In this lively conversation, hosts Brian, Travis, and Courtney discuss the movie 'Sound of Hope' and its portrayal of a church in Possum Trot, Texas, that adopted 77 kids. They share their personal reactions to the movie and highlight the importance of understanding the context and time period in which the story takes place.

They discuss the need for trauma-informed training and support for foster and adoptive families within churches. They also emphasize the significance of creating a community that embraces and supports these families. The hosts also engage in a conversation around practices and paradigms for churches that are crucial in supporting and retaining foster families well and holistically. They also talk about criticisms they've heard from peoples' experiences around churches that have failed to meet the needs of foster families and make them feel like they belong. The conversation concludes with recommendations for resources and training for churches interested in getting involved in foster care and adoption and caring for their people well.

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.

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

To sign up for our 2024 FosterCon Webinar Series, go to AmericasKidsBelong.org/lp/Fostercon-Webinars

If you would like to learn more about becoming a Foster Friendly Business or sponsoring the show, please visit AmericasKidsBelong.org/Foster-Friendly-Business

In this heartwarming episode of the Foster Friendly Podcast, hosts Brian and Travis interview Woody and Mindy Houser, an inspiring couple from South Dakota who specialize in caring for children with high-level medical needs. The Housers share their journey into foster care, which began after the stillbirth of their daughter and led them to adopt two children from Korea and eventually foster children with significant medical needs.

Woody and Mindy discuss the challenges and rewards of fostering medically fragile children, emphasizing the importance of flexibility and support. Their real estate and property management business provides the necessary flexibility to attend numerous medical appointments and provide the specialized care these children need. They highlight how their own children have been positively impacted by their foster siblings, developing compassion and a sense of responsibility.

The episode explores the Housers' experiences with various medical conditions, including genetic syndromes and the use of medical equipment like ventilators and feeding tubes. They also discuss the importance of building a strong medical team and the support they receive from healthcare professionals.

Woody and Mindy emphasize that you don't need a medical background to foster medically fragile children—just a willingness to learn and a big heart. They provide practical advice for prospective foster parents, including the importance of building relationships with medical professionals and leveraging community resources.

Throughout the episode, the Housers' dedication and love for their foster children shine through, offering valuable insights and inspiration for anyone interested in foster care, especially for children with special needs.

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

To sign up for our 2024 FosterCon Webinar Series, go to AmericasKidsBelong.org/lp/Fostercon-Webinars

If you would like to learn more about becoming a Foster Friendly Business or sponsoring the show, please visit AmericasKidsBelong.org/Foster-Friendly-Business

In this latest episode of the Foster Friendly Podcast, hosts Courtney and Travis are joined by Dr. John DeGarmo, a renowned foster care expert who has fostered over 60 children and is the director of the Foster Care Institute. Dr. DeGarmo is a global keynote speaker and foster care consultant, best selling author, and trauma informed presenter and trainer.

Dr. DeGarmo shares his extensive experience in the foster care system, highlighting the challenges faced by foster parents and the child welfare system. Dr. DeGarmo discusses the importance of both recruiting and retaining foster parents, noting that many foster parents leave within 18 months due to the overwhelming demands and lack of support. He emphasizes the need for comprehensive training for foster parents, particularly in handling mental health issues, which have surged among children during the pandemic and beyond.

The episode delves into the impact of the lockdowns on foster children, who lost access to essential support services, schooling, and in-person therapy. Dr. DeGarmo explains how these disruptions have exacerbated mental health issues and the importance of addressing these challenges to better support foster children.

Dr. DeGarmo also touches on the significant issue of social media and online safety, highlighting the vulnerability of foster children to online predators and the importance of training foster parents to navigate these dangers. Additionally, he discusses the systemic issues in the foster care system, including the high turnover rate of caseworkers and the need for better support and resources for both foster parents and children.

Throughout the episode, Dr. DeGarmo provides valuable insights and practical advice for fostering, underscoring the importance of community support and the role everyone can play in helping children in crisis.

Contact Dr. DeGarmo (for speaking and consulting) or access his vast array of resources in all things related to foster care.

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.

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

To sign up for our 2024 FosterCon Webinar Series, go to AmericasKidsBelong.org/lp/Fostercon-Webinars

If you would like to learn more about becoming a Foster Friendly Business or sponsoring the show, please visit AmericasKidsBelong.org/Foster-Friendly-Business