The Adoption & Foster Care Journey

"In You, LORD my God, I put my trust.” -Psalm 25:1   Welcome to The Adoption & Foster Care Journey—a podcast to encourage, educate and equip you to care for children in crisis through adoption, foster care and kinship care.   On this week’s episode host Sandra Flach talks with adoptive mom, Dr. Melody Aguayo. Dr Aguayo is a parent consultant for overwhelmed parents who are looking for support and solutions to navigate their parenting journey. She has a Masters in Marriage and Family Therapy and a PhD in Psychology. Melody is also professionally trained in Trust Based Relational Intervention (TBRI), but it is her own journey as a parent that has been her greatest teacher.   Listen in as Sandra and Melody discuss who to keep showing up for our kids even when our cup is empty.   Please be sure to subscribe to the podcast, leave a review, and share it on your social media. Links mentioned in this episode: justicefororphansny.org justicefororphansny.org/hope-community     Email:  sandraflach@justicefororphansny.org SandraFlach.com RealChild.net Facebook:  Real Child Consulting LLC Instagram:  Real Child Consulting

“Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: Many women have done excellently, but YOU surpass them all.” -Proverbs 31:28-29   Welcome to The Adoption & Foster Care Journey—a podcast to encourage, educate and equip you to care for children in crisis through adoption, foster care and kinship care.   On this week’s episode host Sandra Flach shares a Mother’s Day message of encouragement for foster and adoptive moms. Mother’s Day can be triggering for our kids and hard for moms on many levels.    Listen in as Sandra acknowledges the messiness of second motherhood, offers encouragement, and prays for listeners as you navigate your unique parenting journey.   Please be sure to subscribe to the podcast, leave a review, and share it on your social media. Links mentioned in this episode: justicefororphansny.org justicefororphansny.org/hope-community     Email:  sandraflach@justicefororphansny.org SandraFlach.com

"Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people." -Ephesians 6:13-18 Welcome to The Adoption & Foster Care Journey—a podcast to encourage, educate and equip you to care for children in crisis through adoption, foster care and kinship care.   On this week’s episode host Sandra Flach shares her experience as an adoptive parent of a child with an FASD within the public school system. Once a homeschool parent, she ventured into the world of public education and often found herself educating the educators about her son's specific needs.   Listen in as Sandra talks about the frustrations of navigating the resources and systems in place for special needs children, and what she learned as a fierce advocate for her son and his needs.   Please be sure to subscribe to the podcast, leave a review, and share it on your social media. Links mentioned in this episode: justicefororphansny.org justicefororphansny.org/hope-community     Email:  sandraflach@justicefororphansny.org SandraFlach.com

"Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, the fruit of the womb a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one’s youth. Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them!" -Psalm 127:3-5a   Welcome to The Adoption & Foster Care Journey—a podcast to encourage, educate and equip you to care for children in crisis through adoption, foster care and kinship care.   On this episode host Sandra Flach talks with returning guest and resident expert, Dr. Jerrod Brown. Dr. Brown is a professor, trainer, researcher, consultant with multiple years of experience in teaching at the college level. He is the founder and CEO of the American Institute for the Advancement of Forensic Studies. Jerrod has provided consultation services to caregivers, professionals, and organizations on the topics of autism spectrum disorder, fetal alcohol disorder, confabulation, suggestibility, trauma, another life adversities—including alexithymia, executive dysfunction, criminal recidivism, traumatic brain injury, and youth fire setting. Dr. Brown has completed 4 separate master’s degree programs handhelds graduate certificates in neuroscience and the law, neuropsychology, autism, other health disabilities, and TBI. In 2021, Jerod completed his post-doctoral certificate in leadership and organizational strategy and a professional certificate in forensic psychology. In 2023, he competed a diabetes care and education certificate. And, currently he is pursuing his 5th master’s degree in applied clinical nutrition. Jerrod has conducted hundreds of workshops and webinars, published several articles, book chapters and recently co-edited the book, Forensic Mental Health—A Source Guide for Professionals. Dr. Brown has been quoted in various magazine & newspaper articles and is regularly featured on national & international podcasts—like this one. He’s also a foster parent.    Listen in as Sandra and Dr. Brown discuss the importance of the first 1,000 days of life and how prenatal and early childhood trauma impacts the brain and body.   Please be sure to subscribe to the podcast, leave a review, and share it on your social media. Links mentioned in this episode: justicefororphansny.org justicefororphansny.org/hope-community sandraflach@justicefororphansny.org Focus on the Family FASD Resource https://renewretreat.org/

"We wait in hope for the Lord; he is our help and our shield. In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in His holy name.May your unfailing love be with us, Lord, even as we put our hope in you." -Psalm 33:20-22   Welcome to The Adoption & Foster Care Journey—a podcast to encourage, educate and equip you to care for children in crisis through adoption, foster care and kinship care.   On this episode host Sandra Flach talks with Debbie Raymond, an adoptive mom and co-leader of the Hope for the FASD Journey Support Community. Debbie’s passion lies in being an FASD and brain-based-difference educator, parent advocate, and in supporting other families with individuals prenatally exposed to alcohol, and neurodiversity. She is a trained facilitator of the FASCETS neurobehavioral model, facilitates an adult support group for individuals with an FASD, and is a moderator in Jeff Nobel’s international FASD caregiver group.   Listen in as Sandra and Debbie discuss why education and support are crucial aspects of parenting children who were prenatally exposed to alcohol.    Please be sure to subscribe to the podcast, leave a review, and share it on your social media. Links mentioned in this episode: justicefororphansny.org justicefororphansny.org/hope-community sandraflach@justicefororphansny.org Focus on the Family FASD Resource https://renewretreat.org/

"Cast all your anxieties on Him because He cares for you." 1 Peter 5:7   Welcome to The Adoption & Foster Care Journey—a podcast to encourage, educate and equip you to care for children in crisis through adoption, foster care and kinship care.   On this episode host Sandra Flach talks with foster mom and author, Autumn McKay. Autumn is an author and early childhood educator. She has written a series of early childhood educational books along with a Gratitude Journal for moms. Autumn and her husband are parents to 3 kids and are also foster parents.   Listen in as Sandra and Autumn discuss lessons they’ve learned on their parenting journeys.    Please be sure to subscribe to the podcast, leave a review, and share it on your social media. Links mentioned in this episode: sandraflach.com justicefororphansny.org sandraflach@justicefororphansny.org Focus on the Family FASD Resource https://renewretreat.org/ BestMomIdeas.com

"Now all glory to God,who is able, through His mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think." Ephisians 3:20   Welcome to The Adoption & Foster Care Journey—a podcast to encourage, educate and equip you to care for children in crisis through adoption, foster care and kinship care.   On this episode host Sandra Flach talks with returning guest, Jessica Hurlbut.  Jessica is a wife, pastor, writer, podcaster, and mom of five—two autistic, two adopted, and one typical teen boy. She and her husband, Greg, are lead pastors of New Testament Church in Upstate New York. Jessica and her husband also host a weekly podcast, Full Spectrum Parent, the only faith-based autism parenting podcast. And her first book, Unlimited Motherhood:  Overcome 12 Limits That Overwhelm & Conflict Our Hearts has just hit the shelves!   Listen in as Jessica shares how she navigates her parenting journey and her faith.    Please be sure to subscribe to the podcast, leave a review, and share it on your social media. Links mentioned in this episode: sandraflach.com justicefororphansny.org sandraflach@justicefororphansny.org Focus on the Family FASD Resource https://renewretreat.org/ https://www.jessicahurlbut.com/

"Don’t you see how wonderfully kind, tolerant, and patient God is with you? Does this mean nothing to you? Can’t you see that his kindness is intended to turn you from your sin?" Romans 2:4   Welcome to The Adoption & Foster Care Journey—a podcast to encourage, educate and equip you to care for children in crisis through adoption, foster care and kinship care.   On this episode host Sandra Flach talks with returning guest, Dr. Jerrod Brown, PhD.    Listen in as Dr. Brown unpacks how prenatal and childhood trauma affect attachment and the importance of Attachment-Informed Parenting.    Please be sure to subscribe to the podcast, leave a review, and share it on your social media. Links mentioned in this episode: sandraflach.com justicefororphansny.org sandraflach@justicefororphansny.org Focus on the Family FASD Resource https://renewretreat.org/

"For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith.” Ephesians 3:16-17   Welcome to The Adoption & Foster Care Journey—a podcast to encourage, educate and equip you to care for children in crisis through adoption, foster care and kinship care.   On this episode host Sandra Flach talks with Laura Bedard. Laura and her husband are parents of an adopted son with FASD. She’s part of the FASD United Family Navigator team and author of the children’s books, My Adopted Feelings and My FASD Feelings.   Listen in as Laura shares her family’s adoption story, how she began her FASD journey, and why she’s passionate about helping other families navigate FASD.   Please be sure to subscribe to the podcast, leave a review, and share it on your social media. Links mentioned in this episode: sandraflach.com justicefororphansny.org sandraflach@justicefororphansny.org Focus on the Family FASD Resource https://renewretreat.org/ https://fasdunited.org/family-navigator/ My FASD Feelings book

“A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in His holy dwelling. God sets the lonely in families…” Psalm 68:5-6   Welcome to The Adoption & Foster Care Journey—a podcast to encourage, educate and equip you to care for children in crisis through adoption, foster care and kinship care.   On this episode host Sandra Flach talks with adoptive mom, Kelly Henderson. A special educator by profession, Kelly is a former public school teacher of students with emotional and behavioral disorders, and has worked in national and federal special education policy and research settings. Kelly’s family is formed in part through foster care and adoption. Her teen and young adult children have a range of learning, behavioral, medical and cognitive disabilities.   Kelly is also Executive Director of Formed Families Forward, a Virginia based nonprofit dedicated to supporting foster, kinship, and adoptive families of children and youth with disabilities and other special needs, including FASD.   Listen in as Sandra and Kelly discuss serving and supporting families well.   Please be sure to subscribe to the podcast, leave a review, and share it on your social media. Links mentioned in this episode: sandraflach.com justicefororphansny.org sandraflach@justicefororphansny.org Focus on the Family FASD Resource https://renewretreat.org/ https://formedfamiliesforward.org/

"From inside the fish Jonah prayed to the LORD his God. He said: In my distress I called to the LORD, and he answered me. From deep in the realm of the dead I called for help, and you listened to my cry." Jonah 2:1-2   Welcome to The Adoption & Foster Care Journey—a podcast to encourage, educate and equip you to care for children in crisis through adoption, foster care and kinship care.   On this episode host Sandra Flach talks with adoptive mom, Pam Willis. After fostering for six years, Pam and her husband Gary adopted a sibling set of seven children through foster care.    Listen in as Pam shares her incredible second chance adoption story.   Please be sure to subscribe to the podcast, leave a review, and share it on your social media. Links mentioned in this episode: sandraflach.com justicefororphansny.org sandraflach@justicefororphansny.org Focus on the Family FASD Resource Pam Willis @second.chance.7

“Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.” 1 Corinthians 6:19-20   Welcome to The Adoption & Foster Care Journey—a podcast to encourage, educate and equip you to care for children in crisis through adoption, foster care and kinship care.   On this episode host Sandra Flach talks with Dr. Jerrod Brown about what foster and adoptive parents need to know about Gut-Brain Health Axis Dysfunction.   Listen in as Dr. Brown unpacks this vitally important topic.   Please be sure to subscribe to the podcast, leave a review, and share it on your social media. Links mentioned in this episode: sandraflach.com justicefororphansny.org sandraflach@justicefororphansny.org Focus on the Family FASD Resource Email Dr. Jerrod Brown

“We give thanks to God always for all of you, constantly mentioning you in our prayers, remembering—before our God & Father—your works of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.” Thessalonians 1:2-3   Welcome to The Adoption & Foster Care Journey—a podcast to encourage, educate and equip you to care for children in crisis through adoption, foster care and kinship care.   On this episode host Sandra Flach shares a message about the trials and challenges of parenting children with trauma and prenatal exposure to alcohol and other drugs.   Listen in as Sandra encourages caregivers to plug in to Jesus for the power they need to navigate the journey.   Please be sure to subscribe to the podcast, leave a review, and share it on your social media. Links mentioned in this episode: sandraflach.com justicefororphansny.org sandraflach@justicefororphansny.org Focus on the Family FASD Resource

“But Moses’ hands grew weary, so they took a stone and put it under him and he sat on it, while Aaron & Hur held up his hands, one on one side, and the other on the other side. So, his hands were steady until the going down of the sun.” Exodus 17:12   Welcome to The Adoption & Foster Care Journey—a podcast to encourage, educate and equip you to care for children in crisis through adoption, foster care and kinship care.   On this episode host Sandra Flach speaks with adoptive mom and FASD Family Navigator, Kristen Eriksen.   Kristen is mom to teenage twins with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder. She’s also a Family Navigator with FASD United and works with family’s in Massachusetts through massFAS.   Listen in to Sandra and Kristen’s conversation and be encouraged for your parenting journey.   Please be sure to subscribe to the podcast, leave a review, and share it on your social media. Links mentioned in this episode: sandraflach.com justicefororphansny.org sandraflach@justicefororphansny.org Focus on the Family FASD Resource massFAS.org https://fasdunited.org/family-navigator/

“Therefore, encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.” Thessalonians 5:11   Welcome to The Adoption & Foster Care Journey—a podcast to encourage, educate and equip you to care for children in crisis through adoption, foster care and kinship care.   On this episode host Sandra Flach speaks with FASD mentor and coach, Laurie Anderson. Laurie shares from her years of experience as a Big Sister and now guardian of a young woman with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder.    As Laurie advocated for her daughter she committed herself to learning all she could about FASD. Today, she’s a sought after mentor and coach and an asset to the FASD community.   Listen in as Laurie shares her story and encourages our listeners.   Please be sure to subscribe to the podcast, leave a review, and share it on your social media. Links mentioned in this episode: sandraflach.com justicefororphansny.org sandraflach@justicefororphansny.org Focus on the Family FASD Resource fasdsuccess.com

“Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.” James 1:27    Welcome to The Adoption & Foster Care Journey—a podcast to encourage, educate and equip you to care for children in crisis through adoption, foster care and kinship care.   On this episode host Sandra Flach speaks with adoptive mom and orphan advocate, Sindy Ost. Sindy and her husband are parents of 6 adopted daughters. She is also the leader of many Facebook adoption support groups and Seas the Connection—a foundation providing respite retreats for adoptive and foster moms.   Listen in as Sindy shares her family’s adoption story and offers encouragement to moms.   Please be sure to subscribe to the podcast, leave a review, and share it on your social media. Links mentioned in this episode: sandraflach.com justicefororphansny.org sandraflach@justicefororphansny.org Focus on the Family FASD Resource https://seastheconnection.org/

“Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. Love does not demand its own way. Love is not irritable, and it keeps no record of when it has been wronged. It is never glad about injustice, but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.” 1 Corinthians 13:4-7   Welcome to The Adoption & Foster Care Journey—a podcast to encourage, educate and equip you to care for children in crisis through adoption, foster care and kinship care.   On this episode host Sandra Flach speaks with adoptive mom and children’s book author, Anna Maria Di Dio.    Anna Maria is mom of two adult daughters—one adopted from Mexico. She is the author of "Love at the Border—An Adoption Adventure" and three children’s books.    Listen in as Anna Maria shares her family’s adoption journey and the challenges and victories they faced along the way.   Please be sure to subscribe to the podcast, leave a review, and share it on your social media. Links mentioned in this episode: sandraflach.com justicefororphansny.org sandraflach@justicefororphansny.org Focus on the Family FASD Resource amdidio.com

“For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.” Psalm 139:13-14   Welcome to The Adoption & Foster Care Journey—a podcast to encourage, educate and equip you to care for children in crisis through adoption, foster care and kinship care.   On this episode host Sandra Flach presents an introduction about Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD).   If you are a foster or adoptive parent or kinship caregiver—it’s imperative that you understand the symptoms of FASD and how to best support the children in your care.    Listen in as Sandra shares the symptoms of FASD and how to implement accommodations for success.   Please be sure to subscribe to the podcast, leave a review, and share it on your social media. Links mentioned in this episode: sandraflach.com justicefororphansny.org sandraflach@justicefororphansny.org

“For God is not a God of disorder but of peace—as in all the congregations of the Lord’s people.” 1 Corinthians 14:33   Welcome to The Adoption & Foster Care Journey—a podcast to encourage, educate and equip you to care for children in crisis through adoption, foster care and kinship care.   Happy New Year! Have you set your intentions & goals for 2024? Having a plan and getting things in order will contribute to peace in your home and life.   Listen in as Sandra shares how she’s learned to be intentional about goal setting for 2024. Grab a pen and paper as she walks you through the process.    Please be sure to subscribe to the podcast, leave a review, and share it on your social media. Links mentioned in this episode: sandraflach.com justicefororphansny.org

“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6   Welcome to The Adoption & Foster Care Journey—a podcast to encourage, educate and equip you to care for children in crisis through adoption, foster care and kinship care.   Host Sandra Flach continues her annual Advent Series for December.   December can be a challenging month for our children as well as for us parents. In all the hustle, bustle and big feelings & behaviors I’ve often struggled in the past to actually enjoy Christmas - to experience the Christ of Christmas.   Listen in as Sandra shares about the peace that passes understanding which comes from Jesus—our Prince of Peace.   Please be sure to subscribe to the podcast, leave a review, and share it on your social media. Links mentioned in this episode: sandraflach.com justicefororphansny.org The Dawn of Redeeming Grace—Daily Devotions for Advent, by Sinclair B. Ferguson