The Adoption & Foster Care Journey

Sandra Flach
  • 5.0 (20)
  • Christianity
  • Biweekly

Host Sandra Flach is a mom of 8 children, 5 through adoption—one kinship and 4 international. Her youngest 2 are teens diagnosed with a Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD). With over 30 years of parenting experience and 20 plus years as an adoptive and kinship parent, she’s made mountains of mistakes and learned loads of lessons. She understands the difficult road of parenting children with trauma histories—and she is still in the trenches! The Adoption & Foster Care Journey is a podcast to encourage, educate, and equip you to care for children in crisis through adoption, foster care, and kinship care. We aim to support adoptive and foster families by sharing encouraging real-life stories and equipping them with modern-day research and parenting techniques.

  1. 3d ago

    Episode 556 - Vulnerable Children in a Digital Age with Dr. Nicole Wilke

    "Where there is no guidance, a people falls, but in an abundance of counselors there is safety." -Proverbs 11:14   On this episode, host Sandra Flach talks with Nicole Wilke, PhD., is a child welfare researcher, missionary, author, and marriage and family therapist dedicated to improving care for vulnerable children and families globally. She currently serves as CAFO’s Director of the Center on Applied Research for Vulnerable Children and Families, bridging research and practice to improve faith-based care. Her passion for this field stems from her family’s experience with adoption and fostering and her extensive professional work with at-risk children and families   For foster and adoptive families, technology can intensify the struggles children already face with attachment, emotional regulation, attention, and self-control. Listen in as Sandra and Nicole, co-author of Vulnerable Children in a Digital Age, discuss the impact of technology on children who have experienced early adversity.   Nicole shares practical, realistic strategies for setting healthy boundaries, reducing screen time, and helping kids develop a healthier relationship with technology. From device-free family time to navigating smartphones and online safety, this episode offers encouragement and tools parents can start using today. Tune in for a hope-filled conversation about raising kids to control their technology instead of letting technology control them!   Find Sandra and Dr. Nicole’s conversation wherever you get your podcasts.   Links mentioned in this episode: Vulnerable Children in a Digital Age Free Breath Prayer Download See Available Trainings AFCJ on YouTube justicefororphansny.org justicefororphansny.org/hope-community     Email:  sandraflach@justicefororphansny.org sandraflach.com Soul Care Saturday—52 Devotions for Foster and Adoptive Moms Orphans No More—A Journey Back to the Father book on Amazon

  2. Oct 26

    Episode 555 - The Dysregulated Kid with Dr. Roseann Capanna-Hodge

    "You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts you." -Isaiah 26:3   On this episode, host Sandra Flach talks with Dr. Roseann Capanna-Hodge, a licensed therapist, certified school psychologist, and author of The Dysregulated Kid—The Parents Playbook for Helping Your Child Find Calm in a Chaotic World. For more than thirty years, Dr. Roseann has helped people understand how nervous-system state shapes behavior, communication, learning, decision-making, relationships, and our ability to respond when pressure rises.   When kids are struggling with challenging behaviors, it's easy to focus on correcting the behavior rather than understanding what's happening beneath the surface. Listen in as Sandra and Dr. Roseann discuss nervous system dysregulation and its impact on children affected by trauma, FASD, and other neurodevelopmental differences.   Discover why regulation must come before correction, how parents can become emotional anchors for their children, and practical strategies to bring more calm into your home.   If you're parenting a uniquely wired child, this hope-filled conversation is for you!   Find Sandra and Dr. Roseann’s conversation wherever you get your podcasts.   Links mentioned in this episode: drroseann.com Free Breath Prayer Download See Available Trainings AFCJ on YouTube justicefororphansny.org justicefororphansny.org/hope-community     Email:  sandraflach@justicefororphansny.org sandraflach.com Soul Care Saturday—52 Devotions for Foster and Adoptive Moms Orphans No More—A Journey Back to the Father book on Amazon

  3. Oct 19

    Episode 554 - Parenting with Compassion and Intention with Jesse Faris

    “Surely your goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever..” -Psalm 23:6   On this episode, host Sandra Flach talks with Jesse Faris. Jesse is the Director of Community Engagement and Training at Empowered To Connect—a nonprofit equipping foster, adoptive, and kinship families, along with churches with trauma-informed, connection-based parenting tools. She lives in Memphis, TN with her husband of 20 years and two teenage daughters who came to her family as toddlers through international adoption.   Drawing from their personal adoption journeys, Sandra and Jesse explore how understanding trauma, attachment, and the unique needs of fostered and adopted children can transform parenting.   Listeners will discover the 9 Connecting Practices that help strengthen relationships and build trust, along with practical strategies for balancing nurture and structure, building life skills, and responding thoughtfully to challenging behaviors.   Sandra and Jesse remind parents that even when parenting gets messy, there's always room for repair, growth, and connection!   Find Sandra and Jesse’s conversation wherever you get your podcasts.   Links mentioned in this episode: Empowered to Connect Free Breath Prayer Download See Available Trainings AFCJ on YouTube justicefororphansny.org justicefororphansny.org/hope-community     Email:  sandraflach@justicefororphansny.org sandraflach.com Soul Care Saturday—52 Devotions for Foster and Adoptive Moms Orphans No More—A Journey Back to the Father book on Amazon

  4. Oct 12

    Episode 553 - FASD: Hope, Advocacy, and a Brighter Future!

    “Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.” -1 Thessalonians 5:11   On this episode, host Sandra Flach shares reflections from her recent experiences at the CAFO Summit in Atlanta and FASD United’s national symposium and advocacy events in Washington, D.C.   From connecting with fellow parents to meeting researches, professionals, and advocates working to improve the future for individuals with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) and their families, Sandra shares encouraging news about the growing movement for awareness, education, resources, and support.   If you are parenting a child, teen, or young adult with FASD, you know the journey can feel overwhelming and isolating—you are not alone. There is hope and this episode will encourage you. While there is still much work to be done,  we are making progress—and we are stronger together.   Links mentioned in this episode: FASDUnited.org Free Breath Prayer Download See Available Trainings AFCJ on YouTube justicefororphansny.org justicefororphansny.org/hope-community     Email:  sandraflach@justicefororphansny.org sandraflach.com Soul Care Saturday—52 Devotions for Foster and Adoptive Moms Orphans No More—A Journey Back to the Father book on Amazon

  5. Oct 5

    Episode 552 - From Diagnosis to Advocacy: Finding Hope on the FASD Journey with Rebecca Ciesielski

    “This is what the Lord Almighty said, “Administer true justice; show mercy and compassion to one another.” -Zechariah 7:9 This episode continues our  FASD Awareness Month series with special guest, foster and adoptive mom, Rebecca Ciesielski. After years of searching for answers, Rebecca’s child received an FASD diagnosis at age eight. Along the way, she discovered the FASCETS Neurobehavioral Approach and began viewing challenging behaviors through a brain-based lens—recognizing differences in processing, regulation, memory, and inconsistent performance and responding with appropriate accommodations and support. That shift was so impactful that Rebecca eventually became a certified FASCETS facilitator and now serves as president of the Texas FASD Network, helping educate, encourage, and advocate for families and professionals in Texas. If you’re parenting or supporting someone with FASD, this conversation is a beautiful reminder that when we understand the brain differently, we can respond differently. Listen in as Rebecca shares her FASD story on episode 552 of The Adoption & Foster Care Journey podcast. Links mentioned in this episode: FASDUnited.org Texas FASD Network Free Breath Prayer Download See Available Trainings AFCJ on YouTube justicefororphansny.org justicefororphansny.org/hope-community     Email:  sandraflach@justicefororphansny.org sandraflach.com Soul Care Saturday—52 Devotions for Foster and Adoptive Moms Orphans No More—A Journey Back to the Father book on Amazon

  6. Sep 28

    Episode 551 - Red Shoes Rock with Kathrin Hui Gregorovic

    "How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, 'Your God reigns!'” -Isaiah 52:7   This episode continues our  FASD Awareness Month series with our special guest, Kathrin Hui Gregorovic. Kathrin grew up in Switzerland and now lives in Austria with her family. She and her husband are foster parents to two neurodivergent kiddos. Kathrin is also an artist. As a child she loved drawing and that passion was rekindled as she learned about FASD and started drawing again for self-care. Kathrin calls herself an ‘advocartoonist’—using her illustrations and cartoons to advocate for people with FASD.   Listen in as Kathrin Hui Gregorovic shares her family’s FASD story and how she uses her talents on behalf of the FASD community worldwide.   Links mentioned in this episode: https://redshoesrock.com/ FASDUnited.org Free Breath Prayer Download See Available Trainings AFCJ on YouTube justicefororphansny.org justicefororphansny.org/hope-community     Email:  sandraflach@justicefororphansny.org sandraflach.com Soul Care Saturday—52 Devotions for Foster and Adoptive Moms Orphans No More—A Journey Back to the Father book on Amazon

  7. Sep 21

    Episode 550 - Living with FASD with Patti Kasper

    “For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made.” -Psalm 139:13-14   This episode continues our  FASD Awareness Month series with our special guest, Patricia Kasper. Patti is an author, podcast host, self-advocate, life coach, social worker, as well as a former therapist and hospice chaplain. With over thirty years of experience in addiction, mental health, and  child welfare, Patti took a deep dive into FASD to better support the children and families on her caseload. In the process, she discovered that she too is on the FASD spectrum. Her self-identification was later confirmed with an FASD diagnosis.    The magnitude of seeing oneself differently, through a truer lens, and understanding the impacts of prenatal brain injury upon one’s physical, emotional, and cognitive development, uniquely experienced by everyone, revolutionized both her personal and professional life. Patti’s work pivoted to focus solely on FASD in hopes of bringing a monumental shift in understanding and grace to the nearly 15 million adults in the U.S. who have never understood why life was harder for them than for most.   Listen in as Patti Kasper shares from both her professional experience and as an adult diagnosed with FASD.   Links mentioned in this episode: patriciakasper.com FASDUnited.org Free Breath Prayer Download See Available Trainings AFCJ on YouTube justicefororphansny.org justicefororphansny.org/hope-community     Email:  sandraflach@justicefororphansny.org sandraflach.com Soul Care Saturday—52 Devotions for Foster and Adoptive Moms Orphans No More—A Journey Back to the Father book on Amazon

  8. Sep 14

    Episode 549 - Understanding FASD: From Behavior to Brain with Jessica Sachs

    “For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made.” -Psalm 139:13-14   This episode continues our  FASD Awareness Month series with our special guest, Jessica Sachs. Jessica is the FASD Specialty Dept. Coordinator & Family Peer Supervisor at Children’s Service Center in Wilkes-Barre, PA. She has more than 14 years of experience supporting families and navigating mental and behavioral health systems—with a strong focus on FASD education, advocacy, and family support.   Jessica is also the mom of 5 children. Her FASD journey began personally when she started navigating mental and behavioral health services with her oldest kids. Her passion is bringing greater understanding of FASD to families and professionals, so individuals are better understood and receive the support, accommodation, and treatment they truly need.   Listen in as Jessica shares from both her professional experience and as a birth mom of a child with FASD.   Links mentioned in this episode: Children’s Service Center PA FASDUnited.org Free Breath Prayer Download See Available Trainings AFCJ on YouTube justicefororphansny.org justicefororphansny.org/hope-community     Email:  sandraflach@justicefororphansny.org sandraflach.com Soul Care Saturday—52 Devotions for Foster and Adoptive Moms Orphans No More—A Journey Back to the Father book on Amazon

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About

Host Sandra Flach is a mom of 8 children, 5 through adoption—one kinship and 4 international. Her youngest 2 are teens diagnosed with a Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD). With over 30 years of parenting experience and 20 plus years as an adoptive and kinship parent, she’s made mountains of mistakes and learned loads of lessons. She understands the difficult road of parenting children with trauma histories—and she is still in the trenches! The Adoption & Foster Care Journey is a podcast to encourage, educate, and equip you to care for children in crisis through adoption, foster care, and kinship care. We aim to support adoptive and foster families by sharing encouraging real-life stories and equipping them with modern-day research and parenting techniques.

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