At KVC, we host an annual story contest inviting the children and families who have been positively impacted by working with KVC to share their experiences and tell us about the life-changing connections they have made. In celebration of National Adoption Month, we’re sharing the story of Brett and Katie Easley: two KVC employees who discovered the joy of parenthood through adoption.

The Early Years: Aspiring Parents Become Foster Parents

Brett and Katie both grew up in tightly-knit families and looked forward to having children of their own one day. But after years of trying and doctor visits, this dream seemed like an impossibility. But what initially felt like an ending turned out to be only the beginning of their parenthood journey. 

When Katie accepted a position with KVC, she learned about the opportunity to become a foster parent. “If we could not have children of our own, we could at least provide temporary love and support to children and families,” reflected Brett in his story submission. 

Brett started working for KVC soon after as well, so the two weren’t able to become licensed through KVC. But they found another agency, and soon became licensed foster parents. Brett and Katie embarked on their foster care journey soon after. A two-year-old and four-year-old sister and brother came to live with them. With reunification impossible, Brett and Katie were overjoyed to adopt these siblings into their family. 

Fostering these siblings was a heartbreaking revelation for the Easleys. Their future children had been in a neglectful situation before entering Brett and Katie’s care. “When we went to go pick them up from the office, our son was wandering about asking every worker if they had any money and if they had any food,” recalls Katie. These young children were amazed at things like having their own beds and having enough to eat, Katie and Brett share. “It was a little heart-wrenching to know that they didn’t have those things and didn’t expect those things and didn’t think that they would have a bed to sleep in or enough food,” said Katie. But that only inspired Katie and Brett as caregivers.

Adoption Day facilitated by Judge Kathleen Sloan in Johnson County, KS

Growing Strong

The Easleys continued to foster children after adopting the children from their first placement. After a move away from Kansas City for a few years, and then returning, the Easleys became relicensed and eager to resume foster care. “It was definitely a decision that the family made to move forward and bring a couple of other kids into the home,” Brett said. “My daughter wanted a sister. My son wanted a brother.” Both of their children got their wish soon enough!

They initially cared for a few infants, who were safely reunified or went on to kinship care. Eventually, the Easleys fostered the next two children they would adopt: an eight-year-old girl and a ten-year-old boy, who were younger than their other two children. Having kids closer to their ages in the home was a much bigger adjustment for the Easley children. “It’s a little different when you bring a baby home versus a 10-year-old boy they have to share a room with whom they’ve never met before,” explains Katie.

One More Becomes Four

Now a family of six, the Easleys decided they were up for taking on one more child. At the time, they were providing respite care for other foster families. One boy who they cared for frequently really liked being a part of the Easley household. They soon discovered this boy had three siblings, a brother and two sisters! 

“Pretty soon, we had four regular visitors,” said Brett. “Before you know it, the four regular visitors became permanent additions to the family.” These four children between the ages of five and nine were eventually adopted by the Easleys. This brings their household up to ten!

An Unexpected Surprise

At this point, Brett and Katie felt certain they were done adding children to their family. Even the state of Kansas said that eight was plenty of children and they probably shouldn’t foster or adopt anymore! A couple of years went by, and the Easley family was content — until the unexpected happened: Katie was pregnant! 

“We had been married for eighteen years at this point. We had eight kids. Our life was busy already!” reflects Katie on the big surprise.

While it was a shock to the family, it was a welcome shock. As wild as it was to have a four-month-old baby in the arms of their oldest child when he graduated from high school, all the Easleys shared in the joy! The only real struggle came from needing to reassure their other eight children that they loved each of them just as much as their new baby brother. “We chose you, we didn’t choose him!” Katie would tell them with a smile.

How KVC Supported the Easley Family

While the Easleys were licensed as foster parents with a different agency than KVC, they worked closely with KVC in many ways: as employees and as foster parents! Both Katie and Brett have worn many different hats in their work with KVC. Currently, both of them are now Vice Presidents in different technology departments. With many children with different needs and challenges, the Easleys relied on the support of KVC in many ways. As an employer, the Easleys appreciate how flexible KVC has been over the years with their needs to work around the schedules of nine children. “When you have that many kids,” says Brett, “it ultimately comes down to logistics.”

At KVC, we want to support our team members in growing their families, no matter what that looks like for them. KVC offers parental leave for employees to care for a new born child or at the start of a child being placed with a family through either foster care or adoption.

KVC team members have also partnered with the Easleys on all of their adoptions. The Easleys have been so grateful for the case workers who have supported them and their children in every step of the adoption process.

Considering Fostering or Adoption?

The Easleys are big supporters of foster care and adoption. For those considering becoming foster or adoptive parents, Brett and Katie have a word of advice: It’s not as scary as some people think. “They’re just kids,” says Brett. “They just need someone to love them, care for them and feed them lots of food!” At the end of the day, they’re just children — some of whom have been through a lot of trauma and need a little extra patience, but ultimately, these children have the same needs influencing their wellbeing as any other child.

Some prospective foster parents worry about how long it may take for them to form a bond with children in their care. Katie and Brett say they have never had trouble feeling connected to the children in their care. They’ve bonded both with short-term visitors through respite care or permanent members of the family.

“When you invite a kid into your home, the connection happens pretty quickly,” says Katie. “It’s a lot easier than you think to feel like this about every kid that’s in your care.”

If you are interested in becoming a foster parent or adopting a child, KVC is here to help! KVC can provide you with the licensing, training and support you need to feel equipped to care for children in need.