News & Library
Keep up with the latest news about Firefly Children and Family Alliance, from recent announcements to new programs and services
Kris’ Corner – When Siblings Move Out
So now I want to piggyback on my last post about older siblings going to college…but now I want to talk about those older kiddos moving out completely. Obviously, this may happen right after high school, thereby skipping the transition to college piece. Or it may be...
Kris’ Corner – When Siblings Go to College
So going along with my last post about sibling connection…another thing that doesn’t seem to be talked about too much in foster and adoption is the impact when an older sibling going away to college. If you’ve read any of my previous posts, you already know that in...
Kris’ Corner – Death, Grief, and Loss
So one thing I have touched on previously, but not really delved into is walking alongside a child who has experienced trauma through the death of a loved one. Now, to be clear, I’m not walking that path fully yet, but I am about to. My grandmother, who turned 100...
Kris’ Corner – Weekend Rituals
Now…I will freely admit that my family is probably not a great example of having a bunch of weekend rituals, with the exception of going to church on Sunday morning. Saturday morning might be an opportunity for us to catch up on some chores around the house. As you...
Kris’ Corner – Summertime Rituals
Summertime rituals… Now this might be a little bit trickier, and open to a lot more interpretation, especially if you have a newer placement. But if you are attuned to what your child enjoys, and you try, to the best of your ability of course, to tap into that over...
Kris’ Corner – Post Visitation Rituals
As you probably know by now, most children (there’s always an exception of course) in care have visits with biological family. But one thing that is often not discussed is the reentry into the foster home after a child has a visitation. Now…you won’t know (often until...
Kris’ Corner – School Lunches
I just wanted to take a minute and share a thought: kids in foster care might like to take their lunch to school. A fellow adoptive and foster mom friend mentioned this recently and quite honestly, such a thing had never occurred to me…possibly because I mostly...
Foster Care Spotlight: Doris
Doris always wanted to pursue fostering and adoption. In 1994, after marrying her late husband who was deaf, adoption was their first choice before a natural pregnancy. Though Doris and her husband’s mission was to adopt deaf children, there was always the...
Foster Care Spotlight: Meet the Kempf Family
Early on in their family planning, Donna and Jason Kempf never thought they’d be able to do what they’re doing today. The couple became foster parents in 2007, when they were licensed to adopt their son Marat in Colorado. Donna found the inspiration to foster from her...
Kris’ Corner: Blocked Trust and Blocked Care
So let’s talk a bit about blocked trust and blocked care (which is also called compassion fatigue). Anyone out there ever heard of this? Do not worry if you have not…even if you’ve been in this foster care world for a while. I’ve been in the arena for over 10 years...