Foster & adoptive families need to hear from someone that doesn’t just know the strategies, but understands how it feels in the trenches.
Nicole’s heart is deeply rooted in seeing foster families supported, strengthened, and sustained, not just celebrated. She believes foster care was never meant to be done alone and that the local Church plays a vital role in surrounding families with practical support, spiritual covering, and steady presence. Her passion is to help churches move beyond awareness into meaningful action—equipping believers to show up consistently for children and families impacted by foster care. At the core of her work is a belief that when the Church embodies compassion, humility, and faithfulness, foster families are better able to endure the hard seasons and continue answering God’s call.
Nicole Barlow speaks at the intersection of faith, foster care, trauma-informed parenting, and caregiver wellness. As a TBRI® Practitioner, foster and adoptive mom of six, and longtime foster care trainer, she brings both professional expertise and lived experience to every conversation. Her speaking topics include faith in foster care and adoption, trauma-informed caregiving through a biblical lens, nervous system regulation for caregivers, blocked care and burnout, spiritual warfare in ministry, and equipping the Church to show up well for vulnerable children and families. Nicole’s heart is to equip and encourage those called to hard work, reminding them that God is faithful, present, and at work...even when the fruit isn’t yet visible.
Nicole Barlow speaks on the intersection of faith, foster care, trauma-informed parenting, and caregiver sustainability. Her conversations center on navigating foster care and adoption with honesty and hope, understanding behavior through a trauma-informed and biblical lens, and supporting caregivers as they regulate their nervous systems, avoid burnout, and remain grounded in their calling. As a podcast guest, Nicole brings practical insight into TBRI®-informed caregiving, blocked care and secondary trauma, spiritual warfare in foster care and ministry, and the role of the Church in caring well for vulnerable children and families. Her heart is to equip listeners with language, tools, and faith-based encouragement- reminding them that obedience matters, impact is happening, and God is at work even when outcomes feel unclear.
