Interview with Lauren Lafayette

Interview with Lauren Lafayette

Lauren, to start, could you introduce yourself and your role at The Giving Jean. Please share the heart behind your work serving birth parents in Texas for our Texas Adoption Center readers.

Hi! I’m Lauren Lafayette, one of the founders of The Giving Jean, along with my husband Travis.

Several years ago we worked with Texas Adoption Center as we grew our family through adoption. Along with the incredible joy of welcoming our daughter, the experience gave us new eyes into the world of birth parents. Our hearts were gripped with a desire to serve these brave individuals in a meaningful way.

Reading through the profiles and stories, it became clear that no two situations were the same, yet at the core of every decision is a profound, selfless love for their child. In a world with various options for unplanned pregnancies, these birth parents stand out to us as the unsung heroes. Taking this mission to heart, we eventually formalized it by starting The Giving Jean.

Our goal is to meet birth parents and families right where they are in life with meaningful, practical support — encouraging them and showing them they are seen, loved, and not alone. We do this through various giving campaigns throughout the year and during the holiday seasons by loving on, supporting, and serving birth parents beyond placement. We remind them that their sacrifice is honored and their choice is creating and growing families.

What path led you to your role in this space, and which pivotal experiences most shaped your philosophy on supporting birth families?

After adopting our daughter through Texas Adoption Center, we couldn’t forget the powerful stories of the birth mothers we read about during the process. Their courage and selfless love stayed with us long after placement.

That year at Christmas, we reached out to our adoption specialist and worked together to coordinated gifts for several local birth mothers who had placed their child for adoption around the holidays. Many were already parenting other children, so we overwhelmed them with practical love — everything from toilet paper and clothing to groceries and furniture. Our goal was simple, lighten their load and give them a meaningful stepping stone into the next season of life.

That experience changed everything. We knew we couldn’t stop with one Christmas — we had to do more. That’s how The Giving Jean was began.

What inspired you to create an organization that focuses on meeting each family’s unique needs rather than offering a one-size-fits-all approach?

We had gained a new realization that every birth mother’s story is completely unique. Through the profiles we read, we saw single women, career women, young mothers, and older mothers — each at very different stages of life with very different needs.

We set out to truly meet each birth mom where she was — whether that’s additional emotional support and counseling after placement, help with interview clothes for a young mom entering the workforce, or practical needs like a bed to sleep in or books and toys for the children she is parenting. Our desire is to offer personalized, meaningful support that truly makes a difference for each birth family.

Every family’s situation is different. How do you determine what support will have the greatest impact for each individual? Could you walk us through a recent (anonymized) giving plan—from first conversation to delivery—and what made it uniquely effective for that birth family?

We credit a lot of our success to strong agency partners like Texas Adoption Center for helping us make our giving truly personalized.
 
When we launch a seasonal campaign, we reach out to the agency with a brief description and invite their adoption specialists to identify birth mothers who would be especially blessed by the support. Because of the relationships we’ve built, the specialists naturally think of our mission throughout the year and let us know which moms might benefit most.
 
A recent example was our Mother’s Day flower delivery. We sent beautiful arrangements to birth mothers we had supported the previous Christmas, as well as several new moms the agency referred to us. The flowers served as a simple but meaningful reminder that they are being prayed for and thought of long after placement.
 
What made it effective was how personal and timely it felt — just a small gesture that brought smiles and encouragement during a holiday they may need it most.
 

Many women facing an unplanned pregnancy are overwhelmed by uncertainty. What would you want them to know about asking for help?

Asking for help during an unplanned pregnancy is one of the bravest things a woman can do. In that moment of humility and courage, she is choosing her child’s well-being above her own comfort and current circumstances — one of the most selfless acts of love a mother can make.

Placing a child for adoption is never easy. It carries a deep emotional and physical toll. But through that difficult choice, she is also creating and growing families in a beautiful way.

If I could speak directly to any birth mother reading this, I would tell her: You are not alone, and asking for help does not make you weak — it makes you strong. The love you have for your child is powerful, and it will always be part of one of the greatest love stories I get to tell my own daughter about her birth mom.

From food to furniture, what operational systems, vendor relationships, or community partnerships let you move essentials quickly and responsibly across Texas?

We rely on a mix of vendor relationships, online platforms, and local partners to move support quickly and responsibly across Texas (and beyond).

Our major campaigns and partners include:

Mother’s Day Flowers: We partner with 1-800-Flowers for beautiful deliveries no matter where the birth mother lives

Back(pack) to School: We fulfill each child’s exact school supply list (for the children the birth mothers are currently parenting) and send everything — including a new backpack — directly to their home. This is handled primarily through Amazon and Walmart for fast, reliable shipping.

ThanksGiving Jean: We team up with Omaha Steaks to deliver high-quality Thanksgiving meals that arrive right on time for the holiday.

Christmas Giving: We fulfill personalized wish lists using a variety of vendors including Walmart, Old Navy, H-E-B, and Wayfair. We also include H-E-B gift cards for grocery needs.

One of our favorite touches is including a beautiful Bible for each birth mom (with a Bible study from The Daily Grace Co.) and an age-appropriate Bible for the children in the home.

We are so blessed by these partnerships and look forward to growing them even more. We’ve been blown away by how generously vendors and companies are willing to help nonprofits when we simply ask.

How do you measure whether a birth family feels more secure and confident after receiving support—what indicators or stories tell you the approach is working?

We don’t use formal measurements or metrics to evaluate success. Instead, we rely on the organic and genuine thank yous we receive from the birth mothers themselves.

We kindly ask (if they’re comfortable) for photos and notes after receiving support. The smiles on their faces and the heartfelt messages they share are invaluable — often bringing tears to our eyes and reminding us of the real difference being made.

During our Christmas deliveries, we also do many in person with a team of volunteers. The tight hugs, tearful eyes, and expressions of joy — especially when moms see how happy their children are — tell us everything we need to know. Those authentic moments confirm that the support is helping them feel seen, loved, and a little less burdened.

Where do agencies like Texas Adoption Center fit into your model, and what’s one practical way caseworkers can collaborate with The Giving Jean to remove friction for birth parents?

Agencies like Texas Adoption Center are at the very heart of our model. They know the birth mothers personally and understand their unique situations, so they’re able to identify who would benefit most from each upcoming campaign.

Over time, as caseworkers become familiar with our mission, they also reach out to us directly for any out-of-cycle needs that arise. They help collect wish lists, coordinate delivery timing, and make in-person deliveries smoother.

Quite simply, the strong relationships we’ve built with agencies like Texas Adoption Center are the reason we’re able to connect meaningfully with birth mothers. We couldn’t do this work without them.

Looking ahead, what is your next big priority for strengthening support to birth families, and how can readers—donors, partners, or volunteers—plug in most meaningfully right now?

Our focus for the rest of this year is expanding our footprint and building greater recognition among adoptive families and anyone touched by adoption. We want others to come alongside us in this mission—supporting our events, helping us grow our internal team, and forming partnerships nationwide to provide effective, compassionate support to birth mothers.

Right now, the most meaningful way to support The Giving Jean right now is simple but powerful: Follow us, share us, and help spread the word. Tell birth mothers about The Giving Jean. Tell adoptive families about The Giving Jean. The more people who know our name and mission, the more birth mothers we can reach with the practical, emotional, and meaningful support they need. Every share, every conversation, and every introduction multiplies our ability to serve.

We’re grateful for every person who helps us make this ministry more visible and impactful.

Thanks for sharing your knowledge and expertise. Is there anything else you’d like to add?

We love sharing the story of how we came up with the name The Giving Jean…

After adopting we felt deeply compelled to pour love, support, and resources into birth moms — it became part of us, like a gene. That passion took on even deeper meaning when we realized the beautiful connection to our own family.

Our sweet daughter’s middle name is Jean — chosen by her birth mother, who picked it out of a hat in the hospital. That name became a precious reminder of the incredible gift we had received and the life-changing sacrifice one brave young woman made for our family.

So when it came time to name this ministry, “The Giving Jean” felt like the perfect fit — a joyful twist that honors our daughter’s birth mother while celebrating every birth mom who changes lives every single day through her courage and love.

We want to express our deepest gratitude to Texas Adoption Center for believing in our ministry and partnering with us to make it a reality.

Thank you for trusting us, for walking alongside birth moms, and for helping us support them with compassion and care — one brave mother at a time. Your partnership means so much and we are truly grateful to serve alongside you.

Interview with Susan Ramirez

Interview with Susan Ramirez

Susan, to start, could you introduce yourself in your role as a CEO in philanthropy and share the focus of your work supporting children, youth, and families in the foster care community?

My name is Susan Ramirez, and I am the Founder and CEO of Austin Angels. At Austin Angels, our mission is to walk alongside children, youth, and families in the foster care community by offering consistent support through intentional giving, relationship building, and mentorship. We do this through two relationship-based, data-driven programs: Love Box® and Dare to Dream®. 

Through the Love Box® program, we intentionally pair community members with families who are fostering. These dedicated volunteers show up on a monthly basis, wrapping the family in consistent support that is customized to their unique needs. When caregivers are empowered and equipped with this kind of support, healing and stability begin to take root for the children in their care. 

Our Dare to Dream® program provides one-on-one mentorship for youth and young adults in foster care, ages 11–22. An adult mentor is matched with a youth and walks alongside them, showing up twice monthly and guiding them through goal-setting and achieving developmental milestones. These milestones include things like opening a bank account, obtaining a driver’s license, creating a post-secondary plan, and casting vision for what’s possible. 

Through both of these programs, the power of relationships is changing the foster care experience. Children, youth, and families have someone who comes alongside them and says “I see you,” and “You belong.” Every child deserves to know they are seen, valued, and never walking alone. That’s the future we’re working toward every day.

What experiences and decisions shaped your path to becoming a philanthropic CEO, and how did they influence your approach to intentional giving, relationship building, and mentorship in foster care?

I founded Austin Angels in 2010 with no vision for becoming the CEO of a nonprofit. At the time, I was working in Corporate America and began Austin Angels as a monthly service project with a group of friends – and then everything changed with one story. 

Sixteen years ago, I sat in Judge John Hathaway’s classroom while attending a foster care and adoption conference with little understanding of the child welfare system. As he shared the story of two young boys who grew up in foster care, my heart broke open. Both endured immense trauma, yet when they turned 18, their once similar paths diverged; one was adopted and later founded a foster care and adoption agency. The other aged out of the system alone, and died by suicide.

It was at this point that Judge Hathaway said words I will never forget:
“Not everyone is called to foster, and not everyone is called to adopt, but anyone can play a role and make a difference in a child’s life.”

At that moment, I knew we could do better – that we had to do better. I realized the greatest need wasn’t simply more services. It was more people willing to consistently show up. So we turned our focus to the foster care community, and spent the next few years supporting caregivers and children experiencing foster care. 

In 2013, I was walking alongside a single foster mom who had six teenage boys in her home. Each month I’d come by to visit, bringing a big box filled to the brim with things like paper towels, toilet paper, snacks, laundry soap, and games. One day, Ms. Esther greeted me saying, “Here comes my love box!” And just like that, our program had a name. 

We continued to pilot the Love Box program, and saw incredible transformation taking place in the lives of these young boys. One of those boys, Ryan, had never had a birthday celebration. His 14th birthday was approaching, but instead of excitement and anticipation, he felt unsure and alone. I dropped off a surprise box for him filled with balloons, brownies, gifts, and a handwritten card. Ryan was so excited to get home from school that day, because it was the first time in his life that he was going to be celebrated on his birthday. 

Shortly after opening his birthday box he called to thank me. As they were saying goodbye, Ryan said “I love you!”, and I said “I love you too, Ryan!” Just minutes later, Ms. Esther called me back and said, “Susan, Ryan has been in my home for years and I’ve never heard him say I love you – please don’t let that be lost on you.” It’s one thing for a child to feel safe enough to receive love, but it’s even bigger for them to be able to give that love back. 

That conversation confirmed what we had been witnessing all along: consistent relationships have the power to restore hope in ways that resources alone never can. I could see that we had a program that was changing lives. After years of one foot in corporate and one foot in nonprofit, I made the decision to quit my comfortable career and go all in on Austin Angels full-time – and I haven’t looked back since. 

In practice, over 12–24 months, what does “consistent support” look like for a foster family in your programs?

When a volunteer is matched with a family or youth through our programs, they sign up for a year-to-year commitment, and we have found that volunteers will stay in our program for an average of 3.4 years – with many matches extending well beyond that. Support looks completely different family to family, youth to youth, but consistency remains key. We know that every family and every child’s needs are unique, and the support provided through our programs is intentionally tailored to meet those individual needs. 

Once a volunteer has been matched, they show up on a monthly basis for the family or youth who they walk alongside. In the Love Box program, support might look like babysitting, attending court with a caregiver, taking the kids to the park, bringing over dinner, dropping off household goods, providing transportation, or simply being a trusted presence – and often it is a combination of many of these things. 

In our Dare to Dream program, mentors meet with their mentees at least twice per month, customizing their time to reflect the youth’s interests and goals while they work together to identify and achieve developmental milestones. 

Through both programs, the ultimate goal is that deep, trusted relationships are built that extend well beyond the formal volunteer match. 

Consistent support is showing up, again and again, for the incredible kids and families we have the honor of walking alongside. Many people think support has to be extraordinary. In reality, it’s often the ordinary moments that become extraordinary for children who have experienced instability. A volunteer who consistently shows up month after month becomes someone a child or family can count on, and that has the power to transform lives. 

Building on that, from your strategic planning and business development lens, what single practice has most reliably turned episodic donations into multi-year, needs-aligned support for foster kids and caregivers?

Consistency is key, not just for the children and families in our programs, but with our partners and donors as well. We deeply believe in the power of relationships, and we’ve seen this to be transformative in our fundraising efforts. The majority of our multi-year donors are people who I have built deep relationships with. People rarely make long-term investments because of a compelling brochure or marketing campaign. They invest because they believe in the mission, trust the leadership, and can clearly see the difference their generosity is making.

Turning to partnerships in Texas, what collaboration model with an organization like Texas Adoption Center has helped you keep communication clear and trust strong among agencies, foster parents, mentors, and donors?

We believe that we are better together, and are constantly seeking opportunities to collaborate and partner with other organizations. Organizations like Texas Adoption Center play a critical role in supporting children and families, and when we each bring our unique strengths to the table, the foster care community is stronger because of it.

Partnerships allow us to increase awareness and expand our impact, ultimately resulting in more children and families supported. No one organization can meet every need of a child or family. Lasting impact happens when agencies, nonprofits, volunteers, and community partners work together. 

On mentorship, what is your proven approach to recruiting and training mentors who are trauma-informed and consistently present for youth in care or those aging out?

Before a volunteer has even submitted an application for our Dare to Dream program, we work to clearly set the expectations of the program so that they understand the commitment. Through the application process, we seek to understand their interests, skills, and goals for volunteering.

Once a volunteer is matched in our program, they attend a training hosted by our Case Managers that provides insight into not only our history, mission, and vision, but also covers the basics of the child welfare system, the effects of trauma, TBRI (Trust-Based Relational Intervention) principles, and volunteer expectations.

Several members of our Programs team are certified as TBRI Practitioners, with more to be trained over the next year. This allows us to better equip and empower our volunteers to provide trauma-informed care. We also offer an optional and free annual TBRI training for program volunteers to participate in.

We aren’t just preparing volunteers to mentor. We’re preparing them to understand needs and behavior through the lens of trauma so they can respond with empathy, curiosity, and compassion.

Looking at outcomes, what key indicator do you monitor to confirm that intentional giving and relationships are actually reducing stress for families and stabilizing placements for kids?

Relationships can feel difficult to measure, but we believe they should never be impossible to evaluate. Measuring outcomes ensures we aren’t simply creating meaningful experiences, but that we’re creating meaningful change.

Our outcomes are tracked through Customer First Measurement (CFM), a direct, person-centered feedback tool that tracks the real impact of our programs for youth, families, and volunteers. Continuous feedback through CFM allows us to improve our services and program delivery, ensuring we consistently meet the unique needs of every child and family. Of the eight KPIs that we are tracking, several allow us to see the ways in which our programs are creating lasting impact and improving long-term outcomes. These include:

  • Family Satisfaction Score: This score is measured by asking “Does this program meet your unique needs?”, with 94% of caregivers reporting yes. 
  • Foster Parent Retention: This is one of the most urgent challenges in the child welfare system. We know that 50% of foster homes will close within their first year, often due to caregivers feeling overwhelmed and undersupported. Through our Love Box program, 71% of caregivers report that the support they receive from our program has sustained them in continuing to foster. Every time we help a caregiver feel supported enough to keep their home open, another child is spared the trauma of experiencing yet another move.
  • Increased Sense of Normalcy, Emotional, and Social Well-Being: Children and youth experiencing foster care often miss out on the everyday moments that create a sense of normalcy, and approximately 80% of youth in foster care will face serious mental health challenges. In our Love Box program, 96% of Love Box caregivers report that our support has helped increase a sense of normalcy, emotional health, and social well-being for the children in their care. 
  • Placement Stability: In a system where instability is both common and harmful, the consistency created through our program stands in meaningful contrast. 64% of Love Box caregivers shared that our support directly helped prevent a placement disruption, giving more children the stability to stay rooted, keep relationships, and have the time needed to heal instead of starting over again.  

On the people side, how do you structure staff development and ongoing training to prevent burnout among mentors, volunteers, and casework partners while maintaining high-quality support?

We believe that the quality of support our volunteers, mentors, and community partners receive is directly connected to how well we invest in our own team. That’s why staff development is a priority at Austin Angels.

We provide an annual continuing education stipend that employees can use for books, courses, conferences, certifications, or other professional development opportunities that strengthen both their leadership and their expertise. We often say that continued education isn’t a nicety, it’s a necessity.

We also invest in specialized training, including Trust-Based Relational Intervention (TBRI), with several members of our Programs team certified as TBRI Practitioners and additional staff working toward certification. This equips our team to better understand the effects of trauma while providing guidance to the volunteers they support.

By continually investing in the growth of our staff, we ensure they are equipped to coach volunteers through challenges, celebrate successes, and provide consistent, high-quality support throughout each match. Our Programs team maintains regular touchpoints with volunteers and caregivers or youth, providing coaching, encouragement, and problem-solving along the way so no one feels like they’re navigating the work alone.

When our team is well-prepared and well-supported, our volunteers feel more confident, our partnerships grow stronger, and ultimately, children and families experience the kind of consistent relationships that create lasting change.

Finally, for readers across Texas who want to help, what is one practical first step they can take this month to start a sustainable giving or mentorship commitment with the foster care community?


For readers located in Central Texas, we would love the opportunity to connect directly with them and learn more about their goals for supporting the foster care community. Whether sharing their time, talent, or treasure, there are many meaningful ways for everyone to get involved and create lasting impact. We’d love to hear from you and host you for a tour at our new Community Center in Buda. You can contact us at: info@austinangels.com 

For those outside of Central Texas, we have three other Texas chapters through our National Angels network: Amarillo Angels, DFW Angels, and New Braunfels Angels. And for anyone who is located in an area of Texas where we do not yet have a chapter, we invite you to get involved by signing up for our email newsletter, following us on social media, or making a donation in support of the foster care community. You can learn more about getting involved at www.austinangels.com. 

We believe that not everyone is called to foster, and not everyone is called to adopt, but anyone can play a role and make a difference in a child’s life – and that’s exactly what you can do today by joining us. 

Thanks for sharing your knowledge and expertise. Is there anything else you’d like to add?

The statistics surrounding foster care can feel overwhelming, but we believe relationships are the solution. Every child deserves to be surrounded by caring, consistent relationships that help them experience belonging, find stability, and believe in what’s possible for their future.

Your yes to joining us in this work has the power to change lives, and it just might change yours too. If there’s one thing I hope readers take away, it’s that you don’t have to become a foster parent or adopt a child to make a meaningful difference. Lasting change begins when ordinary people choose to show up, consistently.

Interview with Cathy Hamilton

Interview with Cathy Hamilton, CEO, San Antonio Threads

1. For readers meeting you for the first time, how do you describe your work as CEO of San Antonio Threads and the mission that drives you?

San Antonio Threads has advocated for 10 years to offer youth 12-21 to have a better alternative to receiving NEW clothing & etc. while in foster care, homeless, students or other at risk youth in SA.

 
2. Looking back on your path from CASA advocacy to nonprofit leadership, what experiences most shaped your decision to found San Antonio Threads?

Seeing first hand that teens only had access to less than thrift clothing, shoes & the manner of which it was placed in boxes & barrels.

 
3. When you first witnessed teens choosing clothing from a barrel, how did that moment crystallize the dignity-first, retail-like model you built at Threads?

I knew there was a better way & that teens deserved better for their mental health & well being as they go through foster care, homes & schools.

 
4. Zooming into the boutique experience, what is one concrete design or operations choice in your space that most protects teens’ dignity?

The clothing & shoes are displayed near key on retail fixtures, sizes & organized. There are mannequins, & fitting rooms, along with. Stylist to assist the teen shopper.

 
5. Stepping beyond the boutique, how do you structure partnerships and referrals with CPS, CASA, and other government or nonprofit partners so youth can access services seamlessly?

It’s been 10 years providing for at risk teens in SA. The website is easy to navigate to submit referrals. We are visit le in social media sites & out in the community to answer questions.

 
6. To keep improving, what is one low-lift way your team gathers feedback from teens about their experience at Threads?

We and every teen to leave a note in their own words after they have shopped & how their experience was. We also keep in contact with foster agencies & schools for feedback.

 
7. On the people side, how do you prepare and coach staff and volunteers to serve traumatized teens with consistency and care?

We train volunteers with experienced staff & volunteers & are always available while teens are shopping.

 
8. From your experience, what approach has proven most effective for running a new-clothing drive that results in items today’s teens actually want to wear?

Streamlining an item or two. Whether it’s a hygiene product drive, T-shirt or shirts drive, or shoes. The simplest drive works best & is cost effective for the donors.

 
9. Finally, for readers of Texas Adoption Center across Texas, what is one immediate action they can take this week to support a teen’s dignity in their home, classroom, or casework?

Have hygiene products on hand, get involved with other closets to see what the pressing needs are. Organize a drive, support clothing closets on social media platforms ! Collect gift cards to have on hand so the teens could shop on their own.

Crystal Wilson, Licensed Social Worker, Memorial Hermann Medical Center

Crystal, as a Licensed Master Social Worker in a Level I trauma center, could you introduce yourself and describe the scope of your role on the multidisciplinary team?

My name is Crystal Wilson, LCSW and I have been working as a medical pediatric social worker for about 8 years at Memorial Hermann Hospital in the medical center. As a level one trauma center, we experience a wide variety of patients including acute trauma, child abuse, chronic conditions, and homelessness. 

Our role varies throughout hospitalization but includes advocacy, case management, facilitating safe discharges, and preventing unnecessary readmissions through providing resources and engagement through community partners.

What experiences led you into hospital-based trauma social work and shaped your crisis‑intervention approach?

Before transitioning to the hospital setting, I worked with Child Protective Services within the Child Death and Sexual Abuse units. This background provides me with a unique lens; I can now bridge the gap between a patient’s medical needs and the critical psychosocial resources required for their recovery.

Collaborating within a multidisciplinary team has been incredibly rewarding. My colleagues know they can rely on me to be a versatile advocate, stepping in to fill any gaps in care. I take my role as a social worker deeply seriously—acting as a support and anchor for families navigating the intensity of an acute crisis during hospital admissions. 

When a high-risk patient or family arrives in a crisis, what is your first five-minute playbook, and why does it work in a trauma bay?

When a family enters a trauma bay, they aren’t just in a room—they are in a storm of adrenaline and profound uncertainty. My five-minute playbook is to serve as the structural anchor. 

By setting clear expectations and translating the ‘unknowns’ into a roadmap, I provide a safe, stable harbor during what is often the worst day of their lives. I bridge the gap between high-stakes medical intervention and the family’s need for reassurance, affirming that our world-class specialists are doing exactly what they were trained to do.

Building from initial stabilization, how do you create a safe discharge plan for a child or at‑risk caregiver, and how do you coordinate with CPS, kin, and—when appropriate—adoption agencies in Texas?

When a caregiver independently chooses adoption during a high-stakes crisis, my role is to facilitate a clinical and emotional stabilization period that is distinct from any active CPS or law enforcement involvement. 

I ensure that the social work department provides a neutral, safe harbor where the caregiver can explore reputable agencies and private placement options without the immediate pressure of state intervention. By creating this dedicated space, we can assess the caregiver’s informed consent and capacity to make a durable decision, ensuring they are choosing a path that aligns with their values rather than reacting solely to acute fear.

 My focus is on providing a non-coercive framework that empowers the caregiver to select a safe, appropriate agent for the child, thereby transforming a moment of potential trauma into a structured, protective, and ethically sound discharge plan.

Can you share a de‑identified example of navigating complex psychosocial needs and eligibility (e.g., Medicaid/CHIP Perinatal, WIC, ECI, SNAP), including how you sequenced steps to prevent gaps in care?

In a recent case involving a high-risk family in crisis, I implemented a biopsychosocial assessment to prevent critical gaps in care during the transition from hospital to home. We began with a comprehensive Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) assessment, identifying immediate stabilization needs—specifically, food insecurity, looming utility shut-offs, and a lapse in school enrollment for the children. 

By addressing these ‘survival-level’ needs first, we created the necessary stability to then address acute medical and mental health barriers that were preventing normal functioning. The final stage of the sequence involved a rigorous continuity-of-care plan, where I coordinated with case management to secure reliable medical transportation and specialized home equipment. 

During admission we complete regular check-ins, ensuring the family remained medically compliant and emotionally supported, effectively moving them from a state of acute crisis to a sustainable, managed environment.

What are your go‑to strategies for securing community assistance and special funds quickly (such as Crime Victims’ Compensation, hospital charity care, United Way/2‑1‑1, or DV shelters) in Texas?

To ensure community assistance we have to start early, and be consistent. Funds and community resources are limited and being consistent and diligent is necessary to secure assistance. 

I re-engage families when they feel defeated. I build and maintain relationships with community partners and never stop learning about all of the new resources that are being developed.

How do you provide guidance and support to a high-risk expectant mother in a trauma center in a way that helps ensure the best possible outcome for the mother and child—whether through adoption or parenting—while making sure her decision is fully informed, voluntary, and free from coercion, and that parenting and kinship care options are thoughtfully explored?

Providing guidance and support to high-risk patients is critical. Check-ins have to be regular and consistent as the family is already navigating so many unknowns. We will explore all possible outcomes and prepare accordingly. We want to be hopeful but also realistic so we can navigate and be prepared for challenges as they arise. 

I have to be knowledgeable in the patient’s care and may have to do additional research to assure proper support and understanding. I facilitate family meetings with our interdisciplinary team to ensure the family feels supported, heard, and knowledgeable as they navigate these difficult decisions.

For substance‑exposed newborns, how do you build a practical Plan of Safe Care that aligns treatment engagement with CPS expectations and day‑to‑day supports?

For cases involving substance-exposed newborns (SEN), building a practical Plan of Safe Care (POSC) requires a transparent, tiered approach that balances clinical safety with parental empowerment. My process begins by evaluating the caregiver’s current level of substance use and their functional capacity to provide consistent, safe care. 

I facilitate an honest dialogue about their desire to bond and parent, while simultaneously identifying the day-to-day supports—such as stable housing, reliable transportation, and childcare—needed to make that possible. I lead with radical transparency regarding CPS involvement, explaining clearly that while our shared priority is the newborn’s safety, our goal is to align their treatment engagement with state expectations to keep the family unit intact whenever possible. 

This education helps demystify the process, replacing fear with a structured roadmap of what to expect, ensuring the family has the essential resources and medical education required for a safe discharge.

What one practice would you recommend to hospital teams and community partners—including adoption agencies—to improve follow‑through and safety in the first 72 hours after discharge?

The first 72 hours post-discharge are the most volatile, and a single follow-up attempt is rarely enough to ensure safety. I implement a ‘Triple-Contact Protocol,’ prioritizing at least three distinct touchpoints within those first three days. Families in crisis are often overwhelmed by the transition, and the logistical demands of daily life can easily cause medical instructions or appointments to slip through the cracks. 

By staying persistent, I can cut through that noise to provide essential real-time education, reinforce medication compliance, and ensure they haven’t encountered barriers to their follow-up care. 

This level of engagement transforms a standard discharge into a true safety net, ensuring the patient remains stabilized long after they leave our doors. I am also not the only one reaching out, our nurse case managers check as well as other multidisciplinary team members. The follow up is definitely a team effort.

Interview with Amanda Dutton, Recovery Support Peer Specialist, Santa Maria Hostel

Amanda, for readers at Texas Adoption Center meeting you for the first time, how do you describe your work as a Recovery Support Peer Specialist and the communities you serve?

I love what I do and have a deep passion for helping the population I help. I work at Santa Maria Hostel with pregnant women and moms postpartum with babies 18 months and younger. 

My role as a recovery support specialist is to help guide these women in their early recovery while navigating becoming a mother. I also provide help and support with all medical appointments. 

We also deal with moms that have CPS so I walk with them through that journey as well. Our main focus is their recovery and staying sober so they can continually be the best mothers they can be.

What experiences led you into peer support with pregnant women facing substance use challenges, and how did that shape your approach today?

The experience that led me to peer support with pregnant women is that I WAS the pregnant woman at Santa Maria in 2020 obtaining the same services that I give the women today. The hope that I was given is my main drive for the hope that I give. 

I know firsthand what it feels like to be pregnant and battling substance use disorder. It is so near and dear to my heart! It is possible, we do recover! The way I shape my approach is by sharing my story and experiences in hopes that they begin to believe in themselves.

When you first meet an expectant mom who is using substances, what do you do in the first 10 minutes to create safety and trust?

In the first 10 minutes, I make sure they understand that I understand. I make them feel heard and understood. That they are not alone and that I was in their shoes just a few years ago. 

I listen to their needs and wants and ensure them that I will be side by side with them throughout the process.

Which trauma-informed practices have proven most effective for you in reducing shame and keeping moms engaged in care during pregnancy?

Safety, showing they can trust me, and being transparent. This allows them to open up so we can uncover what will truly work best for mom and baby. 

I think my key piece is that I have been there. That right there is the best practice. My experience.

How do you help clients in Texas navigate prenatal care and medications for opioid use disorder while advocating for them in clinics and hospitals?

We have a clinic at Ben Taub hospital who we partner with. It’s called the MPAT clinic (Maternal Perinatal Addiction Treatment Services).

We have everything in our clinic from OB, to MAT services, to both psychiatrist and psychologist, ultrasound, recovery coaches, parent coaches, and social workers. 

It’s a space where birth mothers are not judged or stigmatized and where they can open up about their struggles without hindering them, but actually helping them.

How do you prepare clients for delivery and potential hospital reporting or CPS involvement in Texas in a way that lowers fear and increases agency?

I’m very transparent and reassure that no matter the outcome we will be here throughout every step.

When a client is considering adoption, how do you collaborate with adoption professionals to support a noncoercive, recovery-centered decision process?

I ensure the mother gets set up with the Texas Adoption Center and let their specialists take over from there. I also provide comfort and reassurance by speaking on my own experience as I also chose adoption for my second child when I was in the depths of my addiction.

What do you want adoptive families to know about caring for newborns with prenatal substance exposure and about building a respectful relationship with the birth mom in recovery?

I want them to know that it can be very hard, and it’s a sensitive subject. And most importantly, to please hear what mother has to say and understand that the baby may need some extra care.

In the first six weeks after birth, what supports do you prioritize to help moms maintain recovery and stability, regardless of parenting or placement?

I focus in ensuring that the birth mother is always able to share how they are feeling. It is important to let them know they have a whole team who will walk with them. We have bed rest and an amazing clinical team as well. We also prioritize fighting to get baby back if that is the case, and staying sober to be able to achieve that.

Thanks for sharing your knowledge and expertise. Is there anything else you’d like to add?

I absolutely love what I do! It’s a very special population and I will always, no matter what my degree ends up being, (as I am in school) will work with pregnant women suffering with substance use disorder.

Janelle Basham, Executive Director, BraveLove

Interview with Janelle Basham, Executive Director of BraveLove

For readers at Texas Adoption Center, could you introduce yourself and share what you do as an Executive Director in nonprofit management focused on children and social services?

My name is Janelle Basham, and I serve as the Executive Director of BraveLove, a nonprofit dedicated to changing the perception of adoption by honoring birth mothers, sharing honest stories, and providing educational resources for professionals and the public.

My connection to this work is both professional and deeply personal. I became pregnant at 16 and made an adoption plan for my daughter, who is now an adult. That experience has shaped the course of my life and fuels my commitment to supporting women and families navigating the adoption journey.

In my role at BraveLove, I help guide the organization’s strategy, partnerships, and programs focused on storytelling, education, and community. Our work centers on creating spaces where adoption can be discussed with honesty and compassion—highlighting the voices and experiences of birth mothers while equipping professionals and communities with resources that foster understanding and support.

What pivotal experiences or mentors guided you into nonprofit leadership and toward work that intersects with adoption?

My path into nonprofit leadership and adoption work really began with my own story. When I was 16, I experienced an unplanned pregnancy and moved into a maternity home while trying to figure out what my future—and my daughter’s future—might look like. During that time, there were people—my social worker, counselor, and volunteers—who showed up for me with compassion, honesty, and encouragement. They gave me space to explore all of my options and to grieve the hard realities I knew were ahead.

They didn’t make the decision for me, but they created space for me to learn, ask questions, and ultimately make a plan that I believed was best for my daughter. Watching the way they cared for women during such a vulnerable season shaped my understanding of what thoughtful leadership in this space could and should look like.

The care and dignity I experienced during that season left a lasting imprint on my life and sparked a desire to support those coming behind me in their own adoption journeys.

From your community outreach across Texas, which adoption stigmas do you see most often that organizations should prioritize addressing first?

Adoption is deeply complex, and the stigma surrounding it is often rooted in misunderstandings about the people involved—birth parents, adoptees, and adoptive families alike.

One of the most significant stigmas I see is the sense of shame that can surround adoption and the individuals connected to it. For birth parents, that shame may come from assumptions about their decision, situations, or feelings that led them to an adoption plan. For adoptees and adoptive families, it can surface through misunderstandings about identity, belonging, or family structure. Much of this stems from limited knowledge or the way adoption is sometimes discussed in communities.

Language matters. When we use thoughtful and respectful adoption language, it honors everyone involved in the story. Words have the power either to reinforce stigma or to create greater understanding and compassion.

Organizations have an important opportunity to lead in this area by being intentional about how adoption is discussed and by creating spaces where all voices within the adoption community can be heard. When we honor the experiences of everyone involved, we help ensure that the child at the center of the story can grow up feeling secure in their identity and confident that they are deeply loved.

Thinking about program development, what single outreach tactic have you implemented that clearly shifted perceptions about adoption?

One of the most impactful outreach tactics BraveLove has implemented is creating a platform for honest storytelling from those whose lives have been touched by adoption.

When people are given space to share their experiences openly—whether birth parents, adoptees, adoptive parents, or others impacted—it helps remove the shame and misunderstandings that often surround adoption. It also creates room to acknowledge both the meaningful and the difficult parts of the journey so the adoption community can continue to learn and grow.

Through stories shared in videos, writing, and conversations, we’ve seen perceptions begin to shift. Instead of viewing adoption through stereotypes or simplified narratives, people start to see the real individuals and families behind each story and gain a deeper understanding of the love, complexity, and lifelong impact involved.

Storytelling creates a bridge that moves communities from misunderstanding toward empathy and respect.

How do you train staff and volunteers to discuss birth parents, adoptive families, and open adoption in ways that reduce shame and misinformation?

When training staff and volunteers, we need to acknowledge that adoption is complex and deeply personal for everyone involved—birth parents, adoptees, and adoptive families. Because of this, the way adoption is discussed matters.

A key focus is using respectful adoption language that avoids phrases that may unintentionally reinforce shame or stereotypes. The words we choose shape how people understand adoption and can either contribute to misunderstanding or encourage greater compassion and respect.

It’s important to spend time helping people understand modern adoption practices, including open adoption. Many people still carry outdated assumptions about what adoption looks like today. Providing clear information about openness and communication helps reduce misinformation and gives people a more accurate understanding of how relationships can exist between birth families and adoptive families.

We always emphasize the importance of listening to lived experiences. Hearing directly from birth parents, adoptees, and adoptive families helps people better understand the emotional depth and lifelong impact of adoption.Ultimately, we encourage conversations about adoption that recognize the dignity of everyone involved and support a child’s ability to grow up feeling secure in their identity and story.

In your public relations and fundraising campaigns, how do you craft ethical, strengths-based stories about adoption that protect privacy?

When sharing adoption stories, we begin with consent and collaboration. Individuals choose whether they want to share their story, how much they feel comfortable sharing, and how their experience will be represented. That level of transparency and partnership is essential.

We also focus on strength-based storytelling. Adoption stories are often complex and deeply personal, so our goal is to present them with honesty while highlighting resilience, love, and the thoughtful decisions people make along the way. We want stories to honor the dignity of everyone involved—birth parents, adoptees, and adoptive families—rather than oversimplify or sensationalize the experience.

Protecting privacy is also a key priority. We are careful about what details are shared and always allow individuals to review their story before it is published. In some cases, names or identifying details are changed or omitted to ensure that people feel safe and respected.

Ultimately, our goal is to share stories that educate and inspire while honoring the people behind them and protecting the relationships that continue long after the story is told.

Which partnership—such as with schools, healthcare providers, faith communities, or child welfare agencies—has been most effective for reaching audiences where stigma is strongest?

Our most meaningful impact has come through partnerships with organizations that already walk closely with individuals and families during important seasons of life—particularly adoption agencies, healthcare providers, pregnancy resource centers, and schools or universities.

These spaces often support individuals navigating complex decisions and help shape how adoption is understood within the broader community. When professionals have access to accurate information about adoption, it can reduce stigma and foster supportive conversations. Many of these partners utilize our free resources and videos to help guide those conversations and provide reliable information about modern adoption.

Partnerships like these allow us to meet people where questions and misunderstandings already exist and replace stigma with more informed conversations about adoption.

For birth parents and adoptive families navigating stigma day to day, what practical talking points or responses do you recommend?

When birth parents and adoptive families encounter stigma or difficult questions, it helps to have simple, respectful responses ready—because those questions will come, often while standing in line at the grocery store or at a school function. Many questions come from curiosity but may carry assumptions. And, as we all know, these conversations often happen when little ears are listening, making the words we choose even more important.

Birth parents may reframe a question by saying, “I didn’t give my child up—I made an adoption plan for my child.” Adoptive families can acknowledge the full story by sharing limited information, such as, “Our child has a birth family who loves them, and we are so thankful for that connection.”

It’s also important to know who to share with and how much of the story to share. Over the years, I’ve learned to assess when it’s helpful to educate someone and when it’s better to hold certain parts of my story close—especially if the person may not have the best intentions. At times, it’s also okay not to respond at all. Having a simple phrase ready—such as “That’s a personal part of our story”—can respectfully close the conversation.

Being confident in your response also sets a tone of respect. Often the goal isn’t to debate, but to model thoughtful language and set healthy boundaries. Over time, these everyday conversations can help shift how adoption is understood.

Looking ahead in Texas, what one policy or community-development initiative should nonprofits and supporters rally around to reduce adoption stigma?

One initiative I believe supporters should rally around is expanding adoption education and awareness in schools and community spaces. Many of the stigmas surrounding adoption exist because people have not been given accurate information or heard honest experiences from those whose lives have been impacted by adoption.

When young people grow up hearing honest conversations about adoption, it helps create communities where children connected to adoption feel less misunderstood and more supported. It also creates space to acknowledge that those experiences can include both love and loss, joy and grief. Families are formed in many ways—including through foster care, domestic private, international, stepparent, and kinship adoptions—and each child’s experience is unique.

By equipping educators, community leaders, and youth programs with resources and voices from the adoption community, we can help shape a generation that approaches adoption with greater care and understanding. Over time, this kind of community investment helps children connected to adoption feel respected while also helping their peers develop greater awareness and empathy when talking about adoption.

Thanks for sharing your knowledge and expertise. Is there anything else you’d like to add?

One thing I would add is that adoption conversations are evolving, and that’s a good thing. As more people feel comfortable sharing their experiences—whether they are birth parents, adoptees, or adoptive families—we have the opportunity to move toward greater honesty and understanding.Adoption is complex, and every story is unique. Some experiences include joy and connection, while others include grief or unanswered questions. Making space for the full range of experiences allows us to support children and families with greater care and compassion.

My hope is that we continue creating environments where people feel safe to share their stories, ask questions, and learn from one another. When we approach adoption with humility, respect, and a willingness to listen, we help build communities where every person connected to adoption can feel seen and valued.