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.

Want to learn more about becoming a Foster Parent? 

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

Want to learn more about becoming a Foster Parent? 

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!

Want to learn more about becoming a Foster Parent? 

In this insightful podcast episode, hosts Deborah Lindner and Liz Rivera explore the profound theme of “the gift of presence” with guest Ilse DeKoeyer. Delving into the challenges of staying fully present, especially during the hectic holiday season, the conversation emphasizes the importance of understanding and practicing presence in parenting. Ilse defines presence as the art of balancing complete engagement with a reflective stance, encouraging individuals to immerse themselves in the moment while maintaining self-awareness. Practical tips include setting context, creating connections without relying on eye contact, and embracing mindfulness practices.

Ilse Dekoeyer is the Early Relational Health Specialist at United Way of Utah County including Help Me Grow, Adjunct Professor at the University of Utah, and Past President of the Utah Association for Infant Mental Health.

Additional Resources:

Help Me Grow Utah

Hand in Hand Parenting

Welcome Baby

Utah Association for Infant Mental Health

Special Time

Want to learn more about becoming a Foster Parent? 

Cadon Riley likes to express his voice through the lens of music. We were honored to have him join us to talk about his new song that he hopes will inspire other young people going through the foster care experience.  Riley is a student at Utah Tech.  He is also a mental health and foster care advocate.  He loves to share his experience, in and out of foster care, especially through singing and performing. Riley has a passion for helping people and creating a space for people to explore their own identities.

To listen and support Cadon’s song, check out the following platforms:

https://open.spotify.com/album/0uIQ8jlwHnLyXd0dTH4U9W?si=52s2I7qlToma3lPukw_JiA.

Apple Music

https://music.apple.com/us/album/searching-for-you/1714850917?i=1714850918

YouTube Music

https://youtu.be/NTQ_iKV6LgA?si=2XFN2nN4HT48Ia9r

Deezer

https://deezer.page.link/9Au2XiiJJMYLYyme9

Tidal

https://tidal.com/album/326218170

Amazon Music

https://music.amazon.com/albums/B0CMCX97LM?ref=dm_sh_LKVhCB17vkNbGGH2aPGMHY8uS

Want to learn more about becoming a Foster Parent? 

This month we are airing an episode from the podcast The Open Adoption Project by Lanette and Shaun Nelson. This episode shares the story of two mothers connected initially through their shared love for their children.

This episode discusses the challenges of foster care, drug addiction, and maintaining connections…particularly in regard to parenting children in foster and adoption situations.

You can listen the Shaun and Lanette’s podcast The Open Adoption Project here

Learn more about Adoption on our website

Want to learn more about becoming a Foster Parent? 

This episode is a re-broadcast of Episode 29.

It may surprise you to find out teens in foster care want and need lifelong connections – yet, when it comes to adopting, many families rarely consider older kids and teenagers.

As Foster Youth Voice Month continues, our Fostering Conversations podcast examines the obstacles youth who age out of foster care face.

Listen to the inspiring stories of youth who beat the odds – and learn the reality about teens in the foster care system.

To learn more about Utah’s Transition to Adult Living program, click here.  To join Utah’s Foster Club click here. Learn more about the 1999 Collective here.

Want to learn more about becoming a Foster Parent? 

In this episode, we explore kinship’s role in foster care.  September is Kinship Care Awareness month, and The Kinship Coalition says some 20,000 families in Utah are caring for at least one relative child.

DCFS Kinship Supervisor Ashley Barton explores what it means to prioritize kin, and how foster parents can support these efforts.

Resources for Kinship Caregivers:

Utah Foster Care: Kinship

Children’s Services Society of Utah

Grandfamilies

Grandparents Academy

Generations United

Child Welfare League of America

Casey Family Programs

Annie E Casey Foundation

Child Welfare

Want to learn more about becoming a Foster Parent? 

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

Want to learn more about becoming a Foster Parent? 

Support systems are crucial for young people who have experienced foster care. The 1999 Collective is a new community in Utah created by two people who have a wealth of knowledge and lived experience to share.

Together, Natalie Clark and Alexa Hudson want to make sure young men and women are able to access all the education, housing, and other resources they need.

1999 Collective Services

For those who’ve experienced foster care after age 13, we can:

If you need anything (housing, mental health, etc.), we will try to connect you to resources that can support

Contact The 1999 Collective:

Phone: 801.876.0029 (Call OR Text!)

Email: [email protected]

Instagram & Tik Tok: @1999collectiveUT

Want to learn more about becoming a Foster Parent?