Podcasts about Foster care

Send us a textDeko Harbi, Shannon Smith, and Tali Stone are former Alaska foster youth. All three recently visited the Capitol in Juneau as part of a trip organized by Facing Foster Care in Alaska. Facing Foster Care in Alaska is a nonprofit organization that provides foster youth and alumni opportunities to share their lived experience about life in foster care to raise community awareness and promote improvements in the system. This is this podcast's third episode featuring former foster youth; the first from 2023 was with FFCA co-founder Amanda Metivier and former state house representative Les Gara. The second was from 2024 with six former Alaska foster youth. The Alaska foster system depends on listeners like you becoming foster parents. To learn more about becoming a foster parent, click here or call 1-800-478-7307. Working for Alaska's office of children's services is an extremely challenging job, and that organization is filled with good people doing good work. The purpose of this podcast is not to demonize OCS, but rather to give these former foster youth the opportunity to share their stories from their own perspectives.Warning: today's episode contains frank discussions about child abuse, drug abuse, and suicide. If you or someone you know is thinking about suicide, call Alaska's suicide hotline: 988.

Today, I'm joined by the incredible DJ Noble, a former radio host, teacher, and long-time foster parent with a powerful 15-year journey that spans across Virginia and Kansas. In this episode, we're talking about the REAL side of foster care—the emotions, the relationships, the red tape, and the redemption. Together, we unpack: ✨ What it's like navigating two different state systems ✨ How to honor and embrace biological families ✨ The impact fostering can have on your own bio kids ✨ Practical advice for navigating relationships, grief, and growth DJ brings so much wisdom—not just from his professional background in sociology, urban affairs, and theology—but from living this life every single day. With his wife, Sanna, they've raised two biological sons and fostered dozens more. Right now? They've got three boys in their home and are still showing up with heart, humor, and purpose. This conversation is full of real talk, practical insight, and encouragement for anyone currently fostering or considering the call. Listen now to hear how DJ balances faith, family, and fostering—and why the way we view biological families could change everything. Check out DJ's podcast “Off The Grid” at www.IndiesCollective.com for more of his powerful voice and mission. ☕ Grab your coffee, get comfy, and let's dig in! XO, Christine Marie

Welcome back to the JT and Drew Show podcast! We are glad to have you back! Please click on the link below to get the full experience!https://linktr.ee/jtandrewshowThanks for stopping by and have a wonderful day!

State of Milwaukee foster care. The story of two Afghan refugees now living in Milwaukee, and the legal battle over refugee resettlement. A storefront that aims to reduce food waste and help farmers.

Khaya Osborne is a comedian currently working in Chicago, Illinois!

Click here to send us a topic idea or question for Weekend Wisdom.Do you suspect (or know) that your child was exposed to alcohol or drugs during pregnancy? We discuss tips for how to best work with these children with Dr. Robin Gurwitch, a professor at Duke University's Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences and the Center for Child and Family Health.In this episode, we discuss:How does prenatal exposure to alcohol or drugs affect children at different ages?Oftentimes adoptive, foster and kinship families may not know specifically if their child was exposed in pregnancy to alcohol or drugs? How can a parent determine if their child was prenatally exposed?What are some of the more common signs, symptoms, and behaviors a parent might see at different ages?Birth to age fiveElementary ageTweens and adolescenceYoung adultsParents, teachers, and other adults working with these children often don't think about prenatal exposure because of the lag in time between the exposure and when the more disruptive symptoms appear. At what age do you see parents and kids beginning to struggle more?What are some of the common misdiagnoses that these children receive?How do the attention and focus issues common with kids who have been exposed to alcohol and drugs differ from ADHD? Is ADHD medication effective to improve attention in prenatally exposed kids?Is it common for children with prenatal exposure to be uneven in their abilities? For example, average to above average in verbal skills but substantially below average in other areas.What do we mean by “executive function” or “higher level thinking skills” and how does prenatal exposure to alcohol and drugs impact this?We hear from parents that one of the most frustrating symptoms is not being able to learn from their mistakes. Doing the same thing even though they have been told not to. Not learning from cause and effect. Is this common with kids who have been exposed to alcohol and drugs during gestation?What are some practical tips for working with kids with prenatal exposure to help them thrive at home and at school?Support the showPlease leave us a rating or review. This podcast is produced by www.CreatingaFamily.org. We are a national non-profit with the mission to strengthen and inspire adoptive, foster & kinship parents and the professionals who support them.Creating a Family brings you the following trauma-informed, expert-based content: Weekly podcasts Weekly articles/blog posts Resource pages on all aspects of family building

This week, Anthony talks with Rob Henderson, author of the memoir 'Troubled,' which explores his experiences in foster care, family dynamics, and the impact of social class. Rob shares his journey from a challenging upbringing to achieving success through education and self-discipline, while also discussing the concept of luxury beliefs and their implications for society. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this week's episode of The 1 Girl Revolution Podcast, we welcome Darcy Olsen — powerhouse advocate, author, and founder of the Center for the Rights of Abused Children — a nonprofit organization dedicated to defending the rights of abused, abandoned, and neglected children. Darcy's journey is one of fierce determination, deep compassion, and relentless advocacy for our most vulnerable. A former foster mom, who adopted four of the children that she fostered, Darcy founded the Center after witnessing firsthand the injustices and systemic failures within the child welfare and family court systems. Her mission: to give children a voice, an advocate, and the opportunity to thrive. Darcy and her team have started a revolution that is dedicated to supporting children, their protection and safety, and their inalienable rights. The Center for the Rights of Abused Children works tirelessly to reform broken systems, pass life-changing laws, and fight for children's rights in court. In this episode, you'll hear:

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

Today Rachel is joined by friend Abby to talk about HEARTS AROUND THE TABLE series and foster care families on Hallmark Channel Pick up IF TOMORROW NEVER COMES using our affiliate link https://amzn.to/3G4GUX8 (ad) This episode is brought to you by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/hallmarkies and get on your way to being your best self (ad) Join us over on Patreon! http://www.patreon.com/hallmarkies Check out our merch: https://www.teepublic.com/stores/hallmarkies Send us your feedback at feedback@hallmarkiespodcast.com Or call +1 (801) 855-6407 Follow Rachel on twitter twitter.com/rachel_reviews Follow Rachel's blog at http://rachelsreviews.net Follow Rachel's Reviews on youtube https://www.youtube.com/c/rachelsreviews Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today's episode of Fostering Change, Rob Scheer sits down with another incredible “Good Human” — Tristian Smith. After losing his mother at the age of seven, Tristian entered the foster care system, where he experienced over 25 placements and attended 13 different schools. Despite these hardships, he never let his circumstances define him.Tristian shares the powerful story behind his memoir, Against All Odds, which chronicles his journey through the challenges of foster care and his path to becoming a voice for change.Now a retired U.S. Army Officer, Tristian continues to serve as a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA), a Foster Care Review Board Member, and a mentor to youth aging out of the system. His commitment to advocacy, mentorship, and reform is genuinely inspiring.

Author Mark Daley has shared his experiences fostering and what he learned along the way in the book Safe: A Memoir of Fatherhood, Foster Care and the Risks We Take for Family.

  Lisa Gitelson - The Fresh Air Fund: Because a Summer Can Last a Lifetime. This is episode 756 of Teaching Learning Leading K12, an audio podcast. Lisa Gitelson is the CEO of The Fresh Air Fund. Each year the nearly 148-year-old nonprofit invites about 3,000 low-income New York City-based children ages 8-18 to spend the summer swimming, rowing, hiking, and stargazing in Fresh Air Fund camps. Throughout Lisa's career in public service, as an attorney and child welfare advocate, she has been dedicated to addressing the needs of underserved youth.  Prior to joining The Fund, she was Assistant Executive Director/Legal Counsel for The New York Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NYSPCC). She is also an Adjunct Professor at Silberman School of Social Work, Hunter College, CUNY, where she teaches the Policy & Practice of Child Welfare.  As Assistant Executive Director/Legal Counsel for NYSPCC, Lisa identified legislation and other public policy issues that impacted the organization's work and developed an advocacy agenda to move public policy efforts forward.  Previously, she served as Associate Executive Director, Downstate, at the Council of Family and Child Caring Agencies (COFCCA) where she was responsible for bringing private foster care, juvenile justice, residential care and prevention services agencies together to coordinate advocacy efforts for the child welfare and juvenile justice systems. In this role, Lisa represented COFCCA member agencies in discussions with the Administration for Children's Services, the New York City Council and the New York State Office of Children and Family Services.    Prior to COFCCA, Lisa was the Director of Foster Care and Adoption Services at Sheltering Arms Children and Family Services. She began her career as an attorney representing foster care agencies before serving in multiple leadership and supervisory roles at the New York City Administration for Children's Services, Family Court Legal Services. Lisa is a graduate of Colgate University and has a JD from Washington University School of Law. Our focus today is The Fresh Air Fund. Awesome talk! So much to learn! Please share. Before you go... You could help support this podcast by Buying Me A Coffee. Not really buying me something to drink but clicking on the link on my home page at https://stevenmiletto.com for Buy Me a Coffee or by going to this link Buy Me a Coffee. This would allow you to donate to help the show address the costs associated with producing the podcast from upgrading gear to the fees associated with producing the show. That would be cool. Thanks for thinking about it.  Hey, I've got another favor...could you share the podcast with one of your friends, colleagues, and family members? Hmmm? What do you think? Thank you! You are AWESOME! Connect & Learn More: https://freshair.org/ https://x.com/FreshAirFund https://www.instagram.com/thefreshairfund/?hl=en https://www.facebook.com/freshairfund LGitelson@freshair.org Length - 32:10

There's no such thing as bad kid. There's no such thing as a bad adult. Although that doesn't stop us feeling bad right? Listen in as Matthew and I dive under our beliefs and trauma to see the inherent goodness at our core.Matthew McCall started at The Home in 1998 as a Child Care Worker. Matthew has held virtually every client serving role at The Home, from counselor, to clinician, program and department director, in both congregate care and community settings. For much of his career at The Home, Matthew served as an internal consultant to all The Home's programs, providing support and leadership during times of transition, challenge, growth, or reimplementation. In his current role he brings these skills to bear developing and supporting new programs, business lines, and initiatives for The Home. Matthew also oversees The Home's Family Support Programs, Foster Care and Adoption, Transition Aged Youth, and Therapeutic After-School Programs. Matthew has spent most of his professional career at The Home, working in a variety of their programs. He is a graduate of Curry College and Simmons School of Social Work, and is a professor of Social Work Practice at Simmons University and Bridgewater State University.https://www.linkedin.com/in/mmccallmsw/The Home for Little Wanderers helps build stable lives and hopeful futures for children who are abused, neglected or at-risk.Here's some more from their website:As the oldest child welfare agency in America, we have maintained our commitment to children since before the Civil War. Because every child deserves happiness, and no child should go through life alone.Each year, our community-based programs and residences meet the needs of more than 15,000 diverse youngsters and family members. These children are often society's most vulnerable, victims of trauma, violence or shattered family lives.We ensure their emotional, social, educational and physical well- being from birth to age 26 through a dedicated team of professionals and a wide range of critical services. As a result, disadvantaged kids have safe surroundings, loving relationships and a secure path toward tomorrow.Find out more athttps://thehome.org/https://www.facebook.com/thehomeforlittlewanderershttps://twitter.com/thehomeorghttps://www.instagram.com/thehomeforlittlewanderers/https://www.youtube.com/user/home271 Guests and the host are not (unless mentioned) licensed pscyho-therapists and speak from their own opinion only. Seek qualified advice if you need help.

Join Steph and Deaconess Dr. Tiffany Manor as they introduce this season's topic surrounding foster care and talk about why Christians have a special care for these children and families.   Resources: Email us at friendsforlife@lcms.org LCMS Life, Health and Family Ministries: lcmslife.org For resources on the family: lcmslife.org/family To learn more about Recognized Service Organizations of the LCMS: lcms.org/rso An LCMS Guide to Supporting Foster Families: https://lcmslife.org/resource/lcms-guide-to-supporting-foster-families/  Not all the views expressed are necessarily those of the LCMS; please discuss any questions with your pastor.

Dr. Thomas Engel joins Steph to talk about the concerns of children in child dependency and how Christians can make a big impact in caring for these children.   Bio: Dr. Engel has been a member of the LCMS at various churches since the age of 4. He is an Eagle Scout, an alumnus of the Virginia Military Institute, and a veteran of the U.S. Army. He has also worked professionally as an EMS paramedic and an industrial saturation diver. He has an MBA and is a Doctor of Human Services with a focus on the concerns of children in child dependency. He has served children as a Child Protective Investigator, Guardian ad Litem supervisor, case manager supervisor, member of Florida's Critical Incident Rapid Response Team, ICPC Deputy Administrator, ICAMA Deputy Administrator, foster parent, and adoptive parent. Resources: Email us at friendsforlife@lcms.org LCMS Life, Health and Family Ministries: lcmslife.org For resources on the family: lcmslife.org/family An LCMS Guide to Supporting Foster Families: https://lcmslife.org/resource/lcms-guide-to-supporting-foster-families/  Not all the views expressed are necessarily those of the LCMS; please discuss any questions with your pastor.

Send your thoughts, feelings, opinions and suggestions to 0892096423!As we discuss regularly in the news episode, there are lots of children in Ireland being let down by various systems and some of those children need a safe and caring home. That's where the foster care system comes in. Unfortunately there is a major shortage of foster carers in Ireland at the moment, so today I'm bringing you a chat with Eithne Larkin, Recruitment Lead with Origins Foster Care. Eithne has also been a foster carer herself for 23 years, so she is perfectly positioned to give us an idea of what kind of people make a good foster carer, and the impact it has on the lives of both the children and the carers. I found this conversation incredibly enlightening and moving, and I hope you do too. If you're interested in continuing the conversation, you can contact Origins Foster Care here, or contact Eithne on 0870529749.Get tickets to the live show in The Laughter Lounge on May 16th here!To support the podcast and access bonus episodes, join the community on Patreon here.Theme Song: HowDoILook, Pillow Queens Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this conversation, Arthur Hairston shares his journey in the behavioral health field, focusing on group homes and the challenges faced in providing care for at-risk Autistic youth. He discusses the complexities of Medicaid, the importance of family involvement in business, and the dynamics of running a group home. The conversation also touches on the challenges of educational rights for children in care, navigating parental rights, and the significance of staff retention in providing quality care. Arthur emphasizes the need for community services and plans to expand their impact. Watch the video of this conversation here! https://youtu.be/qji4Aign8_M   Continuing Education Credits (https://www.cbiconsultants.com/shop) BACB: 1.5 Learning IBAO:  1.5 Learning QABA: 1.5 General We also offer certificates of attendance! Follow us! Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/behaviourspeak/ Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/benreiman.bsky.social.bsky.social LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/behaviourspeak/ Contact: Arthur Hairston Strive Youth and Family Services https://striveyfs.org/ Arthur on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/arthurhairston/ Links: Dr, Shane Spiker https://www.linkedin.com/in/shane-t-spiker-phd-bcba-d-5bb34b50/ Dr. Nandi Nelson https://www.linkedin.com/in/nandi-nelson-phd-lcsw-bcba-d-a5a31b11a/ Behaviour Speak Podcast Episodes on Related Topics Episode  20 Consulting in Group Homes Using ACT with Monica Peters  https://www.behaviourspeak.com/e/episode-20-consulting-in-group-homes-using-act-with-monica-peters-mads-bcba/ Episode 40  Applications of Behavior Science to Foster Care, Runways The Homless and Bullying with Dr. Kim Crosalnd https://www.behaviourspeak.com/e/episode-40-applications-of-behaviour-science-to-foster-care-runaways-the-homeless-and-bullying-with-kimberly-crosland-phd-bcba-d/ Episode 48: Group Homes For People with Intellectual Disabilities with Dr. Christine Bigby https://www.behaviourspeak.com/e/episode-48-group-homes-for-people-with-intellectual-disabilities-with-christine-bigby-msw-phd/  

Click here to send us a topic idea or question for Weekend Wisdom.Are you considering adopting or fostering a child who was exposed prenatally to opioids or opioid-use treatment medication, such as Buprenorphine, methadone, and Suboxone? Are you a grandparent or aunt raising a child who was exposed? Join our discussion with Dr. Jennifer McAllister, the Medical Director of the NOWS Follow-Up Clinic at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center and the Medical Director of the University of Cincinnati Newborn Nursery.In this episode, we discuss:Terminology: What is the difference between opiates and opioids?What are the most common opioids being abused?What are the common treatment medications/drugs given to those with opioid use disorder? What are the brand names for these medications?How do these medications work?Are substance-use medications safe to use during pregnancy?What are the short- and long-term impacts on infants exposed to opioids?What are the short- and long-term impacts of infants exposed to opioid-use medications in pregnancy? Do the impacts differ?Does the dosage of opioid-use medications change the impact they have on the baby?What are the short- and long-term impacts of infants exposed to fentanyl in pregnancy?Is there a safer time for a fetus to be exposed to opioids or opioid-use medications in utero?Is it true that if the child is not born experiencing signs of withdrawal or with drugs in their system, the prognosis is better? Or conversely, if the child is born dependent and has to go through withdrawals, they will suffer more impact from in-utero drug exposure?How dangerous is drug dependency and withdrawal for the infant?How are Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS) and Neonatal Opioid Withdrawal Syndrome (NOWS) treated in babies?If a mom is taking opioid-use medications during her pregnancy, is it recommended that she breastfeed the infant to help with withdrawal? How long does withdrawal in an infant born dependent last?How do you foster attachment while the baby is experiencing withdrawal?You often hear that “early intervention is key” and that a baby's brain can be rewired during the first couple of years with the right treatments or therapy. What exactly does that therapy entail? What strategies should you be using at home with your child with a diagnosis of prenatal drug exposure?When a child has drug exposure and trauma, is it possible to tell the difference in what is causing specific problems, and is the treatment different depending on the cause?Are children who are exposed prenatally to any drug, but specifically to opioids, at a greater risk for substance abuse disorder as teens and adults if they were adopted and not raised in an environment that exposed them to drug use?What are the most common blood-borne diseases that women who have IV drug use?What is the risk to a baby whose mother has HIV or Hepatitis C?Support the showPlease leave us a rating or review. This podcast is produced by www.CreatingaFamily.org. We are a national non-profit with the mission to strengthen and inspire adoptive, foster & kinship parents and the professionals who support them.Creating a Family brings you the following trauma-informed, expert-based content: Weekly podcasts Weekly articles/blog posts Resource pages on all aspects of family building

Welcome back to the What to Expect While Fostering and Adopting podcast — a Christ-centered space for foster and adoptive moms navigating the complex, beautiful, and often messy journey of parenting children from hard places. I'm Christine Marie, an adoptive mom and certified Biblical mindset coach, and I'm so thankful you're here. In this powerful episode, I'm joined by Nicole Barlow — fellow adoptive mama of six, Host of Foster Parent Well podcast, TBRI® practitioner, and wellness coach — as we dive into the heart of trauma-informed parenting. Nicole shares her family's story of adopting through foster care and how Trust-Based Relational Intervention (TBRI) became the game-changer in helping her children heal. If you're new to TBRI, it's a trauma-informed, connection-centered parenting model designed to meet the needs of children who have experienced abuse, neglect, or trauma. It helps parents build trust, strengthen attachment, and bring safety and regulation to kids from hard places. Nicole offers practical tools, mindset shifts, and powerful encouragement for adoptive and foster moms who are feeling overwhelmed or unsure of how to help their children heal. Whether you're considering foster care, currently fostering, or in the thick of post-adoption life, this episode will bring hope, clarity, and a renewed sense of purpose. ☕ Now, grab your cup of coffee, get comfy, and let's dig in! XO, Christine Marie

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. 

Rob Henderson is author of Troubled: A Memoir of Foster Care, Family, and Social Class, a clear-eyed look at the foster care and adoption systems in America from someone who actually experienced it. He later went to Yale, where he ran face first into what he calls “luxury beliefs.”As he says, “instability is worse than poverty,” and we should spend a lot more time in America trying to piece back together the institution of the family.The Carousel is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thecarousel.substack.com/subscribe

Today, we're sharing some of our favorite tips and lessons we've learned along the way in our foster care journeys. After years of experience, we've picked up a few things that have helped us navigate both the challenges and joys of fostering. In this episode, we're chatting about the importance of staying flexible, building a solid support system, and rolling with the ups and downs. Whether you're just starting out, thinking about becoming a foster parent, or have been in it for a while, we hope this conversation encourages you. We're reflecting on what we wish we had known in the beginning, the little things that make a big difference, and those meaningful moments that remind us why this journey is so worth it.Episode Highlights: Foster Care Tips and TricksAdvice for New Foster Parents Find More on Hope Bridge:Questions about Foster Care? Set up a coffee date with a Hope Bridge Team Member Visit Our Website Follow us on InstagramFollow us on Facebook Foster Our Community Instagram This show has been produced by Adkins Media Co.

In today's episode of our Foster Care and Adoption series, Holly Ruge shares how the Lord brought her and her husband through their struggle of infertility to opening their home through foster care. It seemed like God took so long to answer but now he has filled their hearts and home with three sweet boys. If you are in the northwest suburbs of Chicago, check out Ruth Project and the ways they support foster and adoptive families. From monthly meals to kids clothing to moms night out and fun farm events, they love and care for our families so well! https://ruthproject.com/ I am a Connected Families certified parent coach offering small groups for moms, individual parent coaching, and workshops. To learn more, head to https://www.lyssastoyko.com/ Help other mamas find encouragement through Moms Take Ten by rating and reviewing this show. That would be a blessing to both them and me. Thank you for your time! Want to say hello? Follow me on Facebook and Insta @lyssastoyko Email me at momstaketen@gmail.com  

In Episode 241, Greg and Pam discuss pollen, clubbing, and knitting gifts. Many thanks to kbamr Keri for the episode introduction! She is the host of Knitting Needles and Stems and the designer behind Keri'd From Fleece. We would love to have YOU record and introduction to the show! You can find details in the Ravelry Group Pages or on our website here. Check out our group on Facebook! We would love to have you join us there. GIVEAWAY: Check out our MONTHLY giveaway just because our listeners are AWESOME! You can enter the monthly giveaway using this Google Form. SUPPORT THE SHOW KnitPicks & Crochet.com We are KnitPicks and Crochet.com (owned by KnitPicks) Affiliates! This means if you are going to shop at KnitPicks or Crochet.com, and start by clicking their names, the Unraveling Podcast will get a small commission at no extra cost to you! It's an easy way to support the podcast passively. (Note: links to specific yarns or products will appear like https://shrsl.com/3xzh0. These are correct and are custom links to track our account. They are safe!) Knitpicks Coupon Page * WeCrochet Coupon Page (Pam hasn't been able to find a page on crochet.com!) Patreon You can financially support Unraveling…a knitting podcast on Patreon! Monthly membership levels are available at Swatch ($1), Shawl ($3), and Sweater ($6) and come with rewards like early access to book club episodes, access to a quarterly Zoom call, discounts on all Knitting Daddy patterns, and holiday cards. Everything available via Patreon is extra, the show remains unchanged and free. Financial support through Patreon helps us cover expenses like web hosting, prizes, prize shipping, and equipment upgrades. NOTES Greg's Projects Greg finished his Multipass socks. Greg started working on a hat kit that he picked up at the Carolina Fiber Fest. Pam's Project Pam worked on a pair of Fish Lips Kiss Heel socks by Sox Therapist using Must Stash Yarn in the Must Match Set. Pam worked on a Bias Garter Scarf using KnitPicks Swish Worsted. No pattern. Pam is making this for the Foster Care to Success Red Scarf Program. Pam finished the Worsted Boxy by Joji Locatelli. She is using KnitPicks Gloss and KnitPicks Stroll Tweed. Pam started Recalibrate by Shana S. Cohen. She used PAKnitWit, Sarah Jordan's, blog postabout Recalibrate math. Book Club We continue the next book club book! We will be reading The Golden Thread: How Fabric Changed History by Kassia St. Clair. Share how you are will enjoy the book on social media with #UnravelingBookClub. Events It's here! It's time for the Knitting Bag of Tricks KAL. We will be working our way through Patty Lyons' Knitting Bag of Tricks and Knitting Bag of Tricks Workbook. You need both of these books together for the lessons! You can find ALL the details here. Miscellaneous We mentioned pollen a lot. Here is a picture of the Raleigh skyline with the pollen haze. Here is The Holderness Family fake movie trailer for The Pollening. Pam mentioned her friend Lauren Moore and her music. Pam mentioned the Netflix show Adolescence. Greg mentioned the Popeyes pickle menu. Greg mentioned Humble Bundle. Pam mentioned the app 5 Calls. Pam mentioned historian Heather Cox Richardson. She is on Facebook and Substack. Greg can also be found talking about knitting and playing Dungeons & Dragons at Crits and Knits, which you might consider nominating for The AuDIAs, in the “Best D&D Actual Play” category. Affiliate Link Disclousure We are a KnitPicks Affiliate! This means that if you click on a KnitPicks link or Crochet.com, or the banner ad and make a purchase, we will receive a commission at no extra cost to you. This post contains affiliate links. That means that if you click on a link to Amazon and subsequently make a purchase, we'll receive a small commission from the sale. You pay the same, and the commissions will help cover our podcasting expenses. Our opinions are always our own. Find us all over the Internet Patreon: Unraveling…a knitting podcast Subscribe in iTunes: The Unraveling Podcast Podcast RSS Feed: Unraveling Podcast Facebook: Unraveling Podcast Instagram: @UnravelingPodcast Ravelry Group: Unraveling Podcast Greg is KnittingDaddy on Ravelry, @KnittingDaddy on Instagram, and also writes the KnittingDaddy blog. Pam is pammaher on Ravelry  and @pammaher on Instagram

Click here to send us a topic idea or question for Weekend Wisdom.Question: Can you talk about how being transracially adopted effects how adoptee's children were raised? Both of my parents were transracially adopted and I don't feel like there's anyone else who can share this unique experience and I just want to understand better.Resources:Generational Impacts of AdoptionRaising a Child Through Transracial Adoption (Resource page)Suggested Books for Adults on Transracial AdoptionSupport the showPlease leave us a rating or review. This podcast is produced by www.CreatingaFamily.org. We are a national non-profit with the mission to strengthen and inspire adoptive, foster & kinship parents and the professionals who support them.Creating a Family brings you the following trauma-informed, expert-based content: Weekly podcasts Weekly articles/blog posts Resource pages on all aspects of family building

THE TIM JONES AND CHRIS ARPS SHOW 0:00 SEG 1 The Speaker's Stump Speech is brought to you by https://www.hansenstree.com/ and features Congressman Eric Burlison | Tariffs | Trump withdraws Elise Stefanik's nomination to be UN ambassador | Getting that one big beautiful bill down the road | Anna Paulina Luna | Medicaid spending | Paycheck Protection Act https://burlison.house.gov/ 19:11 SEG 2 Katie Reilly, executive director, Illinois Coalition for Legal Reform | TOPIC: Foster care reform | SB1696 and HB3138 were introduced to eliminate barriers for foster care providers to obtain insurance or maintain their current coverage. Without sufficient and affordable legal liability insurance, private, not-for-profit agencies caring for the majority of children in Illinois’ foster system cannot continue providing care. As a result, the state would have to take on the care of additional foster children, a task it does not have the capacity to do. This would disrupt the lives of thousands of children by displacing them from their homes and create a devastating foster care crisis, all to continue to allow frivolous lawsuits. https://icflr.org/ 34:19 SEG 3 Popeye and Steamboat Willie entered the public domain this year and there are already horror films out to capitalize https://newstalkstl.com/ FOLLOW TIM - https://twitter.com/SpeakerTimJones FOLLOW CHRIS - https://twitter.com/chris_arps 24/7 LIVESTREAM - http://bit.ly/NEWSTALKSTLSTREAMS RUMBLE - https://rumble.com/NewsTalkSTL See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

THE TIM JONES AND CHRIS ARPS SHOW 0:00 SEG 1 The Speaker's Stump Speech is brought to you by https://www.hansenstree.com/ and features Congressman Eric Burlison | Tariffs | Trump withdraws Elise Stefanik's nomination to be UN ambassador | Getting that one big beautiful bill down the road | Anna Paulina Luna | Medicaid spending | Paycheck Protection Act https://burlison.house.gov/ 19:11 SEG 2 Katie Reilly, executive director, Illinois Coalition for Legal Reform | TOPIC: Foster care reform | SB1696 and HB3138 were introduced to eliminate barriers for foster care providers to obtain insurance or maintain their current coverage. Without sufficient and affordable legal liability insurance, private, not-for-profit agencies caring for the majority of children in Illinois’ foster system cannot continue providing care. As a result, the state would have to take on the care of additional foster children, a task it does not have the capacity to do. This would disrupt the lives of thousands of children by displacing them from their homes and create a devastating foster care crisis, all to continue to allow frivolous lawsuits. https://icflr.org/ 34:19 SEG 3 Popeye and Steamboat Willie entered the public domain this year and there are already horror films out to capitalize https://newstalkstl.com/ FOLLOW TIM - https://twitter.com/SpeakerTimJones FOLLOW CHRIS - https://twitter.com/chris_arps 24/7 LIVESTREAM - http://bit.ly/NEWSTALKSTLSTREAMS RUMBLE - https://rumble.com/NewsTalkSTL See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Click here to send us a topic idea or question for Weekend Wisdom.Do your kids fight? Does it drive you crazy. Join us to learn some helpful tips for handling sibling rivalry and fighting. Our guest is Dr. Laura Markham, a clinical psychologist and author of several books, including Peaceful Parent, Happy Kids and Peaceful Parent, Happy Siblings: How To Stop the Fighting and Raise Friends for Life.In this episode, we discuss:Why do siblings squabble?How is sibling rivalry and sibling fighting a good thing for our kids?How to teach sharing?What are the warning signs that a sibling fight has gone beyond a useful tool for developing those skills? When do we step in to stop sibling squabbles?What's an effective way for parents to step into these sibling fights? How to handle rivalry based on one child thinking you favor the other?What about verbal aggression, name-calling, etc? A struggle common to kids impacted by trauma is a delay in emotional and social skill development. Identifying and managing internal discomfort can be challenging for our kids. Or all feelings are disproportionate to their situation (both bigger and smaller or shut down). Can you speak to what helps kids develop these skills outside the moments of conflict?What practical strategies can you offer to help parents cultivate satisfying, loving relationships between siblings? Would you offer a word about self-care for parents raising kids who fight all the time?Support the showPlease leave us a rating or review. This podcast is produced by www.CreatingaFamily.org. We are a national non-profit with the mission to strengthen and inspire adoptive, foster & kinship parents and the professionals who support them.Creating a Family brings you the following trauma-informed, expert-based content: Weekly podcasts Weekly articles/blog posts Resource pages on all aspects of family building

Today's chat dives deep into the nitty-gritty of parenting while navigating the complexities of autism and ADHD. Our guest, Christopher Wyatt, shares his personal journey of becoming a foster parent, which took a serious turn when his wife was diagnosed with cancer shortly after they welcomed their daughters into their lives. Instead of throwing in the towel, he emphasizes the importance of commitment, stating, “We signed up to be the best parents we could be, whether it was for a year or for a lifetime.” We get real about the emotional toll of foster care, the challenges of navigating medical decisions, and the struggle to advocate for kids who often come with a suitcase full of trauma. It's a heartfelt conversation about how neurodiversity can actually bring unique strengths to parenting, proving that love and support can thrive even amidst chaos. Takeaways: Navigating the foster care system is not just paperwork; it's an emotional rollercoaster that demands a solid support network. Autism and ADHD can actually complement parenting styles, especially in structured environments where routines are key. The impact of trauma on children in foster care is profound, often leading to complex emotional and developmental challenges. Awareness of autism has dramatically increased, yet many still underestimate the importance of tailored support for children with special needs.

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. 

The transition from foster care to adulthood still happens for thousands of young people each year. It's not easy anywhere, but perhaps nowhere tougher financially than places like New York City where the market rent is astronomically high and there is almost no vacancy. Daniel Heimpel, managing director of Good River partners, and Tony Turner. director of the Fair Futures Youth Advisory Board, join to discuss a new venture they are involved in to try and leverage different kinds of philanthropic support, and new approaches to affordable housing, to ensure that youth who exit foster care dont do so into treacherous living conditions and predicaments. Reading RoomYouth Launch Bold Strategy to End NYC's Foster Care to Homelessness Pipelinehttps://shorturl.at/usoOJFoster Youth Deserve Better Than Unsafe, Scary Housinghttps://imprintnews.org/youth-voice/foster-youth-deserve-better-than-unsafe-scary-housing/255986Foster Youth Often Struggle to Find Stable Housing. One New York City Nonprofit is Helping Meet the Need.https://imprintnews.org/top-stories/foster-youth-housing-new-york-city-nonprofit/251802

Jake and Megan Thomas join Pastor Jenaye in today's episode to share their journey through infertility, foster care, and adoption. They discuss how they learned to surrender their plans to God's timing and encourage believers to step into uncomfortable, vulnerable spaces while trusting His plan. The couple also shares how The Lily Initiative has been instrumental in supporting them through the challenges of foster care.thelilyinitiative.orgnexusfamilyhealing.org

In this episode I talk about snow white and it's disastrous Fox office. I also? Talk about. How in? 2. 1020? 4. Fiscal year chop protection services received 11 billion dollars annually across the country and 9.7 billion dollars to the foster care system. How we are paying taxes so that child protection services can take our children.

Click here to send us a topic idea or question for Weekend Wisdom.Question:  I wish I had known what to expect when a child with trauma hit the teen years. Maybe a book suggestion of what to expect or resources on what may show up and how to handle it. Puberty and the teen years have hit our family HARD. I also notice other families with adopted children going through the same or similar things. ~Rebecca from KansasResources:Therapy Resources for Adoptive, Foster, and Kinship FamiliesCenter for Parent and Teen CommunicationParenting in the Eye of the Storm: The Adoptive Parent's Guide to Navigating the Teen YearsSupport the showPlease leave us a rating or review. This podcast is produced by www.CreatingaFamily.org. We are a national non-profit with the mission to strengthen and inspire adoptive, foster & kinship parents and the professionals who support them.Creating a Family brings you the following trauma-informed, expert-based content: Weekly podcasts Weekly articles/blog posts Resource pages on all aspects of family building

On this episode Carol-Anne reacted to the story that Jeremy told on yesterday's podcast, about seeing an alcoholic Father drinking in public while caring for his 6 year old daughter. She said she used to pray to be taken into care because of her alcoholic Mother.

Hey, Light Shiners! I am joined by Jasmine, a foster youth who shares her experience. She also speaks to us about what it is like being a kinship caregiver herself!Watch the Video PodcastJoin me for the “Bring the Light to Truth Book Tour 2025!If you would like to be on the show, please sign up here

Click here to send us a topic idea or question for Weekend Wisdom.Why is kinship care important, and what are some of the challenges? Our guests are Gregory Jones, a granddad raising five grandkids from birth to now ranging in age from 9 to 12; Ana Beltran, an attorney, and director of the Grandfamilies & Kinship Support Network: A National Technical Assistance Center; and Erica Burgess, a social worker with over 25 years of experience in child welfare, specializing in kinship care.In this episode, we discuss:How common is kinship care throughout the US—both formal (child welfare involved) and informal?Grandparents raising grandkids or aunts and uncles raising nephews and nieces is often complicated and comes with a mix of challenges and blessings.What are some of the blessings?What are some of the challenges? Managing the relationship between the caregiver and the parents.What are some common challenges in this relationship?What are some common boundaries that need to be set in kinship care?Lack of preparation and training for raising kids who have experienced trauma, neglect, prenatal exposure to alcohol or drugs, etc.Lack of financial support.How can social workers and child welfare professionals make sure that kinship caregivers get the full extent of financial support?Access to resources. What are some typical resources that kinship caregivers should ask about and that child welfare agencies should consider providing?We see a significant variance between jurisdictions in social workers and child welfare professionals in the embrace of placing children with relatives.Why are some social workers hesitant to place kids with relatives?From an ethical perspective, why must social workers open their minds to looking for kin first when removing a child from their parents?Placing children with kin rather than the state taking custody. (Hidden foster care/kinship diversion)Legal considerationsEthical considerations with the hidden foster.Great resources:Grandfamilies & Kinship Support Network: A National Technical Assistance Center Grandfacts: State Fact Sheets for Grandparents and Other Relatives Raising ChildrenNCKinshipFamilies.org - Legal Permanency Options for NC Kinship Families websiteFree Kinship Legal Clinic Kinship Caregivers and the Child Welfare Systemhttps://www.childwelfare.gov/pubs/f-kinshi/Online Kinship Support Group - email tracy@creatingafamily.orgSupport the showPlease leave us a rating or review. This podcast is produced by www.CreatingaFamily.org. We are a national non-profit with the mission to strengthen and inspire adoptive, foster & kinship parents and the professionals who support them.Creating a Family brings you the following trauma-informed, expert-based content: Weekly podcasts Weekly articles/blog posts Resource pages on all aspects of family building

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 Episode 239, Greg and Pam nerdy movies, advocacy, and being prepared. Many thanks to talendawinters Talena for the episode introduction! She is the designer behind My Secret Wish Knitting. We would love to have YOU record and introduction to the show! You can find details in the Ravelry Group Pages or on our website here. Check out our group on Facebook! We would love to have you join us there. GIVEAWAY: Check out our MONTHLY giveaway just because our listeners are AWESOME! You can enter the monthly giveaway using this Google Form. SUPPORT THE SHOW KnitPicks & Crochet.com We are KnitPicks and Crochet.com (owned by KnitPicks) Affiliates! This means if you are going to shop at KnitPicks or Crochet.com, and start by clicking their names, the Unraveling Podcast will get a small commission at no extra cost to you! It's an easy way to support the podcast passively. (Note: links to specific yarns or products will appear like https://shrsl.com/3xzh0. These are correct and are custom links to track our account. They are safe!) Knitpicks Coupon Page * WeCrochet Coupon Page (Pam hasn't been able to find a page on crochet.com!) Patreon You can financially support Unraveling…a knitting podcast on Patreon! Monthly membership levels are available at Swatch ($1), Shawl ($3), and Sweater ($6) and come with rewards like early access to book club episodes, access to a quarterly Zoom call, discounts on all Knitting Daddy patterns, and holiday cards. Everything available via Patreon is extra, the show remains unchanged and free. Financial support through Patreon helps us cover expenses like web hosting, prizes, prize shipping, and equipment upgrades. NOTES Greg's Projects Greg finished The Candy Bag in preparation for the Carolina Fiber Fest. Greg finished a design project. Greg is working on his Multipass socks. Greg is fixing to start working on a hat kit that he picked up at the Carolina Fiber Fest. Pam's Project Pam worked on a pair of Fish Lips Kiss Heel socks by Sox Therapist using Must Stash Yarn in the Must Match Set. Pam worked on a Bias Garter Scarf using KnitPicks Swish Worsted. No pattern. Pam is making this for the Foster Care to Success Red Scarf Program. Pam worked on the Worsted Boxy by Joji Locatelli. She is using KnitPicks Gloss and KnitPicks Stroll Tweed. Pam wound yarn to start Recalibrate by Shana S. Cohen and Winding Road Hat by Tetiana Otruta. She also mentioned the Summerhill Hat and Cowl. Book Club We continue the next book club book! We will be reading The Golden Thread: How Fabric Changed History by Kassia St. Clair. Share how you are will enjoy the book on social media with #UnravelingBookClub. Events It's here! It's time for the Knitting Bag of Tricks KAL. We will be working our way through Patty Lyons' Knitting Bag of Tricks and Knitting Bag of Tricks Workbook. You need both of these books together for the lessons! You can find ALL the details here. Miscellaneous Pam mentioned the app 5 Calls. Pam mentioned historian Heather Cox Richardson. She is on Facebook and Substack. Greg wrote a Dungeons & Dragons dungeon delve that will be published by Goodman Games later this year or next year: Terror from the Underdeep His delve is called “Hammer Time,” not to be confused with MC Hammer, who is now a spokesman for 3M Command Strips. Greg can also be found talking about knitting and playing Dungeons & Dragons at Crits and Knits, which you might consider nominating for The AuDIAs, in the “Best D&D Actual Play” category. Affiliate Link Disclousure We are a KnitPicks Affiliate! This means that if you click on a KnitPicks link or Crochet.com, or the banner ad and make a purchase, we will receive a commission at no extra cost to you. This post contains affiliate links. That means that if you click on a link to Amazon and subsequently make a purchase, we'll receive a small commission from the sale. You pay the same, and the commissions will help cover our podcasting expenses. Our opinions are always our own. Find us all over the Internet Patreon: Unraveling…a knitting podcast Subscribe in iTunes: The Unraveling Podcast Podcast RSS Feed: Unraveling Podcast Facebook: Unraveling Podcast Instagram: @UnravelingPodcast Ravelry Group: Unraveling Podcast Greg is KnittingDaddy on Ravelry, @KnittingDaddy on Instagram, and also writes the KnittingDaddy blog. Pam is pammaher on Ravelry  and @pammaher on Instagram

Sharon Dunlevy is an educational advocate for children in foster care. It is her mission to bring the educational needs of children in foster care to the attention of those who can change policies and practices that would give more children in foster care the ability to succeed educationally, the foundation for their ability to succeed after leaving care. Her primary work includes training foster parents on the educational laws that affect children in foster care and how to use those laws to ensure these children graduate successfully. But Sharon is not just a trainer, she is also a speaker and influencer. She has recently participated in two speaking competitions with the intent of bringing attention to those needs, winning fan favorite in the second competition.Takeaways: The current foster care system inadequately supports half a million children, impacting their educational outcomes. Foster children often face significant challenges in graduating from high school or obtaining diplomas by age 18. Educational advocacy for foster children is crucial to breaking the cycle of trauma and lack of support. Understanding the laws surrounding education for foster children is imperative for foster parents to effectively advocate for their needs. The trauma experienced by foster children can severely hinder their self-esteem and ability to trust adults. Programs like the Family First Prevention Services Act provide essential resources to support youth transitioning out of foster care. Websitewww.sharondunlevy.comSocial Media Informationwww.linkedin.com/in/sharondunlevyShow Sponsor – National Association for Primary Education (NAPE)https://nape.org.uk/Discover more about Education on Fire

Even at a young age, we have the power to influence and shape the world around us. That's been true for Ella Brinen, a 19-year-old who's currently lobbying state lawmakers to pass a “foster youth bill of rights” based on her own experience in the foster care system. As a high schooler, she led student protests around gun violence. Today, we talk to her about the process of writing a bill, advice for aging out of foster care, and the moment when she realized she could use her voice for good.This episode was produced by Emily Siner.

In this powerful episode of InnerViews, Ivory Bennett sits down with Chaplain Dr. Kay Kizer — a trailblazing advocate and author — to discuss the realities of growing up in foster care, overcoming childhood trauma, and embracing the healing journey. Dr. Kizer shares her personal experiences navigating multiple foster homes and how those experiences led her to establish K's Carry On, a nonprofit dedicated to ensuring foster youth receive essential items and emotional support during transitions. This episode is a heartfelt exploration of resilience, faith, and the transformative power of purpose.

Peter Norris's father was a notorious bank robber who lived life on the run, dragging his boy across the country with him, until Peter refused to go with him one last time. It was the hardest decision he ever had to make.Peter Norris grew up on the run with his criminal father, Clarence 'Clarry' Norris.Every time Clarry was arrested, he would find a way out of custody and fulfil his promise of coming back to his son, and every time they reunited they would be off once more tearing across Australia.Peter climbed out windows at foster homes, and escaped group homes for boys to be with his dad, in Sydney, in Shepparton, Perth and Port Hedland.Until one day, his father came back to Peter when he had landed on his feet in the home of a beautiful foster family in regional Victoria.The faith the Dullards had in Peter gave him the courage to finally say "no" to his loving, caring, criminal, complicated dad.It was the hardest decision he ever made, but while desperately Peter wanted to be with his father, but didn't want to be him.It was the last time Peter ever saw his father. This episode of Conversations discusses family dynamics, origin stories, crime, criminality, theft, intergenerational trauma, foster care, abandoned children, group homes, remand centres, Baltara, homelessness, abuse, parenting, grief, closure, fatherhood, father son relationships.The Bank Robber's Boy is published by Simon & Schuster

Click here to send us a topic idea or question for Weekend Wisdom.Are your child's birth parents struggling with addiction, mental illness, or intellectual disability? If so, join us for this discussion with Teresa Bradley, a psychotherapist with over 17 years of experience in addiction counseling and mental health. She is a Master Addiction Counselor, Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapist, and clinical trainer at Amerigroup.In this episode, we discuss:Substance Abuse DisordersWhat are some of the challenges that adoptive or foster parents might expect to see when a birth parent is struggling with a substance abuse disorder (SAD) and not able to raise this child?How are those issues different for relative caregivers, like grandparents raising grandchildren? At what age should we start talking to the kids in our care about their parents' challenges with substance abuse? How do we bring it up? How do we decide what to share and when?How can parents address that emotional fallout and deal with their own expectations, triggers, or negative feelings about the birth parents' SAD?For relative caregivers, especially grandparents raising grandchildren, adding layers of guilt, shame, and disappointment.How might an open adoption relationship change across a birth parents' journey through SAD? How should adoptive parents approach openness in their adoption when SAD is a known issue?What do you suggest parents or relatives do to process their feelings? Mental Health Challenges or Intellectual DisabilitiesWhat are some of the specific challenges that adoptive or foster parents might expect when they are trying to support a child of parents with mental illness or intellectual difficulties?How can parents explain a birth parent's challenges to children? When? How?What are some of the questions kids might have but cannot voice?  How do we address a child's concern that they will “get” this mental illness without scaring the child?Is this a good reason to limit contact with birth parents?How might an adoptive or foster parent talk to children and youth about the birth parents' ability to connect or maintain a relationship? When a kinship caregiver has a pre-existing relationship with this birth parent, how do they talk about the challenges and how their relationship changes in light of their struggles? What other issues do we need to consider to maintain a relationship with the birth parents while keeping the child safe and feeling cherished and supported?Resources:How Do You Manage Relationships with Birth Parents with Substance Use Disorders? Open AdoptionSupport the showPlease leave us a rating or review. This podcast is produced by www.CreatingaFamily.org. We are a national non-profit with the mission to strengthen and inspire adoptive, foster & kinship parents and the professionals who support them.Creating a Family brings you the following trauma-informed, expert-based content: Weekly podcasts Weekly articles/blog posts Resource pages on all aspects of family building

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.

It's always special when we can welcome both a returning guest and a first-time guest who are making a real difference. Join our host, Rob Scheer, as he sits down with Kate Trambitskaya and Brian Rosenberg for an urgent and eye-opening discussion about how federal cutbacks are impacting youth in foster care, LGBTQ+ youth, and other vulnerable communities.Why This Episode Matters:Kate, who last joined us in May 2022, is a passionate advocate for children, women, and families. As CEO of Spence-Chapin Services to Families and Childre,, she has expanded programs supporting expectant women facing adversity, children in institutional care overseas, and adoptees and their families here in the U.S.Brian is the founder and executive director of GWK Academy Family Building, a non-profit spin-off of the beloved Gays With Kids community. Originally focused on supporting gay and queer men in their journey to parenthood, Brian is excited to announce that starting in March 2025, GWK Academy will support ALL family-building paths for ALL LGBTQ+ individuals!

Gertrude Chandler Warner's most well known writing is "The Boxcar Children." But that series is far from the only professional writing Chandler did – she made a career as a writer while also teaching elementary school for decades. Research: Abate, M.A. Not Hoovervilles, But Hooch: Gertrude Chandler Warner’s The Boxcar Childrenand The Roaring Twenties. Child Lit Educ 47, 257–266 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10583-016-9275-5 Braccidiferro, Gail. “The Boxcar Children: A Museum Caper.” New York Times. June 20, 2004. https://www.nytimes.com/2004/06/20/nyregion/the-boxcar-children-a-museum-caper.html Crowe, Chris. “Young Adult Literature: Rescuing Reluctant Readers.” The English Journal, vol. 88, no. 5, 1999, pp. 113–16. JSTOR, https://doi.org/10.2307/821799 Ellsworth, Mary Ellen. “Gertrude Chandler Warner and the Boxcar Children.” Albert Whitman & Company. Morton Grove, Illinois. 1997. Lindberg, Mary Anne. “Survival Literature in Children’s Fiction.” Elementary English, vol. 51, no. 3, 1974, pp. 329–35. JSTOR, http://www.jstor.org/stable/41387166 Meese, Ruth Lyn. “MODERN FAMILY: Adoption and Foster Care in Children’s Literature.” The Reading Teacher, vol. 66, no. 2, 2012, pp. 129–37. JSTOR, http://www.jstor.org/stable/23322722 Tolentino, Jia. “’The Boxcar Children and the Spirit of Capitalism.” The New Yorker. June 2, 2016. https://www.newyorker.com/books/page-turner/the-boxcar-children-and-the-spirit-of-capitalism#:~:text=The%20second%20time%20that%20Gertrude,and%20family%20and%20life's%20rewards. Warner, Gertrude Chandler. “The Box-Car Children.” Rand McNally. Chicago/New York. 1924. Accessed online: https://www.gutenberg.org/files/42796/42796-h/42796-h.htm Warner, Gertrude Chandler. “Good Americans: First Lessons for the Littlest Ones.” Educational Publishing Company. Boston. New York. London. 1926. Accessed online: https://books.google.com/books?id=gONow7KFCB0C&printsec=frontcover&source=gbs_ge_summary_r&cad=0#v=onepage&q&f=false Warner, Gertrude Chandler. “The House of Delight.” Pilgrim Press. 1916. Accessed online: https://www.gutenberg.org/cache/epub/62714/pg62714-images.html Warner, Gertrude Chandler. “Star Stories for Little Folks.” Pilgrim Press. Boston, Chicago. 1918. Accessed online: https://archive.org/details/starstoriesforli00warn/page/8/mode/2up Warner, Frances and Gertrude. “Life’s Minor Collisions.” Houghton Mifflin. Boston and New York. 1921. Accessed online: https://archive.org/details/lifesminorcollis00warnrich/page/n9/mode/2up See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Click here to send us a topic idea or question for Weekend Wisdom.Are you considering adopting a sibling group? Join us for this interview with Deborah Bass Artis, MSW and Senior Program Director of Foster Care to Permanency with Children's Home Society of NC.In this episode, we discuss:Why is it important to keep siblings together when placed for foster care or adoption?Advantages to adopting siblings.Special issues to considerThinking About Adopting a Sibling Group? Things to Consider FirstPractical Tips for Fostering a Sibling GroupIntegrating siblings with children already in the familyInvolve children already in the familyGet your support network in place before you adopt Suggested books for helping siblings understand adoption. Parentified childTips for handling a parentified child. Parenting Tips for a Parentified ChildOvercoming unhealthy dynamics from their pastOne child was the favorite in their previous family or families.Sibling rivalry When is it not a good idea to keep siblings together?Consider your motivation carefully- be honest with yourself and your partner about your desire to adopt a sibling group. Tips for parents adopting or fostering a sibling group Educate yourself before opening your home to a sibling group- it always helps to have realistic expectationsBe patient with yourselves and the children- it's a big adjustment for everyone.Develop your support system ahead of time.Take care of yourself. Spending time on things that are important to you is not selfish!If married, ensure your marriage/partnership remains strong- it is the foundation of your family's health.If single, maintain your friendships. You need to have a life outside of your children.Find individual time with each child in the family Pay attention to each child's interests and personality and create opportunities for those to grow. Don't treat the sibling group as a unit.Seek out professional support for the family when needed.Support the showPlease leave us a rating or review. This podcast is produced by www.CreatingaFamily.org. We are a national non-profit with the mission to strengthen and inspire adoptive, foster & kinship parents and the professionals who support them.Creating a Family brings you the following trauma-informed, expert-based content: Weekly podcasts Weekly articles/blog posts Resource pages on all aspects of family building