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MAY IS NATIONAL FOSTER CARE AWARENESS MONTH Choosing Love Over Fear: Embracing Foster Care as a Cool and Compassionate Choice As we enter National Foster Care Awareness Month, it's essential to shed light on the transformative power of fostering and adoption. While many of us are familiar with the concept of foster care, there's often a lingering stigma or misconception surrounding it. Some may view foster care as a last resort or a daunting responsibility, overshadowed by fear and uncertainty. However, I'm here to challenge that narrative and urge us all to choose love over fear when it comes to fostering a child. Fostering a child is not just an act of kindness; it's a profound opportunity to make a lasting impact on a young life. It's about providing stability, support, and unconditional love to children who need it most. And contrary to popular belief, foster care isn't just for a select few with special qualifications or resources—it's for anyone willing to open their hearts and homes. One of the most significant barriers to fostering a child is fear—fear of the unknown, fear of attachment, fear of not being enough. But what if we reframed that fear into an opportunity for growth and connection? What if we viewed fostering as an act of courage rather than a burden? By choosing love over fear, we can break down these barriers and create a more compassionate world for children in need. Moreover, let's make foster care cool. Let's celebrate the rappers, actors, athletes, and celebrities who have spent time in foster care and gone on to achieve greatness. From Tiffany Haddish to Ice T, Pepa to Greg Louganis, Seal to Cher, Colin Kaepernick to Steve Jobs, Eddie Murphy, and many more, these individuals have defied the odds and thrived despite their challenging beginnings. Their stories remind us that foster care isn't a sentence—it's a chapter in a much larger story. It's a testament to resilience, strength, and the power of love to overcome adversity. And if they can turn their experiences into sources of inspiration and motivation, so can we. So, let's challenge ourselves to step out of our comfort zones and embrace foster care as a cool and compassionate choice. Let's educate ourselves, dispel myths, and support families who choose to foster. Together, we can create a world where every child has a loving and stable home—a world where love triumphs over fear. This National Foster Care Awareness Month, let's choose love. Let's choose compassion. Let's choose foster care. MyJourneytoJoshua.com

In this episode of Hometown Heroes, Emily Treadaway, representing The Call, a foster care recruitment organization, takes center stage. The conversation delves into the organization’s mission to recruit and train foster and adoptive homes, focusing on the placement of harder-to-place children, including older kids and those with siblings. Key Points: Addressing Special Needs: The organization’s dedication to providing support for families, including programs such as support groups, date nights, and summer activities, highlights their commitment to meeting the unique needs of both children and caregivers. Fundraising Success: The team’s fundraising achievements, securing $350,000 of their $500,000 goal to purchase a new building for foster care needs, demonstrates the community’s commitment to this cause. Community Involvement: The discussion underscores the importance of involving the community in supporting foster children and families, illustrating the impact of collective efforts in addressing the challenges faced by foster care systems. Expansion and Replication: Insight into potential future expansion to other states and interest from organizations looking to replicate their successful model highlights the potential for broader impact and positive change in the foster care landscape. Fostering Community: The conversation emphasizes the significance of fostering a sense of community among foster families and outlines ways for individuals to support foster children without necessarily fostering or adopting them. Supporting Disabled Individuals: Lastly, the episode underscores the impact of community support for organizations aiding intellectually and developmentally disabled individuals, broadening the scope of the discussion to encompass a wider range of support needs within the community. Through the engaging dialogue with Emily Treadaway, the episode underscores the critical theme of fostering community support for foster care and adoption, while also shedding light on the broader spectrum of care and support required for vulnerable individuals within our communities.

May is Foster Care Awareness Month. In the US its all month, originally initiated by President Reagan. Whilst in the UK it is celebrated as the Foster Care Fortnight, by the Fostering Network (hopefully this will eventually get more government highlight here in the UK), between the 13th and 26th of May. As a new foster parent myself, it is my hope that, by posting here, companies will look to support this under-the-radar profession that provide a vital service to our children in need. Companies can accent their social value standing as well as looking to recruit and retain talented individuals by adding simple policies, and acknowledging the outstanding dedication of foster parents everywhere that go that extra mile providing a stable and secure environment for these forgotten children. Foster parents, often working full time themselves, need to be trained thoroughly in therapeutic care, pediatric first aid. It is more of a profession these days and sadly there are not enough carers to cover the thousands of children currently residing in the care system. Many children grow up in poverty, more so in current times. This affects the whole family and can lead to issues with both physical and mental health. The case studies I have read have been heartbreaking and it is only with luck that many of us haven't experienced the trauma some of these children suffer. This trauma can affect their whole life, many may never recover. So, it is important, as a foster parent, you are trained and compassionate to help these children the best way that you can. It isn't a job for the faint of heart and, no doubt, I will have moments, when my fostering journey truly begins, with some steep challenges. I have confidence I will prevail, and I hope to give a child some care and security that will make their lives a little less harsh. If anyone else feels they could offer a child a safe, loving and secure family home and would consider joining this profession, please feel free reach out to me if you want some tips and advice.

Today is National Foster Care Day. I wanted to take a moment to reflect on the realities faced by children in the foster care system. Recently, I had the privilege of attending a gala hosted by HeartShare Human Services of New York, an organization dedicated to supporting foster children with education, nutrition, community service, and various other activities. During the event, I came across a statistic that deeply resonated with me, and I believe it's essential to share it with you. Did you know that only 25% of foster care children graduate from high school within four years? Even more disheartening, less than 4% of them go on to earn a college degree. And shockingly, 50% of those who do graduate from foster care; find themselves with zero earnings or employment opportunities. These numbers are more than just statistics; they represent the tangible challenges and obstacles that countless foster children face every day. While organizations like Heart Share strive tirelessly to provide support and opportunities for these young individuals, it's evident that we, as a society, need to do more. Think about it: out of every 100 foster care children, only four will earn a college degree. That's a stark reality that demands our attention and action. As we commemorate National Foster Care Day, let's not only celebrate the resilience and strength of these children but also commit ourselves to creating a brighter and more equitable future for them. They deserve nothing less. You never know what foster child will become the next superstar.

Nominate a Foster Care Alumni of America Champion! Here: bit.ly/FCAA20YRNOMINEE Do you know someone who has made a significant impact with Foster Care Alumni of America? As FCAA celebrates its 20th anniversary, we're looking to honor individuals who have paved the way for the organization's success. We're seeking nominations from anyone who has demonstrably contributed to FCAA's mission of supporting and advocating for foster care youth & alumni. Who We're Looking For: Individuals who have made a lasting impact on FCAA's ability to serve foster care alumni. Those who have demonstrated exceptional leadership, advocacy, or service within FCAA. People who have inspired others within the foster care alumni community with FCAA. Nominees can be past or present alumni, volunteers, allies, donors, board members, staff, or community partners. Nominate a Champion Today! Form here: bit.ly/FCAA20YRNOMINEE

Hoosier youth aging out of the foster care system will soon have access to affordable rental housing at new locations around the state. The initiative is designed to develop four affordable rental housing developments with supportive services for youth (ages 18-23) aging out of foster care. The Indiana General Assembly appropriated $5 million in the 2023 budget session and IHCDA will add an additional $5 million in the form of grants. Applicants were required to consist of a team that included a nonprofit housing developer, a qualified supportive service provider and a property management company. The nonprofit developer must develop and own the rental units, provide or hire property management and comply with all IHCDA reporting requirements. The qualified service provider must refer eligible applicants and provide residents with services such as life skills, budgeting, mental health counseling, job coaching, GED attainment and other services. IHCDA evaluated applicants in partnership with the Indiana Department Of Child Services. Selected applicants will be invited to submit a full application for funding by December 2024.?The four applicants selected are: Lacasa, Inc. and Bashor Children's Home,?for an 11-unit development in Goshen. Firefly Children & Family Alliance, Herron Property Management and ALK Development, LLC, for a 12-15 unit development in Indianapolis. New Hope Services, Inc., LifeSpring Health Systems and Herron Property Management, for a 10-14 unit development in Jeffersonville. BUILDING AND IMPACTING COMMUNITIES INC, EPIPHANY & COMPANY COUNSELING SERVICES?and BWI Management, for a 20-unit development in Merrillville. The projects must operate as affordable rental housing, not as transitional housing, an emergency shelter or a safe haven. All units are required to serve youth exiting foster care. Learn more here: https://lnkd.in/gpRqgaFk

Bravo to Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell for championing young people in foster care. Allies staff was honored to participate in the LA County Guaranteed Income Summit, where Supervisor Mitchell previewed yesterday's Board motion to expand the County’s guaranteed income program, Breathe, to over 2,000 foster youth ages 18-21 who will receive $500/month for 18 months. Over 7,000 participants have already benefited from the 10+ guaranteed income pilots that have launched in Los Angeles, and the data continues to prove how incredibly beneficial this direct support is—especially for families with young children and young adults in foster care who are starting adulthood without the support of a family. -There’s a deep need for a functional safety net for former foster youth, who face overwhelming rates of poverty and homelessness when they age out of the system. The average annual income of people who participated in the initial Breathe program was under $15K—for former foster youth, it was $9K, and a third of these young adults were parents themselves. -For families in the City’s BIG:LEAP guaranteed income program, researchers found that when parents face less economic stress, they invest in their children. Parents who participated in the program were significantly more likely to keep their children enrolled in enrichment and extracurricular activities, and they reported a lower likelihood of eating less due to financial constraints. -We also know that poverty itself hinders child development. Infants whose mothers received a $333/monthly stipend through the Baby’s First Years study had more brain activity associated with stronger cognitive development. Excited to follow the results of this truly innovative program, and grateful for Supervisor Mitchell’s leadership and focus on foster youth. More information can be found here: https://lnkd.in/g3uYX3WT

SOUTHERN CROSS CAMPUS, INC. Foster Care Housing/ Aging out /Charter Collegiate School The Southern Cross Campus, Inc. envisions an architectural masterpiece spanning approximately 95,000 square feet, nestled on 15 acres of serene land. This inspirational land nurturing haven warmly embraces foster care, at-risk children, aging-out youth, and pregnant teens. Within its walls, compassionate and dedicated professionals tend to their hearts, while an organized learning environment and collegiate charter school nurture their minds. As a temporary home, it provides solace until reunification through the Department of Children and Families and Care Community can be achieved. Wrapped in an unyielding cocoon of love, these attending gifts empower the children to focus, thrive, and master life skills. Southern Cross Campus, Inc comprises of three main key entities that work as a vibrant ecosystem together in one campus environment. Foster Care Residential Housing: This facility comprises five distinct, home-like residential units, each thoughtfully designed to cater to children of varying ages, genders, and unique circumstances. Each unit spans a generous 5,000 square feet, providing ample space for 16 to 17 children in a single-room occupancy arrangement. With 24/7 support provided to every child, ensuring their well-being throughout 365 days of the year. Collegiate Charter School – SCCI Therapeutic Educational Program is a year-round initiative designed to support 826 students. Through a personalized assessment process, we tailor our approach to meet state-required learning standards, ensuring that each child has the tools to advance confidently. Our mission is to empower every student with the mindset to pursue their life goals, dreams, and passions. Our administration is dedicated to meeting the unique needs of children. Our approach combines bio-psychosocial and medical assessments to establish psychological and medical baselines, all without unnecessary pharmaceutical interventions. We believe in empowering children by educating them about their disabilities or illnesses, equipping them with the knowledge needed to manage their care once they are reunited with their families. Within our daily curriculum, we offer in-house services, including pull-out sessions. Our team of professionals includes occupational therapists, physical therapists, speech, psychologists, substance abuse counselors, social workers, and medical registered nurses. Additionally, we prioritize safety by providing a Safe Haven Baby Box on-site. Education becomes the foundation: empowerment assures them a future. Reunification sends them home. Where Brighter Futures Begin & Despair Turns Into Hope” We extend an invitation to partner with you. Would you kindly grant us the opportunity to meet and introduce Southern Cross Campus, Inc.? Reach out to us via phone 941-875-9558 or email at Southerncrosscampus.org.

So much of the conversation about foster care in our communities focuses on a shortage of foster families. While the foster care system plays a vital role in providing kids with a safe place for a season, we can also prevent kids from entering foster care in the first place. Investing in family preservation is a strategic way our communities can play chess—not just checkers—and help us move from not enough to more than enough for children and families. Factors like poverty, neglect and substance abuse are often drivers of family instability and contribute to family separation. But every community is unique. Maybe your county has been hit hard by the opioid crisis, and grandparents are struggling to care for their grandkids. Maybe there are vulnerable families in your county who don’t speak English and have a hard time accessing employment or healthcare. Here’s the good news: your community probably already has a lot of churches, nonprofits and ministries passionate about caring for people who are experiencing these challenges. But are those ministries all intentionally connected to the world of foster care, and vice-versa? Do these ministries have contacts in the child welfare world to help them holistically support families? Do social workers know about these ministries so they can connect struggling families to their services? These are roadblocks we can remove in our communities when we deliberately work together to build effective collaboration and communication. And most importantly, when we invest in family preservation in these ways, we’re preventing the pain and trauma of families being separated right from the start. Check out the full blog for more strategies to help keep families together:?https://lnkd.in/eEBG9xz6

Did you know that 20,000 young people age out of foster care every year. 20% will experience homelessness within four years. That's 1 in 5.When we see a stat like this, we may ask ourselves, how does that happen? Why? Let's talk about it for a minute. I'd like to tell you about Lacie*. Lacie is an 18-year-old who aged out of care. She returned to what she knew, and went home to her mom. Only weeks later, Lacie ran away because she felt so unsafe there. Things that had led to her being removed into foster care had not changed at all. Were maybe worse. Lacie found herself in a shelter downtown. Now an 'adult', (though a very young one), she was housed with other adults. She sat in her room day after day, thinking about what she should do. She didn't have anyone to call, or to ask for help. A lack of consistent schooling had left her with no diploma, and not many options for working. It's both difficult to understand, and to accept this is happening in our country. We care about our youth. We want to see them get a good education; to thrive as young adults. We want the best for them. But?this reality is ongoing?-- that year upon year, youth in foster care are emancipated from our overwhelmed child welfare system, and too many fall between the cracks. There are a lot of programs to help, actually. Let me ask you...if it were you, newly an adult, maybe one with fractured schooling from all of your moves to different foster homes in different districts, or maybe one with a learning disability that was never caught or treated, maybe one with intense PTSD from the trauma you suffered when you were younger and with mental health needs now...where would you start? What makes a difference then, in a system that operates this way? The answer to that -- is entirely unremarkable.?The data, research and pure common sense has put the answer in front of us over and over again. Strong relationships are what can make the difference.?A trusted person?who can help guide; can love through bumps & bad decisions, and still be there on the other side to illuminate a path for that youth's self-empowerment and personal versions of success.?Youth in care, and those leaving care, need a "Someone." This is what Amarillo Angels is -- a connector?to all the 'someones' who want to step forward, and be there as a friend, advocate and mentor to youth in & after care. To let them know, they are worth our time and support.?A community built up with & around those who may have none. Want to be a part of that??There are so many reasons to do it... For Lacie. For the 2000+ children & youth from our area that could become that 1 in 5. Let's say NO to that, here in the Panhandle and South Plains and YES to changing the stats! Contact us a [email protected] to get started making a difference in the lives of those experiencing foster care in our area.