Education

Foster parents should be aware that fire-setting can be a serious and potentially dangerous behavior that requires careful attention and intervention.  It's crucial to understand the child’s reasons behind fire-setting, including curiosity, impulsive behavior, or underlying emotional issues.  Understanding the causes,…

This is an important question as families consider caring for children and teens in foster care. While there are no certain answers, it’s vital to consider all the ways a family could change and different experiences families may encounter. Charley…

In this episode, we are joined by Scott Yeomans, who shares his story as a kinship caregiver, acknowledging the unanticipated commitment, emotions and decisions he and his family have faced. FOSTER ADOPT MINNESOTA Website | Facebook | Youtube

Unfortunately, the life experiences of foster youth have often been impacted by abandonment, trauma and neglect. These experiences can result in youth being chronically scared and coping by wanting constant reassurance and protection from safe adults who are often foster…

In this episode, Britt Frank--therapist, author, speaker, and adjunct professor—shares tools and insights from her brand new book, Align Your Mind. Listen in as she brings us personal stories, practical tips, and new ways of navigating all the different parts…

In this episode, Rick Delaney and Charley Joyce focus on the behavioral and emotional challenges children in foster care and families experience within the school system.  Tune in to learn how school-related issues impact foster parents and their interactions with…

In this episode, we are joined by Holly Guyer, Mark Watkins and Sandi Falck. Holly, Mark and Sandi are siblings who were adopted at birth. They share their story--from what they were told by their parents in childhood, to the…

Ellie Krug is a former civil trial attorney, nonprofit leader, radio/podcast host, author and national speaker on human inclusivity. Most of all, she is the parent of two Korean-born adult daughters, one of whom Ellie lost when she came out…

Rick Delaney and Charley Joyce will define what is meant by anger and aggression directed at mother figures in foster care. We will learn how they determined this can be a dynamic in foster care, describe what the anger/aggression looks…

In this episode, we are joined by award-winning science journalist Donna Jackson Nakazawa. Donna is going to share with us the latest research on Positive Childhood Experiences, why they are so vital for us to understand and practical ways to…

Visitation can be a very difficult process for youth in foster care, foster parents and birth parents as well. We will hear from Charley Joyce, MSW and Rick Delaney, Ph.D. as they share the important, yet difficult ways visitation fills…

As we all know, the foster to adoption process doesn’t magically happen.  We will hear from long-term social workers and colleagues from St. Louis County, Char Matheson and Katie Rodel about their day-to-day work.  Char and Katie have reputations for…

In this episode, we are joined by Heather Simonich. Heather is the Director of the Center for Holistic Health at Concordia College in Moorhead. She has 8 years of experience as an operations director at PATH, a foster care and…

In this episode, we are joined by Beth Syverson, adoptive parent and founder of Unraveling Adoption, an organization that seeks to connect and support in growth and healing those who have been touched by adoption. The holidays can be a…

In this episode, we are joined by Jana Battagler, a licensed professional clinical counselor at Empower Counseling in Fargo, North Dakota. Jana is going to tell us all about overstimulation in parenting: what it is, how we got here, and…

Join Rosilynn Morris as she shares her reflections on working as a Therapist in an organization that primarily served Native American children, teens, and adults. Discover how she learned to integrate Indigenous knowledge with evidence-based treatment to create a holistic…

In this episode, we are joined by Ariana Krecklau, who is a therapist at Empower Counseling in Fargo, North Dakota, and who has experience working as a treatment foster care case manager. She will share with us what attachment is,…

In this episode, we will learn why self-harm, diagnoses, when they should stop, interventions and how understanding is the key.  Guest Bruce O’Leary shares how to be supportive without reinforcing the behavior.  Bruce is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist…

If you have been brave enough to be a foster or adoptive parent, then you will agree that it comes with a cost. Yet many of us continue to put ourselves back into the battle zones willingly because the children…

For many, back-to-school means sitting in a classroom for a majority of the day.  Mya Zavaleta is checking in to see how the first few weeks of school are going!  We will dive into the importance of getting children moving…

Daniela Coats, Licensed Masters Social Worker, joins us from Texas to talk about her personal experiences growing up in a home that fostered and adopted as well as her work as a therapist and trainer supporting the entire foster family.…

Greg Luce is back to share valuable information about intercountry adoption. Hear from Greg how Congress could fix a loophole that denies US citizenship to thousands of intercountry adopted people, what help is available for intercountry adoptees who have no…

In this episode, Meg Flynn joins us to talk about ways to incorporate joy into our family lives. As a therapist and trainer for over twenty-five years, Meg has a vast array of knowledge and experience in working with children…

Thank you to our listeners for getting us to our 100th episode! Hear from FAM staff about how Let’s Talk started and how we got to this point. Classic FAM presenters Deena McMahon, Rick Delaney, Charley Joyce, Krista Nelson and…

Please join us as we talk about the frantic pace of today’s families and the decision fatigue that can result.  We’ll validate and normalize decision fatigue and identify ways we can keep ourselves and our families healthy and joyful. Our…

In part two of this two-part series, we will focus on high school youth and how transition planning is crucial with this age group.  Just like part one, we’ll help make sure special education surrogates and foster parent voices, ideas,…

In part one of this two-part series, we will focus on elementary – middle school age children.  Don’t feel intimidated and disregarded!  Here’s how to make sure special education surrogates and foster parent voices, ideas and concerns are heard at…

Join us to hear how Amy Wilkerson, LICSW, helps individuals find the courage to live their lives authentically while staying in connection with themselves and others.  Amy is a transracial and international adoptee as well as licensed clinical social worker. …

Join us to learn how UMOJA MN inspires families to reflect on the beautiful ways African Americans have contributed to the development of humanity.  Our guest, Queen Jacobs, is the program director at UMOJA MN and will share how the…

Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) communities face barriers from racism, discrimination, cultural insensitivity, and cultural stigma. Hear from Tatiana Bergum and Tatianna Kirk how the work they do transforms the lives of BIPOC underserved youth and young adults…

Please join us for a thought-provoking conversation with two human trafficking experts committed to achieving social justice. Our webinars cover sensitive topics such as grief, trauma, abuse, neglect, and sexual behaviors. We acknowledge these topics may be triggering or uncomfortable…

Please join us for a discussion on how we can support the regulatory systems of those supporting and regulating children. We have many offerings for children to learn regulation, but not many to support the school professionals or teachers in…

Martha Lippitt, Char Matheson, and Norma Graham (2023 Distinguished Service Award recipient) will share how they ensure quality and meaningful education for children under state guardianship through the services of Special Education surrogates. Learn how volunteers appointed by school districts…

Please join us for a podcast conversation with TJ Hewett, a licensed independent clinical social worker. We will discuss how can we prepare our youth for the holidays and be mindful of transitions: love, connection, and tradition are gifts we…

Make your list and check it twice before the holiday season approaches!  Learn from two school based mental health providers how to keep silent nights where all is calm and bright during your holiday break. FOSTER ADOPT MINNESOTA Website |…

Hear from a parent who adopted through foster care while working within Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) guidelines. Samantha and her family developed an incredibly close bond with her child’s birth mother, and large extended family, while continuing to champion…

Please join us for an important discussion about the ways in which adults can support trans youth and all trans people. Join us for Kristen Datta's Fall Forum webinar, Using LGBTQ History to Support LGBTQ Kids on November 8, 2023.…

Isaac Etter grew up with very few Black people. His only reference for Black people was through television and the media. Transracial adoptees need parents who support their racial identity development in positive ways. In this episode, we will learn from…

Since aging out of foster care in Colorado in 1985, Michelle Chalmers has been passionate about the need for system reform and the essential role that young people can take in leading child welfare to more effective, youth- and family-focused…

We’re going Behind-the-Scenes of FAM’s Back-to-School shopping event.  Kim Sacay from FAM will share how it all got started.  Emily, a Child Specific Recruiter, and Kim will share how it all works… and Emily will provide the youth’s perspective. FOSTER…

We’ll get the inside scoop from a school teacher in Greater MN about how you can prepare for the upcoming school year. Maureen has been a teacher for 20-years, is an adoptive and foster parent, and ready to share how…

Brenda Benning has five things to keep in mind as you help your child transition back-to-school. Brenda works with families individually in home and group settings. Her primary focus is adoptive families with children healing from trauma histories and attachment…

Join us for an adoption discussion centered around author Joe Golemo's life as an adoptee, and in his new book Design Flaws, a murder mystery set in the Twin Cities. Author Joe Golemo draws distinct parallels to his own life…

Please join us for a conversation between four Korean Adoptees from YangJu Orphanage who found each other after 50 years. They will candidly discuss transitioning from squalor to growing up as minorities within their own families while their subconscious and…

Please join us as we chat with two of FAM's Information and Referral team members about our new Foster Adopt Shop.   FOSTER ADOPT MINNESOTA Website | Facebook | Youtube 

Please join us as we chat with Tom Ewald and Joe Thom, partners and parents of a wonderful adopted son. They will openly share their opinions about the joys and challenges of raising a child with trauma history. Tom Ewald…

Please join us as we have a conversation with FAM's Jessica Miller, former foster youth and adoptive mother. Jessica will share her lived experience and reveal what she wishes her foster parents had known. Jessica joined the Foster Adopt Minnesota…

There are many ups and downs adopting through foster care.  Pull up a chair and learn how two dads overcame additional challenges, barriers and stereotypes on their way to becoming a family of four. Our guest, Jeremiah, has been a…

Children coming from adoption are at a crossroads between being content with having a safe and loving environment and missing their biological parents. This podcast will give listeners a glimpse into what adoptees feel. Breanna will present ideas on how…

Strong team communication skills support a culture of collaboration. For part one in our communication series, hear about the importance of communication within child welfare teams. Our guest will be Stacy Gehringer, MSW, LICSW (she/her/hers), Director of Outreach for the…

We will pick Dr. Chasnoff’s brain and learn more about his upcoming webinar that takes a deeper dive into prenatal substance exposure in children. You can register for Dr. Chasnoff's webinar in April here. Ira J. Chasnoff, M.D., an award-winning…

This podcast will explore frameworks for understanding escalation. In addition, we will discuss effective and corresponding interventions to match the level of escalation. Lastly, we will focus on self-management to enhance the de-escalation skills. You can register for Jimmie's webinar…

Hear from child welfare professionals, Brianna Sigg and Stephanie Coleman, about their years of experience working with children, adolescents, and adults with marginalized identities.  They will also share the various types of safe care supports available in our communities.  You…

We will take a deeper dive into Barb Clark’s personal passion, Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder.  Learn how the world of FASD has changed throughout the years and what it means to parent those with FASD into adulthood.  We will also…

We are FAM-ily!  MN ADOPT is now Foster Adopt Minnesota! As we start a new year, we are excited to also begin this chapter of our organization. Since 1980, we have focused on the goal of ensuring every Minnesota child…