In this episode of the Foster Friendly Podcast, host Brian and co-host Travis welcome Greg and Valerie, a couple who have made a significant impact in the foster care community. They share their journey of becoming foster parents, the challenges and joys of raising four adopted children, and the lessons learned along the way. The conversation touches on the importance of sibling relationships, the chaos of parenting, and the resilience required in foster care. Greg and Valerie emphasize the need for compassion and understanding in their home, creating a supportive environment for both their children and the foster kids that come through their doors. In this conversation, Greg and Valerie share their journey in foster care and advocacy, emphasizing the importance of community support and engagement. They discuss their experiences with fundraising, the role of faith in fostering, and how businesses can contribute to the cause. Their insights highlight the ripple effect of advocacy and the need for more families to step up and support children in need.

Takeaways

• Valerie is the driving force in their household.
• Fostering involves taking risks for the sake of children.
• Every yes to something means a no to something else.
• Horses teach us about beauty and unpredictability, similar to parenting.
• The couple went from zero to four children in under a year.
• Chaos in a large family can lead to happiness and bonding.
• Their children learned compassion through welcoming foster kids.
• The dynamics of fostering can be complex, especially with biological children.
• It's important to remember the trauma that foster kids have experienced.
• Creating a stable environment helps foster kids feel secure. Foster care requires community support and advocacy.
• Fundraising events can significantly impact foster care initiatives.
• Corporate support is crucial for fostering awareness and funding.
• Faith communities have a unique opportunity to engage in foster care.
• Normalizing foster care can encourage more families to participate.
• Building relationships is essential for successful foster care outcomes.
• Awareness is as important as recruiting new foster families.
• Foster care impacts various societal issues, including homelessness and mental health.
• Every individual can contribute to foster care in meaningful ways.
• The journey of fostering can be rewarding despite its challenges.

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

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

Meet kids awaiting adoption.

Join us in helping kids in foster care by donating $18 a month and change the lives of foster kids before they age out.

Visit AmericasKidsBelong.org and click the donate button to help us change the outcomes of kids in foster care.

In this episode of the Foster Friendly podcast, host Brian and co-host Travis welcome Kim Botto, an author and advocate for children in foster care and those with disabilities. They discuss the importance of trauma-informed care, the need for inclusive spaces in churches, and the role of hope and belonging in the lives of children. Kim shares her experiences and insights on how to create environments where every child can thrive, emphasizing the need for safe adults who believe in them. The conversation highlights practical strategies for churches and communities to better support children facing challenges, ultimately aiming to foster a sense of belonging and hope.

Takeaways

• Every child deserves to belong in a safe environment.
• Trauma-informed care is essential for supporting children.
• Churches need to change their mindset to be more inclusive.
• Hope is the expectation that something good will happen.
• Belonging is about being accepted for who you are.
• Children with trauma need safe adults who believe in them.
• Behavior is a form of communication for children in distress.
• Visual schedules can help children feel secure and prepared.
• It's important to connect with children before correcting their behavior.
• Creating inclusive spaces benefits all children, not just those with visible disabilities.

Checkout Kim's resources including her book and podcast:
https://kimbotto.com/

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

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

Meet kids awaiting adoption.

Join us in helping kids in foster care by donating $18 a month and change the lives of foster kids before they age out.

Visit AmericasKidsBelong.org and click the donate button to help us change the outcomes of kids in foster care.

In this episode of the Foster Friendly Podcast, host Brian Mavis and co-host Courtney Williams welcome Laura Mobley, who shares her extensive experience in the foster care and adoption space. They discuss the launch of the Fostering Front Door initiative, aimed at providing a curated resource for individuals interested in foster care. The conversation highlights the importance of community support, the differences between fostering and adoption, and the need for accessible information to guide potential foster parents on their journey.

They also discuss the challenges and needs of the foster care system, emphasizing the importance of providing resources and support for potential foster parents. They explore the necessity of creating a space for individuals to learn about fostering, the role of continuing education, and the significance of relationships in the lives of children in foster care. The introduction of FosterCon as an educational initiative is highlighted, along with the various support options available for those involved in the foster care system.

Foster Front Door website:
https://americaskidsbelong.org/lp/fostering-front-door-program

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

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

Meet kids awaiting adoption.

Join us in helping kids in foster care by donating $18 a month and change the lives of foster kids before they age out.

Visit AmericasKidsBelong.org and click the donate button to help us change the outcomes of kids in foster care.