Fostering Conversations with Utah Foster Care

In this episode of *Fostering Conversations*, hosts Deborah Lindner and Liz Rivera introduce a new initiative within Utah Foster Care: Care Communities. The program, a two-year pilot spearheaded by First Lady Abby Cox, aims to provide foster families with support teams comprised of community members, businesses, and religious organizations.

The discussion highlights the unique challenges foster parents face, including the emotional and logistical complexities of raising children who have experienced trauma. As Tami Carson, Director of Care Communities, explains, foster parents often need extra support in managing everyday tasks, from carpools to handling difficult behaviors. The Care Communities program addresses this by forming teams of eight to ten people to provide practical and emotional support for foster families. These teams help with a wide variety of tasks, from babysitting to running errands, which helps foster parents focus on their children’s needs.

Tami emphasizes that this program is more than just volunteerism; it is about forming lasting connections between foster families and their communities. The initiative began with participation from several religious organizations and businesses, but Utah Foster Care is looking to expand its reach by recruiting more community and business partners across the state. Carson notes that while many similar programs are faith-based, Utah’s version seeks to involve businesses and secular organizations as well, to ensure diversity and wider support for foster families.

The hosts also discuss the impact of the program on foster families. Tami shares several stories from the pilot phase, illustrating how Care Communities have made a difference in the lives of foster children and parents. For example, a care team helped a foster teen in a rural area build social skills by teaching him to play guitar and taking him on outings. Another team supported a single foster mother by helping her organize her home and providing practical assistance, such as grocery shopping and running errands.

A key point of the conversation is the importance of retaining foster families, as many leave after only one year due to burnout. Care Communities aims to provide the consistent support needed to keep experienced families in the system longer. Liz notes that one foster parent shared how the program allowed her to move out of “survival mode” and focus on thriving as a family.

The hosts encourage listeners to get involved by reaching out to their employers, faith communities, or social groups to form care teams. They emphasize that the program is still in its pilot phase, but they are optimistic about its potential to grow and help foster families across Utah.

In closing, Tami reminds foster parents that while not everyone can participate in Care Communities yet, there are still resources and support available through Utah Foster Care. The episode wraps up with a reminder to visit Utah Foster Care for more information about becoming a foster parent or joining a care team.

See more about Utah’s First Lady’s Show Up Initiative

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During a typical school day, our children can spend as much time in class as they do at home, which makes success at school all the more important. Tyler Bastian is director at Utah’s first farm-based charter high school and McKay Esplin is an LCSW and Utah Foster Care trainer.

In our latest episode, they offer insight on how parents and students can build and foster positive school relationships.

For more information:

Roots High Charter School

Volunteer Opportunities at Utah Foster Care

Fostering School Success ~ Upcoming Training

What began as a bold experiment in Utah now celebrates 25 years of nurturing families and transforming lives. As we reflect on a quarter-century of dedicated service in foster care, we take a moment to appreciate the profound impact that Utah Foster Care has had on countless children, families, and communities

Building on Bold Beginnings

Twenty-five years ago, a visionary idea took root in Utah—to create an organization solely focused on recruiting, training, and supporting foster families. Through the leadership of Governor Mike Leavitt and partnerships with community and state agencies, Utah Foster Care emerged as a unique entity dedicated to serving the needs of foster children and the families who care for them.

Commitment to Children First

At the heart of Utah Foster Care’s mission is an unwavering commitment to putting children’s needs first. As shared by Brian Young, a regional trainer, the primary goal is to ensure that every child in foster care feels safe, understood, and supported. Brian’s moving recollection of a time when the reality of a child’s loss deeply resonated with him emphasizes the importance of empathy and awareness in foster care.

Supporting Foster Families

The organization’s success also lies in its continuous support for foster families. Debra Lindner and Liz Rivera, co-hosts of the podcast, illustrate how Utah Foster Care goes beyond initial training by maintaining long-term relationships with foster parents. This ongoing support helps equip families with the skills needed to provide nurturing and stable environments for children who have experienced trauma.

Recognizing and Addressing Challenges

Utah Foster Care has always been proactive in addressing systemic challenges. From embracing cultural diversity to implementing inclusive practices, the organization has made significant strides. Mike, a clinical consultant, and Les, a trainer, discussed efforts to understand and honor the cultural backgrounds of children in care, particularly those from Native American and Latino communities.

The Evolution of Training and Understanding

In the early years, foster training was more behavior-focused. Over time, it has evolved into a trauma-informed approach grounded in brain science. Understanding the brain’s development and the impact of trauma has revolutionized the training provided to foster parents, emphasizing the need for compassion and tailored support.

A Vision for the Future

Looking ahead, Utah Foster Care aspires to have families waiting for children, not the other way around. The organization remains committed to adapting based on continuous learning and the evolving needs of children and families. The involvement of Governor Cox and First Lady Abby Cox has brought unprecedented attention and resources to the cause, promising even greater progress in the years to come.

Conclusion

As we commemorate 25 years of Utah Foster Care, we celebrate the resilience of the children, the dedication of foster families, and the passion of the staff. With over 16,000 families trained since 1999, Utah Foster Care stands as a beacon of hope and compassion. For those inspired to join this journey, remember that you don’t need to know everything to become a foster parent—you just need to be willing to learn. To find out more about foster parenting and other ways to get involved, visit utahfostercare.org. Here’s to another 25 years of making a difference, one child at a time.

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In this podcast episode, hosts Deborah Linder and Liz Rivera discuss the challenges and support systems for families with LGBTQ children, particularly focusing on the organization Mama Dragons. The episode begins with a brief introduction and proceeds to explore how Mama Dragons evolved from a small group of mothers to a significant support network. Special guest Jen Blair, host of the Mama Dragons podcast ‘In the Den,’ shares insights about reassuring parents when their child comes out and the importance of creating an inclusive and supportive environment at home.

Full Transcript

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The bonus episode titled “Special Hearts” centers around the theme of special needs foster care, spotlighting the experiences and insights of foster parents who have taken on this demanding yet rewarding role. Hosted by Deborah Linder and Liz Rivera, the episode features heartfelt conversations with Amy, a seasoned foster mother from Utah, and Katie Welling, who works with New Alternatives for Children in New York.

**Amy’s Journey:**

**Challenges and Rewards:**

**Katie’s Perspective:**

**Support Systems:**

**Parental Empowerment:**

**Encouragement and Call to Action:**

The episode “Special Hearts” thus paints a comprehensive and inspiring picture of special needs foster care, celebrating the dedication of foster parents and the resilience of the children they care for. It serves as both an informative guide and a motivational appeal to those considering embarking on this life-changing journey .

Resources:

New Alternatives for Children [Website]

How Families are Advocating for Children with Disabilities in Foster Care [Article]

Medical Home Portal [Website]

Wouldn’t it be great to see foster homes waiting for children, rather than children waiting for homes? Unfortunately, Utah is nowhere near having enough homes, especially those to support kids with special needs.

This month is National Foster Care Month, and we talk to two leaders in our state’s foster care community about our shortage of foster parents in Utah.

Check out our Upcoming Events!

Episode Summary:

This episode of the podcast discusses the decline in the number of foster parents in Utah and the nationwide trend. The conversation highlights the importance of foster care and how the shortage of foster families impacts the system’s ability to care for children in need.

The Problem:

The episode opens with Liz, the show host, mentioning a nationwide trend of a decline in families coming forward to foster children. Tonya, the Director at Utah’s Child and Family Services, confirms this trend and adds that the number of foster parents in Utah has been going down since 2022. They discuss the fact that while they expected a decrease at the beginning of the pandemic, the opposite happened. The number of families coming forward to foster actually increased during the first year or two of the pandemic.

The Importance of Foster Care:

The conversation then shifts to the importance of foster care. Tonya emphasizes that the goal of the Utah Division of Child and Family Services (DCFS) is always to keep children safe, ideally at home with their families. When that’s not possible, the focus is on finding a safe and kin-based placement for the child. Kin-based placement refers to placing the child with relatives whenever possible. However, when there are no relatives available, having a sufficient pool of foster families becomes crucial.

How You Can Help:

Call to Action:

Consider getting involved in foster care, whether that means becoming a foster parent or donating time or money to support the children in care.

Episode Transcript

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In this enlightening podcast, Deborah Lindner and Liz Rivera from Utah Foster Care engage in a thought-provoking discussion with Nikki Walker, Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at Domo. They delve into the essence of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) within the foster care system, emphasizing the importance of acknowledging and respecting the cultural backgrounds of children in care. Nikki eloquently explains DEI concepts, advocating for empathy and understanding as essential components of fostering a sense of belonging. Through anecdotes and insights, they underscore the necessity of embracing diversity to create inclusive environments where all individuals feel valued and empowered to thrive.

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Shifting the Focus.

Policies on adoption have often focused on adoptive parents, rather than the well being of adoptees and birth parents. The Open Adoption Project podcast, hosted by Shaunn and Lanette Nelson, adoptive parents from Utah, are back with another crossover episode on Fostering Conversations.  They aim to flood the podcast sphere with adoption-related content, sharing perspectives and opinions to foster learning and understanding.

In this featured episode, they highlighted the importance of openness, honesty, and listening to adoptee voices. They urged adoptive parents to get involved in promoting adoptee rights and to hold adoption agencies accountable for their practices.

The hosts shared four key tips:

Utah Foster Care is also excited to have Lanette and Shaun Nelson host a panel of adoptees at our 2024 Annual Symposium April 25th 8:30-4pm, in Park City, Utah.  The public is welcome and can register here.

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Attachment

In this podcast episode, hosts Deborah Lindner and Liz Rivera engage in a profound discussion with Dr. Lee Raby, a distinguished expert in attachment research from the University of Utah. The focal point is the critical role attachment plays in the development of children within the foster care system.

The conversation kicks off by outlining the distinctions between love and attachment, emphasizing attachment’s significance, particularly in foster care environments. Dr. Raby describes attachment as a fundamental instinct, rooted in a child’s biological need for care and security.

Dr. Raby addresses the complexities of attachment in foster care.  The discussion sheds light on how children, even those exposed to maltreatment, form attachments that may be insecure or disorganized. The signs of insecure attachment, such as resistance to comfort, are explored, providing crucial insights for foster parents.

Dr. Raby also delves into the challenges associated with multiple attachments in foster care, emphasizing the emotional toll on children transitioning between caregivers. Foster parents are encouraged to be mindful of their attachment styles and expectations, fostering a nuanced understanding of the child’s needs.

The hosts touch upon available resources for foster parents, including in-service classes and trauma-informed care programs. Dr. Raby concludes with indispensable advice, and urges foster parents to consistently and appropriately meet a child’s attachment needs.

This episode serves as a valuable guide for foster parents, highlighting the important role of secure connections in promoting the well-being and resilience of children. Ongoing education is vital.  We invite foster parents to actively engage with available resources for a more informed and compassionate approach.

Additional Resources:

Circle of Security

Trust-Based Relational Intervention (TBRI)

The Whole Brain Child (Book)

The Connected Child (Book)

What Happened to You (Book)

Child Trauma Academy

Trauma: A Compassion-Driven Approach with Liz Rivera

Pre-Service Training

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Curly Me! is a nonprofit that’s a resource for Utah families with children of color – specifically black girls between the ages of 5-14 years of age. In this episode, we hear more about “Change the World with Her” and other upcoming events.

In 2021, Black chil­dren rep­re­sent­ed 14% of the total child pop­u­la­tion but 22% of all kids in fos­ter care. By com­par­i­son: White kids rep­re­sent 49% of the nation’s child pop­u­la­tion and only 43% of its fos­ter care pop­u­la­tion. Although the number of Black children in care has been on the decline for the past two decades, the need for culturally sensitive foster homes remains critical.

To learn more about Utah’s children in care, visit Utah Foster Care

To get involved with Curly Me!

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