Fostering the Future Podcast

Jack & Sam chat with CBC VP of Placement Resources, Tory Wilson with FSS in Florida about how the CBC functions in privatized states like Florida and about the transition of Florida Circuit 6 from Eckerd to FSS.

Jack & Nichole discuss the types of court hearings that happen in a dependency case in foster care. One of the most intimidating things about becoming a foster parent or for a parent entering into a dependency case is all the initials, and legal jumbo, and all the different types of hearings, so we wanted to discuss them and try to help explain what happens when they happen and why then happen...

Jack & Cat sit with Judge Luke to get a better understanding of the role of a judge in dependency and foster care.

Jack & Cat chat with Rob Callahan to discuss his experience as an Assistant District Attorney (in some states called Assistant State Attorney) prosecuting cases for child dependency. His experiences across the board as an ADA, and also parent attorney, and also as an attorney for intervening foster parents bring a great deal of knowledge to us regarding foster care. Join us in fostering the fu...

Jack & Cat sit and chat with Trisha who has been a guardian ad litem for over 8 years!

Jack & Cat sit with a foster parent (Lynn) and talk about the foster parent experience and what makes them want to live this crazy life.

Jack and Cat chat with Mac about her journey of addiction and recovery throughout the process of trying to reunify with her children from fostercare. Links: NA - https://m.na.org/ ASAP - https://empoweredcommunities.org/asap/

Jack & Cat discuss some questions you should ask yourself if you are considering becoming a foster parent. Questions to ask yourself when considering becoming a foster parent: What is your motivation to become a foster parent? Do you have the patience for the behaviors? Do you have the time for the children and working with the partners? Do you mind losing privacy in your home and life? Is you...

Here are some pros and cons of becoming a foster parent to consider and Jack & Cat discuss them along with some thoughts from other foster parents. Pros It is so fun Seeing success stories of families repaired Being able to help families repair Adoption is sometimes an option Seeing kids' transformation is rewarding Cons People dont get it and there is judgement The system can be frustrating H...

Jack & Cat discuss some ways that you can help foster kids if you decide not to become a foster parent. Here are some ways that you can help: Become a CASA / Guardian Ad Litem Pay for activities for foster kids Support aging out foster youth As an educator Volunteer with foster organizations Donate to foster organizations Support foster families Links: GAL - https://guardianadlitem.org/ Caterp...

Jack & Cat discuss some ways that you can support foster kids by supporting foster families. Some Ideas: Provide Meals Babysitting especially for court but also date nights Non judgement Don’t probe for the details (respect privacy) Emotional support (listen) Socks, underwear, and pajamas, Providing clothes Treat the kids the same as the other kids in house - no worse or better Respite weekend...

Jack, Cat, & Mac discuss coparenting of foster children between foster parents and biological parents.

Jack & Cat discuss the main people involved in a foster case to get a picture of who the players are and what their functions are.

Jack & Cat sit with Irene from Case Management and discuss what it is like to be a case manager in foster care and how partners can both understand and work better with Case Managers.

Jack & Cat sit with Red from Licensing and discuss what it is like to work in licensing in foster care and also how to partner better with them and how they are a support for all the partners.

Jack & Cat sit with Elyse from Placement and discuss what it is like to work in placement in foster care and also how to partner better with them.

Jack & Cat sit with Bowdre M. McAllister, a parent attorney in dependency and who also serves as an attorney ad litem for special needs kids in foster care in Florida.

Jack & Cat sit with David who has previously served as a case manager in foster care, an adoption case manager, and an adoption case manager supervisor about the role of adoption case management in foster care.

Jack invites Jack Jr to the studio for a chat about being a brother to foster siblings. Jack Jr was adopted internationally at the age of 2 and was an only child for about 4 years before Jack's family became a foster family. Now Jack is a brother to his foster siblings and three siblings adopted from foster care: Little Jack, Baby Jack, and Mini Jack. He plays baseball and football and way too man...