America’s Kids Belong’s Three Signature Solutions to Fixing Recruitment and Retention Issues

In this episode of the Foster Friendly Podcast, host Brian Mavis is joined by his colleagues (who form the Executive Leadership Team), Nanette Kirsch and Phil Grizzle, to discuss the mission of America's Kids Belong (AKB) and the challenges faced in the foster care system. They emphasize the importance of family in improving outcomes for children in foster care and explore the persistent issues of recruitment and retention of foster families. The conversation highlights the need for community support, awareness, and innovative solutions like the I Belong Project, which aims to connect children in foster care with adoptive families through storytelling.
This conversation also delves into the importance of fostering connections within communities to support children in need. It highlights the innovative approaches taken by AKB to build trust with child welfare systems, create memorable experiences for children, and engage various community sectors, including businesses and faith groups, to foster a supportive environment for families. The discussion emphasizes the need for recruitment and retention of foster parents, showcasing successful initiatives like Foster Friendly Communities and the impact of storytelling through videos on adoption. Lastly, there's also some really practical ways shared of how you can directly impact the lives of kids in foster care by supporting the mission of America's Kids Belong.
Takeaways
Family is the core of AKB's mission.
There are half as many families ready to foster as needed.
Retention of foster families is a significant challenge.
Isolation and lack of support contribute to high attrition rates.
Community awareness is crucial for recruitment efforts.
Children in foster care desire the same things as all kids.
The I Belong Project has successfully matched many children with families.
Fostering requires a long-term commitment and support.
Understanding the unique challenges of foster care is essential.
The stories of children can be powerful advocates for change. Family connections are essential for children's emotional well-being.
Building trust with child welfare is crucial for effective storytelling.
Creating memorable experiences for children can significantly impact their lives.
Videos can open multiple hearts and homes for children in need.
Foster Friendly Communities aim to support foster parents and children.
Community engagement is vital for successful foster care initiatives.
Not everyone can foster, but everyone can contribute in some way.
The importance of trauma-informed care in supporting children.
Fostering is a journey that requires community support and understanding.
Small actions can lead to significant changes in the foster care system.
Sound Bites
"Fostering longer and stronger is key."
"Support is a massive part of retention."
"Isolation is a huge part of the problem."
"Kids want what every kid desires: a family."
"They want people who are safe."
"Our innovation was trust."
"Today was the best day I've had."
"Retention is recruitment."
"You can't impact 400,000 kids alone."
"We got your back and thank you."
More from America's Kids Belong:
Learn more about being a foster or adoptive parent or supporting those who are in your community.
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Meet kids awaiting adoption.
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Please consider donating today to support our mission to dramatically improve the experiences and outcomes for kids in foster care.
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