In this final episode of the year we sit down with Konecka Drakeford, from Gaston County DSS, and explore the intricacies of foster care, focusing on the daily responsibilities of social workers, the challenges faced in finding placements, and the critical need for more foster homes, especially for teenagers. Konecka emphasizes the importance of community support, training for foster parents, and personal experiences that highlight the emotional rewards and challenges of fostering.

00:00 Introduction to Foster Care and Licensing

06:37 The Need for Foster Homes

11:00 Challenges of the Holiday Season

15:04 Advice for Aspiring Social Workers

18:50 Requirements for Becoming a Foster Parent

21:54 Community Support and Collaboration

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In this episode, host Tiffany Jothen speaks with Trent Taylor, a former foster youth and co-founder of the ministry Watch Me Rise. Trent shares his harrowing experiences in the foster care system, the trauma he endured, and the eventual adoption that changed his life. He discusses the importance of faith in his healing journey and how he now dedicates his life to helping others through his ministry, which provides support and education for foster and adoptive families. Trent emphasizes the potential for healing and the importance of community support for those affected by trauma.

"Healing is possible, but it takes time."

00:00 Introduction to Trent Taylor's Journey

01:40 Experiences in Foster Care

06:46 The Transition to Adoption

10:48 Healing and Trust in a New Family

14:46 Founding Watch Me Rise

21:29 Key Takeaways from Training

26:31 Faith and Healing

29:25 Ways to Support Foster Families

32:41 Least of These (Podcast theme song).mp3

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Derek Clark, a former foster youth turned motivational speaker, shares his journey from a troubled childhood filled with trauma and adversity to becoming a beacon of hope and resilience. He emphasizes the importance of mindset, the power of music as a form of expression, and the need for compassion in parenting and mentoring. Derek encourages listeners to take responsibility for their lives, support foster youth, and be a source of light in their communities.

"Adults in the foster system need to understand the trauma behind behaviors."

00:00 Introduction to Derek Clark's Journey

03:08 Transforming Pain into Purpose

05:46 The Power of Music and Expression

09:02 Overcoming Adversity and Finding Hope

11:47 Parenting Through a Trauma-Informed Lens

15:08 Empowering Adults in the Foster System

18:00 Ways to Support Foster Youth

20:50 The Importance of Mentorship

24:12 Reflecting on Growth and Transformation

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In this episode, host Tiffany Jothen interviews Susie Taylor, the adoptive mother of Jess Vestal, who gained fame on the reality show Love is Blind.

"I had to learn to take a back seat."

Susie shares her journey from being a single mother to becoming a foster parent and ultimately adopting Jess. The conversation explores the challenges and triumphs of fostering a teenager, the bond that developed between Susie and Jess, and the impact of their relationship on both their lives. Susie also discusses her involvement in the foster care system and offers advice for those considering becoming foster parents.

🕒 New episode drops every Monday 📺 Watch the full conversation on YouTube 🎧 Listen on all major podcast platforms Join us for this moving conversation that bridges understanding and inspires change.

Walking in Her Shoes

In this conversation, Aaliyah Drake shares her experiences growing up in foster care and the impact it has had on her life. She reflects on her childhood, the importance of family dynamics, and the role of faith in her journey. Aaliyah offers insights for foster parents on how to create a welcoming environment for children in care and provides advice for foster kids on navigating their experiences. The discussion highlights the significance of community support and the potential for personal growth despite challenging backgrounds. 🕒 New episode drops every Monday 📺 Watch the full conversation on YouTube 🎧 Listen on all major podcast platforms Join us for this moving conversation that bridges understanding and inspires change.

Walking in Her Shoes

This week on PERSPECTIVES, Aaliyah Drake opens her heart and shares her powerful journey through the foster care system – from the moment she was taken into care to how those experiences shaped who she is today.

Raw. Honest. Unforgettable.

Aaliyah's story reminds us why these conversations matter. Her perspective as a former foster youth offers invaluable insights that every foster parent, social worker, and advocate needs to hear.

"These aren't just stories – they're lived experiences that can help shape a better future for foster youth."

🕒 New episodes drop every Monday 📺 Watch on YouTube 🎧 Listen on all major podcast platforms

Join us for this moving conversation that bridges understanding and inspires change.

New Series Alert! PERSPECTIVE

Happy Monday! This week, we're diving into a powerful conversation with District Attorney Travis Page as he pulls back the curtain on how the foster care system intersects with our justice system.

As a DA, Travis brings a unique lens to the foster care conversation – one that many of us rarely get to see. His insights shed light on the complexities and challenges that shape the lives of foster youth and families when they interact with the legal system.

From courtroom experiences to community impact, this episode offers a perspective that will challenge what you think you know about foster care.

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Don’t forget to subscribe to our YouTube channel @leastofthesecarolinas2574 and follow us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you tune in for your Foster Carolinas fix! Stay connected with us on Instagram and Facebook @lotcarolinas AND visit our website: www.lotcarolinas.com

We're backkkkkk! This was a long time coming, and I know it was worth it. Listen in today to Mikaila as she speaks such wisdom and insight to our audience.

Who knew becoming educated on a deeper level would make a true, positive impact on a child who is experiencing the foster care system?? YOU CAN DO THAT! You can learn more, listen more, and ultimately, HELP MORE!!! We want to help you accomplish this by leaving links to become more educated:

Trauma Informed Care Conference in Dallas, NC: https://lotcarolinas.networkforgood.com/events/63775-trauma-informed-care-conference

Advocate for kids in court - Guardian Ad Litem website for NC: https://volunteerforgal.org/

Resources to educate and advocate well - Foster Family Alliance of NC - https://www.ffa-nc.org/

If you are not in NC, type in similar descriptions in your search bar, and it should bring you to a place to get started for your area.

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We had a STACKED lineup for this past series of Foster Carolinas. We heard from so many powerhouses in the world of foster care. If you can believe it, this next series is going to be EVEN BETTER! Tune in today to see who and how we are about to finish out this year here on Foster Carolinas.

We are SO GLAD you are listening! This upcoming season is also going to be exciting because we are now video recording the podcast and will have that uploaded to YouTube! You can find us and this episode on YouTube at Least of These Carolinas - @leastofthesecarolinas257424

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Thank you for listening this week as Abbey is back on the podcast interviewing Emily Wood, the Founder and Director of Mosaic Hope. Mosaic Hope is a nonprofit that desires to see "every child and family surrounded by a community of support." If you cannot tell, Abbey and Emily are friends in real life, and really enjoyed their conversation today full of practical advice on entering into the world of serving those experiencing the foster care system.

We hope you leave this episode knowing there are people that were in your shoes when beginning their process of serving in the world of foster care. Education and experience, little by little, will help quiet those fears you may be experiencing of the unknowns. This is a big topic and "issue," but you have a place to fill and serve here, we all do. This episode helps you see where and how you may be needing to plug in!

If you would like to check out what is going on at Mosaic Hope, go to their website at: www.mosaichope.org

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We interrupt your regularly scheduled programming to talk with you from BRIDGE CAMP 2023!!! Our absolute favorite place!

Susanna sits down in the middle of our last full day at camp to talk with our speaker, Shaq Hardy. Shaq was formerly in foster care as a child and has a perspective on camp that is so refreshing and helpful to those helping out and especially to the campers.

A few of my favorite points Shaq makes in this episode is: consistently showing up for those experiencing foster care, even in the capacity of events as a volunteer and organization, is making a difference; the LOVE that is being shown and felt from everyone at camp is so special and not experienced often; and lastly, no one person is going to be able to fix foster care on their own, but if you have a heart for these kids and this mission, join others who are already in the fight and it will get better.

This was such an encouraging talk and I hope you enjoy it!

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Thanks for listening in today! In this episode you will hear Susanna, our host, interview Lacey Beam. Lacey is a treasured friend here at LOTC, a foster mom, and the best head counselor we've got at Bridge Camp (sorry, Lee)! Her heart for the foster care system is huge and she puts that heart into everything she does in this realm. You get to hear that today!

You might be shocked by her answer on how you can join her in this mission by becoming a Guardian ad Litem (GAL), but this is SUCH a needed position! When foster mamas are putting their heart and soul into the day to day care of the kids in their home, it is so nice to know that someone is doing the same thing on the courts side of this child's life. That is where a faithful GAL will step in and make sure that child is taken care of and represented well in court. Find the NC link to fill out a GAL Application below:

https://volunteerforgal.org/volunteer-as-a-gal/

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We're glad you're here and listening today! Join us as Foster Carolina's host, Susanna Kavanaugh interviews Jason Weber, a giant in the foster care ministry world. More Than Enough is the ministry Jason leads under the Christian Alliance for Orphans banner. More Than Enough believes "that local networks of passionate churches, organizations, and advocates like you can work together to fill the biggest gaps in caring for children and families in every one of the 3,142 counties in the US."

The two leaders discuss what brought Jason into understanding the need within the foster care system, how he kept getting a bit further each time he would say yes, and how you can plug in with the More Than Enough mission. He also gives a powerful call to action. He reiterates that we have a direct and clear call from God, as a Christian, to care for the orphaned in some way and we need to say yes when we figure out our way.

You can find the More Than Enough website at: https://morethanenough.cafo.org/about/

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Thanks for joining us today on the podcast, we're glad you're here! Levacy Smith is the State Director at Lifeline Children's Services, a global nonprofit, making a difference in both domestic and international adoptions. Through working with the nonprofit, she has much experience in getting community partners involved and mobilizing churches to care for the orphaned children around the world.

Listen in today to her conversation with our host Susanna as they talk about the importance of family, Trust Based Relational Intervention (TBRI), and more that pertains to the social work side of foster care. If you are a foster parent, or anyone who has interactions with children with trauma in their background, please visit: https://lifelinechild.org/online-learning-experience/#! to learn more.

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Today we are excited to present this episode we recorded with our fantastic friends and generous donors, Joey and Brittany Logano from the Joey Logano Foundation! You are able to hear their heart behind their partnership and support of organizations that are serving children in foster care. If you have heard us talk about Bridge Camp on here, you can thank the Logano's for their partnership in making that happen each year.

These two help us see where a big platform can be used for so much good. To make everyday operations happen around here, it takes funds and resources, and this couple help provide those funds and resources. Is this the area you can also step into to help those affected by foster care? I know you will be inspired by listening in.

The Joey Logano Foundation is hosting a charity concert on Thursday, May 25 in Charlotte, NC! You can visit this link to find out more details on how to join them in this endeavor for good: https://joeyloganofoundation.com/joey-logano-concert-for-charity-at-coyote-joes/

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Listen in today to hear our host, Susanna Kavanaugh, talk to Pastor Ray Hardee from The Pointe Church about how and why he is so passionate and involved in the foster care crisis. This friendship between these two and the partnership between LOTC and The Pointe go way back. It is helpful and beneficial to know there are churches out there that see a need and make strides in helping fulfill that need.

Pastor Ray helps us see there are very basic, noncommital steps we can take at first that leads to understanding and then a desire to get involved in this world in some capacity. The "big C" Church has the answer to the foster care crisis, and we enjoyed talking strategy and heart today on this topic.

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Join us for the first episode in our new series, "Who is Helping?" Rebekah and Abbey are Least of These Carolinas' own and they take you through the core questions that will be asked throughout the series to all of our guests. In this episode, they answer the questions for themselves and relive some of the fun, challenging, and heart-warming stories they have experienced through their years working/volunteering in the world of foster care.

As we continue this series, we want you to see all of the avenues that are available in serving and advocating for children experiencing foster care. There is no one route to making a difference in the foster care system. Join us through this series and see the possible ways you can support and get involved!

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This week we brought questions to Susanna that are from friends who do not have background in the world of foster care. We took questions straight from those who want to know more, but have not had experience with foster care up close. We have had a great time in this series of laying a foundation of "basic" knowledge so we can all move forward with a basis of understanding.

We hope you reflect back on what has been talked about over the last 2 months and have that basis of understanding on things like acronyms, licensing agencies, and why children are in foster care. This week's episode will help in that and we look forward to moving into the next series entitled, "Who is Helping?" You'll learn the different areas in which people are improving the lives of children who are experiencing foster care and what they do on a daily basis and how they started out.

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Happy Friday, listeners! You are in for a treat today! Katie Kiker, a licensing supervisor at 7 Homes, a private licensing agency here in NC, is on the podcast today. I know you will benefit from her wealth of knowledge because I know I sure did! 

On this episode, you will hear the basics on what a private foster care licensing agency is and what they can offer their families, what the best mindset is to reach success when becoming a foster parent, and an extremely uplifting story that will surely put a smile on your face and possibly bring a tear to your eye. Throughout the episode, you will hear Katie's heart for these children and the families she serves every day. She is a dedicated member of the foster care system, and we appreciate all she is doing in love and service to these super cool kids!

If you are interested in connecting with Katie or learning more about 7 Homes, visit their website at: www.7homes4kids.com

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You have 2 old, familiar voices, if you have been around for a while, on today's episode. Abbey and Selina sit down to educate on some of the very basics of foster care. Why are children in care? How do you get licensed? Who is licensed? What is kinship care? Why are kids living in different counties than where they are from? Dive into these answers with us!

Selina has welcomed several children into her home and Abbey is young, but very eager to welcome children into her home ASAP. We hope that you hear both of their hearts behind the conversation they have today. Especially close to the end, hear that fear around welcoming children into your home is scary, but not a reason to not welcome children into your home. These children are worth it and we would LOVE to be a resource to you.

Call the office of Least of These Carolinas at 704-215-4344 and ask for Abbey or Selina and they would both love to help you walk this journey of foster care and becoming a foster parent!

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