How to Hold Joy and Grief at the Same Time as Foster Parents (feat. Grant and Michaele Leathers)

How to Hold Joy and Grief at the Same Time as Foster Parents (feat. Grant and Michaele Leathers)

One of the first lessons you learn as a foster parent is that you can never assume how a placement will end. Most parents enter each placement knowing that reunification is the primary goal of foster care whenever it’s safe and possible. But that doesn’t make the journey any easier. They must learn to love a child wholeheartedly while also holding space for the possibility of one day saying goodbye. There may not be a book that covers every challenge you’ll encounter as a foster parent, but that’s what makes conversations with parents like my latest guests so important. Grant and Michaele Leathers have been foster parents for five years and have walked through many placements that ended with a variety of outcomes. They have been married for 9 years, and they truly see it as a privilege to be a small part in the stories of the families they work with. In this conversation, Grant and Michaele share some of the good and hard parts of fostering, why it’s essential to find your village of support, how to manage parenting in spite of uncertainty, and much more. Find the show notes and links to anything we discussed here: https://riversideproject.org/podcast/grant-michaele-leathers-51/ [https://riversideproject.org/podcast/grant-michaele-leathers-51/]

The Powerful Intersection of Faith and Neuroscience (feat. Ashley McFarland)

What does it look like to integrate mental health and faith? My guest today brings her knowledge, experience, and passion to answer this question. Ashley McFarland is a trauma trainer, psychotherapist and co-founder of the Pineheart Center. Throughout her time in child welfare, nonprofits, the school system, and a detention center, she gained insight into the ways trauma shapes our brains.  In this conversation, we explore why it’s important to build connection and safety with an individual before trying to encourage behavior changes, how the Bible connects with neuroscience and healing, and much more. Ashley’s insights are so eye-opening for Christians who want to understand evidence-based mental health treatment models, and the hope and healing these methods can bring, through a biblical lens. Find the show notes and links to anything we discussed here: https://riversideproject.org/podcast/ashley-mcfarland-50 [https://riversideproject.org/podcast/ashley-mcfarland-50]

Behind the Bench: Child Welfare Through the Eyes of a Judge (feat. Judge Charles Griffin, Gulf Coast Children’s Court)

Going to court can be intimidating for everyone involved in the child welfare system: from foster parents to biological families, and of course, for children. Because of this, it's often the case that parties will neglect to show up for their court date. When this happens, judges have to base their decisions on an incomplete picture of the situation—and key testimony and desires are not taken into consideration. That's why we're so grateful to welcome Judge Charles Griffin on the podcast for an important conversation. He serves as the Associate Judge of the Gulf Coast Children’s Court under the Office of Court Administration and is a board-certified attorney in child welfare law. Charles has spent over six years presiding over cases that directly impact children and families in the foster care system. He’s here to give us some perspective on the factors that judges take into account as they strive to secure the best possible outcome for each case. In this conversation, Judge Griffin brings both extensive legal experience and a compassionate lens to one of the most complex areas of the child welfare system as he explains the role of a judge in a child welfare case, why everyone should respond to the call to “come to court,” some first steps you can take to get involved, and much more. Find the show notes and links to anything we discussed here: riversideproject.org/podcast/charles-griffin-49 [https://riversideproject.org/podcast/charles-griffin-49/]

Understanding and Preventing Child Maltreatment (feat. Dr. Melissa Merrick, Prevent Child Abuse America)

1 in 7 children experience abuse or neglect in the United States, according to the CDC [https://www.cdc.gov/child-abuse-neglect/about/index.html]. However, the actual number is estimated to be higher due to many cases going unreported. It’s easy to assume that maltreatment only happens when a child’s caregivers are uncaring or intend harm—but that isn’t always the case. The reality is, children are more at risk when their caregivers are overwhelmed, underresourced, and in desperate need of community. It isn’t enough to address the aftereffects of abuse and neglect; we need to start supporting families from the very beginning. Here to help us understand how we can help effectively prevent child maltreatment is Dr. Melissa Merrick. Dr. Merrick is the president and CEO of Prevent Child Abuse America, the nation’s oldest and largest nonprofit dedicated to preventing child abuse and neglect. With over 20 years of clinical research and leadership experience, she is a nationally recognized expert on adverse childhood experiences (ACEs). In light of April being National Child Abuse Prevention Month, we are thrilled to have her join us to share about her work and inform us on how we might work together to better our community for vulnerable families and children. In this conversation, Dr. Merrick shares some of the core factors that lead to child maltreatment, why solutions need to come at a community-wide level, common myths about prevention, and much more. Find the show notes and links to anything we discussed here: riversideproject.org/podcast/melissa-merrick-48 [https://riversideproject.org/podcast/melissa-merrick-48/]

How TBRI® Transforms Lives Through Safety and Connection (feat. Darius Payne)

What if the key to improving a child’s behavior isn’t found in stricter rules, but in stronger relationships? And what should care and treatment look like for children who have experienced really hard circumstances? Our guest today brings evidence-based answers to both of these questions. Darius Payne is a licensed Master Social Worker and Juvenile Justice expert with extensive experience in child welfare and the application of Trust-Based Relational Intervention®, or TBRI®. He currently oversees training, implementation, and quality assurance of TBRI® at the Harris County Juvenile Probation Department. TBRI® is a trauma-informed, attachment-centered approach designed to meet the complex needs of children who have experienced adversity. Rather than focusing solely on behavior management, TBRI® emphasizes felt safety, connection, and skill-building. When children experience healthy, consistent relationships, they begin to develop confidence, self-worth, and the capacity to heal. In this episode, Darius shares the key tenets of TBRI® and how it strengthens families, how the foster care and juvenile justice systems can work together more effectively, what systemic change really requires, and more. Find the show notes and links to anything we discussed here: riversideproject.org/podcast/darius-payne-47/ [https://riversideproject.org/?post_type=podcast&p=7283]