Foster & Adoptive Care Coalition

06/19/2026

Today, we honor Juneteenth, a celebration of freedom, resilience, and the continued pursuit of equity and opportunity.

This past weekend, our RESPOND team proudly joined the Ferguson Juneteenth Celebration, connecting with families and community members while celebrating Black culture, history, and leadership.

RESPOND was created to support and empower Black/African American individuals and families interested in becoming foster parents. Through guidance, education, and ongoing support, we're helping build stronger connections and brighter futures for children impacted by foster care.

You can find our team out in the community again today at the Dellwood Juneteenth Parade & Festival and the Juneteenth Festival Block Party at House Of Soul St. Louis. Stop by and say hello! 💚

Please note: The Coalition is closed today in observance of Juneteenth. Refresh is OPEN during normal business hours (10 a.m.–6 p.m.)

06/17/2026

Slick City Chesterfield, MO is full of twists and thrills. Gabe had a blast exploring the slides and playing basketball on the bouncy court!

Keep watch for Gabe's KSDK News 5 On Your Side "A Place to Call Home" episode airing on June 22.

06/17/2026

Pop quiz! 📓 Are YOU ready for the Junior Board Trivia Night: Back to School?

The Junior Board is planning to make it a night to remember:
📍New location:
📚6 Rounds of class period themed trivia
🎨 Creative school-themed tables (go all out!)
🎟️ Bigger & better raffle prizes
🏆 Friendly competition + bragging rights
💚 A meaningful night supporting local kids in foster care

Round up your classmates (aka friends 😉) and secure your table today!
$30 per seat | $240 table of 8

Purchase tickets here: https://e.givesmart.com/events/OS1/

06/16/2026

🌈 "Oh my gosh, it's me."

For 16-year-old Kenan, a rainbow painted pink, white, and blue became more than a beautiful sky. It was a moment of recognition. A reminder that he's seen.

For many LGBTQIA+ youth, especially those navigating foster care, feeling seen, affirmed, and supported can make all the difference. Through the Coalition's Older Youth Empowerment program, young people like Kenan have a safe space to explore their identities, build meaningful connections, and envision a future filled with possibility.

This Pride Month, we celebrate the courage it takes to be yourself, the resilience of youth who continue to grow through life's challenges, and the trusted adults who show up, listen, and remind them they are never alone.

Because every young person deserves to know they are worthy of love, acceptance, and a future where they can thrive.

💚 Read Kenan's story on our blog:

The Coalition’s Older Youth Empowerment program helps LGBTQIA+ youth explore and understand their identities while recognizing how those identities can affect placement stability, family and community connections, and readiness for a successful transition from foster care into adulthood.

06/12/2026

Child welfare professionals are invited to join the Coalition for the next installation of Collaborate & Connect in which we share FREE, actionable information.

On June 17, join us for Educational Rights & Issues Impacting Youth in Care. The Health & Education Justice Initiative (HEJI) will provide an overview of their work and highlight key issues, including challenges facing children in residential placements, gaps in special education, and the impact of Missouri’s Safe Schools Act on due process and alternative education.

Learn more and register today at: https://www.foster-adopt.org/events-calendar/collaborate-connect-educational-rights-issues-impacting-youth-in-care/

06/10/2026

Many people know us for Birthday Buddies and our Little Wishes Holiday Program, but those programs are just part of a larger story.

Every day, the Foster & Adoptive Care Coalition works to strengthen families and create brighter futures for children through educational advocacy, family finding, specialized adoption recruitment, caregiver training, therapeutic resources, and much more.

Join us for our Virtual Open House on June 13 to discover the programs, services, resources, and training opportunities available to support foster, kinship, adoptive, and guardianship families throughout the St. Louis region.

🗓️ June 13 | ⏰ 9–11 a.m. Register now: https://www.foster-adopt.org/events-calendar/foster-adoptive-care-coalition-virtual-open-house-174/

06/09/2026

Aniya let her creative side shine at MADE for Kids! From crafting to stop-motion filming, she was in her element.

Aniya is 13 years old and searching for her forever home. If you'd like to learn more about Aniya, visit https://www.foster-adopt.org/waiting-children/aniya/ or contact Niquisha Adail, Extreme Recruiter, at [email protected].

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JcvEyHRjDZg

If you have a creative explorer in your family, we have a perfect p...

06/09/2026

✨ Meet Our Team! ✨

👋 Hi, Coalition family! I’m Dawn, and I’m excited to join the Foster & Adoptive Care Coalition as a 30 Days to Family® Specialist. With 2.5 years of experience as a Family Foster Care Specialist and a master’s degree earned in December 2025, I’m passionate about helping children and families stay connected and supported. As a mom of four, family is at the heart of everything I do, and I’m excited to be part of the Coalition team!

💚 Hello, Coalition family! I’m Jasmine Docheé, a 30 Days to Family® Specialist. My background in Psychology fuels my passion for cultural understanding, family connections, and community advocacy. When I’m not working, you can find me cheering on my little one at sports games or planning my next road trip!

🌟 Hi, I’m Anna! I joined the Family United team in April 2026 and am the proud mom of two daughters and grandmother of three. I’m passionate about becoming a full-spectrum doula and advocating for mothers who need support and a strong voice in their corner.

06/08/2026

One decision can change a child's life. 🧡

Right now, children in our community are waiting for someone to say "yes" to providing a safe, supportive home.

Hear from Family Development Specialist Molly Tyo Doyle about what to expect on the foster care journey and from foster/adoptive parent Libby, who shares how fostering transformed her life.

If fostering has ever crossed your mind, now is the perfect time to learn more. Our next training cohort begins July 9, and we're currently accepting inquiries.

Take the first step today and discover the difference you can make: https://www.foster-adopt.org/futureparents/

06/07/2026

A birthday gift may seem small, but to a child impacted by foster care, it can mean feeling seen, celebrated, and deeply cared for. 💚

A special thank you to For Goodness Cakes for generously volunteering their time and talents to bake and decorate birthday cakes that make celebrations even sweeter. 🎂

Become a Birthday Buddy and help make a child’s special day feel magical. Each child personally chooses their gifts, giving them the joy of feeling known and valued on their birthday. Gifts range from $50–$100 depending on age, and every donation helps create a moment they’ll never forget.

Help remind a child that their day and their story matter: https://www.foster-adopt.org/birthday-buddies/