A couple went through the whole foster-to-adopt licensing process, and soon after, a newborn was placed with them. That 3-year-old's first difficult five days in the world have been eclipsed with love, now being shown in documentary form at the San Antonio Film Festival.

Three families have adoption ceremony just before Thanksgiving.

November 12 is Stand Sunday, where churches nationwide pray and learn about fostering, adopting, and the many ways to help families who have already taken children into their homes.

During San Antonio's huge charity initiative the Big Give, we're highlighting one organization with services that span 27 counties in Texas. One of the many programs is one that offers support specifically to dads who want coaching, connection.

For a local foster care organization exploding in size, there are some crucial necessities, like transportation for over 800 foster kids they serve.

The state is in the process of privatizing the foster care system. Placement and casework will be left to private organizations divided into regions. SJRC Texas is now one of those main organizations. For 40 years, SJRC was mainly a large residential foster care campus.

The number of calls to the state hotline to report child abuse decreased during the early part of the pandemic, but the calls are starting to pick back up, according to local advocates.

SJRC's new department began serving families last year and this summer, they are taking on the task of educating and supporting father figures.

SJRC already has about 100 children in its care. Under the contract, it would be responsible for approximately 700 more children.

SAN ANTONIO – Clint and Wellington Rankin-Gibson fostered to adopt under two circumstances that could have come with barriers: one, in the middle of a pandemic, and two as a same sex couple. Clint and Wellington Rankin-Gibson and their children. (Credit: Clint and Wellington Rankin-Gibson) (Credit: Clint and Wellington Rankin-Gibson)Banks said the number of child removals has risen as domestic violence skyrockets amid the pandemic. Clint and Wellington chose SJRC specifically because of its good reputation and inclusivity for LGBTQ couples wanting to foster and adopt. If you’re interested in learning more about fostering or adoption, Banks said to contact agencies like SJRC and ask questions.