CARING FOR K.I.A.
(Kids Impacted by Addiction)
I Lived Out of Trash Bags
Speaking on Addiction’s Impact on Children and Families
Kia Delaney is a speaker, author, and educator who help schools, faith-based organizations, and community groups better understand the impact of addiction on children and families. Her work centers children while equipping adults with language and perspective to respond with clarity, compassion, and care.
Professional Background
Kia Delaney is the author of Caring for K.I.A. (Kids Impacted by Addiction) and holds a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership. She serves as Assistant Director of TRIO Teacher Preparation Student Support Services at Grand Valley State University, where she supports future educators and works closely with students navigating complex life circumstances.
With more than 15 years of experience across educational, community, and faith-based settings, Kia brings both professional training and practical insight to her speaking.
A Child-Centered Voice
Kia speaks from the perspective of a child impacted by addiction, not as someone who has struggled with addiction herself. This distinction allows her work to focus on the child’s lived experience and the long-term ways addiction shapes safety, identity, relationships, and behavior.
Her speaking brings attention to voices that are often overlooked, helping audiences better understand what children carry when addiction is present in the home.
Approach & Philosophy
A Five Pillar Framework for Healing and Understanding
Kia’s speaking is grounded in a trauma informed and recovery aware approach shaped by five guiding pillars Story, Safety,Voice, Community Connection, and Rewritten Story. Together these pillars offer a shared lens for understanding children impacted by addiction and responding with intention rather than assumption.
This framework helps adults recognize behavior as communication, create environments where children feel emotionally and physically safe, honor children’s voices without pressure, and strengthen relationships through consistency and connection. The final pillar Rewritten Story focuses on resilience and possibility supporting children as they make meaning of their experiences and move forward with hope.
When appropriate Kia weaves faith thoughtfully into this framework honoring both the realities of addiction and the possibility of healing and restoration without blame or oversimplification.
Caring for K.I.A. (Kids Impacted by Addiction) is a heart-centered, resilience-focused book created to support children who are navigating the weight of addiction, instability, and other heavy life experiences often silently.
Through age-appropriate language, storytelling, and affirming messages, this book helps children:
-
Understand that they are not alone
-
Name their feelings in safe and gentle ways
-
Build resilience, hope, and self-worth
-
See themselves as more than what they’ve experienced
Designed for children, caregivers, educators, and helping professionals. Caring for K.I.A. creates space for honest conversations while reinforcing story, safety, voice, community connection, and rewritten story. It can be used at home, in classrooms, counseling settings, or small groups as a tool for reflection, discussion, and reassurance.
To purchase Caring for K.I.A., please email
kia@kiadelaney.com