In this episode of the Foster Friendly Podcast, hosts Courtney Williams and Travis Vangsnes discuss the critical issues surrounding foster care, particularly the high rate of burnout among foster parents. They are joined by Rebecca Harvin and Stacy Lasonde, who share their experiences and insights on the importance of support systems for foster families.

The conversation highlights the creation of Haven Retreats, Rebecca's nonprofit organization aimed at providing therapeutic retreats for foster and adoptive caregivers. The discussion delves into the emotional challenges faced by foster parents, the significance of addressing grief, and the need for community support, especially for biological children in foster families. Stacy shares personal stories of finding support from Haven (as a foster mom) as well as how Haven has provided support, rest, and encouragement to her whole family. The episode concludes with aspirations for expanding Haven's reach to support more families across the nation.

LEARN MORE about Haven Retreats:

Stats cited in this episode on foster parent attrition:

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 Brian Mavis and Courtney Williams engage with Cayela Moody, a passionate advocate for foster care and community support. Cayela shares her journey as a foster adoptive parent and her efforts to establish a foster-friendly community in Jacksonville, Florida. The conversation highlights the importance of support systems for foster families, the motivations behind choosing foster care, and the role of businesses in creating a supportive environment for foster families. Cayela emphasizes that even after closing their foster home, there are still opportunities to contribute to the foster care community through advocacy and mentoring.

In this conversation, Cayela also discusses her efforts to support foster families in Jacksonville through the Foster Friendly initiative. She highlights the importance of community support, resource accessibility for caregivers, and the vision for a collaborative future in foster care. Cayela emphasizes the need for businesses to engage with foster families and the significance of providing resources to ease the burden on caseworkers. The conversation concludes with encouragement for individuals interested in fostering and advocating for children in care.

Learn more about Foster Friendly Communities.

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 Brian and Travis welcome Emily Cole, co-owner of the Savannah Bananas, who shares her journey in fostering and the creation of their nonprofit, Bananas Foster. The conversation explores the joy of building a community, the emotional connection to foster care, and the importance of optimism in facing challenges. The three discuss the pressing issues within the foster care system, including the need for a waitlist of foster families, the challenges faced by current foster families, and innovative solutions to improve retention rates.

Emily and Jesse have overcome so many obstacles in the creation and ongoing growth of the Savannah Bananas and so much of their mindset to innovate and not be afraid to try new things impacts ideas and dreams with their nonprofit. Emily discusses the mindset of 'prehab' versus 'rehab' and how they aim to change the narrative around foster care by celebrating families at their games.

The Savannah Bananas are known for their brand of fun and lightheartedness, and these are qualities the Coles bring to Bananas Foster as they seek to inspire people all around the country to support foster families or become a foster family. The Savannah Bananas currently have a wait list of 3 million to get tickets to their games and Emily has a vision for seeing a wait list for foster families ready to help kids in need. They explore the role of Bananas Foster in raising awareness and support for foster care, emphasizing the importance of community engagement and education. Emily shares insights on how they are working to create a supportive network for foster families, including initiatives like potassium care baskets and connecting with local organizations.

Find out all the ways you can get involved supporting the mission of Bananas Foster.

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 Travis and Courtney, along with guest Bethany Hall, discuss the complexities of navigating the holidays for children in foster care. They explore the emotional challenges, the importance of managing expectations, and strategies for preparing both parents and extended family for the unique dynamics that arise during this time.

The conversation emphasizes the need for trauma-informed approaches and the significance of creating supportive environments for children. This conversation delves into the complexities of navigating holidays for families involved in foster care. It highlights the emotional challenges faced by children, the importance of preparing them for new experiences, and the need for understanding from extended family members. The speakers share personal anecdotes and practical strategies for creating a supportive environment during the holidays, emphasizing the significance of cultural heritage and empowering birth families. The discussion also touches on the role of education in fostering awareness and compassion within the community.

Visit Chosen.care to learn how Chosen’s services and training can make a difference in your family’s life.

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 is joined by his colleagues (who form the Executive Leadership Team), Nanette Kirsch and Phil Grizzle, to discuss the mission of America's Kids Belong (AKB) and the challenges faced in the foster care system. They emphasize the importance of family in improving outcomes for children in foster care and explore the persistent issues of recruitment and retention of foster families. The conversation highlights the need for community support, awareness, and innovative solutions like the I Belong Project, which aims to connect children in foster care with adoptive families through storytelling.

This conversation also delves into the importance of fostering connections within communities to support children in need. It highlights the innovative approaches taken by AKB to build trust with child welfare systems, create memorable experiences for children, and engage various community sectors, including businesses and faith groups, to foster a supportive environment for families. The discussion emphasizes the need for recruitment and retention of foster parents, showcasing successful initiatives like Foster Friendly Communities and the impact of storytelling through videos on adoption. Lastly, there's also some really practical ways shared of how you can directly impact the lives of kids in foster care by supporting the mission of America's Kids Belong.

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.

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.

Darius Kawewehi, a former foster youth, shares his experiences and insights on being in foster care. He was born and raised in Hawaii and grew up surrounded by the Hawaiian culture. Darius shares the story of his viral video in high school where he read a thank you letter to his adoptive mom. He then delves into his journey of entering foster care at the age of four, the uncertainty and confusion he felt, and the traumatic experiences he went through. He highlights the importance of finding stability and a sense of belonging in a family, which allowed him to start healing and envision a future for himself.

Dairius reflects on the pivotal moments in his life and the importance of belonging and support. He emphasizes the role of community in the lives of foster children, highlighting the impact of teachers, therapists, and coaches who provided love and guidance. Dairius also discusses the challenges of feeling like a transactional figure in some foster homes and the disruption of birth orders. He shares his vision of creating a mentorship program for current and former foster youth and the importance of creating a safe space for them to connect and heal.

Some short videos featuring Dairius on various topics:

What makes a good foster parent?

Forgiveness and finding hope

Thoughts around adoption

Healing from abuse and trauma

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.

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, Courtney and Brian interview Marcy Bursac, founder of the Forgotten Adoption Option, about her experience with foster care adoption. Marcy shares her personal journey of adopting two siblings from foster care and the challenges she faced along the way. She also discusses the need for more awareness and support for foster care adoption and how she started the Forgotten Adoption Option to provide resources and guidance to prospective adoptive parents. The conversation highlights the importance of intentionality, perseverance, and the power of sharing personal experiences to inspire and educate others. The conversation also explores the barriers and challenges of adopting through foster care.

Marcy Bursac shares her perspective on the universal barriers that adoptive parents may face, including fear, stigma, and difficulties with the system. She emphasizes the importance of self-reflection and addressing personal wounds before embarking on the adoption journey. The conversation also highlights the two main categories of children in foster care: those with the goal of reunification and those waiting for adoption. Marcy encourages prospective adoptive parents to remember their why and be open to where the need is. The episode concludes with a discussion on the importance of getting licensed and being ready to help when the opportunity arises.

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.

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.

Jamie and Adriana Howard share their adoption journey of becoming an instant family of six through foster care. They initially planned for domestic infant adoption but felt drawn to foster care and older children. They emphasize the importance of learning as they go and being open to trying new strategies when it comes to parenting. They highlight the uniqueness of each child and the need to adapt parenting approaches accordingly. The Howards also discuss the significance of preserving sibling bonds and the sense of identity and stability it provides for children in foster care.

They unpack their experience of adopting four siblings and the importance of keeping siblings together in foster care. They discuss the challenges and rewards of parenting a sibling group and the unique bond that develops between siblings who have experienced similar hardships. Jamie and Adriana emphasize the need for support from the community and the power of having other adults in the children's lives. They also highlight the gratitude and resilience of their children and the transformative impact of the adoption journey.

Short video on the Howard's going from zero to four kids instantly and another video about their adoption journey.

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.

Stats cited in this episode HERE:

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.