Just As Special

Hope felt like she had way more help than she could use as one foster parent which led her to start thinking about how she could help other families who could benefit from even just one more friend. 

The Neighbor Program has since grown to serve families across the Colorado and even the nation. 

Learn more about how you can become a Neighbor. 

A youth who was labeled “a danger to others” by the foster care system shares what that meant for her and what that means for the system as a whole.

Learn more at JustAsSpecial.com.

Former pro basketball player, Nick Thompson, became a child welfare revolutionary when he opened up a non-traditional group home for boys aged 10-15 years old with his wife. 

Unlike other residential care facilities, Brad's House never utilizes restraining or seclusion tactics to handle big behaviors, relies on strong community involvement, and is a normal house in a suburban neighborhood.

The result is that boys who are used to being stuck in the system are finally empowered to heal themselves by discovering their unique passions and identities. 

Learn more at JustAsSpecial.com.

A 12-year-old LGBTQ+ tween shares what it's like to be in foster care and go through the adoption process from their perspective — and dispenses much sage advice for foster and adoptive parents along the way.

Charell Star is a former youth in care and current foster care advocate, NYC television personality, and so much more.

She draws on her personal experiences in the system to give us practical ways we can support youth in building a successful future for themselves — and how to cultivate a deep sense of joy no matter the struggles we are facing.

This episode delves into how to set healthy boundaries — with the foster care system, with the kids in our care, and with ourselves.

 Just like in Part 1, Dave and Lottie use examples of their work with horses to bring their lessons to life.

See photos and more at JustAsSpecial.com.

It turns out horses and kids in foster care have a lot in common.

Lottie Grimes and Dave Wyner are both longtime trauma counselors and co-founders of Groundwork Ranch which provides free equine-assisted learning programs for foster and adoptive parents.

Just As Special host Natasha attended this training before sitting down with Dave and Lottie to delve deep into how horses can teach us to better care for kids in foster care.

This episode is made possible with support from Cobbled Streets.

This is the third episode of our This Foster Care Life miniseries where we bring you multiple perspectives around the same topic.

In this episode, you will hear from:

• Ashley Schuster Downend: a foster parent and public policy professional who grapples with tough questions we should all be asking ourselves. 

• Aubree: a white foster mom raising black foster kids in the New York City area. 

• Nikki Brown: a foster mom who shares the challenges of moving states while fostering.

This episode was made possible by generous support from Cobbled Streets.

Learn more at JustAsSpecial.com.

Nichole shares what she enjoys about being a single foster mom and how she creatively tackles foster care challenges. 

See photos and an update about Nichole and the kids in her care at JustAsSpecial.com.

Join foster mom, Natasha and foster care volunteer, Rachel as they reflect on lessons learned in 2021 to carry into the new year. 

Learn more at JustAsSpecial.com.