Crisis Lifeline: Call/Text 988

National Helpline 1-800-662-4357

Veterans Crisis Line (dial 988 then press 1)

National Domestic Violence Hotline (1-800-799-SAFE)

https://discord.gg/9MSPwRG4p

[email protected]

In this episode of The Foster Dad Directive, I explain what a Guardian ad Litem (GAL) and a Lawyer Guardian ad Litem (LGAL) are, how they differ, and how each one functions within the foster care system here in Michigan. I break down how a GAL works on behalf of the court, while a Lawyer Guardian ad Litem works directly on behalf of the child and must be a licensed attorney. I go over how L-GALs are required to conduct independent investigations, interview children and caregivers, review reports, attend hearings, and advocate for the child’s best interests while also communicating the child’s wishes when they are old enough. I also discuss the required training, oversight, and the possibility of filing complaints if legal obligations are not being met.

I then share our personal experiences and frustrations working with Lawyer Guardians ad Litem in our own foster care cases, including being reported for minor household issues without discussion, being falsely accused of unauthorized disclosures, and being blamed for delays that were actually caused by agency inaction. I walk through the dental anesthesia situation that was misrepresented and how those claims were never properly investigated. Ultimately, I express how difficult it has been to feel trusted or supported as non-blood foster parents, despite consistently showing up for these children when they needed us most. I close by explaining why understanding the role and accountability of the Guardian ad Litem is so important for foster parents, and how knowing your rights can help protect both you and the children in your care.

00:12 — Introduction & Legal Disclaimer

Episode purpose and professional disclaimer.

00:56 — Podcast Format & Audio/Video Changes

Switching away from face video and production updates.

01:47 — Guardian ad Litem vs. Lawyer Guardian ad Litem

Key differences and official definitions.

02:48 — Duties to the Court vs. Duties to the Child

How GAL and LGAL responsibilities differ.

03:49 — Child’s Legal Rights & Best Interest Advocacy

Attorney-client relationship and child representation.

05:43 — Training Requirements & Oversight

Mandatory training and possible sanctions.

07:35 — Independent Investigations Explained

How LGAL gathers information beyond agency reports.

09:24 — Foster Parent Experiences with LGAL

Communication issues and real-world frustrations.

11:36 — False Reports & Medical Appointment Accusations

Dental visit conflict and agency failures.

14:13 — Personal Impact, Advocacy & Closing Thoughts

Concerns about discrimination, reunification bias, and final reflections.

https://patreon.com/TheFosterDadDirective?utm_medium=unknown&utm_source=join_link&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=copyLink

Crisis Lifeline: Call/Text 988

National Helpline 1-800-662-4357

Veterans Crisis Line (dial 988 then press 1)

National Domestic Violence Hotline (1-800-799-SAFE)

https://discord.gg/9MSPwRG4p

[email protected]

In this episode of The Foster Dad Directive, I break down what the Foster Care Review Board (FCRB) is, how it works in Michigan, and why it exists to protect children in the foster care system. I explain that the Review Board is made up of trained citizen volunteers who review foster care cases to help ensure children reach safe and timely permanency. I walk through how cases are selected—either randomly or by request—and how their findings and recommendations are sent to the courts, DHHS, agencies, and all parties involved. I also cover who is allowed to request a review, including foster parents, attorneys, therapists, tribes, and even youth over the age of 11, which I found especially important because it gives kids a voice in their own cases. I also go over how foster parents can appeal a proposed placement move within strict timelines and what circumstances make a case ineligible for appeal.

I then share how this process connects to our own current situation, where one of our foster children was moved out of state before our Review Board hearing even took place. I talk honestly about my concerns since the move—how virtual visits have changed his behavior, how quiet and withdrawn he now seems, and how deeply troubling that is for me to see. I explain how the siblings were separated despite the emotional toll, and how virtual visits can never replace real connection, especially for young children. I close by sharing why I am still waiting for answers from the Review Board, why this situation feels so wrong, and how desperate I am to make sure this child is safe and emotionally supported. As always, I remind listeners that this podcast exists to share real experiences, protect kids, and give foster parents and families information they may not otherwise receive.

00:00 — Introduction & Legal Disclaimer

Episode overview and purpose of discussing the Foster Care Review Board.

01:12 — Personal Update & Wife’s Role

Clarifying Kasey’s role and family responsibilities.

02:02 — What the Foster Care Review Board Is

Michigan law, volunteer-based system, and oversight purpose.

03:29 — How the Review Board Works

Case reviews, recommendations, and who receives findings.

04:55 — Annual Reports & Policy Influence

How reports impact state funding and foster care laws.

06:14 — Who Can Request a Review

Judges, agencies, foster parents, attorneys, therapists, and youth 11+.

08:56 — Foster Parent Appeals for Placement Changes

Your right to appeal a child’s move and the 3-day deadline.

11:29 — When Appeals Are Not Allowed

Court-ordered moves, tribal cases, and MCI situations.

16:15 — How to File an Appeal & What to Expect

Contact methods, documentation, hearings, and participation.

19:00 — Personal Case Update & Sibling Separation Impact

Child moved before review, virtual visits, and emotional effects.

https://patreon.com/TheFosterDadDirective?utm_medium=unknown&utm_source=join_link&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=copyLink

I apologize about the delay. Attempting to remove breathing sounds from the audio as I want this to be as enjoyable and informative as possible. Thank you for your patience.I have a pop filter and sound barriers for around the mic coming. Will also be rearranging my room to allow for more sound barriers.

Crisis Lifeline: Call/Text 988

National Helpline 1-800-662-4357

Veterans Crisis Line (dial 988 then press 1)

National Domestic Violence Hotline (1-800-799-SAFE)

https://discord.gg/9MSPwRG4p

In this episode of The Foster Dad Directive, I share the ongoing and deeply frustrating experience surrounding our fifth placement—two brothers under the age of ten—and the events that ultimately led to their separation. I walk through how we received the placement late at night with almost no preparation, how one child arrived from the ER with nothing but a hospital gown, and how the toddler joined us later after hospital care. We scrambled to secure clothes, supplies, toys, medical appointments, and developmental resources, relying heavily on donations from friends and family. I explain how delays in services, inconsistent agency support, and constant turnover in workers created enormous strain, even as the local school stepped up in incredible ways to support the older child’s education. I also describe rising tension with the guardian ad litem and agency, including a formal complaint filed against us for “clutter” while we were actively receiving daily shipments for two children who arrived with nothing—an accusation that took over 45 days to resolve without any direct communication to us.

I also detail the troubling visitation issues with family members, including a week-long out-of-state visit for the toddler, unsafe supervision concerns, and repeated broken promises made to the older child that caused significant emotional harm. I explain how we consistently documented everything through texts and emails, yet our concerns were ignored while false claims against us were quickly accepted without investigation. Ultimately, despite the boys being with us for nearly a year, the agency moved one child out of state with just 14 days’ notice, separating the siblings and triggering our request for a Foster Care Review Board. I share why we asked to be considered for adoption—not to block reunification, but to protect the child from being re-entered into another state’s foster system if the family placement fails. I close by thanking my family for their unwavering support, sharing the emotional toll this process has taken, and preparing listeners for upcoming updates following the review board hearing.

00:00 — Introduction & Episode Overview

Fifth placement, current situation, and active case disclaimer.

00:44 — Podcast Updates & Future Interviews

Single-topic format, therapist guest, and Dr. Becky Owens / Reset Method.

02:41 — Release Schedule & Ongoing Foster Calls

Weekly episodes, possible midweek updates, and new placement inquiries.

03:43 — Introducing the Brothers (Placement #5)

Who they are, age range, and importance of documentation.

05:37 — Emergency Placement & Hospital Intake

Late-night call, ER pickup, no belongings, and initial chaos.

08:22 — Medical Needs & Developmental Delays

Hospital visits, therapy toys, Amazon ordering, and early interventions.

09:43 — Guardian ad Litem Complaint & Clutter Report

Reported for home conditions despite active caregiving efforts.

11:55 — School Support & Agency Failures

Education progress, missed services, and vaccination authorization issues.

14:02 — Family Visits, Safety Concerns & Hotel Incident

Out-of-state visits, co-sleeping, unsupervised hotel room, and no agency response.

18:49 — Rights Termination, Interstate Move & Review Board

Sudden transfer notice, broken promises, discrimination concerns, and next steps.

Crisis Lifeline: Call/Text 988

National Helpline 1-800-662-4357

Veterans Crisis Line (dial 988 then press 1)

National Domestic Violence Hotline (1-800-799-SAFE)

https://discord.gg/9MSPwRG4p

In this episode of The Foster Dad Directive, I open up about my personal background, my experience as a foster parent, and why I’m so deeply invested in speaking out about the foster care system. I talk about the current situation involving the separation of two siblings and how painful and damaging that can be, drawing from my own experiences with long separations during military deployments. I also share my growing frustration with the agency, the guardian ad litem, and the lack of meaningful help from legal and state resources despite repeated outreach. Alongside that, I give listeners a deeper look into who I am—my upbringing as the oldest of many siblings, growing up with limited resources, my time in the Army with two deployments, my work in corrections, and how those experiences shaped my views on family, separation, stress, and resilience.

I also walk through our foster care journey so far, including the seven placements we’ve had over the past two and a half years, the wide range of ages, the different case goals like reunification, adoption, and independent living, and the many challenges we’ve faced—runaways, false allegations, inadequate training, unpaid mileage, overreaching families, technology issues, and children arriving without even the most basic life skills. Despite all of that, I share the moments that have made everything worth it, especially watching two young children grow, heal, and thrive after coming into our home. I close by talking about my hopes for the podcast: to document cases, share real experiences, bring professionals into the conversation, fight stigma around therapy, gather resources, and create a place where foster parents, foster kids, and advocates no longer feel alone in a system that often feels impossible to navigate.

00:00 — Introduction & Episode Focus

Why this episode is personal and difficult to talk about.

00:22 — Disclaimer & Podcast Format Changes

Clarifying intent, legal disclaimers, and adjusting the show’s structure.

02:05 — Current Foster Case & Sibling Separation

Youngest foster kids separated across states and emotional impact.

03:23 — Guardian ad Litem & Agency Conflicts

Concerns about advocacy failures and formal complaints.

05:38 — Case Manager Issues

Early mistakes and lack of understanding of foster care rules.

06:00 — My Background & Military Experience

Family upbringing, deployments, and understanding separation.

08:13 — Addiction, Education & Corrections Work

History with alcohol, prison work, and burnout.

09:57 — Why We Became Foster Parents

Family addiction, emergency preparedness, and support system.

10:46 — Placement History & System Failures

Seven placements, miles unpaid, training failures, hostile situations.

14:45 — Successes, Growth & Future Plans

Kids’ progress, therapy advocacy, future guests, and listener outreach.

Crisis Lifeline: Call/Text 988

National Helpline 1-800-662-4357

Veterans Crisis Line (dial 988 then press 1)

National Domestic Violence Hotline (1-800-799-SAFE)

https://discord.gg/9MSPwRG4p

In this first episode of The Foster Dad Directive, I introduce myself, explain why I started this podcast, and share my deep frustration with the foster care system after more than two and a half years as a foster parent. I talk about how, during that time, I’ve watched the system repeatedly fail both the children in our care and us as foster parents. I explain that this podcast is my attempt to speak up, make noise, gather stories, and help push for change—whether through awareness, shared resources, or connecting people who feel alone inside the system. I also share my efforts to reach out to Michigan politicians for help, what responses I’ve received so far, and how exhausting and turbulent this experience has been. My goal is to use this platform to educate, advocate, and support foster parents, foster kids, and professionals involved in the system.

I also lay out what listeners can expect from the podcast: real stories from my own fostering journey, future stories from other foster parents and foster youth, discussions about rights, resources, therapy, agency policies, and current foster-care related events. I make it clear that I will never share identifying information about the kids in my care and that any emotional struggle I share comes from my own unresolved trauma and search for better therapy—not from anger toward the children. I encourage foster parents and foster kids to use their voices, stand up for their rights respectfully, and not allow themselves to be taken advantage of. Above all, I want this podcast to be a safe, honest space for support, advocacy, and healing—one where people are reminded to protect their mental health, keep pushing for answers, and know they are not alone.

00:00 — Introduction & Podcast Purpose

Who I am, what the podcast is about, and how this episode will work.

00:25 — Low-Budget Setup & Future Improvements

Why the show is simple for now and how I hope to improve production later.

00:45 — Why I Started This Podcast

My frustrations with the foster system and the need for change.

01:18 — Reaching Out to Politicians

Who I contacted, who responded, and who didn’t.

02:14 — What the Foster Dad Directive Will Cover

Weekly topics: placements, agency issues, policies, and lived experience.

03:04 — Resources, Support & Foster Youth Rights

Helping parents and kids find what they’re entitled to.

03:45 — Therapy, Boundaries & What I Won’t Share

Protecting kids’ privacy and my experiences with poor therapists.

05:13 — What You Won’t Hear on This Podcast

No politics, no ads for profit, no obnoxious mic sounds.

06:06 — Advocating for Foster Kids & Parents

Using your voice, knowing your rights, and being respectful but persistent.

09:08 — Listener Engagement & Final Message

Inviting feedback, sharing resources, and prioritizing mental health.