Host Sandra Flach is a mom of 8 children, 5 through adoption—one kinship and 4 international. Her youngest 2 are teens diagnosed with a Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD). With over 30 years of parenting experience and 20 plus years as an adoptive and kinship parent, she’s made mountains of mistakes and learned loads of lessons. She understands the difficult road of parenting children with trauma histories—and she is still in the trenches!
The Adoption & Foster Care Journey is a podcast to encourage, educate, and equip you to care for children in crisis through adoption, foster care, and kinship care. We aim to support adoptive and foster families by sharing encouraging real-life stories and equipping them with modern-day research and parenting techniques.
Episode 553 - FASD: Hope, Advocacy, and a Brighter Future!
“Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.” -1 Thessalonians 5:11
On this episode, host Sandra Flach shares reflections from her recent experiences at the CAFO Summit in Atlanta and FASD United’s national symposium and advocacy events in Washington, D.C.
From connecting with fellow parents to meeting researches, professionals, and advocates working to improve the future for individuals with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) and their families, Sandra shares encouraging news about the growing movement for awareness, education, resources, and support.
If you are parenting a child, teen, or young adult with FASD, you know the journey can feel overwhelming and isolating—you are not alone. There is hope and this episode will encourage you. While there is still much work to be done, we are making progress—and we are stronger together.
Links mentioned in this episode:
FASDUnited.org
Free Breath Prayer Download
See Available Trainings
AFCJ on YouTube
justicefororphansny.org
justicefororphansny.org/hope-community
Email: sandraflach@justicefororphansny.org
sandraflach.com
Soul Care Saturday—52 Devotions for Foster and Adoptive Moms
Orphans No More—A Journey Back to the Father book on Amazon
5 Oct 2026
Episode 552 - From Diagnosis to Advocacy: Finding Hope on the FASD Journey with Rebecca Ciesielski
“This is what the Lord Almighty said, “Administer true justice; show mercy and compassion to one another.” -Zechariah 7:9
This episode continues our FASD Awareness Month series with special guest, foster and adoptive mom, Rebecca Ciesielski.
After years of searching for answers, Rebecca’s child received an FASD diagnosis at age eight. Along the way, she discovered the FASCETS Neurobehavioral Approach and began viewing challenging behaviors through a brain-based lens—recognizing differences in processing, regulation, memory, and inconsistent performance and responding with appropriate accommodations and support.
That shift was so impactful that Rebecca eventually became a certified FASCETS facilitator and now serves as president of the Texas FASD Network, helping educate, encourage, and advocate for families and professionals in Texas.
If you’re parenting or supporting someone with FASD, this conversation is a beautiful reminder that when we understand the brain differently, we can respond differently.
Listen in as Rebecca shares her FASD story on episode 552 of The Adoption & Foster Care Journey podcast.
Links mentioned in this episode:
FASDUnited.org
Texas FASD Network
Free Breath Prayer Download
See Available Trainings
AFCJ on YouTube
justicefororphansny.org
justicefororphansny.org/hope-community
Email: sandraflach@justicefororphansny.org
sandraflach.com
Soul Care Saturday—52 Devotions for Foster and Adoptive Moms
Orphans No More—A Journey Back to the Father book on Amazon
28 Sept 2026
Episode 551 - Red Shoes Rock with Kathrin Hui Gregorovic
"How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, 'Your God reigns!'” -Isaiah 52:7
This episode continues our FASD Awareness Month series with our special guest, Kathrin Hui Gregorovic. Kathrin grew up in Switzerland and now lives in Austria with her family. She and her husband are foster parents to two neurodivergent kiddos. Kathrin is also an artist. As a child she loved drawing and that passion was rekindled as she learned about FASD and started drawing again for self-care. Kathrin calls herself an ‘advocartoonist’—using her illustrations and cartoons to advocate for people with FASD.
Listen in as Kathrin Hui Gregorovic shares her family’s FASD story and how she uses her talents on behalf of the FASD community worldwide.
Links mentioned in this episode:
https://redshoesrock.com/
FASDUnited.org
Free Breath Prayer Download
See Available Trainings
AFCJ on YouTube
justicefororphansny.org
justicefororphansny.org/hope-community
Email: sandraflach@justicefororphansny.org
sandraflach.com
Soul Care Saturday—52 Devotions for Foster and Adoptive Moms
Orphans No More—A Journey Back to the Father book on Amazon
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