Episode 177: Learning and Growing Together - On Location at Foster Cooperative Training Day: Part 1
Release Date: 02/27/2024
Episode 191: Fostered for Greatness
Fostering Voices Podcast
Summary: In this episode, we are honored to sit down with Mari Ramsey, whose inspiring journey began when he and his brother entered foster care at the age of 14. While many teens in his situation end up in group homes, Mari was fortunate to find a loving foster family where he could thrive. Through the challenges he faced, Mari discovered his passion for music, faith in God, and a calling to share his story with others. Join us as we listen to Mari’s heartfelt reflections on his experiences, the power of resilience, and how his love for music and faith shaped his path. Resource Links:...
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Episode 190: Real Talk: Group Homes in Arizona
Fostering Voices Podcast
Summary: In today’s episode, we dive into the world of group homes for children in foster care. When family or foster families aren't an option, group homes become the next step for many kids. But what is life really like inside these homes? We’re joined by Shevaun Sullivan, Director of Group Home Relations at OCJ Kids, who shares her insights from years of experience. Shevaun discusses the day-to-day realities for kids in these environments and highlights the crucial role the community plays in supporting their well-being. If you’ve ever wondered how group homes function or how you can...
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Episode 189: Learning & Growing Together - On Location @ FC Training Day
Fostering Voices Podcast
Summary: Join us on location at Central Christian Church in Glendale, Arizona, for Foster Arizona’s semi-annual Foster Cooperative Training. This episode is packed with insightful talks from experts dedicated to empowering caregivers and community champions. Discover valuable knowledge and practical tools to better support the children who need us most. As we learn and grow together, we enhance our ability to make a meaningful impact in their lives. Tune in to be inspired and equipped to show up with greater purpose and compassion. Resource Links: Connect with us! Email:...
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Episode 188: How Art Helps Build Resilience
Fostering Voices Podcast
Summary: In today’s episode, we’re diving deep into the concept of building resilience, particularly in children. We often hear about the importance of resilience, but what does it really mean? And more importantly, how can we help our kids develop this crucial skill? Resilience isn’t just about surviving challenges—it’s about learning to bounce back and thrive in the face of adversity. While there are many ways to nurture resilience, today, we’re focusing on a powerful and perhaps unexpected tool: art. Art can be a transformative medium for children, offering them a way to process...
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Episode 187: Behavior Interventions that Work for Us
Fostering Voices Podcast
Summary: In our last episode, we shared how our family embraces summer adventures. This time, we're diving into the real struggles we face, not just in summer, but every day. Join us as we explore the challenges and interventions that work for us. We tackle road trips and outings, discussing how the struggle is real and how we manage in-car and outing behaviors, handling nighttime routines when you're the only adult or with another adult. We then shift our focus to home life, addressing challenges like out-of-control behaviors, unsafe car habits, dysregulation, and lack of sleep. We'll cover...
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Episode 186: Vacation Planning & Tips - Vehon Style
Fostering Voices Podcast
Summary: As summer blazes in Arizona, we’re constantly on the move, seeking cooler escapes to preserve our sanity. Traveling with a family of nine is no small feat, and we’ve gathered a treasure trove of tips and tricks to make it smoother. In this episode, we dive into Intentional Travel. Fresh from a recent timeshare presentation, we discuss the joys and challenges of discovering new experiences together and the importance of adventure in our family. We’ll share our favorite adventures and how we align them with our family goals. Next, in The Planning Behind the Fun, we break down the...
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Episode 185: Consider Yourself a Mandated Supporter
Fostering Voices Podcast
Summary: In this week's episode, we continue the important conversation started in Episode 184 “The Link Between Foster Care and Social Disparities”. If you haven’t had a chance to listen to it yet, we highly recommend checking it out to gain a deeper understanding of today’s discussion. June is Family Reunification Month, a time to celebrate families coming back together after separation due to child protective services. But what if reunification wasn’t necessary? What if we could focus more on prevention and support within our communities to keep families together in the first...
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Episode 184: The Link Between Foster Care and Social Disparities
Fostering Voices Podcast
Summary: In honor of June being Family Reunification Month, today's episode sheds light on a crucial yet often overlooked issue in our community: the challenges and misconceptions surrounding birth families involved in the foster care system. As foster parents, we initially held unfair biases towards these families. However, through our journey, we've learned that various factors make some families more at risk of system involvement than others. To deepen this conversation, we are thrilled to welcome Claire Louge, the Executive Director of Prevent Child Abuse Arizona. Claire is dedicated to...
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Episode 183: A Single Mom’s FosterAdopt Journey
Fostering Voices Podcast
Summary: In honor of Foster Care Awareness Month, join us for an inspiring episode featuring a heartfelt conversation with my sister-in-law, Tara Armstrong. Tara played a pivotal role in our family's foster care journey, guiding us as we transitioned from having two kids to seven. Now, she has embarked on her own remarkable path. As a single mom of two, Tara opened her heart and home, adopting two children from the foster care system who were searching for their forever family. This episode delves into the challenges and triumphs of fostering and adoption, offering real talk and personal...
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Episode 182: Life-Changing Connections in Foster Care
Fostering Voices Podcast
Summary: In today's episode, we explore the profound impact of connections on well-being, particularly in the context of foster care. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention highlights the pivotal role of social connections in fostering healthy choices and better mental and physical health outcomes. However, many children entering foster care face profound disconnection from their familiar support networks, exacerbating challenges like stress, anxiety, and depression. In Arizona, where the average foster child experiences two or more placements, the need for stable, nurturing...
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Today is all about something extra special! We've packed our gear and hit the road to bring you an exclusive behind-the-scenes experience. Right now, we're on location at Foster Cooperative's training day, immersing ourselves in a day of learning and growth.
Foster Arizona, a beacon of support and empowerment, hosts these training events twice a year. And let me tell you, each time is a unique journey filled with eye-opening insights. Today, we're not keeping those gems to ourselves – we're bringing you along for the ride!
Join us as we dive into various topics and explore valuable resources that shape the fostering landscape. Whether you're a seasoned advocate or just starting your journey, there's something for everyone. So, buckle up and get ready to embark on this enlightening adventure with us. Are you ready? Let's go!
Resource Links:
Learn From People Who Lived It (Mathew Blades)
I Needed That Podcast - Chris Powell (Mathew Blades)
Shift Happens Transformative Counseling (Wade Cordell)
Lighthouse Psychiatry (Carol Melim)
Internet Safety | Arizona Attorney General (Jillian Ashby)
Connect with us!
Email: [email protected]
Facebook: @FosteringVoicesPodcast
Instagram: @FosteringVoices