News & Library
Keep up with the latest news about Firefly Children and Family Alliance, from recent announcements to new programs and services
Ari: Finding a Voice
CW: Sexual Assault, trauma “I physically lost my ability to speak for a few days after this happened, and it's been a long theme of trying to find my voice again, and trying to have the right people in my life to help me find my voice again,” Ari, a survivor of sexual...
Kris’ Corner – A Second Book to Consider (Raising Kids with Big, Baffling Behaviors)
I promise that this blog is not turning into a book review site…but I did just read this book and wanted to share a little bit about it with you. And yes, before you ask (or run to check), it is on the approved list for Alternative Training hours for your foster...
Kris’ Corner – A book to consider: “Love Me, Feed Me”
So, I have been doing a lot of reading lately. Some of what I’m reading is just for fun, but some of it is educational as I continue to try and improve my skills as an adoptive mom with a Special Needs kiddo. I when I was a foster parent, it was a struggle sometimes...
Firefly Named One of 2025’s Best Places to Work in Indiana
Firefly Children & Family Alliance was recently named one of the 2025 Best Places to Work in Indiana. This marks the 20th edition for the Indiana Chamber of Commerce initiative. The statewide survey and awards program is designed to evaluate participating...
Kris’ Corner – Coping Mechanisms
So foster care (and honestly life in general) is filled with a variety of different coping mechanisms. As a foster parent, you might find that you have some as well (and even if you don’t “find” that you do, chances are you have them…because being a foster parent is...
Kris’ Corner – Grief in Foster Care
So there are lots of reasons that foster parents might grieve (I know this might not be selling it if you are on the fence about being a foster parent). But first and foremost, a foster family might grieve when a child they think is going to stay forever ends up being...
Kris’ Corner – Ways that Schools Can Help Kids in Care
Today’s post piggybacks on the last, as it talks about ways the school can help kids in care (or at least strive to help!). First of all, just being aware of the potential triggers we discussed last time and aiming to avoid them if at all possible would be a huge step...
Kris’ Corner – ACE and PACE
Today I’m going to revisit the topic of The ACE Quiz, which I covered a couple years ago, as well as add additional material (PACEs) which I have since learned about. First we will start with the ACE Quiz. “ACE” stands for Adverse Childhood Experiences and an ACE...
Kris’ Corner – What is CCDF?
Today’s topic is the Child Care Development Fund (CCDF), which might be something you already know about and if that’s the case, just keep on moving…no need to stop and read. However, I know that there are many foster parents who are not aware of CCDF and how it can...
Kris’ Corner – What is Mixed Maturity?
My previous post discussed dysmaturity. Just to catch you up in case you missed it, dysmaturity is when a child is one chronological age, but an entirely separate (younger) maturity age; often, but not always, it is estimated that a child struggling with dysmaturity...