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In honor of Foster Care Awareness AND Mental Health Awareness Month, we're talking with Mental Health Therapist,  Shelby Delk, CSW  about how foster care affects the mental health of the children entering care as well as the families caring for them, and how we can best support them.

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 If youre new here, we at Family Enrichment Center we have a mission to Empower Families and Prevent Child Abuse. Family Enrichment Center's Adoption Resource Program was created to build on the strengths and meet the needs of current and prospective foster and adoptive families in the Two Rivers Region.​ We are a firm believer that EVERYONE CAN DO SOMETHING  especially, when it comes to meeting the needs of children in the state's care and the families that welcome them into their homes. Not everyone is able to adopt or provide foster care, but there are so many ways to be involved and supportive of those who are. This podcast's mission is to inspire and encourage others to begin their adoption journey, and to cultivate community awareness, and to honor the stories of those who are on this journey. 

This episode Lee and I are joined by Melanie Watts. Melanie is the Director of Community Engagement with Lifeskills. She comes to Lifeskills with 24 years of experience in law enforcement with the Bowling Green City Police Department. She retired as Deputy Chief of FieldOperations with an appreciation for her community and all non-profits who serve it. Melanie has served many of those non-profits including the Barren River Child Advocacy Center, Room in the Inn, HOTEL Inc., the Bowling Green Junior Woman’s Club and currently serves as President on the Family Enrichment Center’s board. She is a proponent for children in foster care and has adopted four little girls. She uses this experience to serve on the State Foster Review Boards as well.

During her years as an officer she championed for those citizens suffering from mental issues and/or substance abuse. She believes everyone is a value to their community and deserve to be able to live as such. She chairs the Crisis Intervention Training Regional meetings, bringing together numerous entities from the region who could help in the treatment and housing of mentally ill citizens. And currently teaches regional officers Crisis Intervention Training through the state and Mental Health First Aid- a national mental health program. Melanie holds a Masters Degree in Criminal Justice from Eastern Kentucky University and a BA in Communications from Western Kentucky University.

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Hey, welcome back to Family In Progress.  I am your host Samantha Berry. I am glad you're here. I'm excited to continue this interview series, as we provide space for families to share their journey in foster care and adoption. We have a lot of wonderful guests lined up and I know that these are going to be impactful. In the next episodes you can expect to hear from couples, single parents, those who have internationally adopted, children who were adopted, Lawyers and Therapists as they share their side of the process, and a little of everything in between. 

If youre new here, we at Family Enrichment Center we have a mission to Empower Families and Prevent Child Abuse. Family Enrichment Center's Adoption Resource Program was created to build on the strengths and meet the needs of current and prospective foster and adoptive families in the Two Rivers Region.​ We are a firm believer that EVERYONE CAN DO SOMETHING  especially, when it comes to meeting the needs of children in the state's care and the families that welcome them into their homes. Not everyone is able to adopt or provide foster care, but there are so many ways to be involved and supportive of those who are. This podcast's mission is to inspire and encourage others to begin their adoption journey, and to cultivate community awareness, and to honor the stories of those who are on this journey. 

In this episode I am  joined by my friend Maura. Maura and I met back in 2011 in our freshman year of college, little did we know that 11 years later we would be catching up as she shared her story about the adoption of her son. I am excited for you all to hear our conversation and to learn just how awesome the Carson family is.  

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In this episode we are joined by Attorney Rebecca Simpson to have a conversation around the legal side of fostering and adopting.  Take a listen to learn more about all the ways to adopt.

Rebecca Simpson is a Partner with English, Lucas, Priest & Owsley, LLP in her hometown of Bowling Green, Kentucky, where she serves as both the Family Law Practice Group Chair and the Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Chair for her firm. Simpson is a Fellow of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers and is extensively trained in both mediation and collaborative process. Simpson focuses her practice on family law and alternative dispute resolution ("ADR") - namely adoption, divorce, and mediation.
Outside of her work as a Partner, Simpson is an active member of many local, state, national and international professional associations and serves as a leader within many of these organizations. By appointment of the Kentucky Supreme Court, Simpson is serving her second term on the IOLTA Board of Trustees, where she was elected to serve two terms as Chair. By appointment of the Chief Justice of the Kentucky Supreme Court, Simpson also is serving her second term as a Kentucky Bar Association ("KBA") Trial Commissioner in BA disciplinary matters. Simpson's work has been recognized through several awards, and she has held numerous leadership roles in her community. Simpson is a frequent panelist for legal presentations and has also taught pre-law courses at Western Kentucky University. Previously a legal services attorney, Simpson remains dedicated to public service, serving as a Guardian Ad Litem for children in her community and volunteering with a mediation program for low-income families that she helped to develop and implement. Simpson is an honors graduate of both Western Kentucky University and the University of Louisville, Louis D. Brandeis School of Law and has been practicing law in Kentucky for more than 23 years.

We are so thankful to our guest Rebecca and to the partnership Family Enrichment Center has with ELPO Law.

https://www.elpolaw.comhttps://www.familyenrichmentcenter.com/podcast

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Join me in this episode as I have a conversation with my friend Leslie. Lelsie and her husband began their foster journey a couple years ago, and now they are parents to 4 beautiful, active children. Leslie is a super woman, she is involved in her community and the foster community, all while making sure her children are engaged and involved.  Their story is sure to inspire you…


If you're new here, we at Family Enrichment Center we have a mission to Empower Families and Prevent Child Abuse. Family Enrichment Center's Adoption Resource Program was created to build on the strengths and meet the needs of current and prospective foster and adoptive families in the Two Rivers Region.​ We are a firm believer that EVERYONE CAN DO SOMETHING  especially, when it comes to meeting the needs of children in the state's care and the families that welcome them into their homes. Not everyone is able to adopt or provide foster care, but there are so many ways to be involved and supportive of those who are. This podcast's mission is to inspire and encourage others to begin their adoption journey, and to cultivate community awareness, and to honor the stories of those who are on this journey. 

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Hey, welcome back to Family In Progress.  I am your host Samantha Berry. I am glad you're here and I hope that you had a restful and joyous start to the new year. I am so excited to kick off this new year as we continue this interview series. We have a lot of wonderful guests lined up to share their stories and I know that these are going to be impactful. This year you can expect to hear from couples, single parents, those who have internationally adopted, children who were adopted, Lawyers and Therapists as they share their side of the process, and a little of everything in between. https://www.familyenrichmentcenter.com/education-resources

If youre new here, we at Family Enrichment Center we have a mission to Empower Families and Prevent Child Abuse. Family Enrichment Center's Adoption Resource Program was created to build on the strengths and meet the needs of current and prospective foster and adoptive families in the Two Rivers Region.​ We are a firm believer that EVERYONE CAN DO SOMETHING  especially, when it comes to meeting the needs of children in the state's care and the families that welcome them into their homes. Not everyone is able to adopt or provide foster care, but there are so many ways to be involved and supportive of those who are. This podcasts mission is to inspire and encourage others to begin their adoption journey, and to cultivate community awareness, and to honor the stories of those who are on this journey. 

  We're going to start out with an episode  that is a little different than the others. Our special guest is a young lady named Hannah. Hannah is  a 17 y/o adoptee who has so graciously come here to share the other side of the story.  Hannah is a senior in highschool, currently has 3 jobs, and has a dream to become a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner. During this chat I was so amazed by her wisdom and maturity. I want to be sure that you as listeners know, this is only HER story. This is not a how to guide or a playbook on adoption, but I believe it's important to hear . And hopefully her story will encourage thought and conversations in your homes. Please Join us as we have a discussion on what it's like to be adopted.  

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In this episode host Samantha Berry, is joined by guest Carmon Adwell. Carmon is  A non traditional college graduate where she holds a Bachelors in Psychology.  She is currently in a graduate program where she is pursuing a Masters in Social Work. She is married and has 6 children-  2 biological and 2 chosen and a grandmother of 2- and 2 bonus children.  Carmon loves camping as a family and acoustic /chill concerts as date nights with husband.  She also loves cooking and hosting family events.
While this episode is meant to be positive and uplifting, Carmon's story  begins with the tragic murder of her niece, this and the criminal charges are briefly discussed. 
Please join in listening to how a situation that was supposed to be temporary led to the beautiful creation of a chosen family. 

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This episode is part of our guest interview series, where we have asked members of our community to come and share their journey of building a family. 

 Julia is a single foster and adoptive mom. She has an undergraduate degree in 
 Early Childhood Education, certified in Teaching English as a Second language,  as well as,  a Masters and Ph.D.  in Education. She works as an associate professor of elementary education teaching future educators. She is also a mom to two pups who bring joy to all the kids in her family. Julia enjoys DIY projects in her home, listening to podcasts, and reading cheesy novels when she has a chance. She loves traveling and can’t wait to go on a trip soon. 


Links Mentioned: 

Instagram: Fosterthefamilyblog- Jamie Finn

Books:

The Connected Child by:  Karen Pervis 

Fostered by: Tori Hope Petterson 

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In this episode host, Samantha Berry is joined by Parent Educator, Aryn Lee, for a discussion on parenting during the holidays. 

Aryn is one of our in-home educators in our little learners program and is very passionate about the families she services.  She is married and is the mom to  two sweet boys. Aryn is also a host to mom groups in her local community and a women's jail ministry at her local detention center. Aryn is passionate about so many things and I am thrilled to have a conversation with her about the holidays, this is something she has worked on to create a guide for families. I am so proud of her and her dedication to the families we serve….

Links https://www.familyenrichmentcenter.commentioned in episode: 

https://www.foster-adopt.org/blog/the-holidays-in-foster-care-why-things-might-get-rough/ 

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Hello and welcome to Family In Progress, we are so glad you’re here.  I am your host Samantha Berry.  At Family Enrichment Center we have a mission to Empower Families and Prevent Child Abuse.

Family Enrichment Center's Adoption Resource Program was created to build on the strengths and meet the needs of current and prospective foster and adoptive families in the Two Rivers Region.​ We are a firm believer that EVERYONE CAN DO SOMETHING when it comes to meeting the needs of children in the state's care and the families that welcome them into their homes. Not everyone is able to adopt or provide foster care, but there are so many ways to be involved and supportive of those who are.  Join me in this episode as I provide ways for you to find your something.http://www.familyenrichmentcenter.com

For those of you who have opened your homes, or for those who want to open their hearts and become a support, everything I am about to say can be found right on our webpage at www.Familyenrichmentcenter.com  please go check that out. Send it to your people. Post it on socials. 

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