Kansas Kids Belong

Kansas Kids Belong is a state chapter of the national nonprofit America's Kids Belong. Our mission is to dramatically improve the experiences and outcomes for kids in foster care.

Our two main programs are the I Belong Project and Foster Friendly Communities.

I Belong Project

This is a highly effective adoption advocacy initiative for KS kids who are waiting for a forever family. We host fun, strengths-based, trauma-informed events where the kids come and play and then get a private interview with a professional videographer where they get to speak for themselves about who they are, what their hopes are, and what they'd like in a family. These videos are added to their State adoption profiles, bolstering up their recruitment process and helping ensure their permanent placement in a family prior to turning 18. No one "ages out" of needing a family.

Foster Friendly Communities

This is a program that allows anyone in any role in the community to show support and care to foster families and the youth in their homes. We utilize our one-of-a-kind App that serves as a digital directory of local support, so families can see that their community values what they are doing. The App hosts a whole variety of supports for families:

• business discounts to relieve financial strain and allow for fun outings/experiences
• church information so families know which churches will intentionally wrap around them and their kids
• details about local services and resources available to the caregivers or kids
• upcoming events that would encourage or equip them
• info about clothes/hygiene closets, support groups, and more

At the core, Foster Friendly is all about connection. There is not a lack of caring individuals in the community, and there's not a lack of families who need a boost of support. They just need to be connected. Anyone can use their vocation as part of the solution, and Foster Friendly is here to help you do it.