Thanks for tuning back in to By Their Side, dear listeners! For this episode, I interview Gaile Osborne, the executive director of the Foster Family Alliance of North Carolina. Listen in as Gaile shares her personal experience as a foster and adoptive parent, having opened her home to over 28 children living in foster care.

Gaile highlights the critical role of having a "village" of support for foster parents, whether through paid help like nannies and nurses, or a network of family and friends. She also discusses the challenges of secondary trauma and burnout that can come with advocating for foster children and families, explaining how she had to set boundaries to take care of her own mental health, even taking a two-month break at one point. Gaile also touches on the trauma that foster parents themselves experience and the importance of respite care in helping them recharge.

As an advocate, Gaile shares her perspectives on the need for policy changes, emphasizing the delicate balance foster parents must strike between advocating for the child's best interests and supporting family reunification. She highlights the invaluable role that CASA volunteers can play in supporting foster families and stresses the importance of volunteers who take the time to truly understand the family dynamic.

Throughout our insightful conversation, Gaile's passion for supporting foster families and advocating for systemic change is obvious, and her personal experiences and professional insights offer a powerful perspective on the foster care system! Enjoy my conversation with Gaile Osborne!

Highlights:

[1:38] - Fostering requires a strong support network, blending trusted caregivers, paid help, and community support.

[4:16] - Respite has been the foundation that kept Gaile's family functioning through difficult times.

[6:56] - Gaile reflects on having embraced leadership but learning to set boundaries after secondary trauma overwhelmed her.

[10:29] - Foster parents endure both secondary trauma and firsthand traumatic experiences.

[11:24] - Gaile realized how neglecting her own family while overworking forced her to step back and heal.

[13:55] - During trauma triggers, Gaile slows life down, returning to basics.

[16:35] - By listening more and tracking patterns, Gaile encourages honesty and prevents predictable behaviors.

[19:44] - Gaile valued GALs who quietly observed, respected the family, and offered genuine support.

[21:57] - A dedicated GAL's consistent presence and advocacy significantly influenced Gaile's family's adoption outcome.

[23:53] - Gaile asserts that without enough GAL volunteers, children risk lacking representation in court proceedings.

[25:12] - Gaile stresses how churches and communities can ease foster burdens via small, practical acts of kindness.

[28:21] - Hear how even small gestures of compassion eased Gaile's deep sense of isolation.

[29:02] - Gaile often hears comments mistaking her for a grandmother, leaving her searching for witty comebacks.

[31:12] - Gaile wrestles with balancing foster parents' rights while supporting reunification and maintaining vital family bonds.

[33:09] - Fostering requires deep emotional investment, yet ombudsman advocacy and permanency remain critical needs.

[35:39] - Getting kids into permanent homes faster takes new laws because long waits really hurt families.

[37:19] - Gaile credits her eldest daughter's resilience and spirit for shaping her child welfare advocacy.

Links & Resources:

Gaile's LinkedIn PageFoster Family Alliance of North Carolina's Website

Disclaimer: The conversations you hear on this podcast reflect the personal views and experiences of our hosts and guests. They don't necessarily represent the perspectives of Voices for CASA Children.