Sarah Strode joins us on the podcast today!

Sarah has been a foster parent in Washington State for the past 17 years. She has 8 children, including 5 adopted children with special needs. One of her adopted children, Leo Alexander, made Washington headlines 4 years ago as the little boy who was left in a shed for hours unattended and suffered severe burns after a heater that had been put on a rafter about him fell. This incident caused him to lose his hands, feet, and also caused major scarring to his face and body. 

Leo’s parents were not only known addicts, but known to be dangerous in their community, and though there were several files open and calls made against them trying to help Leo, the state decided to leave him in their care. 

After this horrific incident, Sarah and her husband were able to adopt him, along with Matilda, another child left in the care of addicts who suffered a global brain injury after her parents accidentally suffocated her while high. Due to this brain injury, Matilda lost her sight, hearing, and still often reacts to trauma in her body. But, with the gentle care of the Strodes, she has still been able to grow, play, and enjoy life with a loving family.

Leo and Matilda are just two cases that we are sharing about today, and it is two cases too many. There are so many more near-death fatalities happening in Washington state and without action, we can anticipate that they will get worse. We want to do our part to stop this and help parents and children alike.

Thank you, Sarah, for coming on to the podcast and for the incredible heart you have and work you have done. Matilda and Leo were meant to be Strodes.

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Want to know more about Fostering Change WA? Visit our website: https://fosteringchangewa.org/

You can learn more about our history, our mission, or make a donation to sponsor an episode.

Our mission is to make a real change in Washington state for those most vulnerable. Through this channel, we aim to give a voice to the voiceless, share the stories of those who often go unseen, and inspire people to make a difference. We want views and comments to become action that will save lives. 

To follow us and the work we are doing, check out our social media channels: 

Instagram: @fosteringchangewa 

TikTok: @fosteringchangewa 

Facebook: Fostering Change WA

Want to catch up on the story? All our 'Change The Story' episodes are available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeart Podcasts, and on our YouTube channel.

#fostercare #changethestory #adoptionsaveslives #adoption

Representative Alicia Rule joins us on the podcast today!

After beginning her career as a social worker over 20 years ago, Rep. Rule has dedicated her life and work to helping better family services and child welfare in Washington state. She recently proposed a bill that would change the current verbiage of “imminent physical harm” to be broader and more immediately help children. She also took into consideration the new fentanyl epidemic, which is particularly deadly to children as the appearance of fentanyl is much more similar to candy than other previous drugs that have arisen in the past.

Rep. Rule walked us through her experience as a lawmaker, a social worker, and what she believes the state of Washington really needs to change in order to make a difference in the lives of families.

We hope you’ll listen in! 

Thank you Representative Rule for taking the time to join us and for your decades of service dedicated to the children and families of Washington. We are grateful for you!

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Want to know more about Fostering Change WA? Visit our website: https://fosteringchangewa.org/

You can learn more about our history, our mission, or make a donation to sponsor an episode.

Our mission is to make a real change in Washington state for those most vulnerable. Through this channel, we aim to give a voice to the voiceless, share the stories of those who often go unseen, and inspire people to make a difference. We want views and comments to become action that will save lives. 

To follow us and the work we are doing, check out our social media channels: 

Instagram: @fosteringchangewa 

TikTok: @fosteringchangewa 

Facebook: Fostering Change WA

Want to catch up on the story? All our 'Change The Story' episodes are available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeart Podcasts, and on our YouTube channel.

#aliciarule #washingtonstate #fostercare #policymatters

What does it really look like inside the foster care system—and what happens when laws prioritize policy over child safety?

Jyasmine Lane gives us an inside look on the podcast today!

Jyasmine is a first-time foster mom in Washington state. A former teacher, she has always had a deep care for children and child development. After being married for 9 years and not having any biological children of their own yet, Jyasmine and her husband felt a call to foster.

Through fostering, Jyasmine got an inside look on how the system works and was shocked at what she found.  In this episode, we’ll discuss:

• How reunification decisions are made under current law
• How our current system does not take child development into consideration
• How neglect and addiction are minimized in the system
• The unintended consequences of policies framed as protecting minority families
• Why foster parents must advocate fiercely for children—even when it’s uncomfortable

If you care about foster care, child safety, or how laws impact families on the ground, you won’t want to miss this episode.

Thank you, Jyasmine, for the work you are doing and for using your voice to speak out for those who can’t speak for themselves. The children in Washington state need people to fight for them and you are doing that good work. Thank you!

……………………………..

Want to know more about Fostering Change WA? Visit our website: https://fosteringchangewa.org/

You can learn more about our history, our mission, or make a donation to sponsor an episode.

Our mission is to make a real change in Washington state for those most vulnerable. Through this channel, we aim to give a voice to the voiceless, share the stories of those who often go unseen, and inspire people to make a difference. We want views and comments to become action that will save lives. 

To follow us and the work we are doing, check out our social media channels: 

Instagram: @fosteringchangewa 

TikTok: @fosteringchangewa 

Facebook: Fostering Change WA

Want to catch up on the story? All our 'Change The Story' episodes are available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeart Podcasts, and on our YouTube channel.

#fosterfamilies #bipoc #fostercare #fostering #washingtonstate

Note: This episode contains highly sensitive topics

Suzanne Timms joins us on the podcast today!

At 3 years old, Suzanne (then Dallas Otto) witnessed the tragedy of seeing her parents in a physical altercation ending with her father dragging her mother out of sight, never to be seen again by her or her sister. Once the police became involved in the case, Suzanne and her sister were temporarily removed, only to be placed back in her father’s care, even after being tried for attempted murder of the captain of the police department and having a very present drug addiction.

Since then, she has been on a personal mission to solve the case of her missing mother as well as advocating for all children who are being put back into dangerous situations. With her father’s addiction, prior convictions, and leaving her and her sister alone in the house for days on end, she shares that she is one of the lucky ones and that it is a miracle she is here today. 

But she knows there are others who are not so fortunate and who, like her, are being placed back into homes with very high risk factors, even if actual physical harm has not yet come to pass. She (and we here at Fostering Change Washington) do not want it to get to that point.

Suzanne now aims to be a voice for the voiceless. Thinking back to her childhood when she felt “No one is listening to me,” she has made it her aim to make sure every child is heard.

Thank you, Suzanne, for sharing your story and for the work you are doing to make sure every child is heard and protected.

……………………………..

Our mission is to make a real change in Washington state for those most vulnerable. Through this channel, we aim to give a voice to the voiceless, share the stories of those who often go unseen, and inspire people to make a difference. We want views and comments to become action that will save lives.

Want to know more about Fostering Change WA? Visit our website: https://fosteringchangewa.org/

Learn more about our history, our mission, or make a donation to sponsor an episode.

To follow us and the work we are doing, check out our social media channels:
Instagram: @fosteringchangewa
TikTok: @fosteringchangewa
Facebook: Fostering Change WA

Want to catch up on the story? All our 'Change The Story' episodes are available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeart Podcasts, and on our YouTube channel.

Representative Josh Penner joins us on the podcast today!

A lifelong resident of Washington State, Penner has served formally served as mayor of Orting, WA from 2018 until the end of 2025, when he was elected to the Washington House of Representatives. He is also a US Marine Corp veteran and father of 4 children, two of which have special needs.

In our conversation today, we covered the topic of the "boy in the tent", the heartbreaking news story that took Washington by storm, exposing what is really going on in the child welfare system and what the real implications of our current policies are. We dive into what is preventing policy reform from happening, how our child welfare system compares to other similar states, and what we hope to accomplish this current session.

We urge you to take a listen; this conversation is so important. We cannot have more "caskets of children" just to appease political parties.

Thank you, Representative Josh Penner, for all the work you are doing and for coming on the podcast today. We truly appreciate it.

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Our mission is to make a real change in Washington state for those most vulnerable. Through this channel, we aim to give a voice to the voiceless, share the stories of those who often go unseen, and inspire people to make a difference. We want views and comments to become action that will save lives. 

Want to know more about Fostering Change WA? Visit our website: https://fosteringchangewa.org/

Learn more about our history, our mission, or make a donation to sponsor an episode.

To follow us and the work we are doing, check out our social media channels: 

Instagram: @fosteringchangewa 

TikTok: @fosteringchangewa 

Facebook: Fostering Change WA

Want to catch up on the story? All our 'Change The Story' episodes are available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeart Podcasts, and on our YouTube channel.

#joshpenner #fosteringchangewa #fostercare #adoption

Tracie Jefferson - foster mom, physician’s assistant, and child advocate - joins us on the podcast today!

In the past year, Tracie has lead the charge on several campaigns on conversations to help recall and change House Bill 1227, otherwise known as the Keeping Families Together Act. She, and many others, have seen the devastating impact this bill has made on Washington state and its families. This past year, there was a record high of child mortality rates, an increase of 200% from previous years, with the highest affected population being children from 0 to 3 years of age.

The new bill indicates that children should not be removed from their homes unless there is ‘imminent physical harm’ present, meaning ‘Could this child be dead within the next few days because of physical harm?’ It does not take into consideration neglect, the presence of drug use in the home, or emotional harm. The stories we have heard from this past year are horrific and we are asking Washington state to draw a line in the sand and say enough is enough. 

In this episode, we’ll chat about the upcoming Day of Action happening in Olympia, how you can join us, and what we are asking for. Tracie shares her expertise in the medical field to talk further in depth about what is really needed for families to thrive and how this bill is negatively affecting our children and disregarding what they fully need. Plus, we’ll talk about the implications of what it would mean for the future of Washington state if these things do not change.

We hope you’ll join us for this episode, share with someone you think would be interested, and join us next week as we share more about Day of Action!

……………………………..

Want to know more about Fostering Change WA? Visit our website: https://fosteringchangewa.org/

You can learn more about our history, our mission, or make a donation to sponsor an episode.

Our mission is to make a real change in Washington state for those most vulnerable. Through this channel, we aim to give a voice to the voiceless, share the stories of those who often go unseen, and inspire people to make a difference. We want views and comments to become action that will save lives. 

To follow us and the work we are doing, check out our social media channels: 

Instagram: @fosteringchangewa 

TikTok: @fosteringchangewa 

Facebook: Fostering Change WA

Want to catch up on the story? All our 'Change The Story' episodes are available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeart Podcasts, and on our YouTube channel.

Jeanette Oblecz, a supervisor, social worker, and union rep in Washington state, joins us for Part 2 on the podcast today!

In this episode, Jeanette shares with us how HB 1227 has fulfilled its duty, but not in the way we think. With the bill’s main objective being putting children back together with parents, regardless of that parent's sobriety status, previous intake history, displays of neglect, or other indicators of an unsafe environment, HB 1227 has fulfilled its duty by completely overwhelming its social workers and the child welfare system, so much so, that the “best thing to do” is put these children back with their families. These conditions have also led to severe social worker shortages, an increase in “revolving-door” cases, and, most tragically, an increase in child fatalities and near-fatalities, which Jeanette shares with us, she does not expect will go down soon if things do not change.

Thank you, Jeanette, for joining us on the episode today and for not giving up the fight. Our children deserve care and safety, our parents need real support and resources, and our state needs to make a change if we want to see a better future for all of us. Thank you again for all you do!!

If there was a moment in this episode that stood out to you, drop a comment below- we’d love to hear your thoughts!

……………………………..

Want to know more about Fostering Change WA? Visit our website and learn more about our history, our mission, or make a donation to sponsor an episode: https://fosteringchangewa.org/

Our mission is to make a real change in Washington state for those most vulnerable. Through this channel, we aim to give a voice to the voiceless, share the stories of those who often go unseen, and inspire people to make a difference. We want views and comments to become action that will save lives.

To follow us and the work we are doing, check out our social media channels:

Instagram: @fosteringchangewa

TikTok: @fosteringchangewa

Facebook: Fostering Change WA

Want to catch up on the story? All our 'Change The Story' episodes are available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeart Podcasts, and on our YouTube channel.

#fostercare #socialworker #fostercarecrisis

Jeanette Oblecz, social worker and union rep in Washington state, joins us on the podcast today!

Jeanette shares with us the behind-the-scenes of the making of HB 1227, including the explicit exclusion of social workers, educators, and other child development experts in the creation of this bill, how this new bill has overwhelmed the system, and what the future of the bill might look like thanks to representatives like Travis Couture.

Thank you, Jeanette, for the work you are doing in Washington state, and helping to ensure that parents receive the interventions they need and children receive the safety they need.

Drop a comment below with the stand out moment for you- we would love to hear your thoughts! 

……………………………..

Want to know more about Fostering Change WA? Visit our website: https://fosteringchangewa.org/

You can learn more about our history, our mission, or make a donation to sponsor an episode.

Our mission is to make a real change in Washington state for those most vulnerable. Through this channel, we aim to give a voice to the voiceless, share the stories of those who often go unseen, and inspire people to make a difference. We want views and comments to become action that will save lives. 

To follow us and the work we are doing, check out our social media channels: 

Instagram: ‪@fosteringchangewa‬ 

TikTok: @fosteringchangewa 

Facebook: Fostering Change WA

Want to catch up on the story? All our 'Change The Story' episodes are available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeart Podcasts, and on our YouTube channel.

#policymatters #socialworker #washingtonstate

We have a very special guest joining us in the studio today- Jessica's daughter, Stephanie Hanna!

Stephanie was adopted into the Hanna family after a short stint as a temporary foster placement. Stephanie shares with us what it was like to grow up in a home that, while filled with love, did not have the basics for living- like running water or heat. While she was not a victim of physical abuse, now one of the requirements for removal under HB1227, she certainly did feel the effect of neglect. She shared with us that she often wondered why her neighbors didn’t say anything or do anything or why her social workers would come and go and leave her there and in her words, why nobody “rescued” her earlier. 

After temporarily being placed with the Hanna family and feeling a connection with Jessica (and Jessica feeling the same), she was able to advocate for herself to her social worker for a long-term placement that eventually led to adoption. Now, she is a mother of her own and working on her nursing degree while also advocating for other children in foster care that are not able to advocate for themselves.

Thanks to social workers that were able to make a difference, legislation that allowed change and a new start, and a foster family that was invested in their foster child and their birth family, Stephanie was able to have a bright and healthy future. That is what we want for every child in foster care in Washington State and beyond.

Thank you, Stephanie, for sharing your story!

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Want to know more about Fostering Change WA? Visit our website: https://fosteringchangewa.org/

Our mission is to make a real change in Washington state for those most vulnerable. Through this channel, we aim to give a voice to the voiceless, share the stories of those who often go unseen, and inspire people to make a difference. We want views and comments to become action that will save lives. 

To follow us and the work we are doing, check out our social media channels: 

Instagram: ‪@fosteringchangewa‬ 

TikTok: @fosteringchangewa 

Facebook: Fostering Change WA

Want to catch up on the story? All our 'Change The Story' episodes are available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeart Podcasts, and on our YouTube channel.

Thank you so much for wanting to support us and joining us in this fight for a better tomorrow for our kids.

#fostercare #adoption #washingtonstate

Jim Sporleder, a former special education teacher turned administrator, joins us on the podcast today! In this episode, Jim shares the story of how he himself was a "behavior problem" through school and his surprising journey to becoming a special education teacher, then administrator.

After many years as a successful principal, he was asked to help turn around a failing alternative school in Walla Walla, WA. Using what he had learned about Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and implementing trauma-informed intervention, he was able to turn this school, and these children's lives, completely around–so much so, that it caught the attention of Hollywood.

We hope you'll join us today as Jim shares his story, gives the behind-the-scenes on the making of Paper Tigers (2015), and what he believes all teachers, legislators, and people should know about ACEs and trauma-informed intervention.

Thank you so much, Jim, for your care, compassion, and dedication in helping our children and for the way you have changed so many lives. Thank you!

You can watch Paper Tigers (2015) for free through Amazon Prime: https://www.amazon.com/gp/video/detail/B01KKYE5II/ref=atv_dp_share_cu_r

To learn more about the project, you can visit their website: https://kpjrfilms.co/paper-tigers/

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Want to know more about Fostering Change WA? Visit our website: https://fosteringchangewa.org/

Our mission is to make a real change in Washington state for those most vulnerable. Through this channel, we aim to give a voice to the voiceless, share the stories of those who often go unseen, and inspire people to make a difference. We want views and comments to become action that will save lives. 

To follow us and the work we are doing, check out our social media channels: 

Instagram: @fosteringchangewa 

TikTok: @fosteringchangewa 

Facebook: Fostering Change WA

Want to catch up on the story? All our 'Change The Story' episodes are available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeart Podcasts, and on our YouTube channel.

Thank you so much for wanting to support us and joining us in this fight for a better tomorrow for our kids.

#papertigerdocumentary #alternativeschool #washingtonstate