In this episode of the Foster Friendly Podcast, hosts Courtney Williams and Travis Vangsnes speak with Scott Fuller, Vice President of Advancement at Murphy Harpst Children's Center. They discuss the organization's century-long commitment to caring for vulnerable children in foster care, Scott's personal journey into the field, and the innovative therapeutic programs offered, including equine therapy. The conversation highlights the importance of community support and the evolution of child welfare services in Georgia.

This conversation also delves into the complexities of congregate care and residential group homes, exploring the evolving landscape of child welfare. The speakers discuss the myths surrounding residential care, pros and cons of residential foster care settings, the importance of community in healing, and the challenges faced by youth transitioning to adulthood. They emphasize the need for supportive policies and community involvement to address the gaps in foster care and ensure that every child receives the love and attention they need to thrive.

In this conversation, Allison Ezell shares her journey into becoming a pediatric sleep consultant, driven by her experiences with her son Brooks, who faced significant sleep challenges due to trauma. The discussion delves into the complexities of sleep for children from trauma-impacted backgrounds, emphasizing the neurological aspects of sleep and the importance of a trauma-informed approach. Allison highlights the need for holistic solutions that consider emotional, physical, and nutritional factors affecting sleep.

The conversation also touches on practical strategies for parents to support their children's sleep, including the role of nutrition and the importance of creating a safe sleep environment. Allison discusses the importance of understanding children's nighttime needs, particularly in the context of foster care. She emphasizes the significance of connection, room sharing, and building confidence through backup plans. The discussion also covers adapting routines for summer and the vital role of a cheerleader in supporting children in foster care. Finally, Allison shares resources for parents seeking additional support and training.

Connect with Allison and her resources at Dwell Pediatric Sleep

In this episode of the Foster Friendly Podcast, hosts Brian, Courtney, and Travis explore the significance of play and humor in parenting, particularly in the context of fostering children who have experienced trauma. They share personal anecdotes about their own childhood experiences with play, discuss the psychological benefits of humor and play in building connections, and provide real-life examples of how these tools have helped them engage with children in their care.

The conversation emphasizes the importance of creating a safe and comfortable environment for children to express themselves and the transformative power of play in fostering emotional health. The hosts also explore the significance of humor and play in parenting, particularly in the context of fostering connections with children. Travis shares from a resource highlighting the fascinating parallels between humor and trauma on impacting the brain and of course where they diverge.

They talk about the importance of humor in child development and the therapeutic aspects of humor in relation to trauma. The conversation also delves into different types of play, the challenges of managing screen time, and the value of finding common interests to build relationships with kids. Ultimately, they emphasize that we'll often never fully know the lasting impact of small moments of connection and how these moments can be life changing.

In this episode of the Foster Friendly Podcast, hosts Travis and Courtney speak with Kim Swilpa, the Executive Director of New Jersey Angels. Kim shares her unique journey from the cosmetic industry to foster care advocacy, highlighting the challenges faced by youth aging out of the system.

The conversation also delves into the Dare to Dream program, which pairs mentors with youth to provide guidance and support, and the Love Box program, which offers assistance to foster families. The importance of normalcy for children in foster care is emphasized, along with the need for community involvement and volunteer support to strengthen foster care systems.

Learn how you can get involved and become part of the National Angels organization.

In this episode of the Foster Friendly Podcast, hosts Brian Mavis and Courtney Williams welcome Nicole Barlow, a former foster parent and health and wellness coach, to discuss the essential habits foster and adoptive parents need to adopt for their well-being. Nicole emphasizes the importance of self-care, nutrition, movement, and rest, explaining how these elements not only benefit the parents but also create a healthier environment for the children in their care. The conversation highlights practical strategies that parents can implement to improve their mental and physical health, ultimately leading to better outcomes for their families.

Checkout Nicole's podcast and coaching resources.

In this episode of the Foster Friendly Podcast, hosts Courtney and Travis engage with Abby Crooks, a veteran foster parent and founder of Fostering Faithfully. Abby shares her personal journey into foster care, the challenges and rewards of fostering, and the importance of community support for foster families. The conversation highlights the significance of celebrating foster children's birthdays and the emotional complexities of being a foster parent.

Abby emphasizes the need for realistic expectations and the importance of finding joy in small victories while navigating the foster care system. She shares personal experiences and insights on fostering, emphasizing the importance of balancing personal life with parenting, the role of play in family dynamics, coping with grief and emotions associated with fostering, navigating the foster care system, and the key messages from her book 'Simply Available'. She highlights the need for foster children to feel loved and supported, and the importance of self-care for foster parents.

Learn more about Fostering Faithfully and checkout their resources.

Checkout Abby's guest blog for AKB on trauma and parenting.

In this episode of the Foster Friendly Podcast, hosts Brian, Courtney, and Travis discuss the vital role of social workers in foster care, especially during Social Worker Appreciation Month. They explore the misconceptions surrounding social workers, the various roles of caseworkers, and the challenges they face.

The conversation emphasizes the importance of understanding and appreciating the work of caseworkers, fostering a collaborative relationship between foster parents and caseworkers, and recognizing the humanity in each other's roles. The hosts also discuss the things foster parents often feel and wish caseworkers understood better. The episode concludes with suggestions on how foster parents can show appreciation to their caseworkers, reinforcing the idea that they are all part of the same team working towards the best outcomes for children in care.

In this conversation, Michael Weitzman shares his profound journey from growing up in the foster care system to becoming an advocate for vulnerable children. Michael's faith in God became his lifeline as he faced some really difficult times in foster care. He discusses the challenges he faced, including a failed adoption, emotional struggles, and the impact of trauma on his life. Michael emphasizes the importance of mentorship and faith in his journey, ultimately finding purpose in serving others and sharing his story of resilience and hope.

He also shares more on the pain of abandonment and the ongoing impact of these experiences on his relationships and identity. He emphasizes the importance of community, mentorship, and the role of faith in healing. Michael discusses the complexities of navigating relationships with both biological and adoptive siblings, and the necessity of building connections to foster healing and transformation. He calls for greater engagement from the community to support foster children, highlighting that relationships are crucial for their development and well-being.

You can reach Michael at: maweitzman@icloud.com