Foster Care & Adoption

I am a foster parent. I was given all the training and tools my brain could absorb about development, trauma, how to build relationships, how to repair relationships, ways to manage difficult behavior, and tips for self-care. I love to learn, and I love putting new information into practice. I feel like I parent well. And yet on the toughest of days, there are times I wonder, “What are we doing? Are we even helping?” and, “What if nothing works?”

We fill up with sunshine when we see victory in our children’s lives, and the moment we start to let our shoulders drop in relaxation, another storm comes seemingly out of nowhere. But that does not mean healing isn’t happening. It means that it is layered and multifaceted and complex. It means that trauma goes deep, and so must healing.

If you have a family of your own and are inquiring to be a foster family, conversations with your partner and children are crucial. Below are some of the topics our foster parents discussed with their families and children before deciding to start their foster care journey.  

Foster care is a term many families use with pride, providing support and guidance for many children and teens in our communities. Fostering is the opportunity to encourage growth, healing, and healthy relationships in hopes families will reach their full potential. As common as the term “care” is, it can be hard to achieve for many families.

As foster parents, the worries arise as they are preparing a room for the new child they received a brief description of. They ask themselves: how do we ensure they feel supported; what resources will they need on days like this; how can we ease the stress they might feel; how do we create a welcoming environment and create a positive transition? 

Welcoming a foster child into your home? Download our shopping list to help you prepare.

Test your foster care knowledge with this fact or fiction resource sheet.

A foster and adoptive mother shares her personal experiences of explosive behavior and how she was able to change her mindset to become proactive in her parenting.

One of the biggest shocks as a new foster parent is the complete upheaval of routines. Enter: children who never had a routine, innocent kids whose lives were completely uprooted, living in different phases of trauma. Routine and structure are things of privilege, but finding a way to love yourself is essential. Adoptive/foster parent Cherie Johnson shares five steps she took to make sure she made time for herself.

Foster parents have one of the most important jobs – helping and supporting youth who are in temporary need of adults to care for them. PRIDE (Parent Resources for Information, Development, and Education) outlines five key competencies that all families build upon, and are great reminders and tools for both current foster parents or anyone considering becoming a licensed foster care provider.