Kathryn “Kat” Meinhardt is a licensed social worker (LBSW), foster/adoptive mom, TBRI® Educator/Practitioner, and trained TiPS-MAPP/Deciding Together and NTDC leader. She has been in and around various aspects of child welfare for about 20 years including work as a former investigative social worker for then SRS (DCF).

When Kathryn became a foster parent in 2012, she had a very primitive and basic understanding of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) and decided she did not want to parent children on the spectrum at that time. However, within six months of being placed with her, three of her children were diagnosed with full FAS with characteristics in the severe categories. Through that, she became a local “expert” by necessity and has given numerous trainings across Kansas and Missouri in numerous settings including child welfare agencies, schools, churches, and community groups.

Kathryn loves and enjoys helping families come to a place of hope and healing and is always willing to share her knowledge. She understands many aspects of parenting biological, foster, and adopted children and the trauma and healing needed for the entire family. She currently resides on a small homestead in the Topeka area with her husband. They currently share life with eleven children and a menagerie of farm animals.