Foster Family Recruitment and Retention Specialist
south-carolina | foster-care
Our Agency Expert:
Alyssa M (SC)
Foster Family Recruitment and Retention Specialist
Email Address:alyssa.morgan@nightlight.org
Favorite Bible Verse: Proverbs 3:5-6 “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him and he will make straight your paths.”
Education: Finishing BA in Human Development and Family Studies (May, 2023) with a minor in Psychology from Anderson University
Responsibilities: I work with potential and current foster families and walk with them through the licensing process, providing education and support. I also work to recruit foster families and expand the foster care program.
Favorite Bible Verse: Psalms 82:3 or 1 Corinthians 10:31
Favorite Adoption Story: I have had the privilege to be a part of 4 adoptions from foster care during my time at DSS. My favorite would be my 13 year old that found her adoptive parents after several stays in foster care, after 2+ years in the system.
Education: I have an associates of Criminal Justice and then a bachelors in interdisciplinary studies. I concentrated in psychology and have a minor in child advocacy.
Responsibilities: Recruitment of foster parents; case management and service coordination for children in foster/foster adoptive homes.
Favorite Bible Verse: Romans 8:28 “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who[a] have been called according to his purpose.”
Favorite Adoption Story: My favorite adoption story would have to be my own. God changed our lives completely ten years ago when he brought our two sweet boys home. I am still in awe that I am able to be a mom. Our children are now 13 and 10 and have brought us more joy than we knew possible. It is because I have experienced the miracle of adoption that I am so thankful to work for Nightlight and witness other families’ lives be changed as ours was.
Education: Bachelors of Social Work, East Carolina University
Responsibilities: Amy is responsible for the training, supervision, and support of Nightlight’s home study providers in South Carolina. She is also responsible for coordinating all of the post placement services for our families. Amy enjoys working with families in the home study process, and providing education and support during their adoption journey.
Education: BS in Organizational Management, Master's in Public Administration
Responsibilities: This position provides direct management and supervision responsibilities for Foster Care Advocates and all other employees/individuals in conjunction with the foster care program. The manager also provides case management and service coordination for children and families in foster/adoptive homes.
Favorite Bible Verse: 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
Favorite Adoption Story: My favorite adoption story, is one that recently occurred in 2020, while I worked as an adoption specialist with SCDSS. I was advocating for a little girl on my case load since 2014, when she was 9 months old. After six years, several failed biological family placements, adoption presentations, and adoptive transitions, an adoptive family came forward, accepting all her medical needs. Once she was in the adoptive family’s home, this child made strides in all developmental areas, which was said to not be possible due to her trauma.
Education: Bachelors of Science in Experimental Psychology with a minor in Child Advocacy from the University of South Carolina- Upstate
Responsibilities: As the Renewed Hope Program Coordinator, I provide services to families looking to dissolve their adoption as well as advocating for and educating the second adoptive families for children within the Renewed Hope Program. Being a Foster Care Advocate, I am responsible for growing the South Carolina Healing Homes Foster Care program by recruiting new foster parents as well as case managing families that are currently licensed foster parents through our program.
Favorite Bible Verse: Colossians 3:23- Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men.
Favorite Adoption Story: My favorite adoption story is my own 3 adoptions! My husband and I have 3 children (ages 19, 8, and 4) who we adopted through foster care. I am very passionate about working with other adoptive families and helping them prepare for the blessings and challenges ahead!
Education: I have a BA in Biblical Counseling and MA in Marriage and Family Counseling.
Responsibilities: Writing home studies and helping prepare families to adopt.
Favorite Bible Verse: Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. John 14:27
Favorite Adoption Story: I have been honored to have been a part of so many adoption journeys and it is hard to choose just one, but here is one of my early favorites. Two months after starting at Nightlight, I was working with a couple who had decided to place their unborn baby because they could not imagine bringing another child into their home. They knew that the two children that they were parenting needed all of them and the baby they were carrying did not deserve to get less attention than she deserved. I showed the couple profiles of waiting families and the birth mom chose a family based on two things: the adoptive father had served in the military and the adoptive mom wore pink cowboy boots on her wedding day! Prior to the baby’s birth, I was at a doctor’s appointment with the couple and the birth mom asked me if I knew the name that the adoptive family had chosen. I told her that I did and asked if she wanted to know the name. After she thought a moment, she confirmed that she did and when I told her, she burst into tears. I had no idea what was wrong, and immediately turned to the birth father who gave me a sign to wait a moment. The birth mom then turned to me and told me that she knew she had chosen the right adoptive family because the name that they had chosen for her daughter, for their daughter, was her grandmother’s name. When the two families met for the first time, it was as if they had known each other for years. The relationship between a birth family and an adoptive family is so special and theirs is a bond like no other.
Education: Katie earned her Master of Social Work from Campbellsville University and her Bachelor of Social Work from Winthrop University. Katie is a licensed social worker and certified adoption investigator for the State of South Carolina.
Responsibilities: Katie is the Vice President Domestic Adoption Services for Nightlight. She has been with Nightlight since 2013 and has served as, Executive Director, Domestic Program Manager and Social Services Manager before serving in her current positions. Katie is responsible for the training, education, and policies for all of Nightlight’s domestic infant adoption, Anchored in Hope, and Renewed Hope programs. Katie provides ongoing support and consultation to the staff in all of Nightlight's domestic adoption programs. Katie believes adoption is a beautiful way to build a family and is thankful to be part of a team that provides hope and life-affirming options to those facing unplanned pregnancies.
Favorite Bible Verse: "For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11
Favorite Adoption Story: My favorite adoption story is our family’s adoption story. All three of our children are adopted (Current ages: 25, 22, and 14). Our older two children I adopted through a step-parent adoption when the boys were 6 and 8 years old. Our youngest, came home to us when she was 2 days old through a private domestic adoption. Having navigated the road of adoption personally, I find it one of my greatest privileges to help other families grow their family through adoption.
Education: Kim holds a Bachelor of Science in Social Work from University of North Carolina at Greensboro and a Master of Social Work from East Carolina University. Kim is also a Certified Adoption Investigator for the state of South Carolina.
Responsibilities: As the Renewed Hope Program Coordinator, Kim is responsible for providing services to families looking to dissolve their adoption as well as potential Renewed Hope adoptive parents for Nightlight Christian Adoptions. As a Certified Adoption Investigator, Kim is responsible for completing preplacement assessments for prospective adoptive families and post placement/adoption reports for families that have received their children for adoption.
Favorite Bible Verse: Isaiah 30:21- Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.”
Favorite Adoption Story: Prior to working with Nightlight, and my first opportunity to work in adoptions, I was an adoption specialist with the South Carolina Department of Social Services. I saw countless children, including many older children, find their forever homes and families. I am still connected with many of the parents through social media and to see these kids developing into happy adults is such a blessing.
Education: Bachelors in Psychology and Masters in Social Work from The University of South Carolina
Responsibilities: Kim provides home studies and post placement/adoption services to our families.
Favorite Bible Verse: “and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12: 1b-2
Favorite Adoption Story: My favorite adoption story is that of Shabana Sparks who was adopted from India in the 1980s through our MO office. I came across her story a few years ago and have been inspired by her adoption story ever since. Her passion for adoption and her humble attitude towards God’s careful working of every detail in her story is so moving to me. I was thrilled to have recently had the opportunity of meeting her! Seeing her now, as an adult adoptee, I’ve been inspired to adopt internationally someday. What an awesome opportunity to share your love with a child, and in turn give them an opportunity to know Christ’s love! How exciting it will be to see them using their gifts and talents to further Christ’s kingdom because you were able to give them opportunities that they might have never had.
Education: Bachelors in Early Childhood Education, Bob Jones University
Responsibilities: Kristen has been with Nightlight since 2014 and works out of the SC office on the Snowflakes Team. She assists adoptive couples with Snowflakes Family Evaluations, helping them gather and complete all the required paperwork to be approved and prepared for adopting their embryos and growing their family.
Favorite Bible Verse: A favorite Bible verse was given to me many years ago, a personal promise: Phil 4:19, Knowing that God will meet all my needs according to HIS glory in Christ's riches. And another favorite is John 16:33 I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble, but take heart (fear not) I have overcome the world.
Favorite Adoption Story: One family who had 2 older adoptive children (in high school and middle school) who began fostering... and eventually added 2 more young boys to their family. They hadn't planned on 4 adoptions, but when the final 2 were adopted they had a huge celebration with the oldest girl (before she went off to college) and the 3 younger boys. They had a celebratory cake that was decorated like Monopoly... with each step made to show their life story around the edges, and how their family grew. The family was made up of blond-hair blue-eyed parents (she was average height, and he was really tall), the oldest--a platinum blond daughter who was going off to Oral Roberts University, an Asian-looking son (high school age) who loved baseball, the 2nd son (age 5 or 6) who looked as if he could have been their own biological son and had some special needs, and the baby- the one I placed with them in foster care. He came into their care about 8 days of age, and of course never left as he was immediately in his forever family. It was a beautiful family celebration. My other favorite adoption would be that of my cousin, Diana, She is my only female cousin, we were pen pals as kids.
Education: I have a MPA and BA in Social Work. A little interesting fact about me is I was in the Peace Corps in Zaire, Africa (now the Democratic Republic of Congo) years ago, right after college. I still can speak and understand a little bit of French.
Responsibilities: The Pregnancy Counselor is responsible for recruiting and serving expectant parents, enlightening expectant parents to give their babies and themselves the healthiest future possible. This employee also builds and maintains good working relationships with agency staff and community organizations,.
Favorite Adoption Story: It is hard to pinpoint a favorite adoption story, as I believe all adoption stories are incredible and unique. I have had the privilege of being a part of many. I look forward to being a continued support for both expectant parents and adoptive families through this journey of love, selflessness, and vulnerability.
Education: Masters of Social work from University of Southern California. Licensed Master Social Worker in South Carolina.
Responsibilities: Nichole leads the team in our SC office and provides oversight of adoption programs managed there.
