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: Matthew 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! I have overcome the world."
Education: Masters in Human Services, emphasis in Counseling & Family Advocacy
Responsibilities: Responsible for the recruitment of foster parents as well as case management and service coordination for children in foster/foster adoptive homes.
Favorite Bible Verse: Psalm 27:13-14 “I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD.”
Education: Masters in Social Work from Baylor University
Responsibilities: Assisting in the development of the foster care program for Nightlight Christian Adoptions. Responsible for recruitment of foster parents as well as case management and service coordination for children in foster/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: “The Lord your God is in your midst, a victorious warrior. He will exult over you with joy, He will be quiet in His love, He will rejoice over you with shouts of joy.” Zephaniah 3:17
Education: Bachelor of Arts in Family and Community Services from Oklahoma Baptist University
Responsibilities: I am responsible for working with individuals who are interested in Foster Care. I assist families through the initial foster care certification process and then provide continued support once a child has been placed in a foster home. I will also be working to recruit new Foster families.
Favorite Bible Verse: Matthew 11:29, “Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”
Education: Master of Human Services; Bachelor of Science and Psychology: Human Services, both from Liberty University
Responsibilities: Providing services to foster parents and children in foster care, maintaining foster care placements, and assisting with recruiting/certifying foster care families
Favorite Bible Verse: Micah 6:8 “He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”
Education: Bachelor’s in Science Family & Human Services, with a minor in Spanish from John Brown University; Master’s in Social Work from the University of Oklahoma
Responsibilities: Coordinating and supporting foster families through the certification process and foster care placements. In addition to supporting current foster families, my responsibility will be recruiting and coordinating future foster families.
Favorite Bible Verse: Matthew 25:40 “And the King will answer them, ‘I assure you: whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of Mine, you did for Me.”
Favorite Adoption Story: I am constantly amazed by Foster Families and their willingness to minister to kids and families as they go through difficult times. My personal favorite is my aunt, who has fostered dozens of children and adopted 4 boys from the Kansas City Foster Care system. The way that they have overcome adversity and embraced our family as their own is something that I will always be inspired by!
Education: BSW from Colorado State University and Masters in Intercultural Studies from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary
Responsibilities: I work with families in our Foster Care Program! I walk alongside the families starting with the Home Study process all the way through adoption finalizations and act as a bridge between the county and our families and advocate for them throughout the Foster process.
Favorite Bible Verse: Psalm 16:11 and Jeremiah 33:3
Favorite Adoption Story: My favorite adoption story is the story that brought my little cousin to our family from Samoa.
Education: BSW, IUPUI
Responsibilities: Assisting in the development of the Indiana foster care program; Recruitment of foster parents; case management and service coordination for children in foster/foster adoptive homes.
Favorite Bible Verse: Jeremiah 29:11 “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.”
Education: Masters in Public Administration and Nonprofit Management
Responsibilities: My responsibility is to assist in the development of the foster care program, as well as the recruitment of foster parents and providing case management and service coordination for children in foster and foster adoptive homes.
