In this episode of All Things Foster, host Matt Darrah welcomes Emily Bell, a dedicated foster mom and former sponsorship director at the Christian Relief Fund. Emily shares her journey into fostering, which began after years of working in orphan care and a pivotal conversation with her husband. She discusses the emotional and logistical challenges of fostering, including the licensing process and the complexities of navigating the foster care system. Emily emphasizes the importance of community support and the need for foster parents to advocate fiercely for the children in their care, highlighting the often-overlooked trauma that even infants can experience.

Throughout the conversation, Emily reflects on the joys and struggles of fostering, including the impact on her marriage and her biological children. She encourages listeners to embrace the present moment with foster children, acknowledging the uncertainty that comes with the territory. Emily's insights shed light on the realities of foster care, the importance of compassion for biological families, and the need for community involvement to support foster families. This heartfelt discussion aims to inspire and inform those considering fostering or seeking to understand the foster care system better.

Takeaways:

Fostering is a journey that requires community support.

Every child in foster care carries some form of trauma, even infants.

Advocacy for children in care is crucial and can awaken a fierce protective instinct.

The uncertainty in foster care can be overwhelming, but control is often an illusion.

Living in the moment is essential for foster parents to find joy amidst challenges.

Panhandle Orphan Care Network:

https://www.panhandleorphan.org/

Sponsor:

College Solutions LLC

806-373-2392

https://www.collegesolutionsllc.com/

Christian Relief Fund:

https://crf.com/

In this episode of All Things Foster, Matt Darrah speaks with Mike Wilhelm, the director of faith-based outreach at Boys Ranch. They discuss the mission of Boys Ranch, the importance of trauma-informed care, and the challenges faced by children in crisis. Mike shares his journey to Boys Ranch, the role of a chaplain, and the significance of building trust with children. They also explore the impact of trauma on behavior and the need for community support in fostering environments. The conversation emphasizes the importance of prayer, the role of house parents, and the necessity of self-care for staff in challenging environments.

Takeaways

Boys Ranch serves children and families in a Christ-centered atmosphere.

Building trust with children takes time and patience.

Trauma-informed care is essential for effective youth ministry.

The Arousal Continuum helps understand children's reactions to stimuli.

Predictability and structure are crucial for children from hard places.

Effective transitions can ease anxiety for children.

House parents play a vital role in the success of Boys Ranch.

Community support is essential for the sustainability of Boys Ranch.

Prayer is a powerful tool for staff and community involvement.

Self-care and intentional breaks are necessary for staff well-being.

Sponsor:

Short & Vlosich Family Dental

806) 374-8011

https://www.svfamilydental.com/

Cal Farley Boy's Ranch

https://www.calfarley.org/

In this episode of All Things Foster, host Matthew Darrah speaks with Jarah from CASA about the critical role of Court Appointed Special Advocates in the foster care system. They discuss the importance of CASA volunteers, the need for more advocates, and the impact these volunteers have on the lives of children in foster care. Jarah shares personal stories of success and the challenges faced by children in the system, emphasizing the need for community involvement and support. The conversation highlights the normalcy of foster children and the importance of treating them with compassion and understanding.

Takeaways

CASA volunteers dedicate about eight to ten hours a month to support children in foster care.

There is a significant need for more CASA volunteers, with about 100 more needed in the Amarillo area.

Foster children are normal kids who desire stability and support during difficult times.

Building relationships with children in foster care is essential for their well-being.

CASA volunteers often uncover critical information that can change a child's situation for the better.

The qualities of a great CASA volunteer include passion for helping children and a willingness to learn.

Success stories from CASA volunteers demonstrate the positive impact they can have on children's lives.

Community awareness and involvement are crucial in addressing the foster care crisis.

Foster care is a cycle that can be broken with the right support and advocacy.

CASA volunteers play a unique role in the court system, focusing solely on the best interests of the child.

https://www.panhandleorphan.org/

Sponsor:

The ER on Soncy

(806)340-0608

https://eronsoncy.com/

CASA:

https://pleasebeacasa.org/

The conversation covers the journey of a family's decision to become foster parents, the challenges and impact of fostering, the role of the church in orphan care, and the founding of the Embrace organization. It also explores the current initiatives and support provided by Embrace to foster families and the community. The conversation covers the themes of community engagement and support, building community and connection, challenges in foster care and child welfare, addressing the needs of foster children and families, encouraging and supporting foster families, and community involvement and support for foster families. It highlights the impact of community involvement, the challenges faced in foster care, and the importance of building a supportive network for foster families.

Takeaways

• Fostering as a Family
• Community Support Community Support
• Challenges in Foster Care
• Impact of Community Involvement

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction and Sponsorship
• 05:34 Challenges of Fostering
• 13:18 Church and Orphan Care
• 25:06 Current Initiatives of Embrace
• 30:17 Building Community and Connection
• 38:00 Addressing the Needs of Foster Children and Families
• 43:12 Encouraging and Supporting Foster Families
• 51:39 Community Involvement and Support for Foster Families

Episode sponsor:

Angie Grimm at College Solutions, LLC:

https://www.collegesolutionsllc.com/

panhandleorphan.org

In this conversation, Bryan Power discusses the critical need for relationship tools that many people lack, emphasizing the challenges of navigating love and connection without proper guidance. He highlights the importance of having a structured approach to relationships, which can lead to significant improvements and momentum in personal connections.

https://www.panhandleorphan.org/

Sponsor:

Amarillo National Bank

https://www.anb.com/

Resources:

Mel Robbins and Thais Gibson Youtube episode:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GIkspM20BeY

Bryan Power:

https://www.myrelationshipfail.com/

Sign up for email club for quiz

Personal Development School:

https://university.personaldevelopmentschool.com/?utm_source=affiliate&utm_medium=MYRF

In this episode of All Things Foster, Matthew Darrah and Donna Pope discuss the complexities of foster care and adoption, emphasizing the importance of community support, compassion for birth moms, and the challenges faced by adoptive families. They explore the emotional toll of adoption, the philosophy of self-determination for birth moms, and the need for informed consent in the adoption process. The conversation highlights the generational struggles within foster care and the importance of finding purpose in pain, ultimately advocating for a more compassionate approach to understanding the experiences of all involved in the adoption journey.

https://www.panhandleorphan.org/

Sponsor:

Amarillo National Bank

https://www.anb.com/

In this engaging conversation, Eileen Noyes shares her journey as a mother of 15 in a blended family, discussing the complexities of parenting dynamics, the importance of faith, and the role of community. She emphasizes the need for wisdom in navigating challenges, the blessings of seeing generational impact, and the significance of letting go of control to trust God. Eileen also highlights her coaching program aimed at empowering women and her books that focus on identity and purpose in motherhood.

https://www.panhandleorphan.org/

Eileen Noyes:

https://www.eileennoyes.com/

https://theunsidelinedlife.com/

Books:

https://www.amazon.com/stores/Eileen-Noyes/author/B0CXD2Y4RP?ref=ap_rdr&isDramIntegrated=true&shoppingPortalEnabled=true&ccs_id=dbc112bb-2ea3-42bc-b5f8-5e92fc7e78bc

Sponsor:

Golden Creation Coffee

https://www.goldencreationcoffee.com/

(806) 676-3478

Julie Granger shares her personal journey following a tragic car accident that left her daughter paralyzed. She discusses the lack of resources in the Texas Panhandle and the inspiration she found in the community support available in Dallas-Fort Worth, leading him to consider building similar resources locally.

https://www.panhandleorphan.org/

Sponsor:

Matthew Poole of Modern Woodman

(806)759-0927

https://reps.modernwoodmen.org/mpoole/