WICHITA, KAN. (May 21, 2026) – For Kansas foster parent Amanda Pfannenstiel, foster care isn’t an abstract concept — it’s personal.
Pfannenstiel grew up in western Kansas and spent part of her childhood in foster care. Though she was adopted, she later returned to the system and ultimately aged out as a young adult. Today, she is the parent of four biological children and currently cares for three foster children, ensuring they receive what she once needed most: safety, stability, and a place where they belong.
“I tell them, ‘This is your home now — until your next step in life,’” Pfannenstiel said. “I treat them just like my own kids. Everything’s the same. They go everywhere with me.”
Her journey into fostering began unexpectedly, through a non‑related kinship placement for a family friend. Encouraged by her former social worker, Pfannenstiel completed her licensing and opened her home more widely, knowing firsthand how critical it is for children to have somewhere safe to land.
That sense of permanence matters.
“When they ask, ‘Where am I going to go next?’ I tell them, ‘You get to stay here as long as you want to,’” she said. “They need to know they’re okay — that they’re safe.”
Over time, Pfannenstiel has seen children begin to relax into family life, slowly coming out of their rooms, joining in play and forming connections with siblings in the home. One child who once kept to himself now spends his days playing with the other kids, even mixing playful complaints with laughter.
Moments like those reinforce why fostering matters.
Another surprise came early, when one child began calling her “Mom” almost immediately.
“It felt strange at first,” Pfannenstiel said. “But I realized that’s what made her feel comfortable — and knowing that made me feel good too.”
On hard days, Pfannenstiel draws strength from empathy rooted in experience.
“I know what it feels like to miss your mom or want to go home,” she said. “Because I’ve been there. Knowing that helps me remind them — you’re safe here, and they need me.”
During National Foster Care Month, Pfannenstiel hopes more Kansans will look past misconceptions and focus on the children at the center of foster care.
“There are kids every day who need somewhere to go,” she said. “If people thought more about the kids instead of the horror stories, they might be more willing to try.”
Her advice to those unsure if they’re “ready” is simple.
“Just try it,” she said. “Most doubts are really small — like money or space. You take it day by day. Even if it doesn’t work out, you still tried to help someone — and that matters.”
Our community needs more foster parents like Amanda. To learn more about becoming a foster parent or to apply please visit How To Become A Foster Parent – TFI
TFI is a leading child welfare agency providing experience, compassion, quality services and care. We have more than 60 years of experience strengthening families. We provide various services to the community, including foster and kinship care, case management, adoption, clinical and behavioral health, prevention and family preservation, residential, and numerous other child welfare services.
