For Children in Foster Care, Sibling Connections are a Crucial Lifeline

Entering foster care means almost everything familiar in a child’s life changes in an instant. Their home, routines, school and caregivers may all be different overnight. In the middle of so much uncertainty, one relationship often provides a powerful source of comfort: the bond between siblings.

Whenever it’s safe and possible, keeping siblings together in foster care can help children and teens maintain a sense of stability, belonging and connection during an incredibly difficult time. While caring for multiple children presents unique challenges, it can also be one of the most meaningful experiences for foster parents.

For Claire and Zachary, keeping siblings united became a commitment. Their family’s story shows how saying “yes” to sibling foster care created lasting relationships, strengthened an entire family — and gave children the opportunity to continue leaning on the people who knew them best.

Meet Claire and Zachary

Claire and Zachary have always had a heart for adoption and foster care, especially because Zachary himself was adopted. When they learned they would be medically unable to have children, they were inspired to pursue foster care.

With Claire’s background in education and Zachary’s personal understanding of the adoption experience, they bring empathy and intentionality each time they welcome a new child into their home. Since January 2025, they have welcomed five siblings into their home. And the youngest two still live with them today! 

The Journey Begins: Welcoming Multiple Siblings

Claire and Zachary received their first opportunity to provide foster care during an unexpectedly tumultuous time. They were in the process of packing to move to a new house. But when that call came through, asking if they were ready to take in two young girls, ages eight months and two years, they said yes without a second thought.

Less than two days after welcoming these big-hearted little ones into their home, Claire got another call asking if they could also take in two of the older siblings. The only question Claire asked before giving a firm “yes” was whether it was safe for all of these siblings to be under the same roof. With that reassurance, it wasn’t even a question. 

“It wasn’t a decision so much as, ‘This is what we do,’” recalls Claire. “We keep everybody together.”

Within 48 hours, Claire and Zachary had welcomed four children ranging from eight months to 12 years old into their home — all while mid-move!

Building Bonds Under One Roof 

Claire and Zachary had the two older siblings in their care for 17 days before they were shifted to kinship care. While it was naturally overwhelming to suddenly have four children in their home, Claire didn’t regret it for a second. Having all the siblings under one roof, even for a short time, helped the children feel comfortable in a chaotic situation and made it easier for them to open up to Claire and Zachary as well.

“I don’t know any way to truly describe a sibling bond through trauma other than that it’s safety,” shares Claire. “That’s home. No matter where they are in the world, no matter whose home they’re in, their actual home is in their heart with their sibling.”

By welcoming those bonds into their household, Claire and Zachary made it easier for the children in their care to feel like this was a place they could call home, however temporarily.

Claire made a point of creating an open, zero-pressure environment where the siblings could adjust and connect. This approach helped Claire and Zachary form bonds with the older siblings as well, to the point that they are still able to maintain those connections today.

Keeping Bonds Strong While Living in Different Homes 

After the older siblings were moved to kinship care, Claire and Zachary found themselves uniquely situated to help maintain relationships between the siblings, including a fifth sibling who hadn’t been in their care. Their home became the only place where all five siblings could come together overnight and have that special quality time. To make this more feasible, Claire has been working on remodeling their basement into a bedroom for the older sisters to stay in when they want to visit the little ones.

“A lot of it is making sure to make time and creating space for connection whenever possible,” says Claire, who will always go the extra mile to help these siblings get together if an opportunity arises. Over summer break, Claire has even driven the children in her care out to visit their older sister an hour away several times.

Navigating Challenges with KVC By Their Side 

While many blessings have come from forming connections with each of these siblings, that isn’t to say Claire and Zachary haven’t had their fair share of challenges. Claire shared how difficult it can be to navigate living with children who have experienced severe trauma. “When you haven’t experienced what these children have experienced, you’re trying to figure out how to support what they need,” explains Claire.

What has made navigating these challenges possible for the family is the training and resources they have gained by fostering through KVC Missouri. “KVC has given us this beautiful toolbox of things to use as we navigate through it,” praises Claire. As foster parents, they’re always looking for opportunities to learn more and outsource to evidence-based services.

Claire is truly grateful for the social workers she has worked with since becoming a foster parent, who are always available day and night to support them. From helping them find foster parent classes curated to the challenges and situations they are experiencing to reminding Claire to take care of herself in the midst of it all. Claire is grateful for this “beautiful combo of a team that works together.”

Reflections and Gratitude: The Long-Term Impact for Claire’s Family

It has now been 17 months since Claire and Zachary first welcomed two little girls into their home, and the young sisters are still with them. While adoption is a possibility on the horizon, Claire is holding everything with open hands and an open heart. “We’re blessed to have the time we do,” she says. “If that is forever, amazing. If it is for now, amazing. We just take each moment as a blessing of time.”

Claire encourages any foster parent who has the opportunity to bring siblings together to do so. If there isn’t a safety issue or trauma between siblings that needs to be addressed, it can only bring opportunities for healing and comfort.

“Those siblings have used each other for so long as a safety net and as each other’s shoulder,” explains Claire. “You’re coming in as another shoulder to support, but when you bring in their original support, that’s going to help you as a foster parent.”

Supporting Sibling Connections with KVC Missouri

Thanks to the training and certifications foster parents undergo with KVC Missouri, their homes can become safe havens where siblings can reconnect and find stability amid traumatic situations. When possible, keeping siblings together in foster care experience provides the strongest foundation for healing. Siblings who are with the same caregiver experience better outcomes across multiple areas. This includes demonstrating improved stability, better mental health outcomes and increased likelihood of successful reunification or adoption.

With KVC Missouri by your side every step of the way, you too can support sibling connections by opening your home to children in need!

If you’re interested in learning more about fostering siblings or becoming a foster parent, contact KVC Missouri.