Episode 59 – Foster Club and NFPA
We recommend you check out these two sites:
Fosterclub.com – A social networking site for foster youth.
NFPAonline.org – Stats, resources, scholarships, and support for foster parents.
Listener Laura recommended we listen to this lecture on “The Racial Geography of Child Welfare” by Dorothy Roberts. We’re passing on the recommendation. It’s a good listen.
Steven Mackie said,
March 17, 2009 @ 7:53 pm
Thank you guys so much for taking the time do do these podcasts. I’ve learned so much!!
Just wanted to say that I laughed all the way to work listening to your Star Wars story!!
Groupie Laura said,
March 18, 2009 @ 5:28 am
Thank you for the shout out! Anyway, I also found that a major take-home message from the Roberts Lecture was made by one of the social services workers in her story. One major source of calls to DCFS concerning children of color in these low-income areas were their own neighbors. It was interesting to see how DCFS had practically woven itself into the fabric of the community.
“Somebody in [their own neighborhood] is calling” and DCFS is obligated to investigate.
My personal reaction included one of concern that this might muddy those situations where children of color (like our baby) are (in my view) legitimately removed from their families of origin and placed in care. In our case, our baby’s siblings are living with a single African American foster parent living in an urban neighborhood similar to the family of origin. We live in a very diverse (yet clearly more affluent) community and are white. (Our baby was offered to her first, but she was unable to add him to her to household. He was living in a shelter until his placement with us.)
I guess I got my dander up initially when I heard episode 58 because I KNOW that there are those that look at our situation from the outside and see a professional white couple parenting a baby of color from a poor Chicago neighborhood and might wonder if racial bias played too prominent of a factor in his removal and placement. THIS IS A LEGITIMATE QUESTION, but not always the answer.
Glad to know that my #1 status is secure and may the force be with you (in the most Christian way imaginable).
Laura
Anne McCain said,
March 18, 2009 @ 4:47 pm
Um, Superfan Linda better step back because I am the reigning #1 fan…I thought you guys knew that?!?!
Celeste Bodner said,
April 24, 2009 @ 10:37 pm
Hey Tim and Wendy – thanks for the shout out! I found your podcast a while back (almost a year ago, I think) and think you guys are fantastic… but just came across your website today.
I’m behind on your podcasts – but glad to hear about your adoption. My husband and I are in the final stages of adoption of our 5-year-old… =) We also have older boys (21-25) who came into our lives as teens (and served as inspiration for FosterClub). I really appreciate your very real perspective of foster care and honeset, reliable, and level-headed discussion of the issues.
Thanks again, and continued good luck!
Celeste
celeste@fosterclub.com
Executive Director and Founder
FosterClub
Brad said,
December 17, 2009 @ 8:27 pm
Our state foster parent association hosts an annual conference we attend every year. Every session I’ve been to has been very informative, much more so than the trainings put on by the county.
mama k said,
January 12, 2010 @ 7:11 pm
Another resource for your listeners is the You Gotta Believe! radio show:
http://www.am1240wgbb.com/Show%20Pages/TeensAndTweens/teens.htm
It’s mostly focused on adopting teens and tweens, but so much of the attachment and parenting advice will be helpful to all foster parents. The stories of current and former foster youth are amazing!