Dane County is chronically in need of foster parents, which the Kingsliens learned quickly. "By the way, we have two little boys, half-sibs," their social worker said, on the day the couple was licensed to help. The children, ages 2 and 4, were victims of neglect and possible abuse. They moved in, just 48 hours later, and eventually were adopted into the family.

"We had always been involved with kids," Jennifer says. "Our place would be the one where the kids would hang out."

The former high school teacher and office administrator, at age 41, inquired about foster parenting after reading the phrase "and the county takes custody of the children" in one too many newspaper court stories. ....

"We wanted to help fractured families," says Jennifer, who considers herself fortunate because "I'm doing what I love. I have a passion for working with children."

She welcomes "the opportunity to show them a different way of life," a contrast to the mistreatment that often results from their parents' chemical dependency issues.

"We tend to parent as we were parented," Jennifer says, but "I've never had a child come into my home who isn't loved by the (biological) parents." ....

"There are no guarantees that there will be no challenges or heartache," Jennifer says. "There is a high likelihood of these children requiring special care."

Although mental illness may be a reality, "where we start in life is not where we are destined to finish."

When a child acts out, Jennifer observes, "it's not the 'what' but the 'why'. I don't think children just decide to do something wrong, but it sometimes takes a long time to figure out why."

Peter notes the lack of a father figure in many households from which children go into foster care. "Sometimes you have to go real slow, to validate your presence," he says. "Why are you still here?" is not an uncommon question for kids who are accustomed to seeing men come and go at home.