The Riverside Project Podcast

Why do so many youth in foster care struggle at school? How does trauma impact educational outcomes? What can we do as a community to improve educational outcomes for our youth?

This episode features Crystal Coleman, the Foster Care Coordinator at Klein ISD, and Jackie McCoy, a Klein ISD Surrogate Parent. We discuss educational challenges, the impact of trauma, and opportunities to serve youth in foster care through the Surrogate Parent Program.

The Klein ISD Surrogate Parent Program is a program designed to ensure educational decisions occur for students that are found to be without a "parent," in the eyes of the law.

Find out more and get involved here .

Guests:

Crystal Coleman, Ed. D, Klein ISD Foster Care Coordinator

Jackie McCoy, Klein ISD Surrogate Parent

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

Promise Rose is a nonprofit residential treatment center in Houston, TX serving youth in foster care. In this episode, Program Director, Donte Abram, and Executive Director, Nikia Johnson, share about their work, and the challenges faced by the youth they serve. We also discuss ways our community can support these youth as they transition into adulthood.

Connect with Promise Rose RCH on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/promiseroserch/

The Riverside Project equips organizations like Promise Rose by providing trauma-informed training and an 8-week book study on Transforming Residential Interventions. We also connect these homes to local churches and other partnerships in the community who can support their staff and the youth they serve. Find out how you can get involved in serving organizations like Promise Rose by connecting with us through the links below!

Guests:

Donte Abram, Program Director, Promise Rose RCH

Nikia Johnson, Executive Director, Promise Rose RCH

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

In this episode, we explore the inner world of the child welfare system in Houston, including challenges faced by caseworkers, needs of families impacted by the system, and what it will take for children and families to thrive in our city.

Guests:

C.J. Broussard-White, DFPS Region 6A Regional Director

Leshia Fisher, DFPS Region 6B Regional Director

Resources:

The River (video)

Upstream by Dan Heath (book)

What to get involved? Connect with us!

Website: 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

In our first podcast, we break down the parable of the River and how it relates to issues facing Houston's child and family welfare system. Foster care isn't an isolated problem but is connected to many other social issues affecting our city. How does this reality change the way we work together to transform foster care in our communities?

In this episode we also discuss the power (and the challenge) of collaboration, the role of the Church in caring for vulnerable families, and how YOU can find your place along the River.

Guest: Jason Johnson, https://jasonjohnsonblog.com/

What to learn more? Connect with us!

Website: 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