From Foster to Forever

What happens when a school employee opens her home to two brothers in foster care just days before Christmas?In this heartfelt episode of From Foster to Forever, host Rachel Fulginiti sits down with foster parent Susan Devine, who shares her powerful experience fostering two brothers through the child welfare system and supporting their eventual reunification with their father. Unlike many foster-to-adopt stories, Susan's journey highlights another important goal of foster care: helping families heal and reunite whenever safely possible.Susan discusses how a simple conversation at work led her to become a foster parent, the challenges and rewards of caring for children who have experienced trauma, and the deep bonds that can form even when adoption isn't the outcome. As a single mother and school health aide, Susan offers a refreshing perspective on fostering older children, supporting children with special needs, and staying connected after reunification.If you've ever wondered whether foster parenting is right for you, this episode offers an honest, encouraging look at how ordinary people can make an extraordinary difference in a child's life.In This EpisodeHow Susan unexpectedly became a foster parentFostering two brothers just before ChristmasSupporting children through trauma and uncertaintyThe importance of maintaining connections with biological familiesWhat reunification looked like for these childrenFoster parenting as a single parentThe realities of fostering children with special needsHow community support can help foster families succeedWhy foster care isn't only about adoptionCoping with saying goodbye when children reunifyThe lasting impact foster parents can have on a child's lifeWhy more families are needed in foster careKey TopicsFoster careFoster parentingFoster family storiesFoster care reunificationFoster-to-adoptSingle foster parentsOlder child foster careSpecial needs foster careChild welfare systemTrauma-informed parentingFamily reunificationBecoming a foster parentFoster care supportDutchess County Foster CareMemorable Quote"It absolutely made me alive again inside and knowing that I was important to someone and that someone needed me." — Susan DevineResourcesInterested in becoming a foster parent? Contact your local child welfare agency to learn about foster parent certification, training requirements, and ways you can support children and families in your community.

What does it take to break the cycle of trauma and create a forever family?In this powerful episode of From Foster to Forever, host Rachel Fulginiti sits down with foster care advocate, author, and Comfort Cases founder Dr. Rob Scheer.Rob's story begins in foster care. As one of ten children removed from his biological family, he entered the foster care system carrying his belongings in a trash bag—a reality still faced by many foster youth today. After aging out of care, overcoming trauma, and building a successful life, Rob went on to adopt five children through foster care and become one of the nation's leading voices for foster care reform.Together, Rachel and Rob discuss:✅ Foster care and adoption realities that prospective foster parents need to understand✅ Why permanency matters for children in foster care✅ The challenges and rewards of foster-to-adopt parenting✅ Transracial adoption and raising Black children in a white family✅ Maintaining healthy relationships with biological families after adoption✅ Trauma, resilience, and breaking generational cycles✅ Foster youth aging out of care✅ Advocacy efforts to eliminate trash bags in foster care✅ How Comfort Cases is helping children enter foster care with dignity and hopeRob also shares why he believes every child deserves unconditional love, stability, and a permanent family—and why communities must do more to support struggling families before children enter foster care in the first place.Whether you're a foster parent, adoptive parent, social worker, CASA volunteer, child welfare professional, or someone considering foster care adoption, this episode offers practical wisdom, inspiration, and hope.About Rob ScheerDr. Rob Scheer is a former foster youth, adoptive father of five, author of A Forever Family: Fostering Change One Child at a Time, and founder of Comfort Cases, a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting children entering foster care with backpacks filled with essential items instead of trash bags. Through advocacy, education, and direct support, Comfort Cases has impacted hundreds of thousands of children nationwide.Resources MentionedComfort Cases https://comfortcases.org/A Forever Family: Fostering Change One Child at a Time https://shop.comfortcases.org/shop/signed-copy-of-a-forever-family-by-rob-scheerComfort Cases Scholarship ProgramCASA Volunteer Program https://nationalcasagal.org/advocate-for-children/be-a-casa-gal-volunteer/Rob Scheer website https://scheerfocus.com/Connect with From Foster to ForeverIf this episode inspired you, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone interested in foster care, adoption, foster parenting, or child advocacy.

What happens when a white foster-to-adopt family adopts a Black teenager in a small rural community with very little diversity?In this deeply honest and thought-provoking episode of From Foster to Forever, Rachel talks with foster and adoptive mom Kat Parvin about transracial adoption through foster care, parenting adopted teens, navigating racism in schools, and the realities of raising a Black daughter in a predominantly white town.Kat shares how her family’s foster care journey quickly turned into adoption after welcoming a 13-year-old girl into their home. But alongside the joy of becoming a forever family came difficult questions about racial identity, white privilege, trauma-informed parenting, and how white adoptive parents can better support Black children growing up in white spaces.The conversation explores the emotional complexity of foster adoption, the guilt many adoptive parents feel, and the importance of listening to adoptee voices and continuing to learn — even when it’s uncomfortable.Rachel and Kat also discuss:foster care disruptionadopting older children and teensbullying and racism in schoolstrauma and emotional regulationparenting children from hard placessupporting adopted children through identity developmentbalancing the needs of biological and adopted childrenfoster parenting while working full-timecreating community and mentorship for transracially adopted childrenwhy representation matters in adoptive familiesKat opens up about the backlash she received online after posting about her adoption day and how that experience pushed her deeper into learning about transracial adoption, anti-racism, and culturally responsive parenting.This episode is an important listen for:foster parentsadoptive parentswhite adoptive parentstrauma-informed caregiversfamilies considering foster-to-adoptparents raising adopted teensanyone interested in foster care, adoption, racial identity, and transracial parentingResources MentionedDo Right By Me: Learning to Raise Black Children in White SpacesHow to Be an Antiracist by Ibram X. KendiWhy Are All the Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria? by Beverly Daniel TatumPACT, An Adoption AllianceCulturally Fluent FamiliesAbout the PodcastHosted by award-winning audiobook narrator, writer, and foster-to-adopt mom Rachel Fulginiti, From Foster to Forever shares hopeful, honest stories of families formed through foster care and adoption. Through real conversations with foster parents, adoptees, advocates, and experts, the podcast explores the beauty, complexity, and emotional realities of nontraditional families.🎧 Follow, rate, and review the podcast to help more foster and adoptive families discover these conversations.#fostercare #fosteradoption #transracialadoption #adoption #adoptiveteens #adoptiveparenting #fosterparenting #whiteadoptiveparents #raisingblackchildren #racialidentity #traumainformedparenting #adoptionpodcast #fostertoadopt #adoptionjourney #fostercareawareness

We're diving deep into the heartwarming yet challenging journey of foster care and adoption with Ron Platt, a trailblazer in LGBTQ+ parenting. Ron's story kicks off with his own experiences navigating the foster system and how he became an adoptive dad to a young boy who faced incredible adversity. With a mix of humor and honesty, we explore the ups and downs of their relationship, the expectations he set, and the real struggles of raising a child who’s been through the wringer. Plus, Ron shares his mission behind creating the National Association for Single and Divorced Families, aiming to support parents and advocate for kids in the system. So grab your headphones and settle in for a conversation that’s as enlightening as it is entertaining—because parenting isn’t always a walk in the park, but it sure can be a wild ride!Links referenced in this episode:nasdf.orgfromfoster2forever.comfostertforeverpodcast.comIn this episode, Ron Platt takes us on a journey through the often turbulent waters of foster care and adoption, sharing his personal story of becoming a father to an LGBTQ youth. The conversation kicks off with Ron recounting how he found himself single and contemplating fatherhood at a time when he thought it was out of reach for someone like him. His friend’s experience in fostering a child becomes the catalyst for his own journey, as he recalls the moment he decided to jump into the foster care system. Ron's passion for providing a safe and loving home for a child who has faced adversity becomes clear as he passionately details the ups and downs of the adoption process. As Ron reflects on his experiences, he candidly discusses the challenges that come with raising a teenager who has seen the darker sides of life. His emotional narrative brings to light the struggles of building trust and the importance of establishing boundaries. One particularly striking moment occurs when Ron has to enforce rules that lead to a temporary separation from his son, showcasing the tough decisions parents must make for the greater good. This vulnerability not only adds depth to Ron's character but also serves as a reminder that love often requires tough love, especially in the context of healing from trauma. The episode further explores the dynamics of Ron’s relationship with his son and how their bond strengthens through communication and shared experiences. Ron emphasizes the importance of community support and the role that chosen family plays in their lives. His story is ultimately one of resilience and hope, illustrating that non-traditional families can offer just as much love and stability as traditional ones. Listeners are left with a profound understanding of the complexities of parenting in the foster care system, as well as the beauty that comes from creating a family founded on acceptance and unconditional love.Takeaways:Ron Platt shares his to becoming a loving foster dad, highlighting the challenges and rewards of parenting an LBGTQ+ teenager.The podcast emphasizes the importance of community support in navigating the complexities of foster care and adoption, showcasing how relationships can be built.Through humor and personal anecdotes, the episode reveals the realities of fostering, from the initial challenges to the eventual success stories of children in the system.Ron discusses the unique dynamics of being a single LGBTQ parent, and how his experiences have shaped his advocacy for foster care reform and resources for families.

Host Rachel Fulginiti is joined by returning guests Jen Lilley—a successful Hollywood actress who followed a deep calling to foster and ultimately fostered to adopt two children—and Dr. John DeGarmo, a nationally recognized foster care expert who has fostered over 60 children and adopted multiple children.In this episode they share insights from their new book, Called To Foster: An Honest Guide to Getting Started, offering a raw, honest, and practical roadmap for anyone considering foster care.Together, they bring both heart and expertise to an urgent conversation about the current state of foster care in the U.S.—and why more families are needed now than ever before.From a critical shortage of foster homes to the alarming reality that some children are being placed in juvenile detention centers simply because there’s nowhere else for them to go, this episode sheds light on a system in crisis—and how everyday people can step in to help.🎧 Listen to Jen's & Dr. John’s original episodes (Season 2)Show Notes:The latest episode of Foster to Forever dives deep into the heart of foster care, shedding light on some serious and heartfelt issues while keeping it real and relatable. One of the standout moments features Jen Lilly recounting her experience meeting a woman who had a rather shady take on fostering, suggesting that a ‘D rate kid’—a child with behavioral issues and educational challenges—can actually be a more profitable choice for foster parents. It's a jaw-dropping moment that really makes you think about the motives behind fostering and the systemic shortcomings that allow such views to flourish. They discuss the alarming shortage of foster homes and how desperate states have resorted to placing children in juvenile detention centers due to a lack of suitable placements, painting a grim picture of the current foster care landscape. This episode also highlights their newly co-authored book, 'Called to Foster: An Honest Guide to Getting Started,' which aims to recruit better foster parents and provide valuable insights into the fostering process. Jen and Dr. John DeGarmo share their personal journeys and offer practical advice for both prospective and current foster parents, emphasizing the need for love, patience, and community support in navigating the complexities of foster care. It's a must-listen for anyone interested in making a difference in the lives of children in need, filled with both humor and sobering truths about the foster system.Takeaways:The podcast emphasizes the dire shortage of foster homes, especially after the pandemic, highlighting that many children are now being put in juvenile detention due to lack of placements.Listeners are encouraged to consider fostering as a way to make a real difference in children’s lives and to overcome the fear of attachment and heartbreak that can come with it.The hosts share their personal experiences with fostering, emphasizing the importance of community support and the continuous learning needed to effectively parent foster children with special needs.The discussion reveals some shocking realities about foster care, including instances of individuals fostering for financial gain rather than the child's well-being.The hosts advocate for recruiting better foster parents and address misconceptions about who can be a foster parent, stressing that no one has to be perfect or wealthy to make a difference.The episode promotes a new book titled 'An Honest Guide to Getting Started' that aims to equip potential foster parents with the insights and resources they need to embark on this journey.💬 Powerful Takeaway“If your adult-sized heart can take a little bit of the pain that a child would otherwise carry alone… you’ve done your job.”🎯 Who This Episode Is For:Anyone considering foster care or adoptionCurrent foster or adoptive parentsSocial workers and child welfare advocatesPeople who feel called to make a meaningful impact—but aren’t sure where to start📚 Resources & Links📖 To Foster: An Honest Guide to Getting Started – Available on Amazon (Pre-order now, releases May 5)🎧 Listen to Jen's & Dr. John’s original episodes (Season 2)🌐 https://www.fromfoster2forever.com📩 [email protected]