Foster Care Aware 2021 Wrap Up

For more information, visit FosterCareAware.org

Meet former foster youth, Key, who shares the moving story of her time in foster care and her perspective on the impact good foster parents can make. Key's perspective is incredibly moving- you don't want to miss this. For more information, visit FosterCareAware.org

If you've ever wondered about adopting through Foster Care, this segment is for you! Join us and Cassandra Calender-Ray of Virginia One Church One Child as we discuss the different things to think about when considering foster to adopt and what next steps you can take if that's the path you'd like to take. For more information, visit FosterCareAware.org

There are SO many ways to make a difference in the world of foster care even if you don't want to be a foster parent. In this segment we'll talk through the different ways you can get involved and how to start making a difference today! For more information, visit FosterCareAware.org

First Star partners with universities and child welfare agencies throughout the country to make a long-term investment in foster youth and change the course of their lives, from abuse and neglect to academic achievement and self-sufficiency. In this segment, meet Lyndsey Wilson the CEO of First Star for an incredible conversation about First Star Academy and amazing news for Hampton Roads! For more information, visit FosterCareAware.org

The opportunity to go to summer camp is about more than just childcare. It's about forming connections with other people and the earth, forming bonds, and enjoying the time and space to be yourself and not just "do work." In this episode, you'll hear about Tidewater Friends of Foster Care's Summer Camp partnerships and how their volunteers make a huge difference and Monique Turner joins us to share about the incredible new camp The Barry Robinson Center is launching this summer. For more information, go to FosterCareAware.org

Connection, attachment, and community are essential parts of helping children in Foster Care create joyful lives. In this segment, Joy Rios of Connect With a Wish and Mary McGowan of Attach, who both run organizations AND have been foster and adoptive parents, join us for a beautiful conversation about the big and little things we can do as parents, volunteers, and neighbors to help create more connected moments. For more information, visit FosterCareAware.org

When a child enters Foster Care, more often than not, they're behind in school due to the pressures of their home life. Tidewater Friends of Foster Care created their tutoring program to meet kids where they are and provide them with the support they need to make academic progress. In this episode, meet two of TFFC's tutors, Angelina and Becky, and learn about the importance of tutoring and its incredible effects in and out of the classroom. For more information, visit Tidewaterffc.org

Entering Foster Care is a traumatic experience for children which can affect how the brain functions. In this episode, John Murray of Families First of Virginia joins us to share insight into what actually happens to the brain during traumatic events and how foster families can actually help the brain heal. For more information, visit FosterCareAware.org

Becoming a foster parent requires in-depth training provided by the licensing agency you choose to work with. In this conversation we're joined by Jessica Schwabe from Intercept Health, Amy Barbour of enCircle, Ronnie Gehring of Embrace Therapeutic Foster Care, and Tonya Flowers-Johnson of First Home Care Therapeutic Foster Care for a dynamic conversation about the different trainings available and what makes each option unique. For more information, go to fostercareaware.org