the need for adoptive families for children in the foster care system

the need for adoptive families for children in the foster care system

Author: Marcy Bursac, Adoptive Mom & Founder of The Forgotten Adoption Option March 4, 2025 Duration: 45:32

Amanda Denning is the Director of Extreme Recruitment for the Foster & Adoptive Care Coalition. Amanda is herself half adopted and, as of a few months ago, has become the kinship placement for her niece. 


She has been working in child welfare for more than 10 years first as a recruiter and now as the director of a unique and intensive approach to finding permanent homes for children in foster care who are considered hard to place due to age, special needs, or length of time in care. This program is called Extreme Recruitment®

Exciting News!
This podcast has been recognized among the Top 3 Best Adoptive Mom Podcasts and the Top 25 Best Adoption Podcasts by Feedspot! More people are discovering the reality of children waiting to be adopted through foster care, and together, we’re amplifying their voices.

Explore the rankings: ⁠Best Adoptive Mom Podcasts⁠, Best Adoption Podcasts


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…