At Let It Be Us, we believe that the path to foster care begins with education, and the best way to educate is to reach people where they are which is why we started the Let It Be Us Foster Care and Adoption podcast where we dive deep into topics related to fostering children, foster care in Illinois, as well as adoption. We hope you enjoy, learn something and perhaps decide to become a foster parent yourself!

Season Two of the Let It Be Us: A Foster Care and Adoption Podcast was launched in November 2022 by the Illinois nonprofit organization Let It Be Us. Foster Care professionals and parents speak on issues important to the journey of foster care and adoption. 

If you live in the State of Illinois and want to become a foster parent or learn about waiting children, go to www.letitbeus.org

The issues facing the foster care system and the children in care are big, but the solution is simple: stable families for every child. In the season finale of our very first podcast series, Susan McConnell, the Founder of Let It Be Us, talks about the importance of placing children in care in a home that best fits their needs and can support them for as long or as little as they need it.

To learn more about Let It Be Us and our programs, go to www.letitbeus.org

The licensing process can be confusing, but Let It Be Us Director of Licensing Coaching and Placement Support Vanessa Baie has got you covered!  Listen to get an overview of what you can expect in the licensing process. If you are ready to get licensed, join our FREE Licensing Coaching Program to get any last lingering questions answered and help finding the right licensing agency for you.

You can find the form at www.letitbeus.org

Many people fear teens, whether in foster care or not, but Elizabeth and Chris don’t. It may not always be easy, but the journey with teens is definitely rewarding and Elizabeth and Chris go into all the details.

If you are interested in fostering teens, learn more about our Springboard to Adulthood Program at www.letitbeus.org

Breanna and Maxwell talk about their experience as foster parents of teens, those who identify LGBTQIA+ and everything in between. Their biggest takeaway?  It’s easier than you think. 

Learn more about how to become foster parents by joining one of our free webinars at www.letitbeus.org

Susan McConnell is a mother through adoption, a photographer, and a recruiter. She used all of that to found Let It Be Us in 2014 with the goal of transforming the child welfare system in Illinois.

Learn more about everything we do at www.letitbeus.org

Carolyne and her husband have fostered dozens of children over the many years they have been foster parents. Some children have returned to their biological families, and others have been adopted by the Osterhues family. All of them hold a place in Carolyne’s heart.

To learn more about becoming a foster parent, attend a free webinar at www.letitbeus.org

Adoptive Mom and Let It Be Us Deputy Director Alex Montgomery talks about adopting as a single mom and the importance of the relationship she has with her daughter’s birth family and why acknowledging and including a child’s biological family when possible is important in foster care.

To learn more about foster care in Illinois, go to www.letitbeus.org

Lindsay and Scottie made the big decision to become foster parents after Lindsay supported students in her classroom who experienced foster care. They’ll talk about what it’s like to be foster parents and how to navigate the relationship with the biological family while fostering.

To learn more about what it’s like to be a foster parent, attend a free webinar at www.letitbeus.org

A conversation with Vanessa Baie, leader of Let It Be Us’ efforts to educate and support people interested in becoming foster parents, who talks about her journey to become a fierce advocate for children and also delve into the world of foster care.

To learn more, or connect directly with Vanessa, find us at www.letitbeus.org