adoption and get a peek inside the real-life journey…