Fostering Voices Podcast

Summary: Today, we're joined by Leah and Brian from the Gift of Adoption Fund to explore how families are supported as they welcome youth who have faced adversity into permanent, loving homes. With more than 6,500 children served and over $22 million in adoption funding provided, their work is creating tangible pathways to stability and belonging. While many people associate adoption with infants, this conversation broadens the lens to highlight critical needs within our communities. Leah and Brian share their personal journeys into adoption advocacy, what drew them to this work, and the moments that have shaped their impact. We also take a closer look at the realities inside the foster care system, including guardianship transitions, relative licensing, private adoptions from foster care, and the role of pre-adoption grants. Beyond the system, we discuss emerging needs like young adult adoptions, what families should expect in the process, and why stepping into this space matters now more than ever. This epi