In this episode of the Foster Friendly podcast, hosts Brian Mavis and Courtney Williams interview Jenni Lord, founder of the nonprofit CHOSEN. Jenny shares her personal journey into the child welfare space, highlighting the importance of understanding trauma in foster care and adoption. She discusses the evolution of CHOSEN, its mission to support families, and the critical role of parental self-regulation in the healing process.

The conversation emphasizes the complexities of child removal and the need for ongoing education and support for families navigating these challenges. In this conversation, Jenni also discusses the evolving language around adoption and foster care, emphasizing the importance of understanding the grief children experience when separated from their families. She highlights the need for trauma education for parents and the significance of connection in the healing process.

Jenni shares insights into the services provided by CHOSEN, including telehealth support and individualized action plans for families. The conversation also features transformative stories of families who have benefited from these services, underscoring the universal need for connection in fostering healthy relationships.

Learn more about the services and resources offered at Chosen. 

In this episode of the Foster Friendly Podcast, hosts Travis Vangsnes and Courtney Williams interview Tracy Rudd, State Director of Colorado Kids Belong. Tracy shares her journey into foster care advocacy, the importance of recruiting foster parents, and the impact of the I Belong Project-which connects children in foster care awaiting adoption to families. 

The conversation delves into the challenges and triumphs of adopting teenagers, the significance of building a support system for foster families, and the need for systemic change in the foster care system. Tracy emphasizes the importance of community involvement and encourages listeners to open their hearts to foster care and adoption.

In this episode of the Fosterer Friendly podcast, Brian Mavis and Courtney Williams engage with Dr. Sharon Ford, a prominent figure in child welfare, to discuss the significance of public-private partnerships in foster care. Dr. Ford shares her extensive experience and insights on how collaboration between faith-based organizations and government agencies can lead to better outcomes for children in the foster care system. The conversation covers the roles of state and private agencies, the importance of community involvement, and the challenges faced by faith-based families in fostering. Dr. Ford emphasizes the need for prayer, informed decision-making, and active participation in fostering and adoption efforts.

Takeaways

In this episode, Travis and Courtney are joined by Sarah Boyd from Aqua-Tots. Aqua-Tots offers swimming lessons for children of all ages and abilities, with a focus on preventing drownings and building confidence. Sarah shares stories of how their program has made a life-saving impact on children and provided peace of mind for parents. Whether it's learning basic water survival skills or refining stroke techniques, Aqua-Tots Swim Schools aims to instill a lifelong love of swimming while prioritizing safety. She emphasizes the need for accessibility and the role businesses can play in supporting foster families. Courtney and Travis encourage other businesses to become foster friendly and provide opportunities for children in foster care.

Learn more about Aqua-Tots Swim Schools. 

In this episode of the Foster Friendly Podcast, hosts Courtney Williams and Travis Vangsnes discuss the critical issues surrounding foster care, particularly the high rate of burnout among foster parents. They are joined by Rebecca Harvin and Stacy Lasonde, who share their experiences and insights on the importance of support systems for foster families.

The conversation highlights the creation of Haven Retreats, Rebecca's nonprofit organization aimed at providing therapeutic retreats for foster and adoptive caregivers. The discussion delves into the emotional challenges faced by foster parents, the significance of addressing grief, and the need for community support, especially for biological children in foster families. Stacy shares personal stories of finding support from Haven (as a foster mom) as well as how Haven has provided support, rest, and encouragement to her whole family. The episode concludes with aspirations for expanding Haven's reach to support more families across the nation.

LEARN MORE about Haven Retreats:

Stats cited in this episode on foster parent attrition:

In this episode of the Foster Friendly podcast, hosts Brian Mavis and Courtney Williams engage with Cayela Moody, a passionate advocate for foster care and community support. Cayela shares her journey as a foster adoptive parent and her efforts to establish a foster-friendly community in Jacksonville, Florida. The conversation highlights the importance of support systems for foster families, the motivations behind choosing foster care, and the role of businesses in creating a supportive environment for foster families. Cayela emphasizes that even after closing their foster home, there are still opportunities to contribute to the foster care community through advocacy and mentoring.

 In this conversation, Cayela also discusses her efforts to support foster families in Jacksonville through the Foster Friendly initiative. She highlights the importance of community support, resource accessibility for caregivers, and the vision for a collaborative future in foster care. Cayela emphasizes the need for businesses to engage with foster families and the significance of providing resources to ease the burden on caseworkers. The conversation concludes with encouragement for individuals interested in fostering and advocating for children in care.

Learn more about Foster Friendly Communities. 

In this episode of the Foster Friendly podcast, hosts Brian and Travis welcome Emily Cole, co-owner of the Savannah Bananas, who shares her journey in fostering and the creation of their nonprofit, Bananas Foster. The conversation explores the joy of building a community, the emotional connection to foster care, and the importance of optimism in facing challenges. The three discuss the pressing issues within the foster care system, including the need for a waitlist of foster families, the challenges faced by current foster families, and innovative solutions to improve retention rates. 

Emily and Jesse have overcome so many obstacles in the creation and ongoing growth of the Savannah Bananas and so much of their mindset to innovate and not be afraid to try new things impacts ideas and dreams with their nonprofit. Emily discusses the mindset of 'prehab' versus 'rehab' and how they aim to change the narrative around foster care by celebrating families at their games. 

The Savannah Bananas are known for their brand of fun and lightheartedness and these are qualities the Coles bring to Bananas Foster as they seek to inspire people all around the country to support foster families or become a foster family. The Savannah Bananas currently have a wait list of 3 million to get tickets to their games and Emily has a vision for seeing a wait list for foster families ready to help kids in need. They explore the role of Bananas Foster in raising awareness and support for foster care, emphasizing the importance of community engagement and education. Emily shares insights on how they are working to create a supportive network for foster families, including initiatives like potassium care baskets and connecting with local organizations.

In this episode of the Foster Friendly Podcast, hosts Travis and Courtney, along with guest Bethany Hall, discuss the complexities of navigating the holidays for children in foster care. They explore the emotional challenges, the importance of managing expectations, and strategies for preparing both parents and extended family for the unique dynamics that arise during this time.

The conversation emphasizes the need for trauma-informed approaches and the significance of creating supportive environments for children. This conversation delves into the complexities of navigating holidays for families involved in foster care. It highlights the emotional challenges faced by children, the importance of preparing them for new experiences, and the need for understanding from extended family members. The speakers share personal anecdotes and practical strategies for creating a supportive environment during the holidays, emphasizing the significance of cultural heritage and empowering birth families. The discussion also touches on the role of education in fostering awareness and compassion within the community.

Visit Chosen.care to learn how Chosen’s services and training can make a difference in your family’s life.

In this episode of the Foster Friendly Podcast, host Brian Mavis is joined by his colleagues (who form the Executive Leadership Team), Nanette Kirsch and Phil Grizzle, to discuss the mission of America's Kids Belong (AKB) and the challenges faced in the foster care system. They emphasize the importance of family in improving outcomes for children in foster care and explore the persistent issues of recruitment and retention of foster families. The conversation highlights the need for community support, awareness, and innovative solutions like the I Belong Project, which aims to connect children in foster care with adoptive families through storytelling. 

This conversation also delves into the importance of fostering connections within communities to support children in need. It highlights the innovative approaches taken by AKB to build trust with child welfare systems, create memorable experiences for children, and engage various community sectors, including businesses and faith groups, to foster a supportive environment for families. The discussion emphasizes the need for recruitment and retention of foster parents, showcasing successful initiatives like Foster Friendly Communities and the impact of storytelling through videos on adoption. Lastly, there's also some really practical ways shared of how you can directly impact the lives of kids in foster care by supporting the mission of America's Kids Belong.

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.

Darius Kawewehi, a former foster youth, shares his experiences and insights on being in foster care. He was born and raised in Hawaii and grew up surrounded by the Hawaiian culture. Darius shares the story of his viral video in high school where he read a thank you letter to his adoptive mom. He then delves into his journey of entering foster care at the age of four, the uncertainty and confusion he felt, and the traumatic experiences he went through. He highlights the importance of finding stability and a sense of belonging in a family, which allowed him to start healing and envision a future for himself.

Dairius reflects on the pivotal moments in his life and the importance of belonging and support. He emphasizes the role of community in the lives of foster children, highlighting the impact of teachers, therapists, and coaches who provided love and guidance. Dairius also discusses the challenges of feeling like a transactional figure in some foster homes and the disruption of birth orders. He shares his vision of creating a mentorship program for current and former foster youth and the importance of creating a safe space for them to connect and heal.

Some short videos featuring Dairius on various topics:

What makes a good foster parent?

Forgiveness and finding hope

Thoughts around adoption

Healing from abuse and trauma

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.