America's Kids Belong

08/19/2026

We have bittersweet news to share as Courtney Williams steps away to begin an exciting new chapter.

This episode offers a powerful look at Courtney’s leadership, advocacy, and unwavering commitment to children and families as part of the AKB team for the last six years. Listen as Brian, Travis, and a surprise guest share stories that capture Courtney’s humility and heart.

Her voice has brought honesty, compassion, and a fierce commitment to keeping children at the center of every conversation. Her authentic experience in this space has been a gift to our team, our community, and this podcast. She continues to share her wisdom by offering her best advice for foster parents. The key to being a great foster parent is not to have all the answers, but just be willing to find them.

Courtney, we’re so grateful for the mark you’ve made. We will miss you more than we can say.

08/18/2026

It is back-to-school season. Thankful for these reminders from Laura • Foster Parent Partner.

She shares, "Kids who have experienced foster care may have unique triggers at school... Every child and situation is different."

Kids who have experienced foster care may have unique triggers at school. I’ve shared several in this post but feel free to ADD in the comments! 👇 Every child and situation is different.

I’ve continued to update this post based on feedback from the community over the years - thank you for your contribution!

Foster parents: If you know of a clear support need for a child in your care, consider foreshadowing the best you can for the child and communicate with their teacher/school counselor where appropriate. Accommodations may be available you don’t even know exist.

School staff/teachers/specialists/counselors: If you can avoid altogether for the entire class - great! If you can alter or provide support/accomodations - wonderful! I know that isn’t always possible. If that’s the case, consider giving kids a heads up about whats going to happen and/or checking in or offering support after. THANK YOU for all you do for youth impacted by foster care. For many, school is the place where they feel safest and some of their most trusted adults may exist at school. Your everyday care matters more than you know!

👉Comment SUPPORTS and I’ll send you a post that has a ton of ways schools can help kids impacted by foster care.

08/06/2026

Meet Tyler, Suki, Leo, and Taylor.
Each of these incredible kids recently attended an I Belong Project® event with Kentucky Kids Belong where they were able to play games, connect with our staff and volunteers, and share their stories.

💙 Meet Tyler, a soft-spoken, thoughtful, and kind-hearted teenager. He embodies kindness and is eager to be part of a loving family. His warm demeanor makes everyone feel valued, and he tirelessly supports those around him.

💙 Meet Rylie, who goes by her nickname “Suki.” In her spare time she enjoys drawing everything from animals to anime. She is very proud of her artistic abilities and would love a family to share them with.

💙 Meet Leo, a kind, happy, and likeable youth. He can be introverted and bashful, but becomes chatty once he is familiar with someone. He cares deeply about the people in his life that are important to him.

💙 Meet Taylor, an optimistic and friendly girl. She loves to talk and make new friends. Taylor is very excited about finding a family she can call her own.

The I Belong Project creates unforgettable experiences for children in foster care who are waiting to be adopted. At thoughtfully designed events across the state, trauma-informed staff and volunteers create a day where children are celebrated, encouraged, and free to simply be themselves. Their unique personalities, interests, and dreams are captured in compelling videos that help connect children with families.

Note: America’s Kids Belong is not a child placement agency. If your inquiry aligns with the child’s needs, Kentucky’s Cabinet for Health and Family Services will follow up with next steps. U.S. inquiries only.

08/05/2026

In this episode of the Foster Friendly Podcast, we were honored to learn from the incredible experience of Judy Wright. She shares the inspiring, beautiful, and difficult journey of fostering Jaden, a two month old medically fragile baby.

Judy was told she would not survive.

This is a true story of what happens when love arrives before certainty.
A story of presence under pressure.
Of attachment formed in the shadow of loss.
Of what it costs to stay when no one can promise the ending.

What Judy shares is a testament to the power of love, resilience, and the impact foster care has on both the children and caregivers. Listen to the full episode now.

07/31/2026

Have you updated your Foster Friendly™ App lately? Now’s the time!

We’ve been working behind the scenes to make your Foster Friendly experience even better, and we can’t wait for you to check out the latest updates. The Foster Friendly App is meant to make your life easier! The goal: LESS STRESS. MORE CONNECTION.

Discover local businesses and community partners who value the work you do as a foster or kinship parent. Connect to a statewide network of exclusive discounts, services, and support right at your fingertips.

Here’s what’s new:
🎉 Special Event Notifications – Turn on notifications for the Foster Friendly App so you’ll be the first to know about events happening within driving distance of you.

🏠 Adoption Opportunities – You can now view children waiting for adoptive families in your state directly from the app.

📚Additional Resources – Access helpful resources curated by America’s Kids Belong in one convenient place.

💙 We are constantly working to make the Foster Friendly App the best resource possible for foster and kinship families.

📲 Head to your app store, update your app, and start exploring all the new features today!

07/30/2026

Meet Collin! 💙

Collin is a bright and curious 16-year-old from Tennessee who loves learning how the world works. 📚🔬

Whether he is reading, solving puzzles, playing video games, or exploring outside, Collin is always eager to discover something new. Science and social studies are his favorite subjects, and he dreams of becoming a marine biologist because he loves being in the water. 🌊

Collin also enjoys sharing what he learns. Ask him about space, Greek mythology, frogs and toads, or the mysteries of our oceans, and he will likely have an interesting fact ready! 😆

Collin hopes to find an individual or family who will encourage his curiosity, share in his love of learning, and offer the unconditional commitment every young person deserves. Could you be part of Collin’s story? If interested in inquiring, please see the link here 🔗:

https://americaskidsbelong.org/project/collin-tn01-31674948-3/

⚠️ Note: America’s Kids Belong is not an adoption agency. We partner with child welfare to help connect kids with adoptive families through the I Belong Project™. If your inquiry aligns with the child’s needs, someone will follow up with next steps. U.S. inquiries only.

07/28/2026

What kids in foster care really need is love...loving these kids, man, is the ticket.” - Corey McKinney, foster dad 💭

In Episode 97 of the Foster Friendly Podcast, co-hosts Travis Vangsnes and Courtney Williams welcome Corey McKinney, a thought leader in peer pressure and bullying, to discuss his journey as a foster parent and mentor. Corey shares his experiences in basketball, the challenges of fostering, and the importance of instilling hope and structure in the lives of foster children. He emphasizes the need for patience and understanding in the foster care system, and the impact of mentorship on youth development.

The three also discuss the profound impact of foster parenting, particularly focusing on the challenges faced by foster parents and the importance of communication, love, and support for children in care. They explore the unique challenges of parenting teenagers, the prevalence of bullying among youth in foster care, and the critical role that male figures can play in providing stability and guidance. The discussion emphasizes the need for perseverance, understanding, and the power of love in helping foster children navigate their difficult circumstances.

Book Corey to speak at your event or lead a workshop. You can also grab a copy of his book! https://www.coreymckinney.net/

🎙️ Listen to Episode 97 at the link below:
https://americaskidsbelong.org/blog/lessons-from-a-foster-dad-building-stability-and-belonging-in-kids-with-corey-mckinney/

07/27/2026

Meet these kids from Tennessee, waiting for adoption from foster care 🩵

🔗 Deziah: https://americaskidsbelong.org/project/deziah-tn01-28997959/
🔗 Kayleb: https://americaskidsbelong.org/project/kayleb-tn01-74591942/
🔗 Anna: https://americaskidsbelong.org/project/anna-tn01-40321953/
🔗 Collin: https://americaskidsbelong.org/project/collin-tn01-31674948-3/
🔗 Airies: https://americaskidsbelong.org/project/airies-tn01-115891950/

Every like, comment, and share helps boost this post to reach potential adoptive families. THANK YOU! 🙌

⚠️ Note: America’s Kids Belong is not an adoption agency. We partner with child welfare to help connect kids with adoptive families through the I Belong Project™. If your inquiry aligns with the child’s needs, someone will follow up with next steps. U.S. inquiries only. Learn more about home studies and adoption on our website - link in bio.

07/26/2026

Happy Parents Day to every parent and parent-in-waiting 💙

Today we honor foster parents, adoptive parents, birth parents, single parents, step parents and those still waiting to welcome a child into their family.

At America’s Kids Belong, we believe every child deserves to know they are safe, loved and surrounded by people who help them feel they truly belong.

To every parent showing up with love, patience, courage and care, thank you.

07/24/2026

Boston is a caring competitor who tries his best no matter what he’s doing and gives 100% every time! He loves racing and will challenge just about anyone to see who’s the fastest. He’s also a great BMXer and likes to show it off to anyone who will listen. He knows a ton about cars and enjoys explaining how they work or the best way to fix them!

Our Indiana Kids Belong team met him at a recent I Belong Project where he enjoyed a day playing games and participating in fun activities, while being celebrated, encouraged, and poured into by amazing staff and volunteers. We hope you’ll see his unique personality, interests, and dreams. Boston hopes to connect with an adoptive family ready to welcome him into a permanent, loving home.

Note: America’s Kids Belong is not an adoption agency. If your inquiry aligns with the child’s needs, Indiana’s Department of Child Services will follow up with next steps. U.S. inquiries only.

Watch Boston’s full video @ americaskidsbelong.org/project/boston-9634