Fostering Voices Podcast

Summary:

In this episode, we are honored to sit down with Mari Ramsey, whose inspiring journey began when he and his brother entered foster care at the age of 14. While many teens in his situation end up in group homes, Mari was fortunate to find a loving foster family where he could thrive. Through the challenges he faced, Mari discovered his passion for music, faith in God, and a calling to share his story with others. Join us as we listen to Mari’s heartfelt reflections on his experiences, the power of resilience, and how his love for music and faith shaped his path.

Resource Links:

Fostered for Greatness - Mari Ramsey - Fostered For Greatness

Foster and Adopt Information: Foster Arizona | Foster & Adobt

Connect with us!

Email: [email protected]

Facebook: @FosteringVoicesPodcast

Instagram: @FosteringVoices

Web: www.fosterarizona.org

Summary:

In today’s episode, we dive into the world of group homes for children in foster care. When family or foster families aren't an option, group homes become the next step for many kids. But what is life really like inside these homes?

We’re joined by Shevaun Sullivan, Director of Group Home Relations at OCJ Kids, who shares her insights from years of experience. Shevaun discusses the day-to-day realities for kids in these environments and highlights the crucial role the community plays in supporting their well-being. If you’ve ever wondered how group homes function or how you can help make a difference, this conversation is a must-listen!

Resource Links:

OCJ Kids

What adolescents (or teenagers) need to thrive | Charisse Nixon | TEDxPSUErie 

Gestures - Changing Minds, by Futures Without Violence

Dr. Bruce Perry: How the Neurosequential Model Can Be Used to Meet Children Where They Are

Foster Arizona | Foster & Adobt

Connect with us!

Email: [email protected]

Facebook: @FosteringVoicesPodcast

Instagram: @FosteringVoices

Web: www.fosterarizona.org

Summary:

Join us on location at Central Christian Church in Glendale, Arizona, for Foster Arizona’s semi-annual Foster Cooperative Training. This episode is packed with insightful talks from experts dedicated to empowering caregivers and community champions. Discover valuable knowledge and practical tools to better support the children who need us most. As we learn and grow together, we enhance our ability to make a meaningful impact in their lives. Tune in to be inspired and equipped to show up with greater purpose and compassion.

Resource Links:

Foster Cooperative

Taproot Therapy

Pure Phoenix

Lighthouse Psychiatry

Connect with us!

Email: [email protected]

Facebook: @FosteringVoicesPodcast

Instagram: @FosteringVoices

Web: www.fosterarizona.org

Summary:

In today’s episode, we’re diving deep into the concept of building resilience, particularly in children. We often hear about the importance of resilience, but what does it really mean? And more importantly, how can we help our kids develop this crucial skill? Resilience isn’t just about surviving challenges—it’s about learning to bounce back and thrive in the face of adversity. While there are many ways to nurture resilience, today, we’re focusing on a powerful and perhaps unexpected tool: art.

Art can be a transformative medium for children, offering them a way to process emotions, express themselves, and find healing. To explore this topic further, we’re excited to welcome Matt Sandoval, the Executive Director of Free Arts for Abused Children of Arizona. This incredible local nonprofit is dedicated to providing trauma-informed programs that connect the community to the healing power of the arts. Matt brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to our discussion, and we’re grateful to have him with us as we explore how art can be a successful tool in building resilience in children.

Resource Links:

Free Arts for Abused Children of Arizona -

Free Arts

Video: 3 Art Therapy Activities to Boost Resilience Made from Dollar Tree Materials 

3 Art Therapy Activities to Boost Resilience Made from Dollar Tree Materials

BOOK - I Can do Hard Things - Mindful Affirmations for Kids

I Can Do Hard Things: Mindful Affirmations for Kids: Garcia, Gabi, Russell, Charity: 9780998958088

Resilience Guide for Parents and Teachers 

Resilience guide for parents and teachers

Connect with us!

Email: [email protected]

Facebook: @FosteringVoicesPodcast

Instagram: @FosteringVoices

Web: www.fosterarizona.org

Summary:

In our last episode, we shared how our family embraces summer adventures. This time, we're diving into the real struggles we face, not just in summer, but every day. Join us as we explore the challenges and interventions that work for us.

We tackle road trips and outings, discussing how the struggle is real and how we manage in-car and outing behaviors, handling nighttime routines when you're the only adult or with another adult. We then shift our focus to home life, addressing challenges like out-of-control behaviors, unsafe car habits, dysregulation, and lack of sleep. We'll cover prevention strategies, therapy, additional supports, practice drills, preparing conversations, and identifying triggers. We also look at tips for taking care of yourself both on vacation and in everyday life, ensuring you can be present and supportive for your family.

Tune in for practical insights and relatable stories to help navigate family life with confidence and resilience.

Resource Links:

Raising Kids with Big, Baffling Behaviors: Gobbel, Robyn: 9781839974281: Amazon.com: Books Lighthouse Psychiatry 

Foster Cooperative

Connect with us!

Email: [email protected]

Facebook: @FosteringVoicesPodcast

Instagram: @FosteringVoices

Web: www.fosterarizona.org

Summary:

As summer blazes in Arizona, we’re constantly on the move, seeking cooler escapes to preserve our sanity. Traveling with a family of nine is no small feat, and we’ve gathered a treasure trove of tips and tricks to make it smoother.

In this episode, we dive into Intentional Travel. Fresh from a recent timeshare presentation, we discuss the joys and challenges of discovering new experiences together and the importance of adventure in our family. We’ll share our favorite adventures and how we align them with our family goals.

Next, in The Planning Behind the Fun, we break down the essentials of gearing up for family trips. From our favorite Shacke Paks to specific bags for medications, bug spray, sunscreen, and more, we cover it all. Learn how we manage kid bags, hygiene kits, and day bags to keep everyone organized. We’ll also share tips on cooler prep, using Stasher Bags and Mason Jars, and our go-to kitchen bucket.

Our clothing plan includes an emergency washing kit and a portable clothing rack, plus how to plan laundry stops on the road. We’ll guide you through planning the fun with tools like the Road Tripper app and Google Docs for seamless travel details.

Lastly, we touch on the essentials of permits, advance tickets, seasonal activities, and international travel tips. And when things don’t go as planned, we’ll share our go-to interventions to keep the fun alive.

Join us for an insightful episode packed with practical advice for memorable family travels!

Resource Links:

Shacke Pak!: Shacke 5 Set Packing Cubes for Travel Lightweight Luggage Organizer (Precious Pink)

Wise Owl Towel: Amazon.com : Wise Owl Outfitters Camping Towel - Camping Accessories, Quick Dry Microfiber Towel for Travel, Hiking, Yoga, Workout, and Backpacking, Blue

Stasher Bags: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Stasher/page/72A85B6D-96FA-4F49-9D3D-156FABEC9DB6?ref_=ast_bln&store_ref=bl_ast_dp_brandLogo_sto

Portable Camping Kitchen Organizer: Portable Camping Kitchen Utensil Set-27 Piece Cookware Kit, Stainless Steel Outdoor Cooking and Grilling Utensil Organizer Travel Set Perfect for Travel, Picnics, RVs, Camping, BBQs, Parties and More

Water Dispenser: Water Bottle Pump 5 Gallon Water Bottle Dispenser USB Charging Automatic Drinking Water Pump Portable Electric Water Dispenser Water Bottle Switch (White) - Amazon.com

Roadtrippers app: Roadtrippers

Bonus Content: 

Copy of Vehon 2023 Summer Trip Itinerary and Meal List: LINK TO DOWNLOAD FROM DRIVE: Copy of Vehon 2023 Summer Trip Itinerary & Meal List.pdf

Connect with us!

Email: [email protected]

Facebook: @FosteringVoicesPodcast

Instagram: @FosteringVoices

Web: www.fosterarizona.org

Summary:

In this week's episode, we continue the important conversation started in Episode 184 “The Link Between Foster Care and Social Disparities”. If you haven’t had a chance to listen to it yet, we highly recommend checking it out to gain a deeper understanding of today’s discussion. June is Family Reunification Month, a time to celebrate families coming back together after separation due to child protective services. But what if reunification wasn’t necessary? What if we could focus more on prevention and support within our communities to keep families together in the first place? This week, we explore these critical questions with our returning guest, Claire Louge. Join us as we examiine how every one of us can play a role in supporting our neighbors and fostering stronger, more resilient communities. Don’t miss this insightful and thought-provoking episode!

Resource Links:

“Considering Yourself a Mandated Supporter” training: For Mandated Reporters - Prevent Child Abuse Arizona

 Arizona - Triple P Parenting Education: Triple P Arizona

 Non-Arizona Triple P Parenting Education: Triple P - Positive Parenting Program 

Family Resource Centers: Arizona Family Resource Network - Find a Resource Center 

Foster Cooperative: Foster Cooperative

Connect with us!

Email: [email protected]

Facebook: @FosteringVoicesPodcast

Instagram: @FosteringVoices

Web: www.fosterarizona.org

Summary:

In honor of June being Family Reunification Month, today's episode sheds light on a crucial yet often overlooked issue in our community: the challenges and misconceptions surrounding birth families involved in the foster care system. As foster parents, we initially held unfair biases towards these families. However, through our journey, we've learned that various factors make some families more at risk of system involvement than others.

To deepen this conversation, we are thrilled to welcome Claire Louge, the Executive Director of Prevent Child Abuse Arizona. Claire is dedicated to strengthening families and protecting children. She is passionate about creating a supportive and welcoming community where everyone can access the resources they need. Her insights and dedication to family reunification will inspire and inform our discussion.

Join us as we explore the complexities of the foster care system, challenge our preconceptions, and learn how we can all contribute to a more understanding and supportive environment for families in need. We are grateful to have Claire share her expertise and heart with us, and we hope this episode fosters greater awareness and compassion within our community. Tune in and be part of this important conversation.

Resource Links:

Article: Contact with Child Protective Services is pervasive but unequally distributed by race and ethnicity in large US counties | PNAS

Protective Factors Framework - Center for the Study of Social Policy

“Considering Yourself a Mandated Supporter” training: For Mandated Reporters - Prevent Child Abuse Arizona

Community Opportunity Map

Blink by Malcolm Gladwell: https://a.co/d/1zrvSxg

Connect with us!

Email: [email protected]

Facebook: @FosteringVoicesPodcast

Instagram: @FosteringVoices

Web: www.fosterarizona.org

Summary:

In honor of Foster Care Awareness Month, join us for an inspiring episode featuring a heartfelt conversation with my sister-in-law, Tara Armstrong. Tara played a pivotal role in our family's foster care journey, guiding us as we transitioned from having two kids to seven. Now, she has embarked on her own remarkable path. As a single mom of two, Tara opened her heart and home, adopting two children from the foster care system who were searching for their forever family. This episode delves into the challenges and triumphs of fostering and adoption, offering real talk and personal insights that highlight the profound impact one person can make. Tune in to hear Tara's story of love, resilience, and the transformative power of family.

Resource Links:

Foster Arizona | Foster & Adobt

Foster Cooperative

Arizona Association for Foster and Adoptive Parents

ASA Now

Families | Arizona 1.27

Connect with us!

Email: [email protected]

Facebook: @FosteringVoicesPodcast

Instagram: @FosteringVoices

Web: www.fosterarizona.org

Summary:

In today's episode, we explore the profound impact of connections on well-being, particularly in the context of foster care. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention highlights the pivotal role of social connections in fostering healthy choices and better mental and physical health outcomes. However, many children entering foster care face profound disconnection from their familiar support networks, exacerbating challenges like stress, anxiety, and depression.

In Arizona, where the average foster child experiences two or more placements, the need for stable, nurturing relationships is starkly evident. Our guest, Freddie Hernandez, a former foster youth, shares his remarkable journey of resilience and transformation. With a degree in Digital Film and Video Production from The Art Institute of Phoenix, Freddie defied the odds, emerging as a beacon of hope in his community.

Join us as Freddie sheds light on how one caring adult can alter the trajectory of a young person's life. Through his passion for digital storytelling and filmmaking, Freddie exemplifies the power of connection and the ripple effect of mentorship. His story serves as a testament to the transformative potential inherent in human connection. We extend our gratitude to Freddie for lending his voice and invaluable experience to today's conversation. Tune in as we explore the profound impact of connection and the pathways to support and empower those navigating the foster care system.

Resource Links:

Foster Arizona | Foster & Adobt

Child Welfare Statistics: Arizona Children in Out-of-Home Care

Voices for CASA Children

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Arizona

Get Involved

How Does Social Connectedness Affect Health? | CDC

Volunteer at Family Involvement Center

Book: Tattoos on the Heart

Connect with us!

Email: [email protected]

Facebook: @FosteringVoicesPodcast

Instagram: @FosteringVoices

Web: www.fosterarizona.org