Montie and Katie Justice, of Pike County, are relative foster parents. They have been with the agency since 2024 and together, they are fostering three grandchildren. They say this about their fostering experience, “For us, being a foster family has been a journey we didn’t know we could do or would ever be doing. We have been through so many emotions and have questioned; can we do this? Are we doing the right thing? Are we to old to be full time foster parents? Then, all the emotions, fear and anxiousness were so big in the beginning but as we continued, we got the happiness and comfort of knowing we are doing the right thing. We have watched our grandchildren grow and be happy. Being a foster parent is everything to us. You don’t have to be perfect, have the perfect home, the perfect job or the perfect life. It’s chaotic and scary, but beautiful at the same time. It’s making a change in a child’s life by putting in the work, showing the love, stability and most importantly letting them know they have someone in their life to love them when they need it the most.”
Montie and Katie provide love, nurturing and safety for their grandchildren throughout even the most difficult and heartbreaking times. Montie and Katie have advocated for these children every step of the way and have provided consistency, stability, love, opportunity, and support to them. Not only have Montie and Katie been advocates for their grandchildren, but they continue to support the birth parent by providing love and support that does not compromise the safety of the children. They support and encourage reunification but are prepared to take on long term placement if needed. They speak positively of the birth parents and assist with ensuring the children are able to maintain a close and positive relationship with their parents.
Overall, Montie and Katie are outstanding examples of what a relative foster family should be. They have devoted their lives to providing love and care to their grandchildren for however long is needed. Montie and Katie are amazing candidates for the 2025 Kinship Foster Parent of the Year award. Words could never express how truly wonderful and selfless they have been thus far and continue to be in their fostering journey.
Ms. Glover is a truly remarkable foster parent who currently cares for her four grandchildren. Working with her is an absolute pleasure. Her love, patience and dedication are evident in everything she does. She is always kind, dependable, and quick to respond to anything that is needed. Her dedication shines through the way she goes above and beyond to ensure that her grandchildren feel supported, cared for and valued. Her selflessness is inspiring to anyone she comes across.
Susan and Michele were initially approved as an ICPC foster home in March of 2023 and soon welcomed Juan, a 17-year-old student of Susan’s whom she had known for several years. Juan was in need of a new foster home and was determined to remain in the Cincinnati/NKY area so he could continue attending school and eventually enroll at the University of Cincinnati (UC). Not long after Juan moved in, Susan and Michele learned that another of Susan’s former students, Alijah—also 17—was in need of a home. Without hesitation, they opened their hearts and home to him as well. Juan and Alijah already knew each other from school, so it worked out great for the boys.
A few months later, Juan’s younger brother, who was 14 at the time, also needed a new placement. In true form, Susan and Michele stepped up to the plate once again- clearing out their home office to make room and welcoming the youth as their third teen boy.
Juan and Alijah have both turned 18 and are attending college. Alijah still lives at home with Susan and Michele while studying at NKU, and Juan, who attends UC, lives on campus but is home most weekends. All three boys are thriving—thanks in large part to the stability, love, and encouragement Susan and Michele have provided. These boys are AMAZING teens, and it is so incredibly heartwarming that Susan and Michele took on these three TEEN boys, when we often struggle to find a foster home to take even one teen.
As if that weren’t enough, Susan and Michele have also opened their home to a younger sibling group—a four- and five-year-old—who are now placed in their care. Despite the new challenges that come with parenting much younger children (toddler tantrums, greater daily needs, birth parent visits, etc.), they have embraced this chapter with patience and dedication. The children are thriving under their care, and Susan and Michele are committed to being a long-term, stable support system for them—whatever the outcome may be.
Susan and Michele exemplify what it means to be an extraordinary foster family. Their unwavering commitment to nurturing and uplifting youth—whether teens transitioning to adulthood or little ones just starting their journey—demonstrates a level of compassion and resilience that is truly inspiring. They’ve provided a loving, stable foundation for five children from vastly different backgrounds and age groups, each of whom is now thriving thanks to their care. For all these reasons and more, Susan and Michele are more than deserving of the 2025 Kinship Parent/Family of the Year Award!
Ms. Susan Little is a School Counselor at Blaine Elementary (PreK-8) School in Lawrence County, Kentucky, a school district that has had a major focus on building positive relationships for many years now. Ms. Little’s journey in becoming a kinship provider was after she received a call from a fellow faculty member saying that DCBS had received custody of the siblings, and KSP and a Social Worker would be arriving at school that day to retrieve the children. Ms. Little immediately felt the need to try to find someone nearby to take the children; however really felt “that God had intended for her to be that person.” Ms. Little's desire in choosing to become a kinship care provider for these two siblings was to “help minimize an already difficult experience by maintaining their same school, with their same friends, routine, and consistency,” which Ms. Little reported is so important for children.
Before that, Ms. Little reported that she “honestly never really given much consideration to becoming a kinship care provider.” However, despite that, Ms. Little exhibits her sincere gratitude for the opportunity she has been afforded in becoming an approved kinship home.
Since becoming an approved kinship home, Ms. Little encourages her colleagues to “prayerfully consider becoming kinship providers as well.” Ms. Little advocates by bringing awareness of the need for kinship providers within her community through working with Northeastern R & C Social Service Clinician, Allison Colegrove, by facilitating speaking engagements with her school district, and within the community. Through Ms. Little’s collaboration with the Northeastern R & C team, Ms. Little hopes to inspire other educators and those alike to get involved.
It is with deep admiration and gratitude that I nominate Meredith & James “Tom” Truitt for the 2025 Kinship Parent/Family of the Year Award. This extraordinary couple embodies the very heart of kinship care—selflessness, unconditional love, and unwavering dedication to the well-being of children in need.
Their journey as fictive kin foster parents began in December 2023 under sudden and emotionally complex circumstances. After learning that an adoptive placement had fallen through for two siblings—children they had only met a handful of times—the couple felt an undeniable calling to step up. Their connection to the previous adoptive home was distant but personal; the foster father was related to the adoptive mother. When that family experienced a tragic medical event and the home ultimately closed, the Truitt family did not hesitate. Despite not knowing the children well, they immediately reached out to DCBS and asked what needed to be done to bring the siblings into their care.
On December 27, 2023, they officially welcomed the two children—then 13 and 8 years old—into their home. At that time, the couple had already successfully raised two biological children, with their youngest daughter just a few years away from graduating high school. Opening their home again, especially at this stage in life, was not a small decision—but it was one they made with open hearts and complete commitment.
From the very beginning, Meredith & Tom have treated the children as their own. They have ensured the siblings received every opportunity, every ounce of love, and every experience their biological children had—and more. They have provided a stable, nurturing, and supportive environment where the children have not just adjusted but thrived. The progress these children have made—in their emotional well-being, academic achievement, confidence, and sense of belonging—is nothing short of remarkable. That growth is a direct reflection of the intentional care, consistency, and compassion this family has provided.
What makes this family so deserving of this award is not just their willingness to say “yes,” but how they have lived that yes, every single day since. They did not enter this journey for recognition. They did so because they saw children who needed a home, and they chose to become that home—wholeheartedly and without reservation.
The Truitt family exemplifies the very best of kinship care, and their story serves as a shining example of how love, resilience, and unwavering commitment can help children truly flourish. It is an honor to nominate them for this well-deserved recognition.
The Harris family accepted placement of a child on August 1, 2024, as a fictive kin home. From the very beginning, they created a loving, nurturing, and stable environment where the child has thrived. Karl and Cassandra have embraced him fully, treating him as one of their own and surrounding him with the warmth and support of their extended family.
Since placement, the Harrises have exemplified what it means to be a kinship family. They have gone above and beyond in meeting every need—adjusting their schedules to ensure appointments are met, complying with agency policies, and working collaboratively with all providers. Their flexibility and commitment to doing what is best for the children in their care is evident in everything they do.
One of the most commendable qualities of the Harris family is their open-minded and supportive approach to the reunification process. They demonstrated compassion and understanding as the case progressed, and when the permanency goal changed, they immediately shifted their focus to providing long-term stability. Not only did they welcome the first child with open arms, but they also chose to take placement of his sibling, despite having no prior relation to that child. Their insistence on keeping the siblings together is a testament to their selflessness and dedication to family preservation.
Frontline staff who have worked directly with the Harrises consistently praise their cooperation, positivity, and unwavering dedication. They are described as a joy to work with, and their example sets a high standard for what kinship care can and should look like.
For their compassion, resilience, and extraordinary commitment to the children in their care, I wholeheartedly recommend Karl and Cassandra Harris for the honor of 2025 Kinship Family of the Year. Their story reflects the true spirit of kinship care—selfless love, strong advocacy, and an unyielding belief in the importance of family.
I am honored to nominate Tiffany and Tyler Pace as our Region’s Kinship Parent/Family of the Year for 2025. Their journey into foster care is a powerful example of what it means to answer the call when a child is in need, and their story demonstrates how love, advocacy, and determination can truly change the course of a young life.
The Pace family’s story began in an unusual way. Tiffany first came to know the child now in their home as a student in her classroom. She saw the struggles this young person was facing and never stopped caring. When the child entered foster care, Tiffany refused to sit quietly on the sidelines. She became a tireless advocate, reaching out again and again to the appropriate agencies, determined to make sure the child had someone in their corner. Even though confidentiality rules initially made it difficult for her to connect, she persisted with patience and compassion until she was able to speak with the child’s worker. It was then that Tiffany and her husband Tyler made the life-changing decision to open their home as fictive kin foster parents.
From that point forward, they stepped fully into the role of caregivers, mentors, and protectors. Tiffany transitioned from being a teacher in the classroom to being a hero in a child’s life, and Tyler embraced this journey right alongside her. Together, they created a safe and nurturing environment where this child could begin to heal, grow, and thrive.
The progress that has been made in their home is nothing short of remarkable. With the stability and consistency of the Pace household, the child has experienced academic improvements and is showing greater success in school. Behaviorally, the child has also made significant strides, learning to manage challenges with the structure, love, and guidance provided by Tiffany and Tyler. I am honored to nominate Tiffany and Tyler Pace as our Region’s Kinship Parent/Family of the Year for 2025. Their journey into foster care is a powerful example of what it means to answer the call when a child is in need, and their story demonstrates how love, advocacy, and determination can truly change the course of a young life.
Perhaps most inspiring is the Paces’ willingness to commit not just for today, but for long term. They have expressed their desire to adopt, ensuring that this child will always have a permanent and loving family. Their actions demonstrate the very heart of kinship and fictive kin foster care—stepping up when it matters most, building bonds of love that extend beyond blood, and offering a true sense of belonging.
Tiffany and Tyler Pace are a shining example of the impact that dedicated foster parents can have on children in foster care. They embody compassion, resilience, and selflessness. Their journey from teacher and community member to forever family illustrates the incredible difference ordinary people can make when they open their hearts. For these reasons, I can think of no family more deserving of the honor of Kinship Parent/Family of the Year than Tiffany and Tyler Pace.
Heather and Kyle Alderdice are the epitome of sacrifice. They have provided care as fictive kin foster parents for children off and on for over five years. When the children no longer lived with them and needed childcare, they even bought a daycare so that the children would have a safe place to attend daily. When the children were returned to their home after experiencing additional trauma, they couldn’t use the daycare for these children due to regulations, but have continued to maintain the daycare as it’s a need in their community. They never batted an eye when they were needed again so the children would have a safe place to live.
Heather and Kyle have worked well with therapeutic services, assisting children as they work through trauma, giving them a safe place to experience hard feelings. These little people can have some big feelings, and the Alderdices take it in stride. They have assisted the children in maintaining contact with their parent, spoke to the children about them in a positive manner, and have shared every picture taken of the children with them. All this while dealing with the emotions of knowing the children they love so much have been hurt so much by this person’s choices. They have had multiple conversations with their R&C worker to process their own grief and secondary trauma due to what the children have experienced, all the while providing a nurturing home environment for the children.
They include children in their family, just as if they are their own. If one goes on a cruise, they all go on a cruise. Everyone gets a say as to their likes and dislikes—and sometimes have to put up with their dislikes as in real life.
They also value the children’s connections with family and previous caregivers. They maintain contact with all on a regular basis, encouraging the children to have positive connections with them. Their former caregivers are pseudo grandparents now to the whole family. It’s a regular experience to walk in and find the former caregivers present in the home as the children love spending time with them. Heather and Kyle have done an excellent job of expanding their definition of family to include whoever the children need that to include.
We are so thankful for the Alderdices!
Chris and Lindsay illustrate the very best of what it means to be foster parents. When they were notified of a relative, Finn, needing placement, they did not hesitate to opening their home to him. Their unwavering commitment to Finn’s well-being makes them stand out as deserving recipients of the Two Rivers Kinship Family of the Year 2025. From the moment Finn came into their care, Chris and Lindsay made it their priority to meet not only his physical needs but also his emotional and developmental needs. Their children, Michael and Mason, have also chipped in to make playtime even more fun for Finn. The Bartley’s have created a stable, nurturing environment where Finn feels safe, supported, and loved.
The Bartley’s are very intentional about providing the consistency and care that Finn deserves in a safe environment. One of the most remarkable aspects of Chris and Lindsay’s commitment is the way they manage supervised visits with Finn’s biological family. They supervise visits three times a week, always ensuring the time spent is meaningful, safe, and in Finn’s best interest. Despite the demands of their own careers, Lindsay and Christopher have been able to rearrange their work schedules regularly to accommodate these visits.
They go even further by taking the time to find appropriate visitation locations, making sure the setting is comfortable and respectful to all parties involved. This level of sacrifice speaks volumes about their dedication and the support they have. Chris and Lindsay are also exceptional in their partnership with social workers and CASA workers. They maintain open, honest communication, provide detailed updates, and remain solution-focused, even when challenges arise. Their ability to balance advocacy for Finn with respect for the larger process is a rare and valuable quality.
In every way, The Bartley’s demonstrate what true foster parenting looks like. Their selflessness, reliability, and compassion make them outstanding role models—and the perfect choice for Familial Foster Family of the Year.
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