Foster Care: An Often Unseen Social Crisis That Needs Your Attention

Cultivate the Ordinary

In this episode, Travis and Jess talk all things foster care in light of May being National Foster Care Awareness Month. They both work for the national org, America's Kids Belong whose mission is to improve the outcomes and experiences for kids in foster care. Travis and Jess are former foster and adoptive parents and are very passionate in helping others discover their "why" to get engaged in this issue. There is a vast shortage of foster families. There is a vast shortage of those supporting foster families. We can all do better. We need to because lives and the futures of some of the most vulnerable in our country are hanging in the balance.

French writer Simone Weil famously once said, "Attention is rarest and purest form of generosity." Foster care needs our attention. It needs our gifts, abilities, and experiences. It needs us. Whether that's being foster parents or supporting foster families in our communities. We can all play a role doing something ordinary for extraordinary ends.

They unpack common questions and comments like:

1. What is the US foster care system?
2. Why are kids in foster care?
3. What does it take to be a foster parent?
4. What is the licensing process like?
5. What are common myths and misconceptions around foster care?
6. "I'd get too attached."
7. "I want to start, but my spouse isn't interested."
8. "What about my bio kids?"

And plenty more . . .

They also share personal stories and insights on their own experiences as foster parents and about their work at America's Kids Belong. They also talk about adoption from foster care. This is a jam packed episode where our hope is that you'll learn more about foster care and consider taking steps to find an entry point into engaging this space. Your involvement can change lives in numerous ways.

Here are some great resources from America's Kids Belong to get you started on your journey:

Explore Fostering

Explore Adoption

Support Foster Families

Engage Your Church

Engage Your Business

Resources mentioned in this episode:

Book: To the End of June: The Intimate Life of American Foster Care

Additional resources from Travis and Jess:

Guided Pace website: resources for coaching, soul care, and spiritual retreat offerings

Travis' books:

Shiny Eyes: Seeing Better Through the Lenses of Joy, Tears, Beauty, and Hope

Redemption's Echo: Living in the Reflection of God's Grace