Wendy Welch is the executive director of the Southwest Virginia Graduate Medical Education Consortium and the author, coauthor, or editor of six books, including Fall or Fly: The Strangely Hopeful Story of Foster Care and Adoption in Appalachia (also from Ohio University Press). She advocates for social justice in health care and other critical areas of development across Appalachia.

"Fall or Fly is a compelling, unvarnished glimpse into the complex world of foster care and adoption in modern-day Appalachia. Dr. Welch provides readers with a multifaceted view of the system through the eyes of children, foster parents, and caseworkers. It will surely become a treasured resource, not only for those interested in becoming foster or adoptive parents but for those who desire a more complete understanding of the foster care system." "Fall or Fly offers a broad view of foster care in Appalachia…. Providing multiple perspectives alongside one another preserves tensions and contradictions that are necessary for (Welch's) thorough exploration of foster care and adoption…. Welch provides … multiple stories and personal observations that have sometimes been missing from mainstream debate." (Appalachian Journal) "This book zeroes in on the foster care and adoption system in the Appalachian coalfields. It tells the story with an adept combination of close looks at the experiences of the three parties involved—the kids, the social workers, and the courts." (Appalachian Mountain Books)

Wendy Welch is the executive director of the Southwest Virginia Graduate Medical Education Consortium and the author, coauthor, or editor of six books, including Fall or Fly: The Strangely Hopeful Story of Foster Care and Adoption in Appalachia (also from Ohio University Press). She advocates for social justice in health care and other critical areas of development across Appalachia.

"Fall or Fly is a compelling, unvarnished glimpse into the complex world of foster care and adoption in modern-day Appalachia. Dr. Welch provides readers with a multifaceted view of the system through the eyes of children, foster parents, and caseworkers. It will surely become a treasured resource, not only for those interested in becoming foster or adoptive parents but for those who desire a more complete understanding of the foster care system." "Fall or Fly offers a broad view of foster care in Appalachia…. Providing multiple perspectives alongside one another preserves tensions and contradictions that are necessary for (Welch's) thorough exploration of foster care and adoption…. Welch provides … multiple stories and personal observations that have sometimes been missing from mainstream debate." (Appalachian Journal) "This book zeroes in on the foster care and adoption system in the Appalachian coalfields. It tells the story with an adept combination of close looks at the experiences of the three parties involved—the kids, the social workers, and the courts." (Appalachian Mountain Books)

Wendy Welch is the executive director of the Southwest Virginia Graduate Medical Education Consortium and the author, coauthor, or editor of six books, including Fall or Fly: The Strangely Hopeful Story of Foster Care and Adoption in Appalachia (also from Ohio University Press). She advocates for social justice in health care and other critical areas of development across Appalachia.

"Fall or Fly is a compelling, unvarnished glimpse into the complex world of foster care and adoption in modern-day Appalachia. Dr. Welch provides readers with a multifaceted view of the system through the eyes of children, foster parents, and caseworkers. It will surely become a treasured resource, not only for those interested in becoming foster or adoptive parents but for those who desire a more complete understanding of the foster care system." "Fall or Fly offers a broad view of foster care in Appalachia…. Providing multiple perspectives alongside one another preserves tensions and contradictions that are necessary for (Welch's) thorough exploration of foster care and adoption…. Welch provides … multiple stories and personal observations that have sometimes been missing from mainstream debate." (Appalachian Journal) "This book zeroes in on the foster care and adoption system in the Appalachian coalfields. It tells the story with an adept combination of close looks at the experiences of the three parties involved—the kids, the social workers, and the courts." (Appalachian Mountain Books)