Kelsie was a young mom of two children with another on the way. She had just decided to leave a domestically violent relationship that left her homeless; living out of her car with her kids. Kelsie did not think she could keep her third child and was considering adoption until she found temporary housing through New Life Directions. This step …

Daily we hear from weary caregivers who are at the end of their ropes. Many have read the parenting books, attended trainings on trauma, and taken their child to countless specialists, yet little has changed. Scared and frustrated by their child’s behaviors, their homes seem more like a warzone than a place of refuge. Family Coaching with OCA When seeking …

None of us are immune to stress, trauma, and adversity. Especially when we are caring for kids with a background of trauma. We will all face misfortunes and setbacks. Resilience means being able to adapt to life’s misfortunes and setbacks. Bouncing back from these difficult experiences will grow your resilience and your personal development.   How can you support your …

Just over a week ago, the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade and Planned Parenthood v. Casey, the removal of federal protection of abortion.  Thus, returning this decision back to the states and their elected officials.  A life-saving decision, one of world recognition that has shaken a fallen world, but undoubtedly a decision that gives justice to the unborn.   …

Suffering and struggling will always be a part of the Christian walk, but it looks different in every individual and family’s life. Christ suffered on this earth and thankfully has a perfect understanding of our suffering. Christ, in His supreme suffering, is the highest, clearest, surest display of the glory of the grace of God. When you suffer and trust …

Trauma can come in many forms, especially in children with a background of adoption and foster care. Some of the best parents can struggle with how to help their children heal from the trauma that they have endured. No matter how incredible the parents are, or how feisty and fierce they are as advocates, it can be a downright difficult …

Keri, a single mother of six, was trapped in a desperate situation. She had been living in a hotel room with her kids since October 2021. Though she had a job, she was burdened by a medical condition that causes her to miss work often. Keri didn’t know how she was ever going to break free from the darkness that …

The goal of helping as a foster or adoptive parent is not to merely transform your children into good people, but the goal is to help so the children you are raising can fulfill their callings of glorifying God by working and supporting themselves and their families with the fruit of that work one day. As a foster parent, it …

We live in a broken world in need of the hope of the only One who can save. Sometimes sharing the love of the Savior means stepping into that brokenness and living a life of sacrifice. We are not called to live a life of ease, but to pick up our cross and follow Jesus. The call to foster or …

Keeping your marriage strong is important for every marriage, but foster parenting or adoption can bring some extra struggles to a marriage relationship.  Here are 4 tips to help keep your marriage healthy while parenting kids from difficult backgrounds. 1)    Respite, Respite, Respite  If you are a foster parent, get a network of people willing to be trained as respite …