using technology to leverage cross-sector communication

using technology to leverage cross-sector communication

Author: Marcy Bursac, Adoptive Mom & Founder of The Forgotten Adoption Option May 13, 2025 Duration: 44:56

Karen Phillips didn’t plan to become a child welfare changemaker—she simply said yes to becoming a foster parent. That yes set her on a path to help families in crisis long before the foster care system gets involved.

In this episode of The Forgotten Adoption Option Podcast, Karen shares how her lived experience fueled the creation of the 100 Families Initiative at Restore Hope Arkansas. Together with her team, she’s building tech-powered, community-based solutions that bring together nonprofits, agencies, and families to prevent foster care entry.

🎧 You’ll hear:

  • How Karen’s journey into foster care turned into statewide impact

  • What the 100 Families model looks like in action

  • The surprising ways technology is bridging gaps across systems

  • Why prevention is both possible and powerful

This is more than a story—it’s a blueprint for hope.


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 write a graphic novel about foster care adoption [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 56:21
Meet my graphic novel writing coach Maria Rodgers O’Rourke! Maria is a writer and certified Story Grid Editor. Her career began in advertising and public relations, moved to nonprofit leadership, and homed in on communic…
championing foster care adoption in corporate America [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 21:56
Josh, a finance professional from Erie, Pennsylvania, shares how a timely billboard sparked a life-changing decision for him and his wife, Elena—to say yes to helping children in foster care. In this episode, you’ll hear…
how a social worker adopted a teen in her caseload [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 54:08
Connie Going has spent over 25 years working in the child welfare system and is the adoptive parent of two teens including Davion and another young man - the boys became good friends and referred to themselves as brother…
how a youth pastor adopted a teenager in her youth group [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 41:08
Beverly Jenkins and I met as Invested Faith Fellows. She is the founder of the North County Innovation Center. During a meet up at her space, she shared she was an adoptive mom, too. She went on to share she adopted a te…
the need for adoptive families for children in the foster care system [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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 wor…
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…