In this episode of The Forgotten Podcast, Jami talks with Tera Melber, founder of Resound Trauma Education, about caring for children from hard places through a trauma-informed, gospel-centered lens.
Drawing from more than two decades of experience as an adoptive parent and ministry leader, Tera shares how her family’s journey into adoption opened her eyes to the unique needs of children who have experienced early adversity. What began as a personal search for wisdom and resources grew into a calling to help families and churches better understand trauma and respond with compassion, wisdom, and hope.
Together, Jami and Tera explore how Jesus modeled trauma-informed care long before the term existed. Through the Gospels we see a pattern of safety, connection, and discipleship—an approach that helps children feel secure enough to receive guidance and truth. Tera also shares practical ways churches can create environments where foster, adoptive, and kinship families feel supported rather than overwhelmed.
Whether you are a foster or adoptive parent, a church leader, or someone looking for ways to support the foster care community, this conversation offers encouragement and practical insight for walking alongside children and families with grace and humility.
About the Guest
Tera Melber is the founder of Resound Trauma Education, where she teaches a biblical worldview of trauma-informed care. She holds a master’s degree in human services counseling with a focus on parenting and child development and serves families as a TBRI practitioner and Empowered to Connect parent facilitator.
Tera and her husband are parents to six grown children—three of whom joined their family through adoption—and grandparents to five.
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How Tera’s family began their adoption journey and what shaped her passion for trauma-informed care
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Why traditional parenting approaches don’t always work for children who have experienced early adversity
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How Jesus modeled trauma-informed care through safety, connection, and discipleship
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The difference between trauma-aware churches and churches that unintentionally create barriers for families
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Practical ways churches and volunteers can support foster, adoptive, and kinship families
Resources + Links
Learn more about The Forgotten Initiative
Learn more about Resound Trauma Education
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