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.

In this episode of the Foster Friendly Podcast, host Courtney Williams and co-host Travis Vangsnes interview Erin Dooley, an award-winning screenwriter and filmmaker. Erin shares her journey from being a volunteer to becoming a foster parent and eventually creating the impactful short film 'Adopting Faith.'

The conversation delves into the themes of faith, family, and the importance of community support in foster care. Erin emphasizes that while not everyone can foster, there are many ways to help and support children in care. The episode concludes with Erin's hopes for the film and her encouragement for listeners to get involved in their communities.

Watch the film "Adopting Faith":

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, hosts Courtney and Travis speak with Jessica Mathisen, a former elementary school teacher and a foster adoptive mom. They discuss Jessica's journey into foster care and adoption, her experiences as a foster parent, and her recent children's book, No Matter Where I Go: God's Love for Kids in Foster Care, aimed at helping kids understand foster care.

The conversation delves into the misconceptions surrounding foster care, the challenges faced by foster families, and the importance of relationships and love in the healing process for children in care. Jessica emphasizes that while not everyone can be a foster parent, everyone can contribute in meaningful ways to support vulnerable children and families.

Follow Jessica and checkout her podcast and other resources:
https://www.jessicanmathisen.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 and co-host Travis engage with Mayor Tommy Allegood of Acworth, Georgia. They discuss his nonpartisan approach to leadership, the significant growth of Acworth under his tenure, and his commitment to enhancing the quality of life for all residents. Working alongside Georgia Kids Belong, Acworth became Georgia’s first official "Foster Friendly City" in 2023, with Mayor Allegood championing the commitment to recruit and retain enough foster families for every child in need in his community.

Mayor Allegood shares insights into his involvement with foster care initiatives, emphasizing the importance of community support and the role of local businesses in fostering a caring environment for children in need. The conversation highlights the need for unity and collaboration in addressing community challenges, particularly in the realm of foster care.

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, the hosts reflect on their first year of podcasting, sharing funny moments, inspiring stories, and the diverse topics covered. They discuss the motivations behind the podcast, the importance of community support, and the changes in the foster care system. The conversation emphasizes the need for advocacy and the impact of personal experiences in fostering.

Three episodes highlighted from their conversation:

Episode 33:
Teens Openly Share Their Experiences as Birth Children in a Foster Home with Eli and Ayla Williams

Episode 49:
A Foster Mom and Birth Mom Share Their Moving Story with Ashley Darrow and Selena Whitley

Episode 50:
Home Sweet Home: Ashley and Ashton Share About Their Journey to Reunification

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 engage with Congressman Greg Landsman, who discusses his advocacy for children and families, particularly those in the foster care system. Landsman shares his journey from local politics to Congress, emphasizing the importance of community support and early childhood education. He introduces his bill aimed at allowing foster care youth to use housing vouchers for on-campus living, highlighting the positive impact of community and belonging on educational success. The conversation explores the complexities of Congress, the importance of bipartisan support, and the need for consistent adult advocates in the lives of foster youth.

Learn more about Senator Landsman at house.gov or senate.gov

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.