Let It Be Us: A Foster Care & Adoption Podcast

In this episode, Dr. Susan McConnell, Founder & Executive Director of Let It Be Us, offers an honest look at the realities of foster care – both the challenges and the deep rewards. Through her personal experiences, she reflects on what it means to open your home, support children through uncertainty, and grow as a family along the way. A thoughtful conversation for anyone considering foster care or wanting a deeper understanding of it.

Learn more at letitbeus.org.

Go behind the scenes of the foster care system with leaders from Let It Be Us and Shelter Youth & Family Services. This episode explores how agencies work together to support children and families, respond to urgent placement needs, and create better outcomes across the system. It’s an inside look at the collaboration and commitment it takes to care for youth in foster care.

Learn more at letitbeus.org.

What starts as a simple way to give back turns into a life-changing journey. In this episode, Richard shares how he became involved in foster care, the relationships that reshaped his perspective, and why advocacy for children in care has become such an important part of his life. This episode is a powerful reminder that one decision can make a lasting impact.

Learn more at letitbeus.org.

Cathy Newbury, Director of Foster Home Recruitment, and Erica Sherer, Foster Home Recruiter, walk listeners through the foster care and adoption journey from a supportive, behind-the-scenes perspective. They discuss how they guide families through the process, the questions and concerns they hear most often, and the meaningful moments that make their work so impactful. A helpful episode for anyone exploring foster care or adoption.

Learn more at letitbeus.org.

Carina Santa Maria, Executive Director of Shelter Youth & Family Services, shares her experience leading an organization that serves hundreds of youth in foster care each year. From navigating complex systems to building programs that truly support children and families, she offers insight into what effective, compassionate leadership looks like in this space – and why the work matters now more than ever.

Learn more at letitbeus.org. 

Aaron didn’t expect to find himself in the world of foster care – but his story shows how powerful unexpected paths can be. In this episode, he shares what led him to get involved, what he’s learned along the way, and how stepping outside of his comfort zone changed his perspective on family, responsibility, and impact.

Learn more at letitbeus.org. 

Commercially Sexually Exploited Children (CSEC) includes children and young people in foster care that  are in extreme risk. While poorly defined legally, the impact upon this population is immense. Two Child Welfare Agency Executive Directors involved in research and programming to serve this population speak on our podcast about their experience and  potential opportunities. Hear from Susan McConnell, Executive Director of Let It Be Us and Carina Santa Maria, Executive Director of Shelter, Inc. McConnell is involved in program design and implementation perspective as a Doctorate in Social Work candidate at the University of Southern California.  Santa Maria is an adjunct professor at Dominican University’s School of Social Work, where she teaches a graduate level human trafficking course. In addition, she has spent 10+ years working in the anti-trafficking field, specifically with survivors and program implementation and evaluation.  

Learn more about Let It Be Us at letitbeus.org.

The team comes together to give tips and advice for how to navigate the first time a child is placed in your home - or any time they come!  Learn from Let It Be Us Founder and Executive Director Susan McConnell, MBA, Let It Be Us Directors Vanessa Baie, LCSW, and Karron Shaw, MJ, as well as seasoned foster parent and Foster Parent Licensing Coach, Cathy Newbury about what to do when a child arrives and how to navigate that important relationship.

To learn more about becoming a foster parent or joining our database of licensed homes find us at www.letitbeus.org

Parenting is a long road no matter how you do it. This mini-episode explores tips and advice on how to support yourself as a foster parent, adoptive parent, and ways to ensure you have what you need to care for children throughout their lives. Let It Be Us Director Karron Shaw, MJ, and Foster Parent Licensing Coach Cathy Newbury give advice and suggestions in this chat.

To learn more about becoming a foster parent or joining our database of licensed homes find us at www.letitbeus.org

The path of foster care that leads to adoption is often long and complicated, with legal jargon like “TPR” (termination of parental rights), but Let It Be Us Director Karron Shaw, MJ, and Foster Parent Licensing Coach Cathy Newbury - who has also adopted from foster care! - are here to explain it to you.

To learn more about becoming a foster parent or joining our database of licensed homes find us at www.letitbeus.org