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Daniela is a self-identified birth kid. Her parents fostered when she was a child, and eventually adopted her youngest sibling. Having grown up in a home that fostered and adopted, Daniela was a temporary sibling to many children. Now, Daniela and her husband have children by both birth and adoption. 

While Daniela has a variety of experience in social work contexts, she has spent most of her career working in foster care and adoption. Daniela Coats is a Licensed Master Social Worker in the state of Texas. She is currently a therapist under supervision at Be Still Counseling and Consulting in Texas.  She has contributed to professional writings on the subject, and is the author of The Day Lily Turned (un)Invisible, a children’s book written specifically for biological kids in foster families.”

Episode Summary:

In this episode of Fostering Conversations, Amy and Liz are joined by Peter Mutabazi, also known as “Foster Dad Flipper” on Instagram. Peter shares his inspiring journey from being a street child in Uganda to becoming a foster parent in the United States. Over the past nine years, Peter has fostered 45 children, adopted three, and is currently fostering three more. He discusses the joys and challenges of being a single foster dad, the importance of community support, and how his experiences have shaped his approach to co-parenting with biological families.

Peter also highlights his foundation, Now I Am Known, which creates personalized room makeovers for teenagers in foster care, giving them a sense of belonging and ownership. Throughout the conversation, Peter emphasizes the value of empathy, the power of community, and the many ways people can support foster families, even if they aren’t fostering themselves. Tune in to be inspired by Peter’s story and his commitment to making a difference in the lives of children and families.

Guest Bio:

Peter Mutabazi is the founder of Now I Am Known, an organization that supplies resources to support vulnerable children. Originally from Uganda, Peter ran away from an abusive home at age ten and lived as a street kid for nearly five years. Today Peter is a single dad to countless foster children and his adopted son, Anthony. For the past twenty years Peter has worked as a child advocate within the U.S. and globally to promote wellness and child development. He believes every child deserves to be seen, heard, and known. Peter has appeared on international media outlets and is a passionate speaker who resides in North Carolina.

For more information visit: www.nowiamknown.com and follow Peter @fosterdadflipper

Transcript

*This episode was originally aired in December 2020

Fostering Conversations with Utah Foster Care delves into the unique challenges foster families face during the holiday season. Hosts Deborah Lindner and Liz Rivera are joined by Dan Kammerlohr and Hope Nichols, counselors from Hope and Healing Counseling, to explore strategies for navigating the season’s complexities.

The episode highlights the emotional dynamics for children in foster care, including grief, excitement, and stress that may arise from being separated from biological families or adapting to new traditions. The guests discuss practical approaches for managing expectations, setting boundaries, and helping children regulate their emotions. They also touch on the added impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, which has reshaped how families celebrate together.

Key takeaways include the importance of lowering expectations to reduce stress, preparing children for changes in routines, and acknowledging their unique holiday experiences. Listeners are encouraged to incorporate traditions from the children’s biological families, fostering a sense of connection and respect for their past.

This episode offers a thoughtful guide for foster families aiming to create a holiday season filled with healing and hope, despite the inevitable challenges.

Hope and Healing Family Counseling

Tips for Enjoying the Holidays

To Learn More about Becoming a Foster Parent in Utah

ep53_nov24_transcript

In this episode of Fostering Conversations, hosts Deborah Lindner and Liz Rivera sit down with 15-year-old Freedom, a foster youth with a remarkable story of resilience, hope, and self-discovery. Freedom opens up about her experiences growing up in the foster care system, finding her forever family, and the challenges of fitting in as the only Black person in her adoptive family.

Resources Mentioned:

Tune in to hear Freedom’s inspiring story and how she’s paving the way for other foster youth to find their voice and shape their future!

Read Impact Magazine’s article here

Episode Transcript

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.

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.

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Want to learn more about becoming a Foster Parent? 

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

Want to learn more about becoming a Foster Parent?