The Foster Friendly Podcast

In this conversation, hosts Brian and Travis interview Britt Kelley, Foster Friendly Manager with Colorado Kids Belong. Britt is a former foster youth alumni and shares about her experiences as a teenager in foster care. They discuss the challenges faced by teens in foster care, the importance of supportive foster families, and the need for empathy and understanding. Britt shares her personal journey and offers insights into what foster youth need most from adults. The conversation highlights the significance of providing stability, predictability, and a sense of belonging to teenagers in foster care.

Takeaways

- Teens in foster care face unique challenges and need supportive foster families.

- Stability, predictability, and a sense of belonging are crucial for teenagers in foster care.

- Foster parents should involve teens in decision-making and help them navigate major life decisions.

- Teens in foster care often have a deep sense of empathy and a desire to help others.

- It is important to recognize the worth and value of teens in foster care and provide them with love and support.

More from America's Kids Belong:

Learn more about being a foster or adoptive parent or supporting those who are in your community.

Meet kids awaiting adoption.

Please consider donating today to support our mission to dramatically improve the experiences and outcomes for kids in foster care.

Stats cited in this episode HERE:

Thank you for listening to this episode of The Foster Friendly Podcast. 

To sign up for our 2024 FosterCon Webinar Series, go to AmericasKidsBelong.org/lp/Fostercon-Webinars

If you would like to learn more about becoming a Foster Friendly Business or sponsoring the show, please visit AmericasKidsBelong.org/Foster-Friendly-Business

In this lively conversation, hosts Brian, Travis, and Courtney discuss the movie 'Sound of Hope' and its portrayal of a church in Possum Trot, Texas, that adopted 77 kids. They share their personal reactions to the movie and highlight the importance of understanding the context and time period in which the story takes place.

They discuss the need for trauma-informed training and support for foster and adoptive families within churches. They also emphasize the significance of creating a community that embraces and supports these families. The hosts also engage in a conversation around practices and paradigms for churches that are crucial in supporting and retaining foster families well and holistically. They also talk about criticisms they've heard from peoples' experiences around churches that have failed to meet the needs of foster families and make them feel like they belong.  The conversation concludes with recommendations for resources and training for churches interested in getting involved in foster care and adoption and caring for their people well.

LEARN MORE:

Learn about the 3 best practices to becoming a Foster Friendly Faith Community.

Find a Foster Friendly church in your area on our Foster Friendly App. 

More from America's Kids Belong:

Learn more about being a foster or adoptive parent or supporting those who are in your community.

Meet kids awaiting adoption.

Please consider donating today to support our mission to dramatically improve the experiences and outcomes for kids in foster care.

Thank you for listening to this episode of The Foster Friendly Podcast. 

To sign up for our 2024 FosterCon Webinar Series, go to AmericasKidsBelong.org/lp/Fostercon-Webinars

If you would like to learn more about becoming a Foster Friendly Business or sponsoring the show, please visit AmericasKidsBelong.org/Foster-Friendly-Business

In this heartwarming episode of the Foster Friendly Podcast, hosts Brian and Travis interview Woody and Mindy Houser, an inspiring couple from South Dakota who specialize in caring for children with high-level medical needs. The Housers share their journey into foster care, which began after the stillbirth of their daughter and led them to adopt two children from Korea and eventually foster children with significant medical needs.

Woody and Mindy discuss the challenges and rewards of fostering medically fragile children, emphasizing the importance of flexibility and support. Their real estate and property management business provides the necessary flexibility to attend numerous medical appointments and provide the specialized care these children need. They highlight how their own children have been positively impacted by their foster siblings, developing compassion and a sense of responsibility.

The episode explores the Housers' experiences with various medical conditions, including genetic syndromes and the use of medical equipment like ventilators and feeding tubes. They also discuss the importance of building a strong medical team and the support they receive from healthcare professionals.

Woody and Mindy emphasize that you don't need a medical background to foster medically fragile children—just a willingness to learn and a big heart. They provide practical advice for prospective foster parents, including the importance of building relationships with medical professionals and leveraging community resources.

Throughout the episode, the Housers' dedication and love for their foster children shine through, offering valuable insights and inspiration for anyone interested in foster care, especially for children with special needs.

Thank you for listening to this episode of The Foster Friendly Podcast. 

To sign up for our 2024 FosterCon Webinar Series, go to AmericasKidsBelong.org/lp/Fostercon-Webinars

If you would like to learn more about becoming a Foster Friendly Business or sponsoring the show, please visit AmericasKidsBelong.org/Foster-Friendly-Business

In this latest episode of the Foster Friendly Podcast, hosts Courtney and Travis are joined by Dr. John DeGarmo, a renowned foster care expert who has fostered over 60 children and is the director of the Foster Care Institute. Dr. DeGarmo is a global keynote speaker and foster care consultant, best selling author, and trauma informed presenter and trainer.

Dr. DeGarmo shares his extensive experience in the foster care system, highlighting the challenges faced by foster parents and the child welfare system. Dr. DeGarmo discusses the importance of both recruiting and retaining foster parents, noting that many foster parents leave within 18 months due to the overwhelming demands and lack of support. He emphasizes the need for comprehensive training for foster parents, particularly in handling mental health issues, which have surged among children during the pandemic and beyond.

The episode delves into the impact of the lockdowns on foster children, who lost access to essential support services, schooling, and in-person therapy. Dr. DeGarmo explains how these disruptions have exacerbated mental health issues and the importance of addressing these challenges to better support foster children.

Dr. DeGarmo also touches on the significant issue of social media and online safety, highlighting the vulnerability of foster children to online predators and the importance of training foster parents to navigate these dangers. Additionally, he discusses the systemic issues in the foster care system, including the high turnover rate of caseworkers and the need for better support and resources for both foster parents and children.

Throughout the episode, Dr. DeGarmo provides valuable insights and practical advice for fostering, underscoring the importance of community support and the role everyone can play in helping children in crisis.

Contact Dr. DeGarmo (for speaking and consulting) or access his vast array of resources in all things related to foster care.

More from America's Kids Belong:

Learn more about being a foster or adoptive parent or supporting those who are in your community.

Meet kids awaiting adoption.

Please consider donating today to support our mission to dramatically improve the experiences and outcomes for kids in foster care.

Thank you for listening to this episode of The Foster Friendly Podcast. 

To sign up for our 2024 FosterCon Webinar Series, go to AmericasKidsBelong.org/lp/Fostercon-Webinars

If you would like to learn more about becoming a Foster Friendly Business or sponsoring the show, please visit AmericasKidsBelong.org/Foster-Friendly-Business

This week’s conversation explores how being in foster care impacts education. Dr. Danisha Keating is a former foster youth, a CEO, an international motivational speaker, and an author. She shares her personal journey and the challenges faced by foster youth in education. Dr. Keating also discusses the emotional struggles and trauma that foster youth experience, as well as the common lack of understanding and support from teachers and educators who often don't understand the implications of foster care. The conversation explores the importance of advocating for foster youth and helping them find their passion.

Dr. Danisha's book, 'From Foster to PhD: Letters from a Suitcase,' aims to motivate foster youth and educate others about the emotional aspects of their experiences. The conversation also touches on the need for empathy, support, and resources for foster youth in their educational journey. Children in foster care often experience frequent school changes, resulting in significant academic setbacks. Studies show that foster youth are more likely to graduate high school at a lower rate and have significantly lower rates of post-secondary education compared to their peers.

The education gaps can be overwhelming for both foster parents and youth, but it's important to recognize that catching up may not always be realistic. Dr. Danisha shares more thoughts around different approaches at looking at gaps and prioritizing real needs. Danisha really highlights the role of advocacy as foster parents. The goal should be to help foster youth find value in their education and empower them to define their own path.

The three also discuss Danisha's new documentary film, '33 Roofs' that highlights (from her own story) the educational and homelessness barriers faced by foster youth and how people can support them.

Connect with Danisha and check out her array of resources:

Learn more about being a foster or adoptive parent or supporting those who are in your community.

Meet kids awaiting adoption.

Please consider donating today to support our mission to dramatically improve the experiences and outcomes for kids in foster care.

Statistics cited in this episode:

1. Months of academic setbacks with each placement
2. Foster care-education outcomes
3. Additional resources and stats on education outcomes

Thank you for listening to this episode of The Foster Friendly Podcast. 

To sign up for our 2024 FosterCon Webinar Series, go to AmericasKidsBelong.org/lp/Fostercon-Webinars

If you would like to learn more about becoming a Foster Friendly Business or sponsoring the show, please visit AmericasKidsBelong.org/Foster-Friendly-Business

In this episode, we explore the sobering and eye-opening correlation of many former foster youth who end up incarcerated. Social policy experts have deemed this all too common reality as the "foster to prison pipeline." Our guest, Bernie Lattner, has an extremely unique and helpful vantage into this phenomonen as a long time foster dad, mentor, and prison chaplain for a federal prison in Rochester, MN. Bernie is a single foster and adoptive dad and shares some really important insights through the lenses of fostering and being a prison chaplain.

Bernie, Travis, and Courtney engage in a conversation that explores some of the factors that connect the dots between foster care and criminal problems later. Bernie shares insights from prisoners on the things they now realize would have helped them when they were youth looking to find belonging and connection.

Bernie shares his story of growing up with a single father and becoming a foster father to three boys by 2006. He describe the struggles and joys of fostering, especially, kids that have reactive attachment disorder and other behavioral problems. Bernie also mentions his present case of working with a 17-year-old boy who, with Bernie’s intervention and assistance, was able to complete high school. Bernie shares an incredible story of a heart warming moment they share at his graduation.

Helpful information for single fathers and men who are thinking about becoming foster parents can be heard as well in this episode. Join us and listen to Bernie’s incredible story and get the understanding of fostering, adoption and mentoring from the person who has devoted his life to the well-being of the children and families.

Learn more about being a foster or adoptive parent or supporting those who are in your community.

Meet kids awaiting adoption.

Please consider donating today to support our mission to dramatically improve the experiences and outcomes for kids in foster care.

Statistics cited in this episode:
1. Criminal Law Practitioner
2. Youth Today

Thank you for listening to this episode of The Foster Friendly Podcast. 

To sign up for our 2024 FosterCon Webinar Series, go to AmericasKidsBelong.org/lp/Fostercon-Webinars

If you would like to learn more about becoming a Foster Friendly Business or sponsoring the show, please visit AmericasKidsBelong.org/Foster-Friendly-Business

Tina gives her testimony of being in the foster care system then being adopted. She is able to discuss what she had to go through during her time in foster care and her experience of recovering from the effects of being in foster care after being adopted. Tina elaborates on the issues of reciprocal adoption of siblings and the role she played as a mother figure in her brother’s life. She also talks about what led her to return to foster care as an adult and speak for those children who are waiting to be adopted. To the prospective and current foster parents, Tina offers them some tips to go by among them being to always avoid burning out. The last part of the conversation is a success story of three brothers brought together and adopted as a set. Seventy-five percent of siblings in foster care are separated, which severely affects children’s well-being and creates trauma. The main cause for the separation is the inability of foster homes to accommodate all the siblings. However, one should take into account additional and avoidable harms inflicted by splitting siblings. Children who remain with their siblings are better off in their transition and benefit from better academic, behavioral, and health status. However, there are occasions when it is better for the siblings to be separated and this is where communication in the form of visits, phone calls and writing letters is important. Foster parents should also be in a position to request for chances of the separated siblings to be connected.

Thank you for listening to this episode of The Foster Friendly Podcast. 

To sign up for our 2024 FosterCon Webinar Series, go to AmericasKidsBelong.org/lp/Fostercon-Webinars

If you would like to learn more about becoming a Foster Friendly Business or sponsoring the show, please visit AmericasKidsBelong.org/Foster-Friendly-Business

 In 2019, Pam and her husband Gary were about to be empty nesters when she saw a story on Facebook about a sibling group of seven  whose parents were killed in a car crash. They were desperately needing a family who could keep them all together. It was then that she and Gary made the life changing decision to become new parents again after raising five of their own. Later, their adoption story went viral with an Instagram video that got shared by Kristin Bell and Michael Buble, among many others, propelling her following to more than 100,000 virtually overnight.

Their story was featured in People Magazine and Pam has been a guest on Kate Hudson's podcast and Jada Smith's talk show. With her new found platform, Pam is strong advocate in the foster care space and guides others on all things related to foster parenting and adoption. Pam's heart is to give kids in foster care the best home they can get and stresses the role of love in the process of healing. She talks about her experience of being a foster and adoptive mother and shares about the need to learn and seek help continuously. She also shares about the encouragement she found in her church and her close-knit relatives and friends and neighbors. Pam also talks about how she continues to engage the public on the issue of foster care and adoption through social media, specifically, Instagram. She stresses the fact that every person is capable of making an impact on the life of a kid in foster care and calls for people to really consider becoming foster and adoptive parents or finding ways of supporting those who are.

Follow Pam on Instagram:

Watch this video of Pam's story and hear more from Pam sharing about misconceptions when it comes to fostering.

Learn more about being a foster or adoptive parent or supporting those who are in your community.

Meet kids awaiting adoption.

Please consider donating today to support our mission to dramatically improve the experiences and outcomes for kids in foster care.

Thank you for listening to this episode of The Foster Friendly Podcast. 

To sign up for our 2024 FosterCon Webinar Series, go to AmericasKidsBelong.org/lp/Fostercon-Webinars

If you would like to learn more about becoming a Foster Friendly Business or sponsoring the show, please visit AmericasKidsBelong.org/Foster-Friendly-Business

Nanette Kirsch, as the executive director of marketing and communications for America's Kids Belong (AKB), details her experience in tech marketing that contributed to spearheading AKB's marketing strategy. She delves into the idea of foster-friendly communities— underscoring that community support is vital to foster families. The discussion doesn't end there; it also sheds light on the Foster Friendly app. This innovative app bridges foster families with supportive entities: businesses, churches, and nonprofits offering discounts and backing. The end goal? To cultivate a sense of belonging plus bolstering support for foster families and ultimately enhancing experiences — even outcomes — for kids in foster care. Nanette discloses how individuals can emulate such models in their towns— thereby making a difference.

Thank you for listening to this episode of The Foster Friendly Podcast. 

To sign up for our 2024 FosterCon Webinar Series, go to AmericasKidsBelong.org/lp/Fostercon-Webinars

If you would like to learn more about becoming a Foster Friendly Business or sponsoring the show, please visit AmericasKidsBelong.org/Foster-Friendly-Business

The latest episode of the Foster Friendly Podcast is spent with Barry Farmer. He is not only an adoptive father but a strong voice for foster care and adoption advocacy. Barry walks us through his personal narrative — a tale of being raised under kinship care and later becoming a foster parent at quite a young age. Barry and hosts, Travis and Courtney, all represent transracial adoptive families and talk about their unique experiences and observations in this space, sharing a few laughs along the way. The difficulties and delights that come with transracial adoption are among the key points Barry delves into, underscoring the value of having a cultural grasp, which plays significantly into such adoptions. His discussion also touches on his advocacy initiatives as well as the support system he extends to fellow foster and adoptive families, thus painting a complete picture of his involvement within this space.

Barry sheds light on his journey as both a foster and adoptive parent: an exploration into some of the challenges and joys involved in raising older children from foster care— an often misconceived endeavor riddled with preconceived notions which, according to him, only serve to create unnecessary barriers between parents and these children who direly need love and affection. Farmer speaks about the importance of advocacy and speaking out for children in foster care who tend to be forgotten. He shares details about his radio show, the Barry Farmer Morning Show, as well as his involvement in community work that aims to provide support for foster care and adoption. Barry's inspiring story, positive life outlook, and light hearted observations will put a smile on your face as you listen.

Follow Barry on socials:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iambarryfarmer/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/barry.farmer.33

Learn more about America's Kids Belong and the many ways you can get involved.

Donate today to support our mission to dramatically improve the experiences and outcomes for kids in foster care.

Thank you for listening to this episode of The Foster Friendly Podcast. 

To sign up for our 2024 FosterCon Webinar Series, go to AmericasKidsBelong.org/lp/Fostercon-Webinars

If you would like to learn more about becoming a Foster Friendly Business or sponsoring the show, please visit AmericasKidsBelong.org/Foster-Friendly-Business