In this episode of the Foster Friendly Podcast, hosts Travis Vangsnes and Courtney Williams engage with Laura (Foster Parent Partner), a prominent figure in the fostering community, to discuss the importance of Foster Care Awareness Month. Laura shares her journey into engaging foster care, the impact of her social media presence, and the challenges faced by foster parents.

The conversation also emphasizes the need for trauma-informed care, community involvement, and the importance of flexibility and grit in fostering. Laura also discusses her future plans and encourages listeners to get involved in supporting foster care initiatives.

Follow Laura:

Instagram and YouTube: @foster.parenting

In this episode of the Foster Friendly podcast, host Brian Mavis and co-hosts Courtney and Travis celebrate the 10th anniversary of America's Kids Belong (AKB). They discuss the organization's journey from its inception, driven by personal experiences as foster parents, to its current status as a trusted nonprofit in the foster care space. The conversation highlights little things like the evolution of AKB's logo, to bigger things like the importance of trust in their operations, and the significant impact of their initiatives, including the I Belong Project and the Foster Friendly app. Brian shares a powerful origin story of the organization and imparts leadership wisdom he's gained as a national nonprofit leader.

The hosts also discuss the importance of supporting foster families and communities, the transformation of community engagement through innovative programs, and the future of nonprofits. They share additional leadership insights, the significance of National Foster Care Month, and ways individuals can get involved in supporting foster care initiatives. The discussion emphasizes the need to change perceptions about foster children, families, and social workers to foster a more empathetic and supportive environment.

In this episode of the Foster Friendly Podcast, hosts Brian and Courtney engage with Kayla and Chris Habegger, a couple navigating the world of non-traditional kinship care. They discuss their journey into fostering, the importance of community awareness, and the dynamics of kinship care. The conversation highlights the emotional and practical aspects of fostering, emphasizing the need for understanding and support within families and communities.

Kayla and Chris Habegger share their experiences as new foster parents, discussing the challenges and insights gained from their journey. They emphasize the importance of empowering children to share their stories, understanding the complexities of trauma, and the need for ongoing training and support in foster care. The couple reflects on their goals for reunification with the child's biological family and the significance of maintaining healthy relationships throughout the process.