The Riverside Project Podcast

Anytime there is news related to the border or a refugee crisis, we frequently hear this question: “How does our city serve unaccompanied minors and refugees that come to our country without their parents? Does this affect the foster care community?”

You may never have heard the term “international foster care” before, but this is a unique and important topic. You may be curious how the federal programs are run, how people can get involved, and how it’s different from domestic foster care.

This is why we’re really glad to have Krista Kesseler here to shed some light on the topic of serving youth through international foster care. Krista is the Community Outreach Specialist for the St. Jerome Emiliani Foster Care Program. In this episode, we dive deep into how international foster care works, how many children are served through international foster care in Houston, who it serves, and some practical ways we can get involved today.

Find the show notes and links to anything we discussed here: https://riversideproject.org/krista-kesseler-14

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This is not working. What do we do next? After several infertility treatments, Jennifer Clifford and her husband, Ryan, asked themselves this question. After a discussion and an informational meeting about foster care, they came to the conclusion that God was closing the door to biological children and opening the door to foster care, specifically for sibling groups.

Foster care came with its own ups and downs as they learned how to navigate the licensing process and the reality of emotions that came with temporary placements. As they reflected on their first placement, they had to ask the question if they were willing to continue to foster in spite of the heartache they knew was a part of this journey.

In this episode, Jennifer shares her journey becoming a foster parent and the lessons she learned, the realities of reunification, and how they transitioned to becoming adoptive parents.

We’re really grateful to share Jennifer’s story of stepping into foster care and then adoption. Many people reach out to The Riverside Project to find out more about becoming foster parents, and we hope this episode can be a resource to those still considering if foster care is the place they are being called to along the River.

Find the show notes and links to anything we discussed here: riversideproject.org/2023/08/07/jennifer-clifford-13

Connect with us!

Website: https://riversideproject.org

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the.riverside.project

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/riversideproject.htx

Many thanks to Nathan Cadis Media for the production of this podcast!

https://www.nathancadismedia.com

There's a place for everyone in supporting children and families here in Houston. That's something we believe firmly here at The Riverside Project. Today, we have the opportunity to share our conversation with Luevenia Chapman, co-founder and Program Director for Hearts with Hope Foundation, a local general residential operation (GRO) that provides treatment services for girls ages 7-23.

She not only has a passion to provide high-quality, trauma-informed care for the girls in their care, but she is also passionate about raising up and supporting other residential care providers and leaders across our city.

In this episode, we discuss the importance of listening and collaboration, why there's a place for everyone in this work, the most significant challenge Hearts With Hope has faced since COVID-19, the deep challenges children in care are experiencing, and so much more.

We’re really grateful for Luevenia's leadership in this space! We hope this episode inspires you to learn more and find your place along the River.

Find the show notes and links to anything we discussed here: http://riversideproject.org/2023/06/29/luevenia-chapman-12/

Connect with us!

Website: https://riversideproject.org/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the.riverside.project/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/riversideproject.htx/

Many thanks to Nathan Cadis Media for production of this podcast!

https://www.nathancadismedia.com/

Healing happens in the context of relationship. As Dr. Bruce Perry says, “Relationships matter: the currency for systemic change is trust, and trust comes through forming healthy, working relationships. People, not programs, change people.” Programs and services for children in foster care are helpful, but when it comes to producing long term healing, the programs that help youth and families access healthy and stable relationships will be far more effective than those that do not.

In this episode, Judge Susan Brown and Judge Dena Fisher share with us about Houston PEARLS, a strong and dedicated support system for young ladies between the ages of 14-18 who are in the foster care system. Through Houston PEARLS, each young lady receives two mentors to support their success, and, along with their mentors, they participate in bi-monthly meetings, community service projects, and other fun activities.

There are so many ways for our community to get involved with Houston PEARLS! If you want to learn more about serving as a mentor, becoming an ambassador, donating a meal, or offering a resource or activity, please reach out to Martha Michals at [email protected].

Guests:

Judge Susan Brown, Presiding Judge, 11th Administrative Judicial Region of Texas

Judge Dena Fisher, Associate Judge, 315th District Court, Harris County

Connect with us!

Website: https://riversideproject.org/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the.riverside.project/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/riversideproject.htx/

Many thanks to Nathan Cadis Media for production of this podcast!

https://www.nathancadismedia.com/

Extended relatives, such as grandparents, aunts/uncles, cousins, and even close friends (referred to as “fictive kin”) have always been a stabilizing force in the family system. These relationships have historically been, and are still today, a vital source of safety and permanency for children.

In this episode, Dr. Valerie Jackson shares how Monarch Family Services got started as a child placing agency providing specialized support for biological families and kinship (relative) caregivers. We discuss how the needs of kinship families (relative caregivers) differ from typical foster families and why additional support is needed to keep these families intact.

Want to learn more about kinship care and how you can support families in your community? Visit our Kinship Support page, read through the Kinship Family Resource Guide, or connect using the links below!

Guest:

Dr. Valerie Jackson

https://monarchfamilyservices.com/

Connect with us!

Website: https://riversideproject.org/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the.riverside.project/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/riversideproject.htx/

Many thanks to Nathan Cadis Media for audio and video production of this podcast!

https://www.nathancadismedia.com/

We know from ACEs (Adverse Childhood Experiences) research that child abuse, neglect, and household dysfunction are linked to increased risk for poor social, emotional, and physical health outcomes. The Division of Public Health Pediatrics at Texas Children's Hospital was established in 2015 to prevent and mitigate childhood adversities and to provide care for our community’s most vulnerable children.

Dr. Christopher Greeley and Diane Kaulen join us to discuss the medical and mental/behavioral challenges experienced by families involved with the foster care system. We also explore how trauma affects physical health, and how our community can work together to ensure that our city's most vulnerable children can access the resources they need to thrive.

Guests:

Dr. Christopher Greeley, Chief of Public Health Pediatrics Division, Texas Children's Hospital & Vice Chair of Community Health, Baylor College of Medicine

Diane Kaulen, Sr. Community Initiatives Coordinator, Texas Children's Hospital

https://www.texaschildrens.org/departments/public-health-pediatrics

Connect with us!

Website: https://riversideproject.org/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the.riverside.project

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/riversideproject.htx

Many thanks to Nathan Cadis Media for audio and video production of this podcast!

https://www.nathancadismedia.com/

"Hope is found near the ground, in close proximity to the struggle."

In this episode, Nanette Lynch and Clint Wylie with Kingwood Methodist Church tell the story of how their church began serving kids and families involved with the foster care system, and how their ministry has evolved over time. We also discuss the joy of saying "yes" to hard things, and what motivates them to keep showing up for kids in their community.

Guests:

Nanette Lynch, Oasis Ministry Leader, Kingwood Methodist Church

Clint Wylie, Missions Pastor, Kingwood Methodist Church

https://kingwoodmethodist.org/

Connect with us!

Website: https://riversideproject.org/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the.riverside.project/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/riversideproject.htx/

Many thanks to Nathan Cadis Media for audio and video production of this podcast!

https://www.nathancadismedia.com/

What could it look like to raise the standard of care from "better to nothing" to "excellence" for vulnerable children and families who are involved with the child welfare system?

In this episode, Tara Grigg Green (founder and Executive Director of the Foster Care Advocacy Center) shares how FCAC is providing high-quality, multidisciplinary legal representation for youth and families across the city of Houston. We also discuss some of the gaps we see in our current system and what our community can do to help youth and families stabilize and stay together.

Fun fact: Tara and Amber both graduated from Jersey Village High School AND were both JVHS cheerleaders. Go Falcons!

Guest:

Tara Grigg Green, Executive Director, Foster Care Advocacy Center

https://www.fcactexas.org/

Connect with us!

Website: https://riversideproject.org/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the.riverside.project

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/riversideproject.htx/

Many thanks to Nathan Cadis Media for audio and video production of this podcast!

https://www.nathancadismedia.com/

The Church is called to be in the place where the world is in pain. We often hear from church leaders that they recognize the need and deeply desire to support vulnerable families within their congregations and in their communities, but they just don't know where to start.

In this episode, Toni Steere, Director of Legacy 68:5 at Houston's First Baptist Church, shares how their ministry is standing in the gap for families across Houston. We also discuss how other churches can get equipped to care for families in their communities and work together to serve our city.

The Riverside Project equips churches to 1) identify and support vulnerable families within their congregations, 2) mobilize their congregations to serve their neighbors, and 3) collaborate with other churches and stakeholders to maximize their impact. Want to get your church involved? Visit riversideproject.org and submit a contact form!

Guest:

Toni Steere, Director of Legacy 68:5 at Houston's First Baptist Church

https://houstonsfirst.org/the-loop/ministries/adoption-foster-orphan-care

Connect with us!

Website: https://riversideproject.org/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the.riverside.project/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/riversideproject.htx/

Just a few decades ago it was believed that children who experienced extreme abuse and neglect suffered damage to their brain that was irreparable. We now know that damage caused by traumatic experiences can be healed over time through the context of loving, stable, healthy relationships. In other words, trauma that happens in relationship must be healed in relationship.

In this episode, we discuss the impact of trauma as well as the hope that comes through healing in the context of relationship. Our guest, Kimberly Glaudy, explains how Trust-Based Relational Intervention (TBRI) facilitates this healing process by providing a framework to help children and families thrive.

Want to learn more? The Riverside Project offers a 3-part TBRI Training for Professionals twice a year. Registration for next training is NOW OPEN! Visit riversideproject.org.

Guest:

Kimberly Glaudy, LMFT, Karyn Purvis Institute of Child Development (TCU)

Connect with us!

Website: https://riversideproject.org/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the.riverside.project/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/riversideproject.htx/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCS-AQj5kiuRGxteswDwbnPA