Fostering Change

Latest Episodes:

Fostering Change | Jennifer Perry Jan 18, 2022

Show notes

Children’s Action Network (CAN) uses the power of the entertainment community to increase awareness about children’s issues and make them a top priority in everyday life.

CAN is currently dedicated to raising awareness about and finding homes for the more than 100,000 children in foster care in the United States who are waiting for an adoptive family and improving outcomes for the more than 400,000 children in foster care.

FosterMore is an unparalleled coalition of media and entertainment companies, foundations, non-profits, businesses and philanthropic organizations working to create greater understanding, empathy, and action to improve the future of youth in foster care.

Story Key Notes:

🖐️What are the missions of Children’s Action Network and FosterMore?

🖐️Why changing perceptions of foster youth is so important

🖐️How and why you can become involved in the lives of foster youth

You can find out more about jennifer by visiting:

@childrensactionnetwork

@foster_more

Twitter

@childrensaction

@fostermore

Facebook

Children's Action Network

FosterMore

Children's Action Network/FosterMore Website

www.childrensactionnetwork.org

https://fostermore.org

Learn more at https://www.comfortcases.org/

🎥 Watch the full video episodes on YouTube!

Head over to Comfort Cases on YouTube to catch every inspiring conversation:

👉 youtube.com/@comfortcases

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Fostering Change | Jessica Jasurda Jan 11, 2022

Show notes

Jess is the Director of Crisis Services at the National Runaway Safeline. In this role, she oversees the day-to-day operations of the Crisis Services Center and its associated data collection and reporting systems. She supervises all members of the crisis services team to ensure consistent and effective delivery of services offered to youth who have run away, are experiencing homelessness, and/or are in crisis, and their families. Each year, the National Runaway Safeline makes more than 125,000 connections to help and hope through hotline, online and offline services. Prior to joining the National Runaway Safeline, Jess served as the District Homeless Liaison for the Anoka-Hennepin School District.

November was National Runaway Prevention Month, a public awareness campaign designed to shine a light on the experiences of runaway and homeless youth that too often remain invisible. It is also an opportunity to spotlight the resources available to support youth in crisis throughout the nation. As part of the campaign, individuals, organizations and the National Runaway Safeline host educational and awareness-building events, such as the NRPM Lunch & Learn Series, throughout the month. For more information and to join the effort, visit 1800RUNAWAY.org.

Key Notes:

🖐️How extensive is the runaway and homeless youth crisis in our country?

🖐️What are some factors that put a young person at risk of experiencing homelessness?

🖐️Do you feel there may be specific reasons youth in the foster care system would reach out to the National Runaway Safeline for support?

🖐️What are some of the top issues driving youth to contact your Crisis Services Center?

🖐️How can we help prevent youth from running away from home or becoming homeless (living on the streets, staying in shelters, couch surfing, sleeping in cars, etc.)?

You can find out more about Jessica by visiting:

Facebook: @1800RUNAWAY

Twitter: 1800RUNAWAY

Instagram: @1800RUNAWAY

Website: 1800RUNAWAY.org

Learn more at https://www.comfortcases.org/

🎥 Watch the full video episodes on YouTube!

Head over to Comfort Cases on YouTube to catch every inspiring conversation:

👉 youtube.com/@comfortcases

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Fostering Change | Johnny & Becki Agar Jan 04, 2022

Show notes

Johnny Agar, born with cerebral palsy and told he would never walk, overcame the odds to participate in long-distance endurance races with his dad pushing him, until the final mile when he walks across the finish line. Previously featured on ESPN and The Today Show, Johnny is making his highly-anticipated book debut this fall that is a testament to the power of extraordinary courage titled The Impossible Mile: The Power In Living Life One Step at a Time (Dexterity, September 21, 2021).

Johnny’s story shows the impact of a life lived to its fullest, from the first difficult steps in training, to becoming a brand ambassador for global apparel company Under Armour. He now serves as an inspiration for not only other professional athletes, but for anyone facing their own impossible mile. This brilliant book debut encourages readers to walk a mile in Johnny’s shoes, and realize, as Johnny did, you never walk alone, and anything is possible, if you’ll just take on life one step at a time.

Written with his mom, Becki, The Impossible Mile shares valuable life lessons, sometimes with a bit of humor, that are sure to inspire with the wisdom, maturity, and determination of Johnny, who candidly shares stories of his family’s strength in weakness, hope in the midst of heartache, and joy in spite of seemingly impossible obstacles.

Key Takeaways:

🖐️How a young man with cerebral Palsy became an internationally recognized athlete.

🖐️How the Agar family banded together to help Johnny walk his first “Impossible Mile.”

🖐️What Johnny hopes readers take away from his new book The Impossible Mile.

You can find out more about Johnny & Becki by visiting:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JohnnyAgarOfficial

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/officialjohnny_agar/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/_TeamAgar / https://twitter.com/agar_john

Websites: https://www.teamagar.com/ / http://johnnyagar.org/

Learn more at https://www.comfortcases.org/

🎥 Watch the full video episodes on YouTube!

Head over to Comfort Cases on YouTube to catch every inspiring conversation:

👉 youtube.com/@comfortcases

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Rob Scheer and Dr. Gail Saltz discuss: R.A.D: Reactive Attachment Disorder, and other mental health issues Dec 28, 2021

Show notes

On this special episode of Fostering Change, we welcome Dr. Gail Saltz., M.D. Rob Scheer, host of Fostering Change and founder of Comfort Cases, interviews Dr. Saltz about a very personal topic: R.A.D. Reactive Attachment Disorder. Why is this personal? One of Rob’s sons has been diagnosed with R.A.D. and he and his husband Reece have to deal with all of the issues regarding RAD on a daily basis.

Rob and Dr. Saltz further delve into other mental health issues and treatments for them, as well as other fascinating issues about the brain.

Dr. Saltz is a Clinical Associate Professor of Psychiatry with The New York Presbyterian Hospital and psychoanalyst at The New York Psychoanalytic Institute, best known for her work as a relationship, family, emotional wellbeing, and mental health/wellness contributor in the media where she frequently shares her expertise and commentary on the mental health aspects of current issues and news. Dr. Saltz is the author of numerous books and makes regular appearances on national media, including The Today Show, Oprah, Good Morning America, CNN, 20/20 and more.

Key Takeaways:

🖐️What is R.A.D. Reactive Attachment Disorder

🖐️Fascinating issues about the brain

🖐️Mental health issues and treatments for them

You can find out more about Dr. Gail by visiting:

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/GailSaltz

Twitter https://twitter.com/DrGailSaltz

Author Website https://drgailsaltz.com

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/GailSaltzMD

Learn more at https://www.comfortcases.org/

🎥 Watch the full video episodes on YouTube!

Head over to Comfort Cases on YouTube to catch every inspiring conversation:

👉 youtube.com/@comfortcases

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Fostering Change | Misty Parks Dec 21, 2021

Show notes

Fostering Change Episode 107 | Misty Parks

After Misty completed her Bachelor Degree from Manchester University, she found her calling working in Child Welfare. This prompted her to complete her Masters in Social work from Indiana University. In the past 20 years, she has fed her passion to assist those in need and her desire for knowledge in a variety of settings, primarily focusing upon the social constructs and needs of those connected to the child welfare system. In her roles working with families and children, she witnessed the terrible effects of untreated trauma on the children she served, and the lasting effects it has when working with their parents. Her drive to find better information and skills to assist these families led her to complete a specialized Certification in Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral therapy.

Misty is a native Hoosier, growing up in Muncie with her parents, and siblings. Her close knit family is committed to helping others, as her husband Mike is also a social worker, doing strong community work throughout the Indianapolis area. Their commitment to caring for the community and for those who needed an opportunity to grow and thrive was rewarded in 2015, as they adopted their daughter Reagan, who just celebrated her 7th birthday.

When Misty is not using her voice and experiences advocating for youth and families, she is spending her time with her family and friends, traveling, baking, and reading. She is also an avid collector of yard gnomes, and each member of her family is an ardent board game player, so watch out if they ask you to play Monopoly.

Key Topics:

🖐️The need within our communities

🖐️How Anthem, as an organization, is addressing this in our communities (including hiring Misty)

🖐️The importance of Anthem

You can find out more about Misty by visiting:

Facebook: @AnthemMedicaid

Twitter: @AnthemBCBS_News

LinkedIn: @Anthem

#AnthemCares

Learn more at https://www.comfortcases.org/

🎥 Watch the full video episodes on YouTube!

Head over to Comfort Cases on YouTube to catch every inspiring conversation:

👉 youtube.com/@comfortcases

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Fostering Change | Rosie Wainwright Dec 14, 2021

Show notes

A Regional Manager at a Social Mobility Charity, Ambassador for Comfort Cases UK, Panel Advisor, Coach & Mentor with lived experience of going through the foster care system. Rosie has experience in both the private and non-profit sectors, and she is an advocate for positive change in society. She has a bachelor's degree in Law, a Postgraduate Certificate in International Business Law. She has recently completed a Level 5 Coaching Qualification to help individuals and businesses to achieve their goals.

🖐️My journey into & through foster care/ overcoming perceived barriers/ importance of

🖐️Education Why I’m involved/ an ambassador for comfort cases/ our mission/ what we’ve achieved so far

🖐️How other people can get involved and support our mission

You can find out more about Laura by visiting:

Facebook Rosie Wainwright

Instagram @queenrozza

Other Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rosiewainwright1/

Learn more at https://www.comfortcases.org/

🎥 Watch the full video episodes on YouTube!

Head over to Comfort Cases on YouTube to catch every inspiring conversation:

👉 youtube.com/@comfortcases

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Fostering Change | Laura Singer Dec 07, 2021

Show notes

Although a product of the New Jersey foster care system, Laura Singer is a proud graduate from Syracuse University, Johns Hopkins University and most recently, Georgetown University Law Center. With a passion for advocating for children and foster care reform, Laura plans to dedicate her legal career to making substantial changes to the foster care system. Before law school, she served as a teacher in Washington, DC, as a Teach for America Corps Member. She now works as a law clerk in a family law court in Morris County, New Jersey. She hopes to one day open her own school for children in the foster care system. She is a pageant competitor and uses her platform "Get Out, Go Serve" to mentor at-risk youth. In her spare time, she enjoys running half marathons, travelling and watching all sports (especially fantasy football)!

Story Key Notes:

🖐️My experience in foster care led me to law school

🖐️The foster care to prison pipeline

🖐️The role community service/volunteering plays in empowering foster youth.

You can find out more about Laura by visiting:

@getoutnserve

https://www.instagram.com/getoutnserve/

Learn more at https://www.comfortcases.org/

🎥 Watch the full video episodes on YouTube!

Head over to Comfort Cases on YouTube to catch every inspiring conversation:

👉 youtube.com/@comfortcases

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Fostering Change | Pam Wilis Nov 30, 2021

Show notes

Pam and her husband have been married 33 years, raised 5 biological children (the youngest is 20). 8 years ago they became foster parents and began caring for children in their home. Pam led down a road of foster care and as a surprise to their life plan, 2 years ago, adoption of a set of seven siblings from the foster care system. They have a second chance at parenting, and they have a second chance at a family after their first parents passed away in a car accident.

Story Key Notes:

🖐️Adopting 7 Sets of Children Siblings

🖐️History of the 7 Children

🖐️Adjusting into a New Home

🖐️5 Biological Children's Reaction to Adopt New Siblings

🖐️Process to Adopt 7 Set of Children Siblings

Learn more at https://www.comfortcases.org/

🎥 Watch the full video episodes on YouTube!

Head over to Comfort Cases on YouTube to catch every inspiring conversation:

👉 youtube.com/@comfortcases

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Fostering Change | Amanda Wall Nov 23, 2021

Show notes

Amanda is a mother of four with two biological and two adopted children (from India). She advocates for adoptees as their voice is often unheard. She wrote and illustrated Finding Family in a Far-Away Land with her daughters' permission to share their story and memories in hopes of empowering other children and educating families.

Story Notes:

🖐️Finding Family "Far Away Land" Book

🖐️Adopting Internationally

🖐️The Struggle to Adopt Children Through India

🖐️Empathy is Not Something we are Born with

🖐️Reason For Writing the Book

You can find out more about Amanda by visiting:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/amanda.vandenbarkwall

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amandawalldenver/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amanda-wall-0280062/

Learn more at https://www.comfortcases.org/

🎥 Watch the full video episodes on YouTube!

Head over to Comfort Cases on YouTube to catch every inspiring conversation:

👉 youtube.com/@comfortcases

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Fostering Change | Jodi Meltzer Nov 16, 2021

Show notes

Rob Scheer interviews multi-award-winning author Jodi Meltzer who has written extensively about grief, parenting and divorce for various publications, including HuffPost, The Mighty, Scary Mommy, and Thrive Global. She has just published the book, Goodnight Star, Whoever You Are.

A Boston native, she recently relocated to Tampa in search of more sunshine, literally and figuratively. To learn more about Jodi and her books, including the previously published, When You Lived in My Belly, please visit jodimeltzer.com.

Today’s episode of Fostering Change is timely, as November 18th, 2021 is Children’s Grief Awareness Day. Rob and Jodi discuss this difficult topic and how to best share feelings of grief with and from your children.

Story Key Notes:

🖐️Children’s Grief Awareness Day- How Jodi and her Kids have Dealt with Grief

🖐️Why do we Struggle to Talk about Grief as a Society?

🖐️How Covid 19 has Amplified the Need for this

🖐️Death is Part of Living

🖐️Goodnight Star Book

You can find out more about Jodi by visiting:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jodimeltzerauthor

Twitter: https://twitter.com/jodimeltzer

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jodimeltzer/

Author Website: http://jodimeltzer.com/

Learn more about Comfort Cases at: https: //www.comfortcases.org/.