Fostering Change

Comfort Cases is thrilled to be working with the team from Amerigroup Georgia Families 360 on a powerful new initiative. Launched at the start of National Adoption Awareness Month, Comfort Cases and Amerigroup Georgia Families 360 are committing to get a Comfort Case(™) to every youth in foster care in the state of Georgia, finally ending the practice of black trash bags being given to youth who a...

You may know the name Zion Clark, whose catchphrase is: “You Don't Need Legs To Leave A Footprint On Earth” Did you watch his documentary on Netflix? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HRvGlB1-Ku8 Maybe you saw him on America’s Got Talent? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RRA3t_9hX50 Or, you read his book, “Work With What You Got: A Memoir”, https://www.amazon.com/Work-What-You-Got-Memoir/dp/153622421...

Social justice advocate Di Ciruolo is on a mission to shed light on these systematic injustices in the foster care system and provides a step-by-step approach to personal recovery and guidance for survivors and those who seek to support them in her new book, “Indomitable” ,  a true story of how she survived foster care. In today’s episode of Fostering Change, Rob Scheer and Di Ciruolo work to...

Today on Fostering Change , Rob Scheer speaks with Monica Pantoja, the dynamic Executive Director of the nsoro Educational Foundation. Founded in 2005, The nsoro Educational Foundation believes not one young person aging out of our nation's foster care system should have to navigate the world alone. Our mission provides the access to and attainment of post-secondary education through a holistic sc...

In today’s episode of Fostering Change, Rob Scheer speaks with a true “angel”: Susan Ramirez, the founder of National Angels, a non-profit organization whose mission is “to walk alongside children, youth, and families in the foster care community by offering consistent support through intentional giving, relationship building, and mentorship.” Now in 21 cities in 16 states, National Angels goal is...

This true story will inspire you like none you may have ever heard. Rob Scheer interviews Katrina Mullen. You may have seen Katrina on The Today Show, or in People Magazine. This unassuming NICU (NeoNatal Intensive Care Unit) Nurse has received universal praise for how she stepped up where others would not. As a neonatal nurse in a small Indiana hospital, she saw Shariya, a young mother...

On today’s episode of Fostering Change, Rob speaks with Laura Foster Parent Partner, whose mission is to educate and support people about the foster care system. Often, new foster parents are not prepared for everything they need to know before their first children come to them. Laura discusses how the “cracks of child welfare are deep”, from misplaced birth certificates to wrong names of the chil...

On today’s episode of Fostering Change , Rob interviews Dr. Kristin Hoffman, Ph. D., Chief Program Officer and Child Psychologist and Chelsea Henandez, LCSW, Clinical Director of the All Star Children’s Foundation. The All Star Children’s Foundation, based in Sarasota, Florida uses a trauma-focused approach  through innovation, science and compassion.  They have an onsite campus, home to...

Welcome to Season 5 of Fostering Change! For those of you who are new to us: “Welcome!” And for our returning friends, “Welcome Back!” Fostering Change is hosted by Rob Scheer, the founder of Comfort Cases, a non-profit organization whose mission is to promote hope and dignity to youth in foster care. We will post new episodes of Fostering Change every Tuesday on all of your favorite podcast chann...

Thank you for joining us for our final “Best of Season 4” episode of Fostering Change . From all of us at Comfort Cases, we hope you had a wonderful summer and enjoyed revisiting some of our favorite episodes from this past season. Next week, September 5, we will post the first episode for our new season.  Can you believe that we’re entering Season 5 ????  Neither can we!  We want t...

In this week's episode of Fostering Change,  we revisit Rob’s conversation with Gideon Bernstein, Chartered Financial Analyst and Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy and the author of The Workbook for Giving: Exercises for identifying the resources, giving goals, and giving strategies for you and your family. Gideon Bernstein has served as a trusted financial advisor to families in Orange Count...

April Dinwoodie is an Adoption Activist, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging Consultant, and Parent Coach.  Dinwoodie’s podcast Born in June, Raised in April: What Adoption Can Teach the World helps facilitate an open dialogue about identity, family, and differences of race, culture, and class.  As a transracially adopted person (Black/bi-racial, adopted into a white family), Apr...

Originally airing in May during National Foster Care Awareness Month, on  today’s “Best of” episode of Fostering Change Rob interviews Stacy Huston, Executive Director of Sixdegrees.org , the award-winning nonprofit founded by Kevin Bacon with a mission rooted in connecting people to resources. Six Degrees supports impactful initiatives to sustain and enrich local communities by developing pa...

Today we revisit Angela Featherstone - model, actress, philanthropist: Founder of the organization Fosteringcare.org , a nonprofit trauma-healing and trade school for youth aging out of foster care in Los Angeles. The school is contributing to halting the negative outcomes that so many youth who age out of foster care experience, including homelessness, incarceration, and human trafficking. Moreov...

Today, in the midst of one of the hottest summer’s on record, we revisit our interview with Sharlee Jeter, President of the Turn 2 Foundation , a non-profit established by her brother, baseball legend Derek Jeter, and their father, Dr. Charles Jeter, to motivate young people to turn away from drugs and alcohol and "Turn 2" healthy lifestyles.  They provide help for youth to reach their full p...

Today, as we continue our “Best of Season 4” series, we revisit our interview with Rob’s friend, David Ambroz, author of “A Place Called Home.”  David is a national poverty and child welfare expert and advocate. He was recognized by President Obama as an American Champion of Change . In writing about the book, Hillary Clinton stated: “It’s impossible to read… and not want to redouble your eff...

As we continue our “Best of Season 4 Series” this Summer, we go back to a true favorite: Rob Scheer talks with Lauren Ruotolo, author of “Unstoppable in Stilettos”, inspirational speaker and award winning content producer.  Be this the first time you’ve heard this interview, or an encore, we know you’ll love Lauren as much as we do. At 18 months Lauren was diagnosed with a rare disease called...

For our first “Best of” episode in July, we are revisiting our interview with Kenisha Anthony, a first-generation college graduate, award-winning advocate for youth, and author. Known for being resilient and bold, Kenisha Anthony is an outspoken activist utilizing her experiences to empower others. As a foster care visionary, she starred in the documentary, Foster Shock and has been featured on NP...

Michael leads the executive efforts of the national nonprofit organization, Childhelp – a national leader in the prevention, intervention, and treatment of child abuse.  Childhelp believes that every child has a unique contribution to make to the world. Prior to his role with Childhelp, Michael has served in executive leadership roles with other national and international nonprofit organizati...

Originally posted in March, we couldn’t be happier to share Rob’s interview with his good friend, Mike Thorne, Mike’s focus of work is Human Transformation. He accomplishes this through an association with Vistage Worldwide, the largest Peer Advisory firm, and his work as Chairman of the National Council for Adoption. As the author of the new book, Hustle With Heart: Unlocking Self-Worth Through P...

Please note that this episode initially aired in November, National Adoption Awareness Month. We acknowledge all, such as our guest Damon Davis, who continue raising awareness about adoption. In this week's episode of Fostering Change , Rob Scheer talks with author and podcast host Damon Davis. Host of the "Who Am I Really?" podcast ( www.whoamireallypodcast.com ) Damon interviews people who share...

Today we kick off our "BEST OF SEASON 4" series. And what better way than to re-broadcast our first episode of the season, featuring Olympic Gold Medalist, Greg Louganis. So please enjoy - either for the 1st time or again. And stay tuned for additional "Best ofs" through the summer until we premiere Season 5 in September. From the archive: We are so thrilled to launch our 4th Season of “Fostering...

Nolan Carr serves as the Marketing & Community Relations Manager for Amerigroup DC, a Managed Care Organization in the district serving residents eligible for Medicaid Health Insurance. In his role, Nolan coordinates outreach and community events to connect families to resources and services. Nolan supports the mission of Amerigroup DC to create a healthier District of Columbia. He is a proud...

April Dinwoodie is an Adoption Activist, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging Consultant, and Parent Coach.  Dinwoodie’s podcast Born in June, Raised in April: What Adoption Can Teach the World helps facilitate an open dialogue about identity, family, and differences of race, culture, and class.  As a transracially adopted person (Black/bi-racial, adopted into a white family), Apr...

In today’s podcast Rob Scheer and his guests discuss the needs of families looking to adopt. This includes creating paths for families who need extra support for safety and stability. They look at what is working and what can be done differently to help children and families thrive. Adoptions Together supports children and families formed through adoption, guardianship, foster care, and kinship ca...