Siblings Reunite with Their Older Brother
FLORIDA: Rhonda and Raheem are siblings who have spent the last four years growing up in the foster care system. While it’s common for siblings to be separated in foster care, Rhonda and Raheem were both living at the same residential facility when the possibility of being reunited with their older brother became a reality.
“Why Didn’t Anyone Find My Family Before?”
We often wonder if our People Search and Family Connections tools are making a difference for children in foster care and family finding professionals. We’re compelled to share one user’s email of how our software helped her find an aunt for a hard-to-place teenager.
Abandoned Newborn with COVID-19 Connected With Family
KANSAS: In November of 2020, Baby Kai* entered the foster care system while battling COVID-19 in the hospital. The only information given to child welfare professionals at Cornerstones of Care were the names and last known contact information for her biological parents. Kai’s mother is Native American so she would only be placed in a home that met Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) guidelines, a federal law that seeks to keep Native American children with tribal families.
Runaway Teen Found Using Connect Our Kids Technology
KANSAS: Feeling alone at sixteen, Kevin* ran away shortly after entering the foster care system—no one knew where he went.
Siblings Avoid Separation from School & Community
KANSAS: Liliana, Lori and Jared* recently entered the foster care system. They are all very good students and it was important to them that they continue their education in the same school and remain in the same familiar town.
Relatives Found and Hard Conversations Made Easier
OHIO: A sibling group of four was referred to the Kinnect To Family program after a placement disruption. Their lives are currently in limbo and time is of the essence. The ones old enough to be aware of what’s going on don’t know what’s going to happen to them.
Baby Tyler Finds a Forever Home
KANSAS: When baby Tyler entered foster care, a family finding team used the Connect Our Kids technology platform to search for family and community connections. They quickly identified 14 siblings and began contacting their caregivers.
Newborn Infant Now Lives with Half-Sister
KANSAS: Baby Sabrina* was just two-months-old when she entered the foster care system. The name and residential address of a paternal great aunt was the only information social services provided Cornerstones of Care, a foster care case management agency dedicated to finding loving families and support networks for children in need.
Four Siblings Remain Living with Family
KANSAS/MISSOURI: In the first week of 2021, four Kansas children entered the foster care system. Their mother, who is burdened with unhealed trauma, cannot care for them.
A Letter Leads to a Long Lost Relative
COLORADO: Noah has bounced around the foster care system for a long time, his advocate worked for more than two years on his case to find him a permanent home. With each move, it becomes harder for Noah to achieve a healthy and stable relationship. His dedicated advocate, diligent in her search, often hoped he could have at least one person in his life who will be there for him always.