In this episode of the Foster Friendly Podcast, hosts Courtney Williams and Travis Vangsnes engage in a heartfelt conversation with Judy Wright, a foster parent who, alongside her late husband, fostered 55 children, many of whom were medically fragile. Judy focuses on telling the incredible story of fostering Jaden, a two month old medically fragile baby who Judy was told would not survive, born with severe complications and later found to have no pancreas.

Judy's story is a testament to the power of love, resilience, and the impact of fostering on both the children and the caregivers. She discusses the challenges and triumphs of caregiving and navigating the foster care system, emphasizing the importance of love and attachment in fostering. The conversation also highlights the significance of advocacy for children in care and the legacy of love through the John and Judy Wright Scholarship, aimed at supporting youth from foster care in their pursuit of education.

Buy the book "Just Hold Her" or book Judy to speak:
https://justholdher.com/index.html

Takeaways

• Judy and her husband fostered 55 children over 12 years.
• They were named Michigan Foster Parents of the Year in 2012.
• Judy's memoir is based on her experiences with a medically fragile child.
• Fostering can start with short-term or respite care.
• The importance of community support in caregiving.
• Breast milk was crucial for Jaden's survival.
• Judy faced significant challenges in caring for Jaden.
• The emotional connection between Judy and Jaden was profound.
• Jaden's diagnosis of being born without a pancreas was shocking.
• The journey of fostering is filled with both challenges and triumphs. I have no idea how long.
• This really is a miraculous story.
• NICUs are awesome, but they don't have time.
• This baby just never had that opportunity.
• Love gives you eyes.
• We don't get to decide where they land.
• You don't hold back on that attachment.
• Children deserve to have a voice.
• It's love in abundance.
• You need to advocate for them.

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, co-hosts Travis Vangsnes and Courtney Williams welcome Corey McKinney, a thought leader in peer pressure and bullying, to discuss his journey as a foster parent and mentor. Corey shares his experiences in basketball, the challenges of fostering, and the importance of instilling hope and structure in the lives of foster children. He emphasizes the need for patience and understanding in the foster care system, and the impact of mentorship on youth development.

The three also discuss the profound impact of foster parenting, particularly focusing on the challenges faced by foster parents and the importance of communication, love, and support for children in care. They explore the unique challenges of parenting teenagers, the prevalence of bullying among youth in foster care, and the critical role that male figures can play in providing stability and guidance. The discussion emphasizes the need for perseverance, understanding, and the power of love in helping foster children navigate their difficult circumstances.

Book Corey to speak at your event or lead a workshop. You can also grab a copy of his book!
https://www.coreymckinney.net/

Takeaways

• Corey McKinney is a thought leader in peer pressure and bullying.
• Basketball teaches valuable life lessons about teamwork and overcoming adversity.
• Corey's upbringing was influenced by a mentor who showed him the importance of discipline.
• Fostering was initially a reluctant decision for Corey, but he eventually embraced it.
• It's crucial to communicate with biological children about fostering to ensure a smooth transition.
• Foster children often come into the system due to circumstances beyond their control.
• Foster parents may face challenges, including the need to return children to the system.
• Creating a structured environment helps foster children develop essential life skills.
• Helping others is a vital lesson Corey instills in the children he fosters.
• Messages of love and support are crucial for children in the foster care system. Foster parenting is about providing a safe place for children to heal.
• Communication and patience are essential when working with teens.
• Setting consistent standards is crucial for behavioral improvement.
• Bullying can have severe consequences; children need to know they are not alone.
• It's important to address bullying from both perspectives: the victim and the bully.
• Male figures in foster care can have a significant impact on children's behavior and development.
• Fostering can start small, like respite care, to ease into the role.
• Everyone can contribute to helping children in foster care, even if not as foster parents.
• The ICE method can help children deal with bullying effectively.
• Love and support are vital for the success of children 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 of the Foster Friendly Podcast, hosts Courtney Williams and Travis Vangsnes welcome Shenandoah Chefalo, an author and advocate for trauma-informed systems change. Shenandoah shares her personal journey through foster care, emphasizing the complexities of grief and loss experienced by children in the system. The conversation explores the impact of systems on grief, the challenges of hyperindependence, and the importance of empowering children with choices.

Shenandoah also discusses her memoir as a tool for healing and the significance of curiosity in understanding children's behaviors. This episode highlights the need for a nuanced approach to supporting children in foster care, recognizing that healing is an ongoing journey. Shenandoah and the hosts discuss the complexities of the foster care system, emphasizing the importance of flexibility, community support, and understanding the unique needs of foster youth.

They explore how rules can sometimes hinder rather than help, and the necessity of fostering connections between biological and foster families. The discussion highlights the need for adults to recognize and honor the grief that children in foster care experience, advocating for a more compassionate and understanding approach to caregiving.

Pickup a copy of her book: "The Best Bunny: The Adventures of Lil Shen (and her inspirational sidekick, Bunny Best)"
https://a.co/d/0iA5k1Tm

Takeaways

• Shenandoah emphasizes the importance of moving from survival to stability and belonging.
• Grief in foster care is often overlooked and not addressed by systems.
• Hyperindependence can hinder the ability to accept help and support.
• Writing a memoir can help organize fragmented experiences and promote healing.
• Ambiguous loss affects children in care, as they miss their previous lives.
• Children in foster care often feel uncomfortable in new environments.
• Empowering children with choices can help them feel more secure.
• Curiosity about children's behaviors can lead to better understanding and solutions.
• The system often fails to address the grief of both children and workers.
• Healing is an ongoing journey, not a one-time event. Foster parents can push back on rigid rules for the benefit of the child.
• Community support is crucial for foster youth and their families.
• Flexibility in rules can lead to better outcomes for children.
• Children need to feel they are not disposable and that they belong.
• Behavior in children often stems from grief and loss.
• Foster care systems should encourage connections between biological and foster families.
• Adults need to be consistent and understanding in their approach to foster youth.
• Curiosity about a child's behavior can lead to better understanding and support.
• It is important to recognize that every child is unique and requires different approaches.
• Belonging should not be seen as a reward but a fundamental need.

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.