The Foster Friendly Podcast

In this episode of the Foster Friendly Podcast, host Brian Mavis speaks with Dr. John DiGarmo and Jen Lilley about their experiences in foster care and advocacy. They discuss their personal journeys, the challenges faced in the foster care system, and the importance of community support. The conversation also highlights their upcoming book, 'Called to Foster,' which aims to provide an honest guide for those considering fostering. The episode emphasizes the need for awareness and advocacy in the foster care system, as well as the emotional and practical realities of fostering children in crisis. The discussion also touches on the fears potential foster parents may have, the significance of community, and the transformative experiences that come from loving and caring for children in need.Pickup a copy of their book "Called to Foster?: An Honest Guide to Getting Started"https://a.co/d/0e6BFfwpDr. John DeGarmo's website: Foster Care Institutehttps://www.drjohndegarmofostercare.com/Jen Lilley's website:https://www.jenlilley.com/TakeawaysFoster care is a unique lifestyle full of sacrifices.Advocacy for foster children is crucial, especially during crises.Personal experiences shape the understanding of foster care.Community support is essential for foster parents.Awareness can lead to increased involvement in foster care.Not everyone is called to foster, but everyone can help.Fostering requires a different parenting approach due to trauma.The book 'Called to Foster' offers insights and guidance.Foster care can be more challenging than anticipated.Humor can be found in the toughest fostering moments. Fostering is both challenging and rewarding.Family support is crucial in the foster care journey.Taking an orientation class can provide valuable information.Foster parents need to love children unconditionally.Children in foster care need stability and structure.Foster care can lead to personal growth and empathy.Respite homes are essential for supporting foster families.Fostering can positively impact biological children.Every child deserves love and attention.Foster care can strengthen one's faith and sense of purpose. Thank you for listening to this episode of The Foster Friendly Podcast.Learn more about being a foster or adoptive parent or supporting those who are in your community.Meet kids awaiting adoption.Join us in helping kids in foster care by donating $18 a month and change the lives of foster kids before they age out.Visit AmericasKidsBelong.org and click the donate button to help us change the outcomes of kids in foster care.

In this episode of the Foster Friendly Podcast, host Brian Mavis and co-host Courtney Williams welcome Felicia Curcuru, CEO and co-founder of Binti, a technology platform designed to streamline the foster care licensing process. Felicia shares her personal connection to the foster care system, stemming from her sister's challenging experience in adopting two children. This motivated her to create a solution that simplifies the licensing process for families and social workers alike. Felicia discusses the transformative impact of Binti on the child welfare system, emphasizing how their software solutions streamline processes for agencies and improve outcomes for children. Binti currently serves over 550 agencies across 36 states, significantly improving the efficiency of family approvals and reducing the administrative burden on social workers.Binti functions like TurboTax for foster and adoptive families, allowing them to complete applications online, e-sign documents, and upload necessary paperwork. The platform also provides social workers with a user-friendly dashboard to track families' progress, manage background checks, and automate reminders. With measurable results showing a 30% increase in family approvals and an 18% reduction in processing time, Binti is making a significant impact in the child welfare sector. She emphasizes the importance of reducing the number of children in care and increasing family placements, aligning with federal initiatives. The conversation culminates in a discussion about the need for unconditional love and support for children in foster care, showcasing Binti's commitment to improving the foster care experience for both children and families.Learn more about Binti:https://binti.com/TakeawaysBinti serves over 550 agencies in 36 states.The platform improves family approval rates by 30% and reduces processing time by 18%.Felicia's motivation stemmed from her sister's difficult adoption experience.Binti automates administrative tasks for social workers, allowing them to focus on family engagement.AI is used to streamline processes without making decisions about families. Agencies using Binti are 18% faster on average.Binti allows for paper applications to accommodate non-tech-savvy families.The goal is to reduce the number of children in care while increasing family placements.Binti's software aims to streamline processes for social workers and improve outcomes for children.Unconditional love and support are essential for children in foster care. Thank you for listening to this episode of The Foster Friendly Podcast.Learn more about being a foster or adoptive parent or supporting those who are in your community.Meet kids awaiting adoption.Join us in helping kids in foster care by donating $18 a month and change the lives of foster kids before they age out.Visit AmericasKidsBelong.org and click the donate button to help us change the outcomes of kids in foster care.

In this episode of the Foster Friendly Podcast, hosts Brian, Courtney, and Travis discuss the I Belong Project, a program aimed at helping children in foster care find families. This is a unique episode because some of the stories shared on this episode come from our staff on the ground in various states across the country. The hosts listen and react and also share their own personal stories and insights from their experiences in foster care and adoption, highlighting the importance of storytelling and social media in raising awareness and engaging potential adoptive families. The conversation emphasizes the need for better matching of children with families and the challenges faced by kids in the foster care system.The hosts discuss the challenges faced by hard-to-place children in the foster care system, the importance of creative advocacy in finding families for these children, the significance of sibling bonds in the adoption process, and the complex emotions surrounding grief and loss in adoption. They emphasize the need for awareness and compassion in addressing the needs of these children and the families that support them. Learn more about about our I Belong Project and meet kids waiting for adoptive families:https://americaskidsbelong.org/meet-the-kids/TakeawaysCourtney has been a foster mom for 18 years.The I Belong Project helps children find families through storytelling.Social media plays a crucial role in raising awareness.Many families inquire about children they see in videos.The project has filmed over 4,258 kids without turning anyone down.Kids in foster care often wait years for adoption.The best advocates for children are the children themselves.Matching families to children is a critical process.The project has led to increased inquiries from first-time foster parents.There is a family for every child, and connections can be biological. Kids who are hard to place often wait a long time for families.Reunification efforts may fail, leading to the need for adoption.Many hard-to-place kids have special needs or siblings they want to stay with.Creative advocacy can change perceptions and outcomes for children.Siblings being separated in adoption is a common but challenging issue.Keeping siblings together can provide emotional support during adoption.Adoption comes with grief for biological families and foster families.Understanding the grief involved in adoption is crucial for adoptive families.Adoptive parents often face their own grief while supporting their children.The journey to adoption can lead to unexpected family connections. Thank you for listening to this episode of The Foster Friendly Podcast.Learn more about being a foster or adoptive parent or supporting those who are in your community.Meet kids awaiting adoption.Join us in helping kids in foster care by donating $18 a month and change the lives of foster kids before they age out.Visit AmericasKidsBelong.org and click the donate button to help us change the outcomes of kids in foster care.

In this episode of the Foster Friendly Podcast, hosts Courtney Williams and Travis Vangsnes welcome Kayla Moffitt, a dedicated mother of five and a TBRI practitioner. The conversation begins with Kayla sharing her journey from being a youth pastor to becoming a foster parent, highlighting the challenges and joys of welcoming five siblings into her home overnight. Kayla discusses the emotional complexities of parenting children from traumatic backgrounds, particularly the grief she experienced when her father passed away just as her new children were moving in. The hosts and Kayla delve into the importance of understanding trauma-informed care and the necessity of regulating one's own emotions as a parent to create a safe environment for children who have faced significant hardships.As the discussion progresses, Kayla emphasizes the need for community support for foster families, sharing her experiences with both helpful and unhelpful forms of assistance. She stresses that love alone is not enough; foster parents must also be equipped with knowledge and resources to effectively support their children. The episode concludes with Kayla offering practical advice for future foster parents, urging them to meet children where they are emotionally and to be patient as they navigate the complexities of building trust and relationships. This heartfelt conversation is a testament to the resilience of foster families and the importance of community in the foster care journey.Follow Kayla on Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/makingthemoffitts/Checkout our free trauma training workshop:https://americaskidsbelong.org/lp/trauma-sensitivity-workshop-training/Takeaways:Love is not enough; understanding is crucial.Meet children where they are emotionally.Community support is vital for foster families.Regulate yourself before attempting to regulate a child.Foster parents need tangible help, not just good intentions. Thank you for listening to this episode of The Foster Friendly Podcast.Learn more about being a foster or adoptive parent or supporting those who are in your community.Meet kids awaiting adoption.Join us in helping kids in foster care by donating $18 a month and change the lives of foster kids before they age out.Visit AmericasKidsBelong.org and click the donate button to help us change the outcomes of kids in foster care.

In this episode of the Foster Friendly Podcast, host Brian Mavis and co-host Courtney Williams interview Jamie Finn, a prominent figure in the foster care community. Jamie shares her personal journey into foster care, the impact on her biological children, and the importance of self-care for foster parents. They discuss her book 'God Loves Kids', the need for supportive communities, and the challenges foster parents face, including burnout and the reasons many quit. Jamie emphasizes the importance of saying yes to children in need and the eternal impact of foster care.Pickup Jamie's new book--God Loves Kids: A Gospel Centered Book About Foster Carehttps://a.co/d/052zNuJ9Checkout her org: Foster the Familyhttps://www.fosterthefamily.org/Instagram:@fosterthefamilyblogTakeawaysJamie Finn is a well-known advocate in the foster care community.Foster care can significantly impact biological children in positive ways.Self-care is crucial for foster parents to avoid burnout.Foster parents need to feel supported and seen in their roles.The goal of foster care is often reunification, which can be challenging for foster parents.Children in foster care need families, not just temporary homes.Every moment spent with foster children can have lasting effects.Foster parents should be trauma-informed to better support the children in their care.Community support is essential for the sustainability of foster care.The journey of foster care is filled with both challenges and rewards. Thank you for listening to this episode of The Foster Friendly Podcast.Learn more about being a foster or adoptive parent or supporting those who are in your community.Meet kids awaiting adoption.Join us in helping kids in foster care by donating $18 a month and change the lives of foster kids before they age out.Visit AmericasKidsBelong.org and click the donate button to help us change the outcomes of kids in foster care.

In this episode of the Foster Friendly Podcast, hosts Brian, Courtney, and Travis welcome listeners to 2026 and discuss the new rhythm of the podcast. They reflect on the importance of understanding foster care, the emotional journey of becoming a foster parent, and the realities of handling goodbyes. The conversation emphasizes the need for a support system, the reasons families may quit fostering, and how communities can better support foster families. They also touch on the challenges faced by youth who age out of the foster care system and highlight the mission of America's Kids Belong.Takeaways:You’ll never feel “fully ready” to foster — and that’s normal. Nervousness and discomfort don’t mean you aren’t called or capable; they often mean you’re taking the responsibility seriously.Saying “no” to a placement can be the most loving decision. New foster parents often feel pressured to say yes immediately, but the wrong yes can lead to burnout, disrupted placements, and quitting altogether.Good matches matter more than good intentions. Asking detailed questions about a child’s needs, visitation schedule, trauma history, and daily demands helps protect both the child and your family.Fostering impacts your whole household — not just you. If you have kids, their ages, personalities, and emotional capacity matter, especially when placements are similar in age or gender.Goodbyes are inevitable — and they’re supposed to hurt. Healthy goodbyes include honoring the relationship, marking the transition, allowing grief, and prioritizing the child’s emotional needs over your own.You don’t have to perform grief the same way every time. Some goodbyes will break your heart; others may bring relief — both responses are valid if the child was cared for well.Most foster families quit within the first year due to preventable factors. Lack of preparation, support systems, realistic expectations, and trauma-informed training are the biggest reasons families burn out early.Support systems are non-negotiable. Foster families need practical, consistent help — especially with transportation, meals, childcare, and schedule flexibility.If you’re not fostering, don’t wait to be asked — step in proactively. Foster parents are often helpers who don’t ask for help; specific, concrete offers (“I’ll take kids to practice Tuesdays”) make a real difference. Thank you for listening to this episode of The Foster Friendly Podcast.Learn more about being a foster or adoptive parent or supporting those who are in your community.Meet kids awaiting adoption.Join us in helping kids in foster care by donating $18 a month and change the lives of foster kids before they age out.Visit AmericasKidsBelong.org and click the donate button to help us change the outcomes of kids in foster care.

In this episode of the Foster Friendly Podcast, hosts Travis and Courtney, along with guest Bethany Hall, discuss the complexities of navigating the holidays for children in foster care. They explore the emotional challenges, the importance of managing expectations, and strategies for preparing both parents and extended family for the unique dynamics that arise during this time. The conversation emphasizes the need for trauma-informed approaches and the significance of creating supportive environments for children. This conversation delves into the complexities of navigating holidays for families involved in foster care. It highlights the emotional challenges faced by children, the importance of preparing them for new experiences, and the need for understanding from extended family members. The speakers share personal anecdotes and practical strategies for creating a supportive environment during the holidays, emphasizing the significance of cultural heritage and empowering birth families. The discussion also touches on the role of education in fostering awareness and compassion within the community.Visit Chosen.care to learn how Chosen’s services and training can make a difference in your family’s life. Thank you for listening to this episode of The Foster Friendly Podcast.Learn more about being a foster or adoptive parent or supporting those who are in your community.Meet kids awaiting adoption.Join us in helping kids in foster care by donating $18 a month and change the lives of foster kids before they age out.Visit AmericasKidsBelong.org and click the donate button to help us change the outcomes of kids in foster care.

In this episode of the Foster Friendly Podcast, host Brian Mavis and co-host Courtney engage with Hollie Strand, a forensic examiner with extensive experience in child safety and trafficking. The conversation delves into the complexities of sex trafficking, the grooming process used by predators, and the alarming connection between foster care and trafficking. Hollie shares insights on the importance of internet safety for children, the role of parents in protecting their kids, and the necessity of building a supportive community for vulnerable children. The episode emphasizes the critical need for foster care as a proactive measure to prevent trafficking and offers practical advice for parents and foster families.TakeawaysHollie Strand has 26 years of experience in child safety and trafficking.Sex trafficking is often misunderstood; it involves the exchange of goods for sexual acts.Victims of trafficking may not see themselves as victims due to psychological manipulation.Grooming involves breaking down a person's spirit to make them compliant.Foster care can create vulnerabilities that lead to trafficking.Internet safety is crucial for children to prevent exploitation.Parents must actively supervise their children's online activities.Building a safety net of supportive adults is essential for at-risk youth.Foster parents can play a significant role in preventing trafficking.Community involvement is vital in supporting foster care and child safety. Thank you for listening to this episode of The Foster Friendly Podcast.Learn more about being a foster or adoptive parent or supporting those who are in your community.Meet kids awaiting adoption.Join us in helping kids in foster care by donating $18 a month and change the lives of foster kids before they age out.Visit AmericasKidsBelong.org and click the donate button to help us change the outcomes of kids in foster care.

In this episode of the Foster Friendly podcast, hosts Courtney Williams and Travis Vangsnes welcome Greg and Sam Hollback, a couple who have adopted two Native American daughters through the I Belong Project. They discuss their life in Daytona Beach, their community engagement, and their professional backgrounds in youth advocacy and education. The Hollbacks share their adoption journey, including the challenges and joys of finding their daughters, the importance of cultural considerations in adoption, and how they incorporate Lakota heritage into their family life. They reflect on their experiences as a multicultural family and the significance of belonging and identity for their children.Checkout our free webinars on practical and relevant foster care and adoption topicsFosterCon.orgLearn more about Youth Advocate Programs:https://www.yapinc.org/TakeawaysLiving in Daytona Beach offers a unique lifestyle for families.Adoption processes can take time and require patience.Cultural understanding is crucial in the adoption journey.Incorporating a child's heritage can enrich family life.Community engagement is important for personal fulfillment.Children need time and attention to adjust in new environments.Adopting cross-culturally requires sensitivity and awareness.Language learning can strengthen family bonds and cultural identity.The importance of being accepted as a family in diverse communities.Adoption is about love and connection, not perfection. Thank you for listening to this episode of The Foster Friendly Podcast.Learn more about being a foster or adoptive parent or supporting those who are in your community.Meet kids awaiting adoption.Join us in helping kids in foster care by donating $18 a month and change the lives of foster kids before they age out.Visit AmericasKidsBelong.org and click the donate button to help us change the outcomes of kids in foster care.

In this episode of the Foster Friendly podcast, host Brian Mavis and co-host Courtney engage with Pam Bauer, a mother of 14 adopted children, to discuss the complexities of adoption, grief, and parenting. Pam shares her insights on the challenges of raising a large family, the importance of addressing grief in adopted children, and the need for open conversations about their birth families. The discussion emphasizes the significance of understanding loss, building connections, and providing emotional support to adopted children as they navigate their unique journeys.TakeawaysAdopted children often experience grief related to their biological families.Grief can be an opportunity for attachment and healing.Open conversations about adoption are crucial for children's understanding.Children may feel divided loyalties between adoptive and biological parents.Rituals can help children process their grief and loss.Understanding emotions and body language is essential in parenting adopted children.Grief is a lifelong journey that evolves over time.Adoptive parents should encourage their children to express their feelings.Children need to know they are loved and valued regardless of their background.It's important to recognize the mixed emotions surrounding adoption.Whether you’re considering becoming a foster parent or just want to better understand the adoption ecosystem, this conversation offers wisdom, hope, and practical insight from someone who’s lived it out for decades. Thank you for listening to this episode of The Foster Friendly Podcast.Learn more about being a foster or adoptive parent or supporting those who are in your community.Meet kids awaiting adoption.Join us in helping kids in foster care by donating $18 a month and change the lives of foster kids before they age out.Visit AmericasKidsBelong.org and click the donate button to help us change the outcomes of kids in foster care.

In this episode of the Foster Friendly Podcast, hosts Courtney Williams and Brian Mavis discuss the themes of foster care and adoption as outlined in Brian's book, Upstream. They explore the importance of self-assessment for potential foster parents, the preparation needed for welcoming a child, and the realities of transitioning from foster care to adoption. The conversation emphasizes the need for community support, the role of businesses and faith communities in fostering a supportive environment, and the introduction of the Foster Friendly app as a resource for families. The episode concludes with a call to action for listeners to take their next steps in supporting foster care and adoption efforts.Grab a copy of Go Upstream: Diving into Foster Care To Heal 10 Social WoundsTakeawaysSelf-reflection is crucial before becoming a foster parent.Creating a safe and welcoming environment is essential for children.Adoption is a journey that involves ongoing support and understanding.Community support is vital for the success of foster families.Businesses can play a significant role in supporting foster care initiatives.Faith communities can provide essential resources and support for foster families.The Foster Friendly app connects families with local resources and support.Every small action can contribute to a larger impact in foster care.Understanding trauma is key to supporting children in foster care.Flexibility in approach is important for foster and adoptive families. Thank you for listening to this episode of The Foster Friendly Podcast.Learn more about being a foster or adoptive parent or supporting those who are in your community.Meet kids awaiting adoption.Join us in helping kids in foster care by donating $18 a month and change the lives of foster kids before they age out.Visit AmericasKidsBelong.org and click the donate button to help us change the outcomes of kids in foster care.

In this episode of the Foster Friendly podcast, host Brian Mavis and co-host Travis Vangsnes engage with Jason Weber, a seasoned advocate for foster care and co-founder of the Christian Alliance for Orphans (CAFO). They explore Jason's journey into fostering, the challenges faced in the foster care system, and the importance of community collaboration. Jason emphasizes the need for unconditional love and support for children in foster care, while also discussing the vision of 'More Than Enough' to ensure every child has a safe and loving environment. The conversation highlights the significance of building relationships and working together to create effective solutions for vulnerable children and families.Checkout all the great resources at More Than EnoughGrab a copy of Jason's book: Until There's More Than EnoughTakeawaysJason Weber has been working with vulnerable children and families for 28 years.Foster care is about restoring families, not just caring for children.The journey into fostering often begins with a personal commitment to serve.Collaboration among community members is essential for effective foster care solutions.The Christian Alliance for Orphans (CAFO) was formed to unite organizations working in foster care and adoption.More Than Enough is a vision to ensure every child has an ideal placement.Children in foster care need unconditional love and support from their communities.The government alone cannot solve the foster care crisis; it requires community involvement.Building relationships is key to successful collaboration in foster care.Love is defined as doing what is best for another person, regardless of the cost. Thank you for listening to this episode of The Foster Friendly Podcast.Learn more about being a foster or adoptive parent or supporting those who are in your community.Meet kids awaiting adoption.Join us in helping kids in foster care by donating $18 a month and change the lives of foster kids before they age out.Visit AmericasKidsBelong.org and click the donate button to help us change the outcomes of kids in foster care.

In this episode of the Foster Friendly podcast, host Travis Vangsnes and co-host Courtney Williams welcome Jason Salamun, the mayor of Rapid City, South Dakota. They discuss Jason's journey from a challenging childhood to becoming a community leader. Jason has a profoundly unique lens of seeing foster career and ways to support foster families having been in foster care, to later being a pastor, and then eventually a mayor galvanizing his city on the many ways to become involved. Jason shares insights on the growth of Rapid City, the beauty of the Dakotas, and the need for qualified foster families. The conversation highlights the interconnectedness of social issues, the importance of resilience in youth, and the vital role faith communities can play in supporting foster families and foster care initiatives. This conversation is encouraging and inspiring! TakeawaysJason Salamun emphasizes the beauty and hospitality of the Dakotas.Rapid City is experiencing significant growth, attracting families.The importance of community support for children in foster care.Resilience is key for youth facing challenges.Faith communities can play a crucial role in foster care.Foster families are essential for providing stability and love.Every child deserves a place to belong.Community engagement is vital for addressing social issues.Jason's personal story highlights the impact of family support.The need for qualified foster families is critical. Thank you for listening to this episode of The Foster Friendly Podcast.Learn more about being a foster or adoptive parent or supporting those who are in your community.Meet kids awaiting adoption.Join us in helping kids in foster care by donating $18 a month and change the lives of foster kids before they age out.Visit AmericasKidsBelong.org and click the donate button to help us change the outcomes of kids in foster care.