Utah Foster Care guides real and raw conversations about parenting for bio, foster, adoptive or blended families to increase understanding of issues we all experience as families. Utah Foster Care's mission is to develop innovative strategies to help recruit, train, and retain foster families.
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“Every single child deserves a foundation. Every child deserves to know there’s someone there rooting them on, and every child deserves to know what it feels like to be loved unconditionally.” — Rob Scheer Episode 74: Comfort and Care What happens when a child enters foster care carrying everything they own in a trash bag? For Rob Scheer , it is more than a heartbreaking image. It is a reality he…
In this heartfelt episode of Fostering Conversations , host Amy Smith sits down with Ellie Barlow, a dedicated foster parent from a rural Utah community. Ellie shares her family’s remarkable journey fostering 22 children, adopting five, and navigating the unique challenges of raising high-needs youth far from urban resources. From building a thriving support system in a small town to parenting…
In this special Pride Month episode of Fostering Conversations , host Amy Smith speaks with Jessica and Giselle, a Utah foster care couple, about their journey into fostering and building a loving, inclusive family. They share how a chance encounter at a community event led them to foster care, ultimately resulting in the adoption of their first placement and the addition of another sibling to…
In this episode of Fostering Conversations , host Amy Smith welcomes back Laura from Foster Parenting to discuss her first book, First Time Fostering . Designed as a practical field guide, the book brings together real-world strategies, scripts, and community-sourced wisdom to support new foster and kinship caregivers. Laura explains why she created a manual that caregivers can jump into by topic,…
In this powerful episode of Fostering Conversations, host Amy Smith sits down with former foster youth Carlos Rios Redd to talk about lived experience in foster care, sibling separation, adoption disruption, resilience, and hope. Carlos entered foster care as a baby, lived in more than ten homes, and experienced three adoptions. Despite repeated trauma and instability, Carlos shares how…
In Episode 69, Amy Smith sits down with longtime foster and adoptive mom Crystal Dukes for a heartfelt conversation about the real purpose of foster care: reunification. Crystal shares her family’s journey fostering more than 30 children, adopting through both private adoption and foster care, and developing deep, lasting relationships with biological families. This episode offers a candid,…
In this episode of Fostering Conversations , host Amy Smith sits down with Michelle Ostmark, the Statewide Mentoring Coordinator for Utah Foster Care, to discuss the Utah Foster Care Mentoring Program and why it matters. Michelle explains how the program pairs experienced foster parents with new or existing foster and kinship families to provide guidance, emotional support, and real-life insight…
In this episode of Fostering Conversations , host Amy Smith sits down with Terumi Sagers , TBRI Specialist for Utah Foster Care, longtime foster parent, and adoptive parent. Together, they unpack the foundations of Trust‑Based Relational Intervention (TBRI) —a relationship‑centered, trauma‑informed caregiving approach developed by Dr. Karen Purvis and Dr. David Cross. This conversation is filled…
Podcast: Fostering Conversations Host: Amy Smith Guest: Dave, Owner of Dave’s Auto Episode Summary In this heartfelt episode, Amy sits down with Dave Bell from Dave’s Auto Center to discuss his incredible journey of giving back to the community through Utah Foster Care and other charitable initiatives. Dave shares the deeply personal story of his mother’s childhood in an orphanage, how that shaped…
In this episode of Fostering Conversations , host Amy Smith talks with Utah Foster Care clinical support specialist and LCSW Les Harris about blocked care: why it happens, how it impacts foster parents, and practical steps to restore connection. Les explains how chronic stress can suppress the parenting response system, making it difficult to feel joy or affection toward a child, even when we…
In this episode of Fostering Conversations , host Amy Smith welcomes Utah’s First Lady Abby Cox to announce the statewide launch of the Care Communities program . After a successful two-year pilot with Utah Foster Care, Care Communities are expanding across the state to provide essential support for foster families and children in care. Abby shares how this initiative was born out of a desire to…
In this episode of Fostering Conversations , guest host Liz Rivera guides a powerful dialogue with Native leaders and advocates about the importance of culture, tradition, and belonging for Native children in foster care. You’ll hear from: James Toledo ( Utah Division of Indian Affairs ) on how culture provides a foundation for resilience. Stephanie Benally (Native American Specialist, Utah Foster…
In this powerful episode of Fostering Conversations , host Amy Smith sits down with Sheri, a resilient young woman who aged out of Utah’s foster care system and is now thriving as a leader at Angels Landing Foundation. Sheri shares her deeply personal story from entering foster care at age 12 after bravely reporting abuse, to cycling through 13 foster homes, and ultimately finding healing,…
In this episode of Fostering Conversations , host Amy Smith and co-host Tami Carson welcome Melina Moore , Utah Foster Care’s Volunteer Services Manager. Melina shares how individuals and organizations can support foster families across the state—not by fostering, but by volunteering. Learn how opportunities like Kids’ Night Out , Service Saturdays , and event support offer much-needed connection…
Show Notes: In this special Pride Month episode of Fostering Conversations , host Amy Smith and co-host Tami Carson (Director of Community Volunteers at Utah Foster Care) sit down with Adrienne, a longtime foster and adoptive parent and leader of the FLY Cluster—Fostering LGBTQ Youth. Adrienne shares her personal experience raising five adopted children, two of whom identify as queer, and the…
This week on Fostering Conversations , Amy and Heidi sit down with Rachel Garrett, Utah foster parent and founder of Common Thread , a nonprofit serving teens ages 12–18 who’ve experienced foster care or similar life circumstances. Rachel shares how a small community event grew into a thriving organization that now supports hundreds of teens through joy-filled activities, life skills workshops,…
In this heartfelt episode of Fostering Conversations , host Amy Smith is joined by guest co-host Jennie Shepherd, Director of Recruitment, as they welcome Celeste Edmonds—Executive Director of The Christmas Box International and author of Garbage Bag Girl . Celeste shares her inspiring journey from growing up in foster care to leading an organization that supports children in need. She opens up…
In this episode of Fostering Conversations , we welcome Laura, the force behind the popular Instagram account @FosterParenting! Laura shares her journey into foster care, from a spark of interest as a teenager to becoming a foster parent and content creator. We discuss the realities of foster parenting, the importance of trauma-informed care, and the many ways people can support the foster care…
Episode Summary: In this episode of Fostering Conversations , hosts Amy Smith and Liz Rivera sit down with Angela Tucker, adoptee advocate, mentor, and founder of the Adoptee Mentorship Program. Angela shares her journey from being adopted out of foster care to building a global community for adoptees to connect, heal, and grow. They discuss: Angela’s experience growing up in a multiracial family.…
Episode Summary: In this powerful episode of Fostering Conversations , host Amy and co-host Liz Rivera welcome Daniela, founder of With Siblings . Daniela shares her unique perspective as a former biological child (“bio kid”) in a foster family and now as a foster/adoptive parent, social worker, and therapist. Together, they dive into the complex dynamics of supporting bio kids in foster and…
Episode Summary: In this episode of Fostering Conversations , Amy and Liz are joined by Peter Mutabazi, also known as “Foster Dad Flipper” on Instagram. Peter shares his inspiring journey from being a street child in Uganda to becoming a foster parent in the United States. Over the past nine years, Peter has fostered 45 children, adopted three, and is currently fostering three more. He discusses…
*This episode was originally aired in December 2020 Episode Summary Fostering Conversations with Utah Foster Care delves into the unique challenges foster families face during the holiday season. Hosts Deborah Lindner and Liz Rivera are joined by Dan Kammerlohr and Hope Nichols, counselors from Hope and Healing Counseling, to explore strategies for navigating the season’s complexities. The episode…
In this episode of Fostering Conversations , hosts Deborah Lindner and Liz Rivera sit down with 15-year-old Freedom, a foster youth with a remarkable story of resilience, hope, and self-discovery. Freedom opens up about her experiences growing up in the foster care system, finding her forever family, and the challenges of fitting in as the only Black person in her adoptive family. Highlights:…
In this episode of *Fostering Conversations*, hosts Deborah Lindner and Liz Rivera introduce a new initiative within Utah Foster Care: Care Communities. The program, a two-year pilot spearheaded by First Lady Abby Cox, aims to provide foster families with support teams comprised of community members, businesses, and religious organizations. The discussion highlights the unique challenges foster…
During a typical school day, our children can spend as much time in class as they do at home, which makes success at school all the more important. Tyler Bastian is director at Utah’s first farm-based charter high school and McKay Esplin is an LCSW and Utah Foster Care trainer. In our latest episode, they offer insight on how parents and students can build and foster positive school relationships.…
What began as a bold experiment in Utah now celebrates 25 years of nurturing families and transforming lives. As we reflect on a quarter-century of dedicated service in foster care, we take a moment to appreciate the profound impact that Utah Foster Care has had on countless children, families, and communities Building on Bold Beginnings Twenty-five years ago, a visionary idea took root in Utah—to…
In this podcast episode, hosts Deborah Linder and Liz Rivera discuss the challenges and support systems for families with LGBTQ children, particularly focusing on the organization Mama Dragons . The episode begins with a brief introduction and proceeds to explore how Mama Dragons evolved from a small group of mothers to a significant support network. Special guest Jen Blair, host of the Mama…
The bonus episode titled “Special Hearts” centers around the theme of special needs foster care, spotlighting the experiences and insights of foster parents who have taken on this demanding yet rewarding role. Hosted by Deborah Linder and Liz Rivera, the episode features heartfelt conversations with Amy, a seasoned foster mother from Utah, and Katie Welling, who works with New Alternatives for…
Wouldn’t it be great to see foster homes waiting for children, rather than children waiting for homes? Unfortunately, Utah is nowhere near having enough homes, especially those to support kids with special needs. This month is National Foster Care Month, and we talk to two leaders in our state’s foster care community about our shortage of foster parents in Utah. Check out our Upcoming Events !…
In this enlightening podcast, Deborah Lindner and Liz Rivera from Utah Foster Care engage in a thought-provoking discussion with Nikki Walker , Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at Domo. They delve into the essence of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) within the foster care system, emphasizing the importance of acknowledging and respecting the cultural backgrounds of children in…
Shifting the Focus. Policies on adoption have often focused on adoptive parents, rather than the well being of adoptees and birth parents. The Open Adoption Project podcast , hosted by Shaunn and Lanette Nelson, adoptive parents from Utah, are back with another crossover episode on Fostering Conversations . They aim to flood the podcast sphere with adoption-related content, sharing perspectives…
Attachment In this podcast episode, hosts Deborah Lindner and Liz Rivera engage in a profound discussion with Dr. Lee Raby , a distinguished expert in attachment research from the University of Utah. The focal point is the critical role attachment plays in the development of children within the foster care system. The conversation kicks off by outlining the distinctions between love and…
Curly Me! is a nonprofit that’s a resource for Utah families with children of color – specifically black girls between the ages of 5-14 years of age. In this episode, we hear more about “Change the World with Her” and other upcoming events. In 2021, Black children represented 14% of the total child population but 22% of all kids in foster care. By comparison: White kids represent 49%…
In this insightful podcast episode, hosts Deborah Lindner and Liz Rivera explore the profound theme of “the gift of presence” with guest Ilse DeKoeyer. Delving into the challenges of staying fully present, especially during the hectic holiday season, the conversation emphasizes the importance of understanding and practicing presence in parenting. Ilse defines presence as the art of balancing…
Cadon Riley likes to express his voice through the lens of music. We were honored to have him join us to talk about his new song that he hopes will inspire other young people going through the foster care experience. Riley is a student at Utah Tech. He is also a mental health and foster care advocate. He loves to share his experience, in and out of foster care, especially through singing and…
This month we are airing an episode from the podcast The Open Adoption Project by Lanette and Shaun Nelson. This episode shares the story of two mothers connected initially through their shared love for their children. This episode discusses the challenges of foster care, drug addiction, and maintaining connections…particularly in regard to parenting children in foster and adoption situations. You…
This episode is a re-broadcast of Episode 29. It may surprise you to find out teens in foster care want and need lifelong connections – yet, when it comes to adopting, many families rarely consider older kids and teenagers. As Foster Youth Voice Month continues, our Fostering Conversations podcast examines the obstacles youth who age out of foster care face. Listen to the inspiring stories of…
In this episode, we explore kinship’s role in foster care. September is Kinship Care Awareness month, and The Kinship Coalition says some 20,000 families in Utah are caring for at least one relative child. DCFS Kinship Supervisor Ashley Barton explores what it means to prioritize kin, and how foster parents can support these efforts. Resources for Kinship Caregivers: Utah Foster Care: Kinship…
During a typical school day, our children can spend as much time in class as they do at home, which makes success at school all the more important. Tyler Bastian is director at Utah’s first farm-based charter high school and McKay Esplin is an LCSW and Utah Foster Care trainer. In our latest episode, they offer insight on how parents and students can build and foster positive school relationships.…
Support systems are crucial for young people who have experienced foster care. The 1999 Collective is a new community in Utah created by two people who have a wealth of knowledge and lived experience to share. Together, Natalie Clark and Alexa Hudson want to make sure young men and women are able to access all the education, housing, and other resources they need. 1999 Collective Services For…
Trigger Warning: This episode contains subjects that may be upsetting to some. Please use discretion. Every child deserves to grow up in a safe and loving environment, especially those in foster care who have already experienced trauma and displacement. However, queer kids in foster care face unique challenges and are often more vulnerable than their heterosexual and cisgender counterparts. It is…
First Lady Abby Cox has heard from countless foster families, teens and children about what the state of Utah can do to Show Up for Foster Care. She’s been sharing what she’s learned with her husband Governor Spencer Cox – and now, they share with us some of their goals for improving the lives of children and families in the coming months. To learn how you can get involved, check out the First…
In this month’s episode we are joined by Community Champion Kristin Andrus. Kristin is the mother of six and part of the powerful team of women at The Policy Project, which seeks to “remove barriers to opportunity through solution-based policy.” Kristin shares what she has learned from these youth she has met with around the state. Utah Foster Care’s Director of Education, Liz Rivera, shares tips…
In Utah, there are around 2,700 children in foster care at any given time and some 1,300 licensed foster/adoptive families. Children in foster care often have special needs due to neglect, abuse or separation. Substance abuse is a contributing factor in many foster care cases. Parenting a child with trauma can be challenging. Luckily, our understandings of neuroscience gives us hope. In their…
Becoming a foster parent takes a great deal of consideration, preparation, and patience faced with uncertainty. Family dynamics change when a new child comes into the home. Families willing to open their hearts and homes to a child in care will need support once they receive that initial call for placement. While our journey to fostering may look different, we go into it for the same reason: to…
“Each year more than 10 million children in the United States endure the trauma of abuse, violence, natural disasters, and other adverse events. These experiences can give rise to significant emotional and behavioral problems that can profoundly disrupt the children’s lives and bring them in contact with child-serving professionals. For therapists, child welfare workers, case managers, and other…
It’s tempting to villainize first parents for the trauma caused by addiction, but we know that when foster parents and first parents can work together, the outcomes are better for the child. In this month’s episode we hear from Utah Foster Mom Shari Peña. She doesn’t just take in the child, she takes in the whole family. This is a foster mom’s gift of connection. It began when a young mother’s…
It may surprise you to find out teens in foster care want and need lifelong connections – yet, when it comes to adopting, many families rarely consider older kids and teenagers. As National Adoption Month continues, our Fostering Conversations podcast examines the obstacles faced by youth who age out of foster care. Listen to the inspiring stories of youth who beat the odds – and learn the reality…
Trauma Responses: Beyond Fight or Flight Childhood trauma can trigger a chronic “fight or flight” response, even when children are placed in safe, loving foster homes. How do caregivers deal with that response to build relationships? At Utah Foster Care’s Annual Symposium, Dr. George Thompson provided insight into how a trauma-informed system of care can play a critical role in establishing a…
Children living with relatives increased 51% between 2000 and 2010. In 2010, 1700 children were placed with relatives after being removed from their parents. The most recent census tells us that number is not going down. Being placed with Kin/relatives vs. foster care has a number of benefits: Minimizes trauma Increased permanency Better overall well being Preserves cultural and community identity…
