In this episode of Fostering Conversations, host Amy Smith sits down with Michelle Ostmark, the Statewide Mentoring Coordinator for Utah Foster Care, to discuss the Utah Foster Care Mentoring Program and why it matters.

Michelle explains how the program pairs experienced foster parents with new or existing foster and kinship families to provide guidance, emotional support, and real-life insight throughout the fostering journey. From navigating first placements and court processes to coping with reunification, burnout, and self-care, mentors help ensure families don’t feel alone.

The conversation highlights how mentoring builds community, strengthens placements, and improves outcomes for children by supporting the adults who care for them. Michelle also shares how the program began, its statewide growth, success stories, and how former foster parents can continue giving back as mentors—even if they’re no longer licensed.

Learn how to request a mentor or become one at:

https://utahfostercare.org/foster-parent-resources/mentors/

Welcome to Fostering Conversations. On today’s episode, we’ll be talking about the statewide Utah Foster Care Mentoring Program and its importance to our Utah foster families.

Amy: Welcome to Fostering Conversations. I’m your host, Amy Smith. Today we have Michelle Ostmark, who is the statewide mentoring coordinator for Utah Foster Care.

Thanks for joining us, Michelle.

Michelle: Thank you for having me.

Amy: So we’re excited to talk about the mentoring program. It is part of Utah Foster Care and available to all of our foster families in the state of Utah. Is that correct?

Michelle: It’s also available to kinship families that have gone through the licensing process or have started the licensing

Amy: which is awesome. I think kinship, all foster families need support, but kinship have an added layer of need of support, so I love that you’ve included that now.

Michelle: Yeah. I think it’s important that they also have support for the children that are coming into their home. They have the same. Needs that any other child coming into care have, and they just have an extra dynamic of having a personal relationship with the biological families.

Amy: Yeah, absolutely. So let’s just start by what is the mentoring program?

Michelle: So the mentoring program is designed to pair a seasoned foster family with a new or existing family that needs additional support, or. Resources in each of their communities. We gear it towards new families just so that as they’re starting their foster care journey, they’re able to have somebody that they can call and gather information from, learn what’s appropriate, what’s not, questions to ask as they’re getting placements in their home, um, when they’re struggling, when there’s. exciting news for a child or their family, they have somebody that they can share those things with. Yeah. So that they’re not feeling alone.

Amy: I love that because I think back to when I started fostering and I didn’t know like anything, like you just like you get trained. But then you forget what you’re doing and then a kid shows up and you’re like, wait, what am I doing again?

Yeah.

Michelle: Yeah. And I think our training is amazing,

Amy: It is. It’s beautiful.

Michelle: But like during that process, you go through the training and then you wait for your licensing and approval, and oftentimes there’s a few months that pass by. Yeah. And so all of that training that you’ve had, you’re super excited.

But once you get that call for that child, all of that training and al...

In this episode of Fostering Conversations, host Amy Smith sits down with Terumi Sagers, TBRI Specialist for Utah Foster Care, longtime foster parent, and adoptive parent. Together, they unpack the foundations of Trust‑Based Relational Intervention (TBRI)—a relationship‑centered, trauma‑informed caregiving approach developed by Dr. Karen Purvis and Dr. David Cross.

This conversation is filled with real‑life examples, practical tools, and compassionate insights for foster parents, kinship caregivers, educators, and anyone raising children—because, as Terumi explains, TBRI works for all humans, not just those with trauma backgrounds.

Terumi shares her extensive experience fostering, adopting, and training caregivers for over 15 years. She explains the three core TBRI principles—Connecting, Empowering, and Correcting—and why trust must be rebuilt from a “negative starting point” for many children who enter care.

You’ll hear:

• How simple, consistent connection builds safety
• Why correcting behavior isn’t effective until trust is established
• How sensory needs, movement, nutrition, and hydration affect behavior
• Practical examples caregivers can implement today
• Clear guidance on where families (foster or not) can access TBRI training

This episode is a comforting mix of vulnerability, practical strategy, and hope for caregivers navigating the complexities of trauma‑impacted parenting.

Terumi Sagers TBRI Specialist, Utah Foster Care 20 years as a foster parent • Adoptive parent • Trainer and practitioner

• A trauma‑informed parenting philosophy centered on trust‑building and relational connection.
• Originally developed for children with trauma histories, but now shown to benefit all children and even adult relationships.

• Children in care often enter new homes with trauma, loss, and disrupted attachment.
• Caregivers must focus on connection to help kids reach “zero” before growth can begin.

• Connecting: Relationship‑building through presence, attunement, and positive interactions.
• Empowering: Meeting physical and sensory needs (movement, hydration, blood sugar, calm environments).
• Correcting: Teaching life skills and addressing behavior after safety and connection are in place.

• A withdrawn teen reconnecting through daily small affirmations.
• A family eliminating after‑school meltdowns simply by offering protein snacks and water right after pickup.

• Utah Foster Care’s 8‑class TBRI Caregiver Series (20 hours).
• Community resources including My Healing Home, Raise the Future, and online courses from TCU.

• A rigorous process including 10 weeks of study, an intensive adult attachment interview, and a 5‑day immersive training.

• Books: The Connected Child and The Connected Parent by Dr. Karen Purvis
• Training: UtahFosterCare.org → TBRI Caregiver Series
• Community Providers: My Healing Home • Raise the Future
• Online Learning: TCU’s TBRI 101 resources

Podcast: Fostering Conversations Host: Amy Smith Guest: Dave, Owner of Dave’s Auto

Episode Summary

In this heartfelt episode, Amy sits down with Dave Bell from Dave’s Auto Center to discuss his incredible journey of giving back to the community through Utah Foster Care and other charitable initiatives. Dave shares the deeply personal story of his mother’s childhood in an orphanage, how that shaped his values, and why supporting foster families and children is so meaningful to him. From partnering with Mountain America Credit Union to organizing a massive community Christmas event, Dave’s passion for service shines through every story.

Key Topics Covered

• Dave’s Background: From starting his auto shop in a storage unit to building a successful business over 36 years.
• Personal Connection: How his mother’s experience as an orphan inspired his commitment to foster care.
• The Power of Service: Why giving back changes lives—both for those who receive and those who give.
• Community Christmas Event: Details about the annual Family Community Christmas in Farmington, serving thousands of families with food, clothing, toys, and holiday cheer.
• Encouragement for Listeners: Practical ways to get involved and make a lasting impact during the holiday season.

Memorable Quotes

• “Service is a dividend that pays double.” – Dave
• “Be careful what you fill your mind with—your life depends on it.” – Dave
• “One caring adult can make all the difference.” – Amy

Resources & Links

• Utah Foster Care: utahfostercare.org
• Family Community Christmas (Farmington, UT): December 20th at Farmington Fair Park
• Mountain America Credit Union: macu.com

Call to Action

Want to make this holiday season meaningful? Join the Family Community Christmas event or support foster families in your area. Your time and kindness can change lives.

Transcript:

Amy: Welcome to Fostering Conversations.

I’m your host, Amy Smith. Today we have Dave with Dave’s Auto,

Thank you so much for joining our podcast today. We’re excited to chat with you.

Dave: I’m happy to be here. Thank you.

Amy: So let’s start off by just introducing yourself, you know, what’s a little bit of your background and how did you get involved with Utah Foster Care?

Dave: my background is, I’ve been a mechanic my whole life since I was 15. So that’s 50 years now. And I started the business here in Utah in 1990. So we’re starting our 36th year this year. And started in a storage unit in the dead of winter with no heat. And Lord, I’ve been very blessed.

So that’s a little bit about me and where I came from and why I’ve gotta shop. Mountain American Credit Union came to me last year, a little before Christmas, and asked me to collaborate with them with Utah Foster Care. And I was so honored to do it, and they didn’t even know it.

They just came to me because they wanted a a working kind of guy to be part of their ad campaign and everything. And then through, meeting the people and you know, talking to Utah foster care and everything a story came up and that story is probably why this is so near and dear to me, but no one knew that.

But it’s unusual how people will get put in your life or you’ll get put in people’s lives and then it’s an answer to somebody’s prayer. You know, for me it’s an answer to my prayer ’cause I can give back. I’ve been so blessed in my life. And I hope that in some way t...