What does it really take to open your home—and your heart—to a child in foster care? Licensed to Love is the podcast for future foster and adoptive parents who want to understand the foster care system, build trauma-informed parenting skills, and create safe, loving homes for children who need them most.
New episodes every 2nd and 4th Friday of the month on the JazzCast Pros Network.
Hosted by Lauri and Veronica—directors at Families Thrive Inc., a leading foster care and adoption agency in Rochester, New York—each episode blends real stories from foster youth, birth families, and licensed caregivers with expert guidance drawn from decades of experience helping children find permanent, loving homes.
Topics Include:
✅ How to become a licensed foster parent in New York
✅ What to expect during your home study and training
✅ Supporting teens and keeping sibling groups together
✅ The truth about family reunification and the Families First Act
✅ Navigating trauma, grief, and resilience
✅ Preparing youth for adulthood and aging out of the system
Whether you’re just starting to explore foster parenting, deep in the licensing process, or preparing for adoption, Licensed to Love gives you the tools, encouragement, and clarity to say yes—with heart and confidence.
Because love isn’t just a feeling—it’s a commitment. And every child deserves a place to belong.
About Families Thrive Inc.
Based in Rochester, NY, Families Thrive recruits foster and adoptive families for children in the foster care system ages 0 to 21. We place referred children in a loving home temporarily with a goal to return to a family member. When children cannot return or are waiting for a family, we provide pre-to-post adoption services and work closely with families through the entire process. Families Thrive offers services and training to our families and skill-building to the children. We host a Wendy’s Wonderful Kids recruiter on staff to find resources for children waiting for a family. With two sites in Rochester and the Finger Lakes, our mission is always to provide children with a kin family connection or find a permanent loving place to belong.
Donate at: https://givebutter.com/FamiliesThriveDonation
Connect with us on Social Media
Instagram
Facebook
Families Thrive, Inc,| LinkedIn
Music from #Uppbeathttps://uppbeat.io/t/evoli/vancouver
License code: OP7TONLRWONEVAYD
All content for Licensed to Love is the property of Families Thrive Inc and is served directly from their servers
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What does it really take to open your home—and your heart—to a child in foster care? Licensed to Love is the podcast for future foster and adoptive parents who want to understand the foster care system, build trauma-informed parenting skills, and create safe, loving homes for children who need them most.
New episodes every 2nd and 4th Friday of the month on the JazzCast Pros Network.
Hosted by Lauri and Veronica—directors at Families Thrive Inc., a leading foster care and adoption agency in Rochester, New York—each episode blends real stories from foster youth, birth families, and licensed caregivers with expert guidance drawn from decades of experience helping children find permanent, loving homes.
Topics Include:
✅ How to become a licensed foster parent in New York
✅ What to expect during your home study and training
✅ Supporting teens and keeping sibling groups together
✅ The truth about family reunification and the Families First Act
✅ Navigating trauma, grief, and resilience
✅ Preparing youth for adulthood and aging out of the system
Whether you’re just starting to explore foster parenting, deep in the licensing process, or preparing for adoption, Licensed to Love gives you the tools, encouragement, and clarity to say yes—with heart and confidence.
Because love isn’t just a feeling—it’s a commitment. And every child deserves a place to belong.
About Families Thrive Inc.
Based in Rochester, NY, Families Thrive recruits foster and adoptive families for children in the foster care system ages 0 to 21. We place referred children in a loving home temporarily with a goal to return to a family member. When children cannot return or are waiting for a family, we provide pre-to-post adoption services and work closely with families through the entire process. Families Thrive offers services and training to our families and skill-building to the children. We host a Wendy’s Wonderful Kids recruiter on staff to find resources for children waiting for a family. With two sites in Rochester and the Finger Lakes, our mission is always to provide children with a kin family connection or find a permanent loving place to belong.
Donate at: https://givebutter.com/FamiliesThriveDonation
Connect with us on Social Media
Instagram
Facebook
Families Thrive, Inc,| LinkedIn
Music from #Uppbeathttps://uppbeat.io/t/evoli/vancouver
License code: OP7TONLRWONEVAYD
Ep. 5 What does foster care really look like behind closed doors—especially when teens are involved?
In this powerful episode of Licensed to Love, Families Thrive’s Director of Program Services, Veronica Black-Turner sits down with seasoned foster parent Jeronda James for an honest, compassionate conversation about the realities of fostering in New York State.
Jeronda shares her lived experience opening her home to foster youth, navigating challenges with patience, advocacy, and heart—particularly when supporting teenagers who urgently need safe, loving homes. From managing daily routines and school placements to allowing emotional space for healing, this episode sheds light on what it truly takes to show up for children in care.
You’ll hear how ongoing support from Families Thrive makes a difference, why advocacy is non-negotiable, and how fostering—while challenging—can be deeply rewarding. Whether you’re considering foster care, currently fostering, or simply want to better understand the system, this episode offers clarity, encouragement, and truth.
✨ In this episode, you’ll learn:
How patience and flexibility shape successful placements
The critical role foster parents play as advocates
How Families Thrive supports foster parents every step of the way
Why following your heart matters when considering fostering
🔗 Learn more about fostering and support services at
🌐 FamiliesThrive.org
📞 Contact Families Thrive: 585-232-5110
Chapters:
0:00 Jeronda James' Journey Into Foster Parenting With Families Thrive
5:50 Preparing for Foster Care as a Single Parent
7:47 School and Healthcare Placements
9:46 Creating a Welcoming Environment
16:35 Importance of Space and Listening
20:11 Challenges of Foster Parenting
30:35 Flexible Parenting Strategies for Traumatized Children
35:19 Fostering Love and Overcoming Challenges in Family Dynamics
42:00 Fostering Hope for Teens in the Foster Care System
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Ep. 4 This week on Licensed to Love, we’re breaking down the heart of the initial fostering process: the training, preparation, and ongoing support that Families Thrive gives every family who says “yes.” 💛
Director of Program Services Veronica Black sits down with Michelle Hinds, a seasoned home finder and trainer, to walk you through the 10-week trauma-informed course that equips families to understand the emotional and developmental needs of children in care. From navigating trauma to building confidence as a caregiver, this training is designed to prepare you for the real-life moments you’ll face — not just the paperwork.
You’ll also get an inside look at the support that continues after licensing:
🏡 Regular in-home visits
🧡 One-on-one guidance tailored to your family’s needs
👥 Support groups and community resources
📅 Flexible training schedules for busy parents
🤝 A team that stays with you, every step of the way
Chapters:
0:00 Introduction
3:44 Training Foster Parents to Handle Trauma-Experienced Children
6:01 Background Checks and Support Systems
11:16 Flexible Foster Parent Training and Support Initiatives
15:49 The Joys and Challenges of Fostering Children
19:32 Supporting Foster Families Through Personal Experience
#LicensedToLove #FamiliesThrive #FosterCareTraining #AdoptionSupport #FosterParentJourney #TraumaInformedCare #InHomeSupport #NYFosterCare #FamilyServices
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Ep. 3 The holidays are supposed to be magical—but for foster children, they can also be complicated and emotional.
In this heartfelt episode of Licensed to Love, hosts Lauri McKnight and Veronica Black of Families Thrive unpack the emotional landscape of the holiday season for children in foster care. With some insights from current foster parents, they explore how to navigate holiday triggers, maintain healthy ties with biological families, and create new traditions that help kids feel seen and secure.
✨ What You’ll Learn:
Why holidays can bring mixed emotions for foster children
How small gestures—like shared traditions or inclusive conversations—can nurture belonging
Ways to honor biological family connections while building new memories
The importance of community support and awareness during the season
This episode reminds us that while gifts and gatherings may fade, the feeling of being loved and included lasts forever.
🔗 Resources:
Celebrate foster and adoptive families at the Families Thrive Heart & Home Gala — November 1st at 6 PM at the Rochester Riverside Convention Center.
Reserve your seat today at 👉 www.familiesthriveinc.org
Chapters:
0:00 Holiday Challenges for Foster Families
3:39 When Holidays Feel Different in Foster Care
12:20 Handling Emotional Triggers During the Season
16:59 Joys and Struggles of Holiday Parenting
19:56 Blending Traditions and Family Connections
21:29 Navigating Cultural Differences at the Holidays
28:18 Community Support That Makes the Season Bright
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Ep. 2 For Monique Burney, the desire to become a foster mom came from personal experience—she grew up in foster care herself and understood the power of keeping siblings together. What she didn’t know was whether she qualified to do it on her own as a single parent.
In this heartfelt episode of Licensed to Love, Monique shares how her path to fostering began with that question—and how a conversation with Families Thrive’s Director of Program Services, Veronica Black, helped her see that love, patience, and stability are what truly make a family. Joined by Executive Director Lauri McKnight, Veronica also breaks down the first steps of the foster care journey, explaining what to expect at an informational meeting, what the training process involves, and the biggest myths they work to debunk every day.
🎟️ Join the Movement:
Celebrate foster and adoptive families at the Families Thrive Heart & Home Gala — November 1st at 6 PM at the Rochester Riverside Convention Center.
Reserve your seat today at 👉 www.familiesthriveinc.org
💛 Key Takeaways:
What really happens at an informational meeting
The training process for becoming a foster or adoptive parent
How Families Thrive matches children with foster families
The truth about single, same-sex, or non-traditional foster parents
How love and structure can change a child’s life
Chapters:
0:00 Why I Said Yes to Becoming a Single Foster Parent
4:21 The Informational Meeting
7:02 Holistic Foster Placement: Matching Child Needs With Family Dynamics
10:23 Investing in Their Future
16:18 Blessings and Challenges of Foster Care
22:17 Fears and Misconceptions in Foster Parenting
24:34 Families Thrive Provides Comprehensive Support for Foster Parents
28:38 Fostering Journeys: Challenges, Commitments, and Transformations
34:54 Impact of Nurturing and Building Relationships on Children
39:57 Heart & Home Gala November 1
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Ep. 1 In this debut episode of License to Love, hosts Lauri McKnight (Executive Director) and Veronica Black (Director of Program Services) of Families Thrive share the inspiring journey of how their organization evolved from Children Awaiting Parents into a comprehensive foster care and adoption agency.
With decades of combined experience, Lauri and Veronica open the door to what fostering and adoption look like in New York State today.
From advocating for sibling groups and minority children to creating support models that nurture both kids and families, their work continues to transform lives and communities.
✨ Key Takeaways
Families Thrive has expanded from an adoption exchange into a licensed foster care and adoption agency.
The organization pioneered visibility for children in care through resources like the CAT book, which inspired NY State’s Blue Book.
Their approach focuses on family strengths and children’s needs—never just “bed availability.”
Innovative support programs like coach visitation and family team meetings help families succeed long term.
💬 Notable Quotes
“Our mission is to demystify the process of gaining your license to foster or adopt in New York State.” – Lauri McKnight
“Families Thrive is not just about putting kids in homes; it's about creating safe, nurturing environments.” – Veronica Black
🔗 Resources
🌐 FamiliesThrive.org
💙 Wendy’s Wonderful Kids Program: https://www.davethomasfoundation.org/how-we-help/wendys-wonderful-kids/
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Have you ever felt called to do more? To open your heart—and your home—to a child who needs love and stability?
Meet Lauri & Veronica, two moms with decades of lived and professional experience in foster care and adoption. As executives at Families Thrive Inc, they’re guiding future parents through the real journey of fostering and adoption in New York State. Because every child deserves a safe, loving home. 💛
Licensed to Love is your inside look at what it takes to become a foster parent: the steps, the stories, the challenges, and the joy of making a lasting difference.
📅 Episode 1 drops Friday, August 29 on the JazzCast Pros Network.
Connect with us:
Instagram
Facebook
LinkedIn: (24) Families Thrive, Inc.: Overview | LinkedIn
Music from #Uppbeathttps://uppbeat.io/t/evoli/vancouver
License code: OP7TONLRWONEVAYD
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Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
What does it really take to open your home—and your heart—to a child in foster care? Licensed to Love is the podcast for future foster and adoptive parents who want to understand the foster care system, build trauma-informed parenting skills, and create safe, loving homes for children who need them most.
New episodes every 2nd and 4th Friday of the month on the JazzCast Pros Network.
Hosted by Lauri and Veronica—directors at Families Thrive Inc., a leading foster care and adoption agency in Rochester, New York—each episode blends real stories from foster youth, birth families, and licensed caregivers with expert guidance drawn from decades of experience helping children find permanent, loving homes.
Topics Include:
✅ How to become a licensed foster parent in New York
✅ What to expect during your home study and training
✅ Supporting teens and keeping sibling groups together
✅ The truth about family reunification and the Families First Act
✅ Navigating trauma, grief, and resilience
✅ Preparing youth for adulthood and aging out of the system
Whether you’re just starting to explore foster parenting, deep in the licensing process, or preparing for adoption, Licensed to Love gives you the tools, encouragement, and clarity to say yes—with heart and confidence.
Because love isn’t just a feeling—it’s a commitment. And every child deserves a place to belong.
About Families Thrive Inc.
Based in Rochester, NY, Families Thrive recruits foster and adoptive families for children in the foster care system ages 0 to 21. We place referred children in a loving home temporarily with a goal to return to a family member. When children cannot return or are waiting for a family, we provide pre-to-post adoption services and work closely with families through the entire process. Families Thrive offers services and training to our families and skill-building to the children. We host a Wendy’s Wonderful Kids recruiter on staff to find resources for children waiting for a family. With two sites in Rochester and the Finger Lakes, our mission is always to provide children with a kin family connection or find a permanent loving place to belong.
Donate at: https://givebutter.com/FamiliesThriveDonation
Connect with us on Social Media
Instagram
Facebook
Families Thrive, Inc,| LinkedIn
Music from #Uppbeathttps://uppbeat.io/t/evoli/vancouver
License code: OP7TONLRWONEVAYD
