All Things Foster: A place for Coffee, Connection, and Community

Holding Space: A Foster Care Series on Grief and Healing Part 2

Join host Matt Darrah with special guest Laura Bownds in a conversation that delves into the topic of grief in foster care, emphasizing the importance of understanding and addressing the grief experienced by children and foster parents. We explore the challenges and emotional complexities involved in navigating grief within the foster care system, highlighting the need for open and honest conversations, coping mechanisms, and support for both children and foster parents. The conversation delves into the emotional impact of caregiving and foster care, emphasizing the importance of acknowledging and expressing grief and emotions. It explores the need for support, counseling, and regular emotional assessment for caregivers and foster parents. Additionally, it highlights the impact of a child's departure on caregivers and the grief experienced by other children in the home. The discussion also addresses disenfranchised grief, emotional suppression, and the importance of avoiding emotional autopilot through self-care. We emphasized tools for working through grief and promoting emotional expression and, along with a call to action to support foster care initiatives. Takeaways * Grief in Foster Care * Understanding Child's Grief Grief and emotions must be acknowledged and expressed to avoid emotional suppression. * Support groups, counseling, and regular emotional assessment are crucial for caregivers and foster parents. * Grief affects not only the caregiver but also the other children in the home, and it's important to provide tools for them to cope with their feelings. Chapters * 00:00 Introduction to Grief in Foster Care * 04:54 Understanding Child's Grief * 24:03 Foster Parents' Grief * 29:59 Grief of Other Children in the Home * 36:06 Disenfranchised Grief and Emotional Suppression * 42:19 Avoiding Emotional Autopilot and Self-Care * 48:24 Promoting Emotional Expression and Support panhandleorphan.org [http://panhandleorphan.org] Episode Sponsor: West Texas Wellness Center: https://westtexaswc.com/ [https://westtexaswc.com/] 806-352-1500

Holding Space: A Foster Care Series on Grief and Healing Part 1

The podcast episode features a discussion on grief and its impact on children in foster care. Our guest, Laura Bownds, shares insights on supporting children through grief, understanding trauma, and creating a safe and familiar environment for children in care. The conversation covers the importance of building trust and connection with foster children, understanding and supporting different age groups, addressing transitioning and regression, practical steps for foster families, and the permission to grieve and providing support. Takeaways * Understanding the impact of grief on children in foster care * Creating a safe and familiar environment for children in care Building trust and connection is crucial for foster children. * Understanding and supporting different age groups is essential for effective caregiving. Chapters * 00:00 Introduction and Sponsor Acknowledgment * 05:14 Challenges in Accessing Support * 10:19 Supporting Children Through Grief (Continued) * 21:06 Creating Familiarity and Control for Children * 26:12 Building Trust and Connection * 33:04 Practical Steps for Foster Families * 49:13 Permission to Grieve and Providing Support https://www.panhandleorphan.org/ [https://www.panhandleorphan.org/] Episode Sponsor: AW Broadband https://awbroadband.net/ [https://awbroadband.net/] Brian 806-670-2073

Autism Isn’t Something to Fix: A Conversation with Sam Mitchell

* The prevalence and increasing diagnosis rates of autism, now at 1 in 33. * Personal journey and lived experiences of Sam Mitchell from childhood with autism. * Recognizing signs and cues of autism in children, including repetitive behaviors, social cue misunderstandings, and sensory sensitivities. * Practical strategies for supporting children on the spectrum, including therapy options like ABA and the importance of routine and predictability. * Challenges and misconceptions about autism — including the myth that autism is a disease to be fixed. * Tips for foster families: identifying autism early, supporting during meltdowns, and creating inclusive environments. * The range of abilities among individuals with autism, from non-speaking to self-sufficient adults. * The importance of giving people with autism a fair chance in education and employment. * How awareness and understanding can shift societal perception and promote acceptance. RESOURCES & LINKS: * Autism Rocks and Rolls Podcast [http://www.youtube.com/@autismrocksandrollssammitc2906] * Autism Rocks and Rolls Official Website [https://autismrocksandrolls.com/] * Supporting Autism in the Workplace [https://www.autism.org.uk/working] * ABA Therapy Explained [https://www.autismspeaks.org/what-aba-therapy] CONNECT WITH SAM MITCHELL: * Twitter [https://twitter.com/SamMitchell] * LinkedIn [https://linkedin.com/in/SamMitchell] * Panhandle Orphan Care Network [https://panhandleorphan.org/] – Consider donating to provide placement packages * College Solutions LLC [https://collegesolutionsllc.com/] – For college funding support

From Surviving to Leading: Jazlyn’s Story One Year Later

Jazlyn shares her inspiring journey from trauma and instability to stability and advocacy. She discusses the importance of trauma-informed care, community support, and fostering independence for youth aging out of foster care. Key Topics: Trauma-informed care and its impact The importance of community and support systems Fostering independence and resilience in youth Advocacy for systemic change in foster care https://www.panhandleorphan.org/ [https://www.panhandleorphan.org/] Fostering Independence: https://www.fosteringindependence.org/ [https://www.fosteringindependence.org/] Texas Network of Youth Services -TNOYS: https://tnoys.org/ [https://tnoys.org/] Sponsor: Ennis Inspections (806) 672-1928 [https://www.google.com/search?q=ennis+inspections&oq=Ennis+Inspections&gs_lcrp=EgZjaHJvbWUqBwgAEAAYgAQyBwgAEAAYgAQyCAgBEAAYFhgeMggIAhAAGBYYHjIICAMQABgWGB4yBwgEEAAY7wXSAQg1NjE5ajBqN6gCALACAA&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8#] https://www.ennisinspections.com/ [https://www.ennisinspections.com/]

Empathy and Healing with Cadence Theiss

This episode dives into the powerful journey of Cadence, a foster care survivor, and her insights on healing, belonging, and supporting vulnerable children. Tune in for authentic stories and practical ways to make a difference in foster care. Keynotes: * Cadence's personal foster care and adoption story, including early trauma and reunification * The importance of stability, reassurance, and love for children in foster care * How CASA advocates and placement packages impact children's lives * The emotional and spiritual journey of healing from trauma * Ways foster families and communities can provide safety and belonging * The significance of empathy, understanding, and ongoing support * How experiences shape perspectives on foster care, advocacy, and policy * Practical advice for foster parents: creating a safe space, being transparent, and showing unconditional love * The role of community programs and initiatives like Moses Closet and placements packages * Cadence’s journey to becoming a board member and her passion for helping children https://www.panhandleorphan.org/ [https://www.panhandleorphan.org/] Sponsor: Falcon Ridge IT (806)410-0246 https://falconridgeit.com [https://falconridgeit.com/]