Beyond Labels: Foster Care That Changes Lives

A Conversation About Community, Connection, and Caring for Kids in Need

When Heather Frost joins Janet Michael on The Valley Today, she brings a message that hits close to home: hundreds of children across the Shenandoah Valley desperately need stable, caring families. As Foster Parent Coordinator for Embrace Treatment Foster Care, Heather sees firsthand how the shortage of local foster homes affects vulnerable kids throughout our region.

The Scope of the Problem

The statistics paint a sobering picture. At any given time, Virginia has approximately 5,000 children in foster care. Remarkably, 40% of these children are teenagers—the age group that proves hardest to place. Breaking this down to our local communities reveals the true scale of the need. Frederick County and Winchester together care for 120-150 children at any time, while Shenandoah County serves 40-60 kids. Even smaller Clarke County has 15-25 children in the system annually. Meanwhile, larger counties like Loudoun regularly have 250-300 children awaiting placement.

Furthermore, the consequences of inadequate foster care resources extend far beyond childhood. More than 1,000 young people age out of Virginia's foster care system each year without finding a permanent family. This failure dramatically increases their risk for homelessness, unemployment, and involvement in the justice system—outcomes that could be prevented with stable family support.

Why Location Matters

Heather emphasizes a crucial point that many people overlook: where a foster child lives makes an enormous difference in their recovery and development. When children must be placed far from their home communities due to a lack of local foster families, they lose vital connections. They leave behind their schools, their therapists, their neighborhoods, and often their extended family members who still play important roles in their lives.

"The research shows these things really matter in terms of getting over the trauma that the kids have gone through," Heather explains. Maintaining these connections helps children recover faster and build resilience. Consequently, Embrace actively seeks foster families throughout the region—from Winchester and surrounding counties to Harrisonburg and even Loudoun County—to keep kids rooted in familiar territory.

What Treatment Foster Care Really Means

Unlike traditional foster care through the Department of Social Services, Embrace provides treatment-level care for children with more complex needs. These kids often face challenges like ADHD, developmental disabilities, autism spectrum disorders, or post-traumatic stress. However, Heather quickly dispels any notion that foster parents must navigate these challenges alone.

Instead, Embrace treats foster parents as integral members of a treatment team. The agency provides extensive initial certification training, then continues with monthly sessions covering new strategies, specific situations, and emerging best practices. Additionally, foster parents receive 24/7 support—whether they need a phone consultation or an in-person visit. This comprehensive approach transforms foster parents from isolated caregivers into supported professionals working alongside schools, social services, and community partners.

Breaking Down Barriers and Misconceptions

Throughout the conversation, Heather addresses common concerns that prevent people from considering foster care. First, she tackles the financial question head-on. All foster children receive Medicaid coverage, eliminating worries about medical expenses. Moreover, foster parents receive stipends to cover clothing and other necessities, though Heather acknowledges these don't cover every expense. Community support, like the Front Royal Chamber's annual fundraiser for foster families, helps fill remaining gaps.

Second, Heather confronts the fear that potential foster parents lack the necessary skills or experience. "We're not looking for perfect people," she emphasizes. "We're just looking for people who will show up, who will be there, who want to help children." The certification process takes approximately 90 days and includes about six weeks of training classes, which can be completed virtually or in person based on family preferences.

The Power of Stability and Connection

Perhaps the most compelling part of the conversation centers on how dramatically children can transform when given stability and structure. Heather acknowledges that many foster children arrive labeled as "difficult" or "hard to manage." Nevertheless, she's witnessed countless times how these same children soften and thrive once they realize someone will consistently show up for them.

"Just having someone who cared about them" makes all the difference, Heather notes, recalling stories from community members who approach her at events like Apple Blossom to share their own foster care experiences. Janet reinforces this point, observing that labels hurt children and that removing those labels allows kids to flourish in ways that might seem impossible at first.

Importantly, Heather doesn't sugarcoat the experience. "I'm not gonna say it's all butterflies and rainbows a hundred percent of the time," she admits. Yet she describes the profound reward of watching relationships develop between foster children and their families. "When a child and a foster parent have that relationship and you get to watch it grow, it's just very beautiful."

From Foster Care to Forever Families

The conversation also explores how foster placements can evolve into permanent adoptions. Embrace dual-certifies foster parents for both fostering and adoption, creating flexibility as situations develop. Sometimes a child initially expected to reunify with their biological family cannot do so. In these cases, foster parents who've built strong relationships over months or years often choose to adopt, providing the permanent stability these children desperately need.

This possibility becomes especially meaningful for teenagers. As Janet points out, raising any teenager presents challenges—foster or biological. However, the opportunity to guide a young person from a traumatic past toward a stable future offers rewards that transcend typical parenting experiences.

The Urgent Call to Action

As the conversation concludes, Heather issues a straightforward invitation: if you're even slightly curious about foster care, reach out for a conversation. There's no obligation, no cost, and no pressure. Visit embracetfc.com to learn more and indicate your preferred method of contact. The agency will respond according to your comfort level, whether you're just exploring the idea or ready to begin classes.

Ultimately, the message resonates clearly throughout the conversation: the Shenandoah Valley's foster children need local families who represent their communities and cultures. They need people who will maintain their connections to schools, therapists, and extended family. Most importantly, they need adults who will simply show up—consistently, reliably, and with genuine care.

The need is great, but so is the potential for impact. As Heather reminds listeners, foster parents don't need to be perfect. They just need to be present.