Foster Care: An Unparalleled Journey

I'm a wife and a mom of 9 beautiful children. 7 of which are biological siblings that we spent two and a half years working the foster care system to bring home. Shortly after that we welcomed another adoption of a sweet baby girl. It has been 4 years since that process was finalized and we are still figuring things out. We are a God-loving, big, biracial family that loves to share our story. Foster Care: An Unparalleled Journey Find All Our Links Here https://linktr.ee/fostercarenation Support Our Mission https://www.buymeacoffee.com/fostercare https://patreon.com/fostercarenation Website https://fostercarenation.com Connect with us on our Facebook Page https://facebook.com/7timedad Connect on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/fostercarenation/

Janine Porter has owned and operated Georgia Hope, Inc. formally Georgia Youth Network, Inc. from April 1998 to the present. She taught Mathematics (her other passion) in the public school system for 5 years. Ms. Porter has a Master's in Mathematics Education and is working on her MBA. Ms. Porter has successfully owned, with her family, and operated the Computer Camp (summer education camp program) in Freeport NY from 1986 through 1997. The family business and the camp program have since expanded and is still running successfully in NY along with a residential shelter, the Sunshine Residence. Ms. Porter now lives in Conyers, GA with her 7 children. Ms. Porter is the foster parent of one child, the adoptive parent of two children, the guardian of one college student, and the birth parent of three children. Ms. Porter is the legal guardian of one adult child. Georgia Hope Inc Foster Care: An Unparalleled Journey Find All Our Links Here https://linktr.ee/fostercarenation Become Part of Foster Care Nation https://www.buymeacoffee.com/fostercare https://patreon.com/fostercarenation Website https://fostercarenation.com Connect with us on our Facebook Page https://facebook.com/7timedad Connect on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/fostercarenation/

Riana Milne, CCTP, Cert. Global Life & Relationship Coach; Riana Milne is a Certified, Global Life & Love Trauma Recovery Coach, a Cert. Clinical Trauma & Addictions Professional, a Certified Mindfulness Coach, #1 Bestselling author, the Host of her Podcast called Lessons in Life & Love™, an Educational Speaker, and Licensed Mental Health Counselor for over 21 years living in Palm Beach County, Florida. She was also a Life & Dating Coach for the Docu-Series; Radical Dating – Finding Lasting Love Over 40 (and her client is now happily married!). Riana specializes in helping those who have had past Childhood or Love Relationship Trauma to Heal, Transform & Thrive; leading them to Create the Life They Desire and to Have the Love They Deserve! She offers Coaching programs for both Singles & Couples globally through her LifeandLoveTrainingAcademy.com Riana's 5-star rated books; the #1 Bestseller, LOVE Beyond Your Dreams – Break Free of Toxic Relationships to Have the Love You Deserve - and - LIVE Beyond Your Dreams – from Fear and Doubt to Personal Power, Purpose, and Success addresses Life Difficult Transitions, Personal Transformation, The Mindset for Success, and having Loving Conscious Relationships with yourself and others. Riana's FB fan page is https://www.facebook.com/CoachRianaMilne and her websites are https://www.RianaMilne.com and find her podcast https://www.LessonsinLifeandLove.com Riana's website is: www.RianaMilne.com where you can download sample chapters of her two books, and arrange to meet with her for a private, Life & Love Transformation Discovery Session & Assessment. Email: [email protected] Amazon Author's page & books: http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B00J7CCT3I 1) Free Love Tests & Chapter downloads of both my books; LIVE & LOVE Beyond Your Dreams 2) Free eBook on this topic: Why 9 out of 10 People Suffer in Life & Love 3) Get a Personal Life & Love Transformation Discovery Session & Assessment for only $47 if your mention this interview (a $500 value) _____________________________________________________________________ www.RianaMilne.com FB: Coach Riana Milne Foster Care: An Unparalleled Journey Find All Our Links Here https://linktr.ee/fostercarenation Become a Member of Foster Care Nation https://www.buymeacoffee.com/fostercare https://patreon.com/fostercarenation Website https://fostercarenation.com Connect with us on our Facebook Page https://facebook.com/7timedad Connect on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/fostercarenation/

Katie Nall, Ph.D., creates long-lasting change in the lives of the people in her audience. A sought-after speaker for colleges and universities, non-profit organizations, and private events, Dr. Nall brings a relatable and calm demeanor to her topics of expertise. During her dissertation research on ways for students to excel in Mathematics (especially adults returning or starting college), Dr. Nall was particularly interested in helping students overcome fear, phobia, and stress-related to math class and math tests. In 2010, she learned of the Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT or tapping) and began offering the process to students who were open to the different approach. Students reported they passed math class, earned 100% on a math exam, and found math easier. It was at this time that she began serious training in EFT and became a Certified Practitioner in EFT. Dr. Nall now shares this knowledge not only with math students, but with others who struggle with stress, fear, phobias, and anxiety. Her TEDx talk (https://hi.switchy.io/NoMoreFear) highlighted the technique resulting in clients all over the world. Dr. Katie Nall's Links Dr. Nall's website Dr. Nall on Linked In Foster Care: An Unparalleled Journey Find All Our Links Here https://linktr.ee/fostercarenation Patreon https://patreon.com/fostercarenation Website https://fostercarenation.com Connect with us on our Facebook Page https://facebook.com/7timedad Connect on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/fostercarenation/

Daniel Hall is a former foster youth with a twist. He and his wife became foster parents and now they have 6 kids ages 5, 8, 10, 11, 17, and 20. They have dealt with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS), Level 2 Autism, Reactive Attachment Disorder (RAD), Post Traumatic Stree (PTSD), and Oppositional Defiance Disorder (ODD). If you would like to connect with Daniel Hall, you can find him all over on Linked In RIGHT HERE! Foster Care: An Unparalleled Journey Find All Our Links Here https://linktr.ee/fostercarenation Patreon https://patreon.com/fostercarenation Website https://fostercarenation.com Connect with us on our Facebook Page https://facebook.com/7timedad Connect on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/fostercarenation/

Sheila Duncan Bio www.troublethedog.net Creating a business and bringing an idea to life is a labor of love. When Sheila Duncan's niece was 12, she found herself surrounded by adversity losing three family members to cancer in a very short time. This devoted aunt suggested they sit down together and write a book about it. The result was the creation of a gutsy, huggable, inspiring character named - Trouble. The first book, "Here's Trouble" was such a success that a Trouble plush toy was created, handcrafted of superb quality right here in the USA. Sheila also developed Trouble-inspired jewelry, and T-shirts and is working on an animated children's television series…but the best part of this story is what Trouble represents to children all around the world. The message behind the first storybook is that kids today are pressured at school and deal with issues such as poverty, homelessness, abuse, divorce, illness, bullying, and more. Quite simply - Trouble helps kids deal with whatever is troubling them. Trouble The Dog gives them someone to hug. When children pick Trouble up, they hug him and smile and don't want to put him down. Often, children whisper into Trouble's ear first and then feel confident to speak to a teacher, parent, or counselor about what is troubling them. Kids can feel Trouble's positive energy. Just watch a child interact with Trouble and you'll see for yourself. A second book is "Where There's Trouble, There's Hope." The book introduces a new character – a little puppy named Hope. It's a sweet story that inspires children to always have hope and to believe in themselves and in their dreams. The newest book in the series "Trouble's In Trouble!!!" gently reminds kids that it's important to talk about their emotions … and a brand new tiny spark of light named Clarence helps them do just that. Sheila and Trouble The Dog have been featured on CNN's American Journey, MSNBCs Your Business as a Socially Conscious toy; https://www.openforum.com/videos/socially-conscious-stocking-stuffers-made-by-female-entrepreneurs/; North Shore Magazine's Top Women Entrepreneurs, Martha Stewart Finalist for "Made in America", Magic 106.7's Exceptional Women Entrepreneurs, Broadcast interview on Radio Entrepreneurs and Success Magazine's "Seniorpreneurs" series. Testimonials from parents, teachers, and families attest to the fact that Trouble and his posse of pups are needed in this upside-down world more than ever before. Trouble the Dog on Facebook Trouble the Dog on Instagram Trouble on Twitter Trouble's Website Foster Care: An Unparalleled Journey Find All Our Links Here https://linktr.ee/fostercarenation Patreon https://patreon.com/fostercarenation Website https://fostercarenation.com Connect with us on our Facebook Page https://facebook.com/7timedad Connect on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/fostercarenation/

My name is Laura Hernandez. My husband, Tony, and I are raising our ten amazing children in the Dallas area. In the past four and a half years we have added six new children to our family... three biologically and three through adoption. Going from four to ten kids was hard work. And, on top of having a large family, we are also not your "typical" family. We have three kiddos in public school, we are homeschooling five kids, and - with three kiddos having special needs - we have over 20 appointments weekly. I read many books on homeschooling schedules, large family logistics, and family dynamics; but I found over and over again that nothing that was already out there was fully relevant to our family! I had to figure out what worked for US and I had to do it myself. Books didn't have the perfect answers. How could we manage all of our logistics and have-tos and make time to intentionally instill the ideals that our family values? It took me years to develop systems and life hacks to keep our family running and organized. But after creating systems that helped our family run smoothly, it reduced my daily workload and my house became a place of peace... yes, even with 10 kids! ​Out of these years of hard work, Mama Systems was born. I want to save other Mamas the pains I went through to figure it out on my own. I want to bring more peace to their homes by coaching them through ideas, schedules, incentives, chores, and delegating. Mama Systems Mama Systems Website Mama Systems on FB Mama Systems on IG Foster Care: An Unparalleled Journey Find All Our Links Here https://linktr.ee/fostercarenation Patreon https://patreon.com/fostercarenation Website https://fostercarenation.com Connect with us on our Facebook Page https://facebook.com/7timedad Connect on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/fostercarenation/

This week we are sharing a webinar that we hosted recently. It is all about the process of becoming a foster parent, and the questions that you might have. We hosted this project in hopes that people who are interested in the idea of becoming foster parents could find some information to help them start on their journey. If you would like to watch the video you can see it on our website, you can watch it here: Click to watch the whole video on the website!

Faith was born in Liberia and became an orphan at a young age. As a child she suffered from : the horrors of war poverty hunger life in an orphanage trauma She was adopted into a family in America and she has been changing the world ever since Faith's Links Find her on Social Medial @liftallvoices Subscribe to her podcast https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/lift-all-voices/id1527897706 See how she is changing the world https://thelappaproject.org Foster Care: An Unparalleled Journey Find All Our Links Here https://linktr.ee/fostercarenation Patreon https://patreon.com/fostercarenation Website https://fostercarenation.com Connect with us on our Facebook Page https://facebook.com/7timedad Connect on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/fostercarenation/ Jason Palmer 0:01 Wait, stop, hang on, don't hit the jump ahead button yet. I get it, I do the same thing, skip over the commercials, right. But this one is kind of timely, it's real quick, if you're listening to this when it comes out on February 9, on the 18th, here in just nine days, a week and a half or so ahead, we're going to have a webinar upcoming about how to become a foster parent. So if you're interested, listen up to what we have to say here and just go to the website at foster care nation.com. And there is actually a sign up button right there on the website for you. So if you're interested, listen in. If not, go ahead and jump ahead, get past it, I get it. Foster Care nation. Listen up, we have some exciting news to share. We're going to offer up our first ever webinar, if you've ever been curious about what it takes to be a foster parent and help kids in hard places. Join us on February 18, at 5pm Central for our free no obligation webinars, we're going to share our hard earned knowledge and experience with anyone who has ever wondered about helping kids from hard places. If you're interested, go to foster care nation.com and sign up for our newsletter. This is where you can get the details and the links to join us so that you'll be able to ask any questions you have in the question and answer section. Now, I know what you're thinking, webinar, free, no obligation webinar, it sounds like there's a sales pitch at the end. I've listened to a lot of webinars guys, I know what you're thinking, I don't have anything to sell you. I don't have anything to sell you. I promise I don't have anything to sell you today. But what we are going to do is try and support you and help you join us in our mission to help kids. And if that's what you're interested in, come see us. I promise you, we're not selling anything today, we're just going to offer up our experience our knowledge, and try and help some people who are interested in helping kids. As you can tell in the background. I have some kids, they're here, they're noisy. And I'm not even going to try and quiet them down at this time. Because I'm not going to get that done. They're wound up out there. But you know what they're happy. And that's what we're looking for. We're just trying to provide a safe place for kids to try and help them to some of their traumas, some of their things and make the world a better place. And if you want to join us on that mission, we welcome you to show up February 18, at 5pm Central. Like I said, foster care nation.com sign up for the newsletter. And that's where you'll have all the information. Thank you so much. Foster Care nation, listen up. This is Unknown Speaker 2:32 foster care and Jason Palmer 2:39 string for the powerless courage for the fearful hope and healing for wounded hearts. Welcome back to foster care. And I'm parallel journey with Jason and Amanda. Today, we have faith with us. I don't mean faith, like necessarily faith in religion or God. I mean, faith. I'm gonna give this a shot here. He hosszu Yeah, nevermind, I had it in my head earlier, eco Zilla or say, Allah to save faith, because you'll get it much more right than me. Faith 3:23 Well, you try give you that. So it's pronounced a field? What? Kinda Unknown Speaker 3:31 are you doing today? Faith 3:33 Oh, I'm doing great. I'm doing good. Thank you for asking. Jason Palmer 3:36 That's great. You know, I was listening to a podcast after podcast because I drive for living as a lot of people know. And so I spent a lot of time on the road. And I'm always looking for new podcast and yours popped up and I said, oh, let's check this out. This is interesting. And your story just kind of blew me away. I mean, just the simple fact that even in talking to you, we have to have to really think to figure out how many siblings you have. Because your foster parent or your adoptive parents have been a foster adoptive home for a number of years. And I think at the time, I heard you talk a while back, you were somewhere around 10 siblings. I know now it's up to like 17 or 18. But what a story, you know, for somebody who came out of out of Liberia, and has turned her life around and is now talking about it on her own podc

Sarah's Intro As a parent to a young adult who was adopted through foster care and also is the parent that goes through attachment interviews and experienced supervised visits and phone calls with a child at a residential facility, I am uniquely poised to discuss what it is like to be the observer and observee in parent/child interactions. Professionally, I'm a Certified Parent Coach® whose passion is helping families with children who have experienced trauma or struggle with attachment. I started The Foster Lane Parent Coaching in 2016. My goal: Use coaching to help others avoid some of the parenting challenges my own family faced. I've spent over 1,500 hours researching trauma, children's brain development, parenting strategies, and foster and adoptive parenting. I successfully completed the graduate-level Parent Coach Certification program through the Parent Coaching Institute®, have completed the initial training in Theraplay™, and continue to attend conferences on trauma-informed parenting. We talked about Sarah and her wife's story, and their journey to becoming parents. Things we talked about on this episode: attachment styles, how they are formed, and how they affect us today. ACE's Reaction vs. Response Training your brain to regain control Creating Cooperation vs. Compliance Mindset shift Sarah's Links The FosterLane Website @thefosterlane on all Socials Book Recommendations The Power of Showing Up by Dr. Dan Siegel The connected child by Dr. Karyn Purvis The Connected Parent by Dr. Karyn Purvis The Explosive Child By Dr. Ross Greene Foster Care: An Unparalleled Journey Find All Our Links Here https://linktr.ee/fostercarenation Patreon https://patreon.com/fostercarenation Website https://fostercarenation.com Connect with us on our Facebook Page https://facebook.com/7timedad Connect on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/fostercarenation/

We talked with Sherianna Boyle about the emotional needs of foster kids and foster parents as well! Sherianna Boyle has been featured in over ninety-articles, her Emotional Detox Radio Show on healthylife.net is in the top five, her revolutionary method (CLEANSE Method®), Emotional Detox Coaching® services giving her worldwide recognition. Yet, Emotional Detox was not her first rodeo. It is one of nine books, Sherianna has written. In fact, her book The Four Gifts of Anxiety was endorsed by The National Association for Mental Health. Sherianna Boyle is an international, Emotional Detox Coach®, author of eight books, including her most recent Emotional Detox and Emotional Detox for Anxiety. Sherianna has been featured in over eighty-five articles, and a featured presenter for renowned organizations such as: PESI® Behavioral and Mental Health Education, Kripalu Health & Yoga Center, 1440 Multiversity University, and more. Her book, The Four Gifts of Anxiety, was endorsed by the National Association of Mental Health. She is an adjunct Psychology Professor and founder of Emotional Detox Coaching® servicing clients (of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities) virtually worldwide. She is the co-founder of CLEANSElife.com, which features her CLEANSE Yoga® virtual video collection, host of Emotional Detox Radio Show on Healthylife.net. and co-host of Emotional Detox Now Podcast. She is married to her hometown hubby, KB raising three daughters, living her best CLEANSElife! Receive a free Calm Your Mind meditation when you register on her site here: https://sheriannaboyle.com/calm-your-mind Sherianna's Facebook Sherianna on Instagram Foster Care: An Unparalleled Journey Find All Our Links Here https://linktr.ee/fostercarenation Patreon https://patreon.com/fostercarenation Website https://fostercarenation.com Connect with us on our Facebook Page https://facebook.com/7timedad Connect on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/fostercarenation/

My name is Robert P.K. Mooney. My friends call me Rob. I grew up all around Oahu, Hawaii, and throughout Utah. From age six until eighteen, I was a foster kid, changing homes twenty times between Oahu and Utah. How did a foster kid from Hawaii end up in Utah? After my siblings and I went into state custody, my mother developed cancer and died. Before she passed away, she asked the state of Hawaii to transfer her children to Utah where she had family. And so, on my eighth birthday, I moved to Utah. As a foster kid, three things helped me cope with the trauma of abuse, neglect, death of beloved family members, and the lack of stability inherent to twenty home changes. athletics music my imagination In each of those, I could leave the pain and loneliness of my life and take my mind and heart to another place. I read books and watched movies to take me away. The Hardy Boys, Tolkien, Goonies, Tim Burton's Batman, even Disney's The Little Mermaid, and my own mind and vivid dreams – they all took me to places that kept me safe. Eventually, I decided that more than anything, I wanted my own family. I tried to become the type of person that an amazing woman would want to be with (that's still a work in process). In college, I got married and started a family of my own. I was determined to ensure that my wife and children never had to endure the abuse and neglect that my mother and siblings had to. So, I threw my efforts into providing for them – I got a finance degree, and then a couple of law degrees and became a very successful lawyer. My legal career led me to courtrooms across the country and culminated with me serving as the General Counsel for one of the largest pet health and wellness companies in the United States. For the last three years of my career, I was recognized internationally as one of the world's leading intellectual property strategists. In 2019, I left the practice of law so that I could spend more time with my young family (with five children ranging in ages from eighteen to newly born) and write books – inspirational books to help foster kids choose a successful life, and novels to entertain youth and adults. Robert's Links Rob's website Rob's book on Amazon Rob on Instagram Foster Care: An Unparalleled Journey Find All Our Links Here https://linktr.ee/fostercarenation Patreon https://patreon.com/fostercarenation Website https://fostercarenation.com Connect with us on our Facebook Page https://facebook.com/7timedad Connect on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/fostercarenation/

Emily, a former playboy photographer, now a child sexual abuse prevention educator and anti-pornography activist. She is a woman on a mission to stop the cycle of sexual trauma and open our eyes to the high price we're paying for our pornified culture. Website http://howtoraiseamaverick.com Young, Wild, and Safe course https://www.ywsedu.org/yws-details Email [email protected] How to Raise a Maverick Podcast https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/emily-gaudreaus-how-to-raise-a-maverick/id1221575179 Facebook https://www.facebook.com/HowToRaiseaMaverick/ https://www.facebook.com/chiefmaverick Instagram https://www.instagram.com/emilygaudreau_htram/ Foster Care: An Unparalleled Journey Find All Our Links Here https://linktr.ee/fostercarenation Patreon https://patreon.com/fostercarenation Website https://fostercarenation.com Connect with us on our Facebook Page https://facebook.com/7timedad Connect on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/fostercarenation/

Living with Rahab's Heart Jennifer Wilcox is an adoptive mom of 2 boys who are brothers. She is a wife of 13 years to her husband David, a homeschool mom, non-profit founder, and author. Jennifer took her adoption journey and what she has lived through in her past and started a non-profit in 2018 to help women break the chains of poverty and abuse by learning the skills and tools necessary to thrive in the community. Links for Jennifer Wilcox Website www.rahabsheart.com Facebook https://www.facebook.com/rahabsheart Instagram https://www.instagram.com/rahabsheart Rahab's Heart - One WOman's Journey to Becoming A Servant of God https://www.amazon.com/Rahabs-Heart-Journey-Becoming-Servant-ebook/dp/B08NZ81K9K Foster Care: An Unparalleled Journey Find All Our Links Here https://linktr.ee/fostercarenation Patreon https://patreon.com/fostercarenation Website https://fostercarenation.com Connect with us on our Facebook Page https://facebook.com/7timedad Connect on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/fostercarenation/

Wendi Friesen has worked with many people on working through their trauma through hypnotherapy. There are many ways to work through trauma and hypnotherapy is not always the answer for you. But, sometimes it is just what you need. Finding a highly trained and experienced therapist is the key to success. She gave us some advice on finding the best fit for you. You can find her at her website Wendi.com She has recordings to help with things like bedwetting and sleep struggles for kids at her shop. Her Youtube channel has a lot of resources as well! Foster Care: An Unparalleled Journey Find All Our Links Here https://linktr.ee/fostercarenation Patreon https://patreon.com/fostercarenation Website https://fostercarenation.com Connect with us on our Facebook Page https://facebook.com/7timedad Connect on Instagram IZoFEp8a2PHG78jB2pyb https://www.instagram.com/fostercarenation/

Gina is a mom who has overcome enormous challenges to help my child heal from trauma. Her boys were adopted from Guatemala, and her youngest was neglected by his foster mom before they got him. This trauma resulted in severe anger, anxiety, and violence, which made her afraid of her own child. He would frequently destroy property, punch holes in the walls, and try to hurt them. He was eventually diagnosed with RAD. In 6th grade they hit "rock bottom", which involved getting kicked out of school, sent to the juvenile assessment center, appearance in court, summer of community service, and probation. After discovering a new school designed for kids with social and behavioral issues and doing family-intensive therapy, her son slowly healed and he is doing really well now. She wrote a book, Love Never Quits, about their journey and have dedicated part of her life to helping other trauma mamas. She writes a blog, recently did a TEDx, and has been working on developing an online class for parents of kids healing from trauma. This experience has altered the course of her life in so many ways, but now my goal is to help others and spread the word about the devastating effects of abuse or neglect on children. Gina's Links Gina's website: http://loveneverquitsbook.com Love Never Quits on Amazon: Love Never Quits View her TED Talk: https://www.ted.com/talkgina_heumann_childhood_trauma_affects_us_alls/ Find her on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/loveneverquits Here is her Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/love.never.quits/ Foster Care: An Unparalleled Journey Find All Our Links Here https://linktr.ee/fostercarenation Patreon https://patreon.com/fostercarenation Website https://fostercarenation.com Connect with us on our Facebook Page https://facebook.com/7timedad Connect on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/fostercarenation/

Danny Vann is a musician, an Alumni of the Elvis Presley Impersonator Hall of Fame, author, and former foster youth. He tells his story of where he came from and the struggles that he faced. However, he doesn't stop there. He is actively trying to give back and help current foster youth. His ebook is aimed squarely at kids aging out of the system and provides knowledge and resources that they can use to begin their own path in life. Danny is also the author of a physical book. His book My Journey in the Shadow of the King is available on Amazon (link below). Danny's Links My Journey in the Shadow of the King Get the free ebook here. Danny's Website Danny Vann's Facebook Group for Foster Care Survivors Foster Care: An Unparalleled Journey Find All Our Links Here https://linktr.ee/fostercarenation Patreon https://patreon.com/fostercarenation Website https://fostercarenation.com Connect with us on our Facebook Page https://facebook.com/7timedad Connect on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/fostercarenation/

Frank King is a comedian, 20 veteran writer on the Tonight Show, has 5 TED talks, and suffers from depression and chronic suicidal ideation. Frank says, if you are thinking about suicide, call the prevention hotline - they are professionals. If you are having a bad day, call a crazy person. Then he gives out his personal number: 858-405-5653 Frank King's Website Frank on Youtube Suicide Prevention Textline Suicide Prevention Hotline National Alliance on Mental Illness Foster Care: An Unparalleled Journey Find All Our Links Here https://linktr.ee/fostercarenation Patreon https://patreon.com/fostercarenation Website https://fostercarenation.com Connect with us on our Facebook Page https://facebook.com/7timedad Connect on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/fostercarenation/

Paul Mocsari came into foster care at a young age. Listen in and he will unpack his story for you. Take this opportunity to listen to the lesson he had to learn the "hard way" Foster Care: An Unparalleled Journey Find All Our Links Here https://linktr.ee/fostercarenation Patreon https://patreon.com/fostercarenation Website https://fostercarenation.com Connect with us on our Facebook Page https://facebook.com/7timedad Connect on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/fostercarenation/

Roman is a 1st generation immigrant from Ukraine. He arrived in the US with 6 other family members in a 2 bedroom apartment. Roman interned with the Secret Service and held a top-secret government clearance. He was forced to become a self-taught digital marketer as a result of the 2008 recession, and fell in love with it. Roman has 11 years of experience leading digital teams in senior leadership roles on over 600 campaigns across many industries. He founded Nova Zora Digital in 2012. Roman is the host of the Digital Savage Experience Podcast, a Top 100 Podcast on Apple Podcasts for How To. He is a foster parent and has had 21 kids in his home since June 2018. He became a foster parent by going through 5 miscarriages with his wife in 3 years, 2 of which happened on Christmas Days. With death, loss, and hardships Roman pushes through no matter what. He and his wife Lindsay found their calling in the Foster Care system after experiencing 5 miscarriages in 4 years. When we spoke, they had just taken placement of their 21st placement in 2 years. Their vast experience in such a short time led them to a lot of hard-earned wisdom in a short time frame. Some of those lessons included: Connecting with kids Learning to love another person's kids Dealing with grief Explaining foster care to others Connecting with bio-family Finding resources for them and the children they serve Dealing with child trauma Roman's Links Nova Zora Digital Roman's Podcast Find him on Facebook Foster Care: An Unparalleled Journey Find All Our Links Here https://linktr.ee/fostercarenation Patreon https://patreon.com/fostercarenation Website https://fostercarenation.com Connect with us on our Facebook Page https://facebook.com/7timedad Connect on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/fostercarenation/ Watch the interview on

Justin and Alexis are authors, speakers, and business owners. Together, they've created The Scholarship Expert and The ROSE Empowerment Group to support hundreds of young people. Now, with their new venture, Redefining Normal, they hope to continue the conversation on healthy relationships, mental health, and healing. In this episode, Justin and Alexis Black tell their story of tragedy and trauma, and how the foster care and adoption system has shaped their lives and the people they have become. Most importantly, we get into how they are helping to change the world today! Website re-definingnormal.com Redefining Normal Book on Amazon https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08MDHZ5KZ Business Ventures roseempowermentgroup.com thescholarshipexpert.com Foster Care: An Unparalleled Journey Find All Our Links Here https://linktr.ee/fostercarenation Patreon https://patreon.com/fostercarenation Website https://fostercarenation.com Connect with us on our Facebook Page https://facebook.com/7timedad Connect on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/fostercarenation/ Watch the interview on Youtube

Ashley is a wife, mother, writer, and former social worker who also happens to be totally blind. She and her sighted husband are raising two children, adopted from Bulgaria, and they recently had a biological son of their own. Ashley's Links Her Facebook Page - A Blind View Her writing on Her View From Home Her Blog Foster Care: An Unparalleled Journey Find All Our Links Here https://linktr.ee/fostercarenation Patreon https://patreon.com/fostercarenation Website https://fostercarenation.com Connect with us on our Facebook Page https://facebook.com/7timedad Connect on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/fostercarenation/

Cheryl Ruzzo is a registered nurse with a certification as a pediatric clinical specialist. She has worked with families of many backgrounds and with various needs, including safety planning for medically at-risk clients. Most recently, Cheryl has spent a number of years as a stay-at-home parent and full-time advocate for her children's needs and to educate about reactive attachment disorder. She and her husband Joe have three grown biological daughters, a biological 14-year-old son, six grandchildren, and have adopted two children. RAD Advocates Building the Bonds of Attachment by Daniel A Hughes A Glimpse at Understanding RAD by Karen Poitras Foster Care: An Unparalleled Journey Find All Our Links Here https://linktr.ee/fostercarenation Patreon https://patreon.com/fostercarenation Website https://fostercarenation.com Connect with us on our Facebook Page or on our Group https://facebook.com/7timedad https://www.facebook.com/groups/fostercareuj Connect on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/fostercarenation/

Cheryl Ruzzo is a registered nurse with a certification as a pediatric clinical specialist. She has worked with families of many backgrounds and with various needs, including safety planning for medically at-risk clients. Most recently, Cheryl has spent a number of years as a stay-at-home parent and full-time advocate for her children's needs and to educate about reactive attachment disorder. She and her husband Joe have three grown biological daughters, a biological 14-year-old son, six grandchildren, and have adopted two children. RAD Advocates Building the Bonds of Attachment by Daniel A Hughes A Glimpse at Understanding RAD by Karen Poitras Foster Care: An Unparalleled Journey Find All Our Links Here https://linktr.ee/fostercarenation Patreon https://patreon.com/fostercarenation Website https://fostercarenation.com Connect with us on our Facebook Page or on our Group https://facebook.com/7timedad https://www.facebook.com/groups/fostercareuj Connect on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/fostercarenation/

An accomplished writer and public speaker, Kevin Hofmann has appeared across the United States sharing his experience and guiding parents, students, and professionals through today's multicultural landscape. His perspective and light-hearted yet contemplative view resonates with people of all cultures and is sought by many. Kevin has been interviewed by media including Nightline ABC and NPR and is quickly becoming a trusted voice on the topics of race and adoption. Kevin's layered racial resume has led him to write Growing Up Black in White, a compelling memoir revealing his difficulties and joys growing up in a diverse family –particularly during a time and in a location where acceptance was tentative and emotions regarding race ran high and hot. Because his story also addresses the impact of race and culture in society, it serves as a catalyst for open discussions on diversity and inclusion as well as race and culture. We had one of those discussions on this episode of Foster Care: An Unparalleled Journey! Kevin Hofmann's Links Facebook Page Instagram Twitter Kevin's Website Growing Up Black in White Foster Care: An Unparalleled Journey Find All Our Links Here https://linktr.ee/fostercarenation Patreon https://patreon.com/fostercarenation Website https://fostercarenation.com Connect with us on our Facebook Page https://facebook.com/7timedad Connect on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/fostercarenation/

MaryRose is a foster parent coach and a former child welfare case manager. She owns and operates her own online coaching business that supports foster parents as they support children and families. MaryRose works with foster parents on things like advocating effectively, setting and enforcing boundaries, supporting parents on their journey to reunification and so much more. She believes that the only way we'll change our world for the better is if we put aside our differences and focus on what is best for children. MaryRose lives in her hometown of Atlanta, GA with Kyreigh and Irving, her two dogs. She moved back to Atlanta to be closer to her family after attending Florida State University and working in the child welfare system in Tallahassee, FL. MaryRose plans to attend law school in the near future to continue advocating for children and families in the courtroom and/or through public policy. Mary Rose Maloney is the first foster parent coach that I have met. And I think the concept is brilliant! There are about a million ways that a foster parent could use a bit of coaching. Trauma Levels Court proceedings Biological parents Therapists Child Welfare system workers Think about it, even if you are a new or even a seasoned foster parent you want all the help you can get. You are wise to consider a second opinion about your perception of the case and how you communicate it to others. Our conversation pointed out needs that we had not even considered. Foster parents and adoptive parents can use all the support they can get and will only be well served by considering this as an available support. Links for Mary Rose Maloney, Foster Parent Coach Facebook Group Foster Care: An Unparalleled Journey Find All Our Links Here https://linktr.ee/fostercarenation Patreon https://patreon.com/fostercarenation Website https://fostercarenation.com Connect with us on our Facebook Page https://facebook.com/7timedad Connect on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/fostercarenation/

Foster care was not in Laurel's plans. Laurel had a young family member that needed a place to be safe and loved. She stepped up and provided a loving and safe place for her young family member to stay. As time progressed his chances at reunification diminished. This led to a complicated relationship with his birth mom. They continue to work their way through a complicated familial relationship. Laurel's Podcast I will share a link here to her content as soon as it is available Our Links Find All Our Links Here https://linktr.ee/fostercarenation Patreon https://patreon.com/fostercarenation Website https://fostercarenation.com Connect with us on our Facebook Page https://facebook.com/7timedad Connect on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/fostercarenation/

Darren and Margie Fink are an amazing couple who jumped into Foster Care and Adoption head first! Together they created Transfiguring Adoption. Darren received his bachelor's degree in visual fine arts. Since university, he has worked in varying graphic design and social media management positions. He's an imaginative foster/adoptive parent that can get children to go to bed by inventing a detailed story about small, friendly creatures living throughout the house that only come out at night. Darren helped co-found Community Kids, a resource and networking 501(c)3 created to assist foster/adoptive families. Margie received her degree in psychology and has worked in various social work capacities. Margie has been chosen in the past to speak on Capitol Hill about the Refundable Adoption Tax Credit. She is a witty foster/adoptive mom who is able to give kids from hard places a loving structure while providing unbelievable homemade cooking. Margie co-founded Community Kids, a resource and networking 501(c)3 created to assist foster, adoptive, and relative caregiver families. Check Out: Wise Thoughts From A Foster-Adoptive Mom We talked about Transfiguring Adoption's origin story as well as their own as a foster and adoptive family. If you have kids, they are a great resource. If you are a foster or adoptive family, they are a necessity! Here are a few links: website: www.transfiguringadoption.com Media review service: www.transfiguringadoption.com/subscribe Coupon Code - 1 free month: 1STFREE Therapeutic kids' book: www.magicalcreaturs.com Social Media Tag: @TransfigurAdopt Our Links Find All Our Links Here https://linktr.ee/fostercarenation Patreon https://patreon.com/fostercarenation Website https://fostercarenation.com Connect with us on our Facebook Page https://facebook.com/7timedad Connect on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/fostercarenation/

Ginger Baerg is a wife, mother, and high school math teacher. God called Ginger and her husband, Dustin, to grow their family, by fostering and adopting. Over the past seven years, the Baerg family has fostered six kids, and have adopted two, becoming a family of seven! Other episodes mentioned today: Hope for Amy Connected Parenting with Melissa Corkum Ginger's Links My Patchwork Family Book Ginger's Facebook page Ginger on Instagram Our Links Find All Our Links Here https://linktr.ee/fostercarenation Patreon https://patreon.com/fostercarenation Website https://fostercarenation.com Connect with us on our Facebook Page https://facebook.com/7timedad Connect on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/fostercarenation/

Travis resides in Fayetteville, Tennessee, and is a jack of all trades. He preaches, coaches, teaches, parents, and finds a way to still rock the social media world. He is married to Whitney and they have two awesome kiddos, Hailee and Daniel. Travis has worked with the Riverside Church of Christ and Riverside Christian Academy for 13 years. He is the pulpit minister for the church and the head football coach and the chaplain for the school. His most recent accomplishment is beating the dog mess out of Leukemia. His diagnosis, battle, and remission have further inspired him to share the message of Christ and hope with the world. That struggle directly resulted in the Helping Healing Humor Podcast. Follow Travis on Instagram Helping Healing Humor Podcast Youtube Website Foster Care: An Unparalleled Journey Find All Our Links Here https://linktr.ee/fostercarenation Patreon https://patreon.com/fostercarenation Website https://fostercarenation.com Connect with us on our Facebook Page https://facebook.com/7timedad Connect on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/fostercarenation/

Intimacy Expert, Allana Pratt is a global media personality and go-to authority for those who have suffered heartbreak and are ready to live unapologetically and attract an open-hearted, ideal relationship. Her vulnerability and courage landed her a featured weekly column on the GoodMenProject, she's been chosen as an Icon of Influence and featured as Guest Expert on Huffington Post, People Magazine, Forbes, CBS, ABC, FOX, and The Jenny McCarthy Show. This Ivy League grad is the Author of 6 books, has interviewed Whoopi Goldberg and Alanis Morissette, and Hosts the edgy Podcast "Intimate Conversations" where listeners learn how to find the relationship they deserve. A certified coach with close to 5 million viewers on YouTube, Allana was asked by Leeza Gibbons to coach her during Dancing with the Stars. While supporting several non-profits, Allana is launching HeartMates~ Become the One to Find the One~ A Dating App & Intimacy Training all rolled into one. She offers private and group coaching so that her clients have a thriving intimate relationship with themselves first, which naturally attracts and enhances their ideal partner. In this episode, Allana talked with me about healing trauma and pain that children have experienced in their childhood and taken into their adulthood. She reminds us that the mess in our life builds beauty and growth. And it helps in finding a path forward that leans into the potential inherent in every struggle. Our Links Find All Our Links Here https://linktr.ee/fostercarenation Patreon https://patreon.com/fostercarenation Website https://fostercarenation.com Connect with us on our Facebook Page https://facebook.com/7timedad Connect on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/fostercarenation/

Anthony Trucks talks about his own Unparalleled Journey from foster care, through the NFL, and beyond. That journey allowed him to become the amazing and inspirational human that he is today! Along the road, he was met with struggles and learned to master the man he was in order to become the man he wanted to be! This is from his website https://anthonytrucks.com/ Where Shift Started At the age of three years old I was placed into the foster care system. It's a well-known fact that up to 50 percent of kids placed in the system will end up homeless upon emancipation, and 75% of prison inmates in the U.S. are former foster kids so needless to say the odds were against me from the beginning. This looming reality was never lost on me and I spent a good bulk of my childhood feeling adrift, unworthy, and listless. For years, I spent every day in survival mode, just trying to make it to the next day, week, and year in one piece. Somewhere between being placed in foster care and adopted by an all-white poor family at the age of 14, I overcame my challenges and began to apply myself. Being a self-aware kid allowed me to recognize my pattern, which always started with setting a goal, hitting a wall, overcoming that wall, and finally achieving said goal. The satisfaction I got from setting goals and grinding until I reached them against all odds was immense. So much so that in high school, I gave myself the most challenging and lofty goal yet … making the varsity football team. While I had the build, I definitely didn't have the skill which became evident during my first seasons. But I persevered. I worked hard, made the team and fast forward to my senior year, I was offered a full ride scholarship to the University of Oregon, and achieved the ultimate goal of going pro in the NFL. By the age of 25, I was on the Pittsburgh Steelers roster, had a beautiful wife, a son and an even brighter future ahead. Or so I thought. Shift Got Real If you do a quick Google search on my name along with the words "NFL player" you'll see that I don't have any gameplay stats. That's due to a fluke shoulder injury that sent my NFL dreams crashing down just as quickly as they'd come. Within a two-month period I went from having it all in the NFL to being a personal trainer at my local gym to support my family. Despite my reality, I realized that I had been given another chance to change my life just like I had earlier in my childhood. I had to pivot and I had to pivot quickly. I've come to realize those pivots have always been shifts. I decided that with my football career over, the only way I could provide the kind of life I wanted for my family was to become my own boss. With a degree in kinesiology, I decided to open my own gym. The business was okay, but not great. Entrepreneurship is a series of failures before you strike gold so I wasn't deterred even though I encountered many ups and downs, but along my journey to provide for my family, I lost it all again. The gym ate up all of my time which meant I had nothing left to give my wife, my now three kids, or myself. My marriage fell apart, my children missed me constantly and I'd gotten out of shape all within the span of just two years. Eventually, my business tanked and I almost went bankrupt. So not only was I broke, I felt broken and alone, was losing my family, and becoming a total miserable failure. Every day alive was filled with the weight of my failures and hopelessness, so one evening I took a long drive with the intention of ending it all for good. Fortunately, I didn't find it within myself to take my own life that night. I am so glad that I didn't because soon after I had a conversation with someone that changed my entire world. Little did I know that while I was flailing and struggling to be the man that I wanted to be, a close friend of mine viewed me as an inspiration and a hero because, despite the odds, I overcame. Prior to this conversation, my only focus was a financial success so that I could provide the lifestyle that I felt my family deserved, no matter what. But then I had a thought, "what if I could be an inspiration for others?" My Purpose Shifted "Remember that the happiest people are not those getting more, but those giving more." ―H. Jackson Brown Jr. From this conversation, I realized that I wanted to give back. So much of receiving positive energy and good karma is putting that which you seek out into the universe. I researched other life coaches and emulated myself and my approach to mimic theirs. I had the methods, the resources, and the business plan, but it still struggled to take off. I was battling the declining economy, a competitive industry, negative feedback from family and friends, as well as internal confusion and uncertainty. Other life coaches made it look easy and were wildly successful using the same tactics as I did. I found myself constantly asking, "Why not me?" At that moment, I realized that I was thinking about it all wrong. The gap

SONIA MARTIN, LICSW, PIP, TBRI® PRACTITIONER Director - Central Alabama Sonia joined Lifeline in July of 2019. She is from Montgomery, Alabama, and serves as our Director in the Central Alabama area. She engages the central Alabama church community in implementing Families Count, birth mother support and services, and speaking to parents, professionals, Judges, DHR attorneys, & GAL's at various conferences in the southeast on topics such as parenting kids from hard places and how to measure bonding and attachment in deciding best placement for children in foster care. Sonia earned her BSW from the University of South Florida, MSW from the University of Alabama, TBRI Practitioner, TIPS Leader, President of the Montgomery County Foster Parent Association. Sonia is the mother of 7 teenage boys, 3 of which were adopted internationally and she is a foster parent for Montgomery County DHR. They live in Pike Road, Alabama where Sonia spends most of her time cooking and cleaning baseball infield dirt off the kitchen floor. Sonia loves to travel and has a heart for the people of China and the millions in that country that have never heard the Gospel. Her 3 simple joys are Jesus, Eggplant Parmesan & Orphan Care. "Being surrounded by like-minded believers who are all driven to love, teach, disciple and serve vulnerable populations, it is such a beautiful picture of the Gospel being lived out." You can find Sonia at https://lifelinechild.org/staff/sonia-martin/ Foster Care: An Unparalleled Journey Links https://linktr.ee/fostercarenation Patreon https://patreon.com/fostercarenation Facebook Group https://www.facebook.com/groups/fostercareuj

Foster Care Advocate Jen Lilley in Washington, DC Jen Lilley is an actress known for her roles on Days of our Lives, General Hospital, and numerous roles as a leading lady on the Hallmark Channel and The Lifetime Channel. She is less well known as the daughter of a Judge and the leader of a women and children's facility. However, we got to know her as a foster care advocate in this episode. Jen and her husband Jason Wayne are foster parents, adoptive parents, and biological parents as well. Jen has been called to not only help the weakest among us, but she has become an advocate on the national political platform as well and continues to speak before congress on the issue of how to help kids in hard places. Links to Jen Lilley Fostering Hope with Jen Lilley https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/fostering-hope-with-jen-lilley/id1503743084 Child Help https://www.childhelp.org/ The Foster Care Institute (Jen is currently working with as an advocate for kids in care) https://www.drjohndegarmofostercare.com/ Links to Foster Care An Unparalleled Journey Find All Our Links Here https://linktr.ee/fostercarenation Patreon https://patreon.com/fostercarenation Facebook Group https://www.facebook.com/groups/fostercareuj Life That Counts https://www.lifethatcounts.org

Foster Care and Infant Felonies with Ruben Jay Ruben Jay grew up in foster care and was eventually adopted into a family where he was raised by David and Paula. There he found a family that he was proud to be a part of. Ruben Jay is an American radio & podcast host, producer, and is the President of MultiMediaMouth.com. Born and raised in Orange County, California, Ruben grew up hearing teachers, counselors, and family friends telling him he had a "Voice for Radio" which encouraged him to jump into the world of broadcasting. At 6 weeks old, Ruben was taken from his birth mom and placed into foster care. He was later adopted by his foster parents at the age of 2 years. In 2011, Ruben graduated from Sonora High School and began to ponder his future. He then stumbled upon the website for The Academy of Radio & Television Broadcasting. He enrolled in the Fall of 2011 and graduated in the Summer of 2012. In May of 2012, Ruben launched Online with Ruben Jay, a music show where Ruben invited different musicians onto the show to discuss their projects. In 2013, Ruben began working with NBC's The Voice as a red carpet correspondent. This opened the door for him to work with America's Got Talent, American Idol, The X Factor, SUITS (on USA Network,) and eventually with wrestling companies such as WWE, IMPACT Wrestling, Ring of Honor, and All Elite Wrestling. Ruben also began blogging for different entertainment outlets in 2009. He worked MultiMediaMouth.com and eventually left the website to start his own site: HeadlinesTonight.com. In 2017, Ruben Jay purchased MultiMediaMouth and merged it with HeadlinesTonight to create a database of 11 years of content. In 2019, Ruben created his current podcast, You're My Best Friend, with Moxy Anne. Today, Ruben serves as the Executive Producer of You're My Best Friend, President of MultiMediaMouth.com, Executive Producer and Host of Space is Hard: The Unofficial Space Force Podcast, and helps educate future broadcasters at The Academy of Radio & Television Broadcasting. Ruben's Links Twitter: https://twitter.com/therubenjay?lang=en Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheRubenJay/ Website: https://www.multimediamouth.com/about-ruben-jay/ Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/youre-my-best-friend/id1457897715 Links to Foster Care An Unparalleled Journey Find All Our Links Here https://linktr.ee/fostercarenation Patreon https://patreon.com/fostercarenation Facebook Group https://www.facebook.com/groups/fostercareuj

Bryan Post has been working in the homes of low-income families bringing mindfulness and presence for 20 years. He helps parents learn that stress turns off the memory system and changes how they learn. He teaches emotional understanding inside of families that have the stress and anxiety of past trauma. Especially emotional absence and parental depression and how to overcome that emotional absence in our own lives using mindfulness and being present. Bryan's Links https://parentsintraining.org/ https://www.facebook.com/postinstitute/ https://www.feartolovebook.com/misc-28687180 Links to Foster Care An Unparalleled Journey https://linktr.ee/fostercarenation https://patreon.com/fostercarenation https://www.facebook.com/groups/fostercareuj

Heather's story of trauma began at birth. Being born with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome was only the beginning of her struggles that have followed her through life. Even through multiple diagnoses, she has managed to find her way to work on her abuse and neglect both in her biological family and in foster care. Today she has overcome more than most of us will experience in our entire life! She tells her story of tribulations and becoming an overcomer! Links to Heather's Podcast and Blog Heather's Podcast Heather's Blog Links to find Foster Care: An Unparalleled Journey Our Website Podcast Links Join our Supporters on Patreon

A Story of hope Eric MacDougall was in foster care for 3 1/2 years between the ages of 10 1/2 and 14 years old. While in foster care he found some great male role models that offered him the opportunity to learn all about boundaries and discipline - even if he didn't consider it an opportunity at the time! While learning to deal with a deep sense of loneliness, he also had to face his own self limiting beliefs and filters through which he had built some faulty belief systems. His foster family gave him a chance to experience love and resilience while overcoming abandonment issues and developing his sense of independence. As he became a man he was no longer willing to push everyone away and live in the old stories that caused pain and didn't serve him anymore. As a result of that journey he has been sober for 2 years now and has committed to breaking the cycle of hurt and abandonment. Today he is looking to add value to the lives of others as he is intentionally looking for older men to learn from as well as honoring the elders in his life! His passion has become helping young men to understand that there is a healthy masculinity that serves everyone and overcoming the culture of toxic masculinity that has pervaded our society. Links for Foster Care: An Unparalleled Journey Listen to the podcast Find us on the web Our Facebook Group Email us at [email protected]

Melissa drops wisdom on us this week about the intricacies of parenting for adopted, foster, and transracial families! We covered: The Guilt of Parenting Understanding and overcoming "blocked trust" and "blocked care" Attachment disorders and how it affects our relationships Using the enneagram as a tool for parenting - The Road Back to You by Ian Morgan Cron and Suzanne Stabile (not an affiliate link) Multiracial families - the nuance of transracial families Melissa Corkum is also an Empowered to Connect Trainer where she teaches Trust-Based Relational Interventions (TBRI), the brainchild of the late Dr. Karyn Purvis from Texas Christian University. If you are interested, her last book is being finished after her death and due to be published soon. She offers a 21-day parenting course where you can learn what successful parenting looks like. Links for Melissa Corkum Melissa's Facebook Group Melissa's Free offer for our listeners The Adoption Connection Podcast Find Melissa online! Links for Foster Care: An Unparalleled Journey Listen to the podcast Find us on the web Our Facebook Group Email us at [email protected]

In this episode, I delve into the steps involved in becoming a foster parent and there is also some news about the show as well! I discussed some of the steps required to become a foster parent including the parts of a home study, background checks, and some of the things that will get you disqualified. If you would like to see the things we are doing online, here are some links: All of our links in one place. Our website Join our Facebook group for free! Listen to us on iTunes!

Ryan and his wife became accidental foster parents. They took his great-niece into their home when she needed a place to stay. They already had a daughter and it changed the face of their family. Foster care created some difficulties for their family, but it also created a relationship that will they will all challenge for the rest of their lives! Ryan is also a podcaster! Check out his links below. Remix the Dad Podcast: iTunes Google Play Stitcher You can find Jason and Amanda at: Website Facebook Group iTunes

Kristine Pienkowski has a dual role in the foster care system. She was both a child in care and a helper of children who are currently in foster care. She and her husband own and operate The Ranch of Hope Reins where they help teach kids using an EGALA model of equine therapy. Listen to this episode and understand why she loves helping kids at risk and how it empowers children to become healthy adults! Links to Kristine and The Ranch of Hope Reins The Ranch of Hope Reins on FaceBook Find Kristine on FaceBook The Ranch on IG Links to Foster Care: An Unparalleled Journey Find Foster Care: An Unparalleled Journey on iTunes Check out our Website Find our Foster Care and Adoption group on Facebook All of our links in one handy location

Foster care is always challenging for all parties involved. At this point in time, we as a nation need someone to exemplify humanity done right. Interracial adoption and foster care can be hot-button issues. Barry Farmer, the host of the nationally syndicated Barry Farmer Morning Show, tells his story of foster care as a child, and as a foster and adoptive parent. Strong fathers are the solution to most of the societal ills that challenge today's families and society as a whole. Barry is an example of that strength. Barry Farmer Find Barry and all his links His story on Love What Matters Foster Care: An Unparalleled Journey Our website All of our links in one place Our Facebook Group

Brian tells his story of spending almost his entire childhood in the foster care system. After 20 placements, he has many stories to tell. If it had not been for his last and longest placement, he may have never found a place to call home. He tells a real and raw story that is all too common in the foster care system. He also talks about the lessons that he learned and how his experience has made him the man he is today! You can find us online here: Facebook Page Facebook Group Patreon Website All of our links in one place

Providing Continuity of Community for Older Adolescent Teens in Care •offering an online virtual community delivering evidence based curriculum called REAL Essentials to Kids in Care, grades 9-12. The purpose of the program is to provide an opportunity for mentoring and community for Older Adolescent Youth in Care throughout their many transitions. •Services will last for 5 years. •Participating High School Seniors that join will remain eligible for services for the full five years. •realizing the challenges and variety of situations Older Adolescent Teen participants in care face, we plan to provide a computer or tablet device for students to use for this program. •We are establishing guidelines for keeping youth safe in this online platform such as: •Having two project staff on each video conference meeting Purchasing and using programs to monitor and lock digital content on these devices •Project staff assigned to work with adolescent participants in the virtual environments will have undergone background checks and will be registered Mandatory Reporters with C.A.N. (Child Abuse and Neglect) clearance •Adolescent participants will meet weekly in a virtual video conference in a group of 12-15 other youth and a minimum of two project staff. Participants can choose between male groups, female groups, and coed groups. •There will be an onboarding process for new students that join a group. This includes monthly connect groups for care providers. There are 12 hours of Evidenced Based healthy relationship skill building content which each student will be required to participate in. We will encourage student participation through a multi-tiered incentive system, as follows: After completion of of all Sessions 1-3: •$25 gift certificates After completion of of all Sessions 4-6: •$50 gift certificates •After completion of all Sessions 7-9: $75 gift certificates •After completion of all Sessions 10-12: keep the computer device (we anticipate providing MacBook Air laptops to the students) •Beyond the initial 12 hours of required Evidence Based Learning, students will be encouraged to continue their participation in weekly Life Groups with their peers. •Our aim is to provide an environment where students can receive encouragement with the additional 72 sessions or REAL Essentials and supplemental materials led by the Project Staff Education and Engagement Team. •to be included as potential service recipient of this project, LOUs (Letters of Intent) are due ASAP (for a template, please email [email protected]) •non binding MOU/LOI - 6 months after funding is awarded to get up and running •the power of community in online platforms (my story with the dads alliance) •to contact me directly, [email protected] •opportunity for older adolescent teen participants, grades 9-12, with local providers, community stakeholders, and others who want to see kids beat the odds and make better decisions for more healthy outcomes

Born in 1969, leading international foster care expert and consultant and TED Talk speaker Dr. John DeGarmo has worn many hats throughout his life. Singing and dancing while touring around the world in the international supergroup, Up With People, serving as a D.J. at four different radio stations on two different continents, working in the professional wrestling industry, teaching English and Drama at the high school level, working as a media specialist, director of The Foster Care Institute, and founder and national development director of Never Too Late, a residential group home for boys in foster care. Dr. DeGarmo has had a variety of experiences. He is the author of several foster care books, including the new book The Little Book of Foster Care Wisdom: 365 Days of Inspiration and Encouragement for Foster Care Families, the best selling book Faith and Foster Care, as well as the foster care children's book A Different Home: A New Foster Child's Story. He is the director of The Foster Care Institute and acts as a consultant to foster care agencies and legal agencies across the USA. Dr. John is a High Content Speaker and informative trainer on the foster care system, and travels extensively across the globe, meeting with foster parents, child welfare workers, churches, schools, and organizations. Dr. John has appeared on several TV programs, including CNN, Good Morning America, and ABC, NBC, FOX, CBS, PBS stations. Dr.John and his family have even appeared on the popular show Wife Swap. He writes regularly for many magazines and is a regular contributor to several publications, both in the United States and overseas. Dr. DeGarmo is married to Dr. Kelly DeGarmo, who hails from Australia, and the two of them have six children, both biological and adoptive. Dr. DeGarmo and his wife are also currently foster parents to three siblings, bringing their household to nine children. Dr. DeGarmo has been a foster parent for dozens of children for over a decade now. He has a passion for foster children and is driven to bring education and insight into general society about all things foster care. Dr. DeGarmo and his wife are the recipients of the Good Morning America Ultimate Hero Award and the Up With People Everyday Hero Award. The two also were honored with their city's Citizens of the Year Award. Find Dr John Degarmo's books on Amazon (not an affiliate link) Dr John Degarmo's webinars Never Too Late Ranch Boy's Home The Foster Care Institute You can find us at: Website for the Blog and Podcast Support us at Patreon All the links to everything we do

Karin Davis-Thompson has experience as a foster, adoptive, and a special-needs mom. In this episode, she tells her story of what it takes to fight for the best outcomes for your child - especially when they can't fight for themselves. Her foster, and eventually adopted, daughter had some significant needs and rights that she was not aware of before the adoption was finalized. So what did she do? She decided to put on her BATTLE SHOES and go to war with anyone who wasn't willing to give her daughter what she needed. Her tenacity has been instrumental in securing a safe future for her daughter - and it is inspiring! You can find her blog and podcast at In My Shoes You can find us at: Website for the Blog and Podcast Support us at Patreon All the links to everything we do

Caroline wasn't in a good place to parent a child - and she knew it. Shame kept her from sharing her story until one day when she made the decision to talk about her feelings. Telling other moms they aren't alone has changed the lives of many women and created many opportunities for her to help others. She invites birth moms to join her in her Facebook group: Caring for Birthmothers support group You can find more from us at: Foster Care Nation All of our links Support our pop tart budget

Dr Nick Sotelo joins me this week to discuss the tie between kids in Foster Care and kids in the juvenile justice system. He works as a counselor at the Oregon Youth Authority. As a child, he experienced a lot of the same traumas that children in foster care experience. As a young man, he grew through those experiences. As an adult, he became an invaluable resource to children that found themselves in the Oregon Youth Authority's custody. Today he is here to talk to us about that journey and how you can be benefitted by the hard-learned lessons that he shares with us! Links to connect with Dr. Nick Sotelo online: The Upgraded Life with Dr. Nick Sotelo The_upgradedlife on Insta Our Links: Website Facebook Group Apple Podcast Link Spotify Link Patreon Link All of our links in one place

John and Val have been working for the cause of the orphan for many years. They have a nonprofit organization that serves the orphans of Kenya, Africa. In 2018 they were called to help a little boy named Jesse. They tell their story on this week's episode of Foster Care: An Unparalleled Journey. If you are interested in learning about their passion project in Kenya, visit Mercy's Hope or reach out to them on their Facebook Page to learn more! You can learn more about us on our website at Foster Care nation If you would like to support us on Patreon with a gift of a few dollars we would be eternally grateful. Join our growing community on Facebook! Find all of our links on our Linktree page and share it with your friends!