Reflections: Stories of Foster Care

A child welfare professional and foster parent shares about the importance of understanding trauma, its impact on children, and how healthy relationships can help children and families heal.

Chalyce shares about her journey in navigating mental health resources after transitioning out of foster care and her work advocating for mental health screenings for youth in care.

A Youth formerly in care shares her story of entering the system with her siblings, her journey in the system, and her path to self-care and taking care of her mental health.

Cole shares about his experience exploring the power of resilience and the importance of strengthening Black male mental health through storytelling.

A reflection on entering the foster care system at age 13, transition to adulthood, and the impact that relying on a support system and paying attention to mental health needs had on happiness and wellbeing.

Sue shares her journey as a foster care provider of over 20 years, emphasizing the importance of connection and care, and reflecting on the true impact that caregivers can have in the lives of children and youth in foster care.

Two foster parents share their joy and commitment to helping a young girl shine in her development and the positive impact that recognizing her mental health needs has had on her overall physical health.

This story focuses on the importance of prioritizing social, mental, emotional, and physical health can help in healing from trauma.

The team from Enhanced Foster Care services shares the story of how robust, dynamic, and effectives services and a strong team of service providers supported the Blevins family and the mental health and well-being of two sisters placed in their care.

The team from Enhanced Foster Care services shares the story of a family who understood what it takes to parent a child who has experienced trauma, their openness to receiving supportive services, and their commitment to helping Joseph heal from loss and grief. By staying the course, Joseph was adopted and became Christopher after 3,239 days of searching for permanency.

A foster parent tells her story of parenting a sibling group of five and the life-changing impact that establishing a partnership with the children’s birth parents had on the children’s overall well-being and reunification.

A foster parent shares tips and encouragement for others who may be interested in fostering or adopting.

The Vermont Department for Children and Families shares the inspiring story of Tom and how his commitment to his community has been a source of support for foster families in the St. Albans District of Vermont.