In this episode of the Foster Friendly Podcast, host Courtney Williams engages in a heartfelt conversation with her children Eli and Ayla about their experiences growing up in a large foster family. They discuss the emotional complexities of fostering, the dynamics of their family, and the lessons learned through their journey. The conversation highlights the importance of compassion, patience, and the challenges faced when welcoming new foster children into their home.

Eli and Ayla share their insights on the impact of fostering on their lives and the significance of family support in navigating difficult situations. In this conversation, Eli and Ayla share their experiences growing up in a foster and adoptive family, discussing the challenges and rewards of navigating sibling dynamics, the importance of community support, and their aspirations for the future. They emphasize the need for love, accountability, and family connections for children in foster care, while also providing encouragement for potential foster parents.

Checkout Courtney's Kindle book:
Navigating Foster Care with Your Children: A Support Guide to Help You and Your Family Through the Journey

In this episode of the Foster Friendly Podcast, Melissa Smallwood shares her profound journey through the foster care system, her experiences as a young mother, and the resilience she developed along the way. From her abrupt entry into foster care to the nurturing relationships that helped her thrive, Melissa emphasizes the importance of hope, support, and the impact of positive influences in the lives of children affected by trauma.

Her story serves as a testament to the power of resilience and the role of caring adults in fostering growth and healing. In this conversation, Melissa shares her transformative journey from engaging in high-risk behavior to becoming a dedicated advocate for young mothers and foster care. She emphasizes the importance of support systems, the impact of trauma, and the need for commitment in foster care relationships. Melissa reflects on her own experiences in foster care, the role of community support, and the significance of self-reflection for effective parenting. Her story highlights the power of resilience, education, and the importance of creating safe spaces for children in care.

Checkout: Melissa's coaching services for foster and adoptive families (Mending Hearts Coaching)

In this episode of the Foster Friendly podcast, hosts Brian, Travis, and Courtney discuss the challenges faced by foster parents, particularly the high attrition rates. They explore the emotional and systemic impacts of foster parent quitting on child welfare and the children in care. The conversation delves into the reasons behind these challenges, the importance of mentorship, and the need for support systems to help foster families navigate their difficult journeys.

They also discuss the challenges faced by foster parents, including feeling unheard and unsupported within the system. They emphasize the importance of community support and systemic changes to improve the foster care experience. The discussion also highlights the need for retention of foster families over recruitment, advocating for a more supportive environment. Practical advice is offered for both foster families and those who care about the issue, stressing the importance of asking for help and reassessing one's situation.

In this episode of the Foster Friendly podcast, our 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 Brian and Courtney engage in a heartfelt conversation with Danielle Coates, who shares her unique experiences growing up in a foster and adoptive family. Danielle discusses the challenges and joys of being a biological sibling to foster children, the feelings of invisibility and replacement she faced, and the importance of supporting biological kids in foster families. The conversation also delves into practical strategies for parents to engage their biological children in discussions about fostering and adoption, emphasizing the need for open communication and validation of their feelings.

Daniela Coats shares valuable insights on the experiences of biological children in foster care, emphasizing the importance of connection and visibility. She discusses the emotional challenges faced by these children, including feelings of invisibility and grief due to the transient nature of foster care. Daniela also introduces her children's book, 'The Day Lily Turned Uninvisible,' which addresses these themes and aims to foster understanding and empathy. The discussion highlights the need for community support and the significance of acknowledging the feelings of all family members involved in foster care.

Other Resources:

Checkout Daniela's org "With Siblings"- which exists to support the birth children in foster and adoptive families by equipping parents and professionals through training and resources.

Courtney's ebook: Navigating Foster Care with Your Children: A Support Guide to Help You and Your Family Through the Journey

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. Sharen Ford, a nationally recognized child welfare consultant with over 30 years of experience and Director of Foster Care and Adoption at Focus on the Family. Dr. Ford discusses the significance of public-private partnerships in foster care. Dr. Ford also 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.

Learn more about Focus on the Family's Foster Care and Adoption Program.

In this episode of the Foster Friendly podcast, hosts Brian, Travis, and Courtney discuss the realities of foster parenting, focusing on what foster parents don't need to do. They share personal experiences, emphasizing the importance of embracing imperfection, learning from failures, and providing stability for children in foster care. The conversation highlights the balance between generosity and realism, encouraging foster parents to create a nurturing environment without overwhelming children with excess.

In this conversation, the hosts discuss various aspects of foster care, emphasizing the importance of making informed decisions, understanding placement dynamics, and the challenges of adhering to traditional norms like birth order. They highlight the necessity of family support, the impact of past trauma on foster parents, and the reality that one does not need to be a savior or a stay-at-home parent to foster effectively. The discussion aims to debunk common myths and encourage potential foster parents to take the next steps in their journey.

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