Back-to-school season can be stressful for any family—but for foster and adoptive parents, navigating school can feel especially overwhelming. In this episode of Dream Small, Jason and Whitney share their lived experiences of sending foster kiddos to school and offer practical advice for making the transition smoother.

From choosing the right school and advocating for trauma-informed teachers to preparing children with routines, comfort items, and role-playing, this conversation is packed with encouragement and real-life strategies. Whether you’re new to fostering or a seasoned resource parent, you’ll find wisdom and hope to help your child feel safe, supported, and ready to thrive in the classroom.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• How to evaluate school options for foster children
• Why trauma-informed teachers and staff make all the difference·
• The importance of routines and preparation for school success
• Advocating for IEPs, 504s, and support services
• Helping kids feel safe, secure, and understood in new environments
• The vital role of community and your “village” in back-to-school transitions

Whether your child is starting kindergarten, entering middle school, or switching districts, this episode will remind you that you are not alone—and that your faithfulness in the small things truly matters.

🙌 Special Thanks to Our Sponsor:

A huge thank you to Ray Podesta, realtor with Stone Gable Realty. If you’re in Central Indiana and looking to buy or sell a home, reach out to Ray at 317-538-3226 or email him at Ray@stoneangable.com.

📬 Connect with Us:

Email: dreamsmallpodcast@gmail.com

Instagram: @dreamsmallpodcast

Facebook: Dream Small Podcast

Twitter/X: @DreamSmallShow

🎵 Music credit:

"Paradise Found" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) | Licensed under

Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License | http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

In this heartwarming and faith-filled episode of the Dream Small Podcast, Jason and Whitney share a week full of unexpected bird-watching, laughter, and incredible “only God” stories from their seven-year foster care journey.

From green heron drama in the front yard to miraculous provisions of strollers, bedrooms, and cribs, each story showcases how God often meets needs before we even know we have them. You’ll hear:

• The saga of Chuck and Duck, the neighborhood green herons who stole Whitney’s heart.

• How God provided the exact stroller they needed—down to the dollar.

• The offer to build a bedroom they initially declined… only to need it months later.

• A perfectly timed crib donation that made an urgent foster placement possible.

• Stories of children who came “just for the weekend” or “for six weeks” and became forever family.

• Why listening to God’s prompting—even when it doesn’t make sense—can lead to life-changing moments.

Whether you’re a foster parent, considering fostering, or simply in need of encouragement, this episode will remind you that God’s timing is always perfect and His provision is never late.

📌 Connect with Us:

• Email: dreamsmallpodcast@gmail.com

• Instagram: @dreamsmallpodcast

• Facebook: Dream Small Podcast

• Twitter/X: @DreamSmallShow

💼 Sponsor – Ray Podesta, Realtor (Central Indiana)
Looking to buy or sell a home in Central Indiana? Contact Ray Podesta at Stone & Gable Realty for expert real estate guidance and personal service.
📞 Call/Text: 317-538-3226📧 Email: ray@stoneandgable.com🌐 Website: StoneAndGable.com

🎵 Music Credit:"Paradise Found" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) | Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License | ⁠http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/⁠

In this episode of Dream Small, Jason and Whitney pull back the curtain on what it's really like to prepare for a new foster care placement. Whether you're a brand-new foster parent or just curious about the process, this episode offers a real, relatable, and faith-rooted look into the emotional, mental, and physical preparations that come before that knock on the door.

You’ll hear:

• What emotional rollercoaster to expect when saying "yes" to a new placement
• Why it’s okay to feel overwhelmed — and how to stay grounded
• Questions to ask during “the call” (and why it’s okay to say no)
• Trauma-informed ways to welcome a child into your home
• Tips for preparing your space, your bio kids, and your support network
• Stories from the Smalls’ personal journey — including Grammy’s “placement magic” and car seat chaos

📖 Verse shared: Isaiah 41:10

“Don’t be afraid, for I am with you…”

Resource mentioned: Raising Kids with Big Baffling Behaviors by Robyn Gobbel

Whether you're actively fostering, just exploring it, or supporting someone who is — this episode is packed with practical wisdom, grace, and a few laughs too.

Connect with us:

📧 Email: dreamsmallpodcast@gmail.com

📷 Instagram: @dreamsmallpodcast

📘 Facebook: Dream Small Podcast

🐦 X/Twitter: @DreamSmallShow

🎵 Music credit:

"Paradise Found" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) | Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License | http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/