At Koinonia, supporting families isn’t just about the big milestones—it’s about every step along the way. From the very first documents submitted to the final stages of approval, there is a team working behind the scenes to ensure families feel guided, informed, and supported throughout the entire process.
For Tara, part of our RFA and Adoption Background Support team, that support shows up in the details.
“I audit family files from start to finish,” she explains. “I’m going through each document they’ve submitted to make sure everything meets our requirements so our social workers can confidently complete their home assessments.”
Her work plays a key role in helping families move forward, but it’s also part of a much bigger picture—one where Koinonia staff are intentionally walking alongside families every step of the way.
“A big part of what I do is helping connect families to our agency’s license so they can move forward,” Tara says. “That includes background checks, obtaining police reports when needed, and processing Adam Walsh checks both in and out of state.”
While these steps are essential, they can sometimes feel overwhelming or confusing for families. That’s where the Koinonia team steps in—not just to process paperwork, but to provide clarity, reassurance, and care.
“These pieces can raise concerns for families,” Tara shares. “So I do my best to provide clear information to our Outreach Coordinators to help guide them, and I’m always available to connect directly with families to answer questions and ease any worries they may have.”
At its core, her role reflects a larger commitment across the organization.
“There are a lot of moving pieces,” Tara says. “My role is really about making sure nothing falls through the cracks.”
Support You Might Not Always See
One of the things that sets Koinonia apart is the level of care that goes into even the most behind-the-scenes parts of the process.
“I think one thing families might not always realize is how much care and detail goes into this stage,” Tara says. “It can feel like a lot of paperwork or steps, but each one plays a role in making sure everything is done the right way—for their safety and for the children who will eventually be placed in their homes.”
Every form reviewed, every background check completed, every follow-up made—it’s all done with intention. Not just to meet requirements, but to make sure families are truly prepared and supported.
“A lot of what I see is concern around timelines or wanting to make sure they’re doing everything right,” Tara explains. “It’s completely understandable. It’s a big process, and there’s a lot happening behind the scenes to support them, even if they don’t always see it.”
That behind-the-scenes support is a reflection of Koinonia’s heart: to care for families well, even in the parts of the journey that aren’t always visible.
A Heart for Helping, in Every Role
Before joining Koinonia, Tara worked as an EMT—serving people in some of their most vulnerable moments. While her role looks different now, that same heart for helping others continues to shape how she shows up in her work.
“I was often interacting with people during vulnerable and personal moments,” she says. “In a different way, I still experience that in my current role.”
Even without direct interaction, the responsibility remains.
“I’m working with sensitive information and parts of people’s lives that require care, discretion, and respect. This role is one I’ve really grown into and found a lot of purpose in.”
Walking With Families, Every Step of the Way
At Koinonia, no part of the process is treated as “just paperwork.” Every step is an opportunity to support, guide, and care for families as they prepare to welcome a child into their home.
“As I transitioned into this position, I knew I still wanted to make a difference in people’s lives—even if it looked different than what I was used to,” Tara says.
Over time, she’s seen how meaningful that support can be.
“This work has shown me that impact doesn’t always have to be front and center to be meaningful.”
Behind every approved home is a network of staff who have helped make it possible—answering questions, reviewing details, offering reassurance, and ensuring families are never navigating the process alone.
“I’m part of the process that helps ensure families are supported and prepared,” Tara says. “That perspective has really shaped how I view my work and continues to remind me why I was drawn to helping others in the first place.”
And through it all, one thing remains clear:
“This work has given me a deeper appreciation for the families who step forward—and for everything that goes into supporting them along the way.”
Because at Koinonia, it’s not just about getting families through the process—it’s about caring for them through it.
Every step. Every question. Every detail.
They’re never doing it alone.
Kaitlin Earnest, Contributor