Fostering Parenthood

Caregivers will be equipped with the necessary tools to engage in conversations with the youth in their care about sexuality and sex education that goes beyond prevention and instead focuses on liberation, all within a secure and receptive environment that encourages openness.

Guest on the show: Steph Zapata, she/they, sex educator & anti-oppression consultant

Calls To Action:
How to use liberation approach vs. pr...

This episode will give caregivers of indigenous youth a new understanding of how to help indigenous youth in care who've experienced abuse and/or commercial sexual exploitation and how to support them. 

Indigenous youth in care are a vulnerable population, we will discuss ways to protect indigenous youth from CSEC and the resources available to these youth in care.

Guest on the show:

Raechel Ibarra, Senior CSEC Case Manager for C...

This episode will explore how caregivers can support the mental health of youth in foster care through the eyes of a former foster youth, Elyzabeth. 

She tells the story of her mental health journey and entering new homes and what would’ve made her feel more safe, comfortable, and welcome.

Guest on the show:

Elyzabeth, former foster youth, RHEP Youth Advisory Board member

Resources:

Presumptive Eligibility- Super importan...

This episode will explore how caregivers can support the mental health of youth in foster care, access Medi-Cal mental health services, and how to advocate for their youth in care to get the services they require. 

Guests on the show:


Nancy Netherland, mother and advocate for her two daughters, both former foster children living with rare, chronic medical complexities. 

Nancy founded Kids and Caregivers;...

In this episode we will explore the experiences of youth in care who faced the challenges of homelessness and teen pregnancy, and discover new ways of support.

Maria will join us to share her story of both struggles and victories. Her journey will shed light on what it truly means to provide care for a pregnant youth in need. As we listen to Maria, we'll gain insights into what she needed from caregivers and how they ...

This episode will bring the perspective of a caregiver currently fostering a neurodivergent, transgender male youth in care. Joyce opens up about her experience in guiding a conversation about her youth's menstrual cycle. A conversation that led to trust and open communication in the future.

Guests on the show:

Joyce Ma: Fostering UNITY’s Organizational Development Coordinator, foster parent for neurodivergen...

Content Warning: This episode discusses sensitive subjects, including abuse and child sexual exploitation. Please exercise discretion while listening.

Episode Description: 

This episode will give caregivers a new understanding of what youth in care who've experienced abuse and/or commercial sexual exploitation go through and how to support them. 

Guests on the show:

Brandy: Former foster youth, survivor of commercial sexual exploi...

Today we’ll hear from a former foster youth on how learning about her Indigenous roots could have helped her during her pregnancy. Tune in for a compelling and insightful discussion on empowering Indigenous youth in foster care through cultural connection.

Guests on the show:

Tamar: Former foster youth, mom, member of the Youth Advisory Board at the Reproductive Health Equity Project 

Resources:

• Ready to Succeed
• Emma Bowen Foundatio...

Dorothy gets support from care service specialist Faye Holmes, who tells her it's all right to put the laundry off another week and call a friend. We all need to be kind to ourselves during this holiday season. We also hear from two of Dorothy's foster youth about how they want to incorporate their past traditions and cultures into this year's holiday celebration.

Guest on the show: Faye Holmes, Care Service...

To wrap up season 1 of Fostering Parenthood, Dorothy has ‘the sex talk’ with her son Brandyn. The first time they talk about sexual reproductive health together is on the show! 

They explores the topics we covered this season, hoping to show caregivers what this could look like with their teens. But of course, every family is different. We hope this special episode helps you prepare for and encourages you to have ‘the talk...

Navigating the process of becoming a foster parent or caregiver can be complex. Fortunately, there's a foster youth Bill of Rights, which sounds daunting, but provides a blueprint for caregivers looking to better understand their role as foster caregivers, and ensure the safety of their youth. Our guest Jasmine Harris is a foster youth and foster youth advocate who served on the Foster Care Ombudsperson’ Committee that establi...

Lawyers, advocates, social workers, and more. Becoming a caregiver includes many helpful resources, but what good is a resource if you don't know how to use it? Our guest Theresa Reed, a former foster youth and educator for new foster parents and caregivers, helps explain some of the most helpful resources and how to use them. 

Guest on the show: Theresa Reed, former foster youth, FKCE Program Director, Author of It’s Not ...

When youth begin to establish romantic relationships, you may feel the need to give the kneejerk “use a condom” speech, but do you discuss the signs of a healthy relationship? Our guest Kat McKeon, a former foster youth, discusses her experience in healthy and unhealthy relationships and what she wishes her caregivers would have said to her.

Guest on the show: Kat McKeon, former foster youth, RHEP Youth Advisory Board member

Content Warning: This episode discusses trauma

In this third episode of Fostering Parenthood, we hear about trauma-informed care from Dr. Dorit Saberi, Clinical Director of the Safe Harbor- Trauma Recovery Center at Harbor UCLA Medical Center and an adoptive parent. She will tell us how to find the kernel of truth, be mindful, and stay curious when parenting kids who have experienced trauma. 

Guests on the show:

Dr. Dorit Sa...

Content Warning: This episode discusses suicide in the LGBTQ community 

Navigating conversations around sexual orientation can be difficult and awkward. You might ask yourself, What are the right terms? Is it too soon for them to know? Our guest Patrick Gem Gabbett, a former foster youth and an LGBTQ advocate, will help you answer some of these questions, ask your youth the right questions, and help you support their healthy se...

What's an out-code? And how do I teach my kid about consent? It's all here in our very first episode of Fostering Parenthood. We meet with former foster youth Tamar and caregiver Dayna Freier, who give their take on explaining consent and bodily autonomy to your foster youth. 

When people think of “consent” they may think of teenagers learning of sexual consent, but it starts way early than that. In this episode, we d...

Welcome to Fostering Parenthood, a podcast by caregivers for caregivers promoting the healthy sexual development of foster youth through the National Center for Youth Law and the Reproductive Health Equity Project. We will launch 6 episodes on September 1st, plus an exclusive bonus episode, so subscribe and stay tuned!

About Fostering Parenthood:

Fostering Parenthood is a podcast by caregivers for caregivers promoting the healthy se...