The Call to Foster

In this episode, Shasta, Jessica, and Ashton speak with Tim Hite. Tim is the Executive Director of Divine Nest in Missouri. One piece of this nonprofit is the Sparrow House, a place for kids to go when they are removed from their homes for their safety and wellbeing while their case worker is in search of a foster placement. Tim and his wife are foster and adoptive parents and they've been passionate about helping kids in foster care for as long as they can remember. Their passion has created a legacy for their biological children - their oldest biological child is also a foster parent! Listen along and learn how you can make a difference for foster children - even if you don't become a foster parent! If you or someone you know is interested in becoming a foster parent, learn how to get started on our website: https://dss.mo.gov/cd/foster-care/becoming-a-foster-parent.htm

This month's guest, Micah Smiley, shares her experience as a "medical home." Micah is currently a respite only foster home, but she started as a full foster home! Micah even moved to a new home to get closer to medical care for a child in her home. This episode is full of great information for anyone who is considering the opportunity to care for these children! If you or someone you know is interested in becoming a foster parent, learn how to get started on our website: https://dss.mo.gov/cd/foster-care/becoming-a-foster-parent.htm

This month, Shasta, Jessica, and Ashton talk with Tori Ward. Tori was introduced to foster parenting at a young age when her parents became licensed. She saw, first-hand, the impact foster parents have in the lives of children. As soon as she could, she became a foster parent and is a mentor and advocate for foster parenting. Tori is living proof that you can be a foster parent at a young age and be successful and make a difference. Want to know more about Tori? Check out this short interview she did with DSS.If you or someone you know is interested in becoming a foster parent, learn how to get started on our website: https://dss.mo.gov/cd/foster-care/becoming-a-foster-parent.htm

This month, Shasta, Jessica, and Ashton sit down with Deborah Stukey. Deborah is a retired school teacher and principal and is a resourceful learner. Her natural educating talents, as well as the training she received as an educator and to become a foster parent, has been extremely valuable in her foster parenting journey. Deborah has an adopted son with significant medical challenges and has learned a lot about how to take care of children with high medical needs while learning to care for him! She encourages all foster parents and potential foster parents to not shy away from caring for kids with high medical need - the learning curve is not too sharp and she says it is worth it! Most of all, she encourages all foster parents to never stop asking questions, even the hard ones. If you or someone you know is interested in becoming a foster parent, learn how to get started on our website: https://dss.mo.gov/cd/foster-care/becoming-a-foster-parent.htm

The fight for children starts July 4, 2024. In this episode of the Call to Foster, our hosts are joined by Darrell Missey, the Director of Children's Division, and Rebekah Weigel, Writer and Producer of "SOUND OF HOPE: The Story of Possum Trot". Hear from the writer of this incredible film about the writing process, the characters, and the true story of Possum Trot, Texas, as well as her experience as a foster parent and social worker. Rebekah has great advice and practical solutions that you need to hear. You don't want to miss this movie - get your tickets today! Want more information about how you can host a private showing of this film? Learn more on the Angel Studios website. If you or someone you know is interested in becoming a foster parent, learn how to get started on our website: https://dss.mo.gov/cd/foster-care/becoming-a-foster-parent.htm

Listen along as Jessica and Shasta talk with Jason Seter, a foster parent and co-trainer in Missouri for over 10 years. Jason admits that they started fostering to adopt, but then quickly fell in love with fostering and realized the great need for foster homes. Having cared for children from one day old to fifteen years old, he has found that each child is unique and different. Jason also discusses the reality that some families "get it together" after their children have been adopted to someone else and the opportunities he has had to help his children foster their relationships with their biological families - even after they are his adopted children. If you or someone you know is interested in becoming a foster parent, learn how to get started on our website: https://dss.mo.gov/cd/foster-care/becoming-a-foster-parent.htm

In this episode, Shasta, Jessica, and Ashton talk with a very impressive foster parent, Ali Keck, who at the time of recording was 25 years old! After only 3 months of foster parenting, Ali has a lot of practical advice and experience to share with young, new, or even seasoned foster parents. She also addresses how foster parenting fits in when it comes to her personal life and her passion truly shines through. Don't miss this episode! Be sure to share with anyone you know who might be interested in foster parenting and send them to our website to get started: https://dss.mo.gov/cd/foster-care/becoming-a-foster-parent.htm