Episodes

  • Where Culture Meets Care

    Where Culture Meets Care
    May 6 2026
    Whether you’re a parent, foster or adoptive caregiver, or a professional supporting families, this conversation invites you to pause, reflect, and walk away with a deeper understanding of how culture, connection, and care come together in everyday parenting. Dr. Siek and Rawand Amedi bring their expertise in child development and mental health, while sharing insights rooted in cultural awareness, advocacy, and community experience. We’ll also hear how they created a 3-part series on Cultural Considerations When Parenting, The Importance of Parenting from a Culturally Competent Lens, and The Mind-Body Connection and Interventions from a Culturally Competent Lens. https://education.fosteradoptmn.org/v2/?c=events

    (29 mins)

    May 6, 2026

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    29 mins
  • The Call to Action for Intercountry Adoptee Justice

    The Call to Action for Intercountry Adoptee Justice
    Apr 22 2026
    Since the end of World War II, over 500,000 children have been adopted from abroad by U.S. citizen parents with the promise of a secure life. Yet, for many, that promise was broken by a legal oversight that denied them automatic citizenship. Amanda Cho and Rachel Koelzer will share how this loophole started, the impacts and why it persists today. We will take an inside look at the Protect Adoptees and American Families (PAAF) Act and learn how you can take action at Adoptees For Justice. Amanda Cho is the Policy Manager for Adoptees for Justice (A4J) & the Alliance for Adoptees and Families (AAF). Rachel Koelzer is the Communications Director for the National Korean American Service and Education Consortium (NAKASEC) and its project, Adoptees For Justice (A4J).

    (40 mins)

    April 22, 2026

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    The post The Call to Action for Intercountry Adoptee Justice appeared first on Foster Adopt Minnesota.
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    40 mins
  • Responding to Self-Harm

    Responding to Self-Harm
    Apr 8 2026
    Youth self–harm is an increasing mental health challenge. Foster youth are especially susceptible to engaging in self–harm. Charley Joyce, MSW, joins us to discuss the different forms of self–harm, why foster youth self–harm and some considerations in how foster parents might respond to a youth that is self–harming.

    (40 mins)

    April 8, 2026

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    The post Responding to Self-Harm appeared first on Foster Adopt Minnesota.
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    40 mins
  • What the HELP?

    What the HELP?
    Mar 25 2026
    In this episode, we are joined by Heather Van Brunt, Permanency Services Director at Foster Adopt Minnesota. She answers all of our burning questions about the HELP program and shares why it’s such a vital service to families in the adoption, kinship, and foster care community.

    (30 mins)

    March 25, 2026

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    The post What the HELP? appeared first on Foster Adopt Minnesota.
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    30 mins
  • It Can Be a Matter of Life and Death

    It Can Be a Matter of Life and Death
    Mar 11 2026
    Pat Monson, JD & Charley Joyce, MSW are here to talk about the importance of preventative and attentive health care. This March, during National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, Pat shares the tragic story of her daughter Rachel Ellingson. At age 33, Rachel was living her best life; yet for some time, she was suffering from bowel symptoms. Several doctors said she was too young for colorectal cancer. Rachel tragically lost her fight with cancer on January 6, 2019. In this episode, learn about young-onset colorectal cancer from Rachel’s mom and the important work from the nonprofit, Live Like Rach (livelikerach.org). Pat discusses current information regarding colorectal cancer especially as it applies to young people and Charley Joyce addresses the importance of attentive and preventative health care as it applies to foster youth.

    (52 mins)

    March 11, 2026

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    The post It Can Be a Matter of Life and Death appeared first on Foster Adopt Minnesota.
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    52 mins
  • Growing Together at Every Stage Part 6 – Ages 16 – 25: Guiding Them Toward Their True Selves

    Growing Together at Every Stage Part 6 – Ages 16 – 25: Guiding Them Toward Their True Selves
    Feb 25 2026
    Growing Together At Every Stage Part 6 – Ages 16 – 25: Guiding Them Toward Their True Selves In this six-part series, we are joined by family therapist and author Meg Flynn, who brings us a wealth of knowledge from her work with families and kids for over three decades. In this era of high-pressure parenting and busy family life, Meg reminds us of how we can slow down, find the joy in each stage, and focus on what really matters–safety, connection, and growth. Part 6 dives into guiding older teens and young adults through asking guiding questions and building stronger connections through curiosity.

    (42 mins)

    February 25, 2026

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    The post Growing Together at Every Stage Part 6 – Ages 16 – 25: Guiding Them Toward Their True Selves appeared first on Foster Adopt Minnesota.
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    42 mins
  • Growing Together at Every Stage: Part 5 – 4th to 9th Grade: Sense of Belonging and Healthy Community

    Growing Together at Every Stage: Part 5 – 4th to 9th Grade: Sense of Belonging and Healthy Community
    Feb 11 2026
    Growing Together At Every Stage Part 5-4th to 9th Grade: Sense of Belonging and Healthy Community In this six-part series, we are joined by family therapist and author Meg Flynn, who brings us a wealth of knowledge from her work with families and kids for over three decades. In this era of high-pressure parenting and busy family life, Meg reminds us of how we can slow down, find the joy in each stage, and focus on what really matters–safety, connection, and growth. Part 5 addresses peer rejection, tackling homework, and building belonging and self-acceptance.

    (36 mins)

    February 11, 2026

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    The post Growing Together at Every Stage: Part 5 – 4th to 9th Grade: Sense of Belonging and Healthy Community appeared first on Foster Adopt Minnesota.
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    36 mins
  • Growing Together at Every Stage: Part 4 – School Aged Children

    Growing Together at Every Stage: Part 4 – School Aged Children
    Jan 28 2026
    In this six-part series, we are joined by family therapist and author Meg Flynn, who brings us a wealth of knowledge from her work with families and kids for over three decades. In this era of high-pressure parenting and busy family life, Meg reminds us of how we can slow down, find the joy in each stage, and focus on what really matters–safety, connection, and growth. Growing Together at Every Stage, Part 4-School Aged Children – Achievement, Comparison, and Vulnerability. In Part 4: School Aged Children – Achievement, Comparison, and Vulnerability, Meg gives concrete ways to connect and support youth as they enter school and begin to compare themselves to their peers.

    (36 mins)

    January 28, 2026

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    The post Growing Together at Every Stage: Part 4 – School Aged Children appeared first on Foster Adopt Minnesota.
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    36 mins