A Look Behind the Scenes: Just as Special x UC Berkeley’s Data Science Discovery Program
In the spring of 2023, thirteen UC Berkeley students worked with Just as Special under Berkeley's Data Science Discovery Program to discover new insights about foster care resources in Colorado. Check out the specifics of our findings! We are proud to say that the hard work put into this project was awarded the Runner-Up for the “Ribbon of Excellence” recognition out of more than 110 projects at the Spring 2023 UC Berkeley Data Science Discovery Showcase.
Easy Ways to Teach Kids in Care Financial Responsibility
All I needed to know about fiscal (financial) responsibility and managing my home, I learned from my foster parents, specifically my second foster mother. She showed me the importance of paying my bills on time, having a good credit reputation, and managing a home. She prepared me for life on my own. She was a 65+ year old woman, with only a first-grade education.
How to Welcome a Child/Youth into Your Home: A Guide to the First 24 HRS
As a foster parent, welcoming a new placement into your home can be exciting and also nerve-wracking.
And it can be even more overwhelming for the child or youth coming into your home.
How to Make Dentist, Doctor & Other Healthcare Appointments Easier for Kids in Foster Care
There are several ways you can make healthcare appointments easier for kids who have experienced abuse.
How to Show Up As a White Foster Parent in a Racist System
It is well established that child welfare has a racist past and present. Fellow white foster and adoptive parents, we need to start talking about how we show up in such a system.
Book Recommendations for Foster Families
While these books are not specific to foster care, we have found them especially relevant to the foster care community.
How can I prepare myself to become a foster parent? (Internal Things)
Becoming a foster parent involves a lot of preparation - both within our homes and within ourselves. In this article, we focus on what’s required to set up the internal things in our lives - our self-knowledge - as you prepare to begin your journey as a foster parent.
Foster Care Resources in the Denver Area
Need help finding foster care resources near where you live? If you live in Denver or the surrounding area, we’ve got you covered!
How can I prepare myself to become a foster parent? (External Things)
Becoming a foster parent involves a lot of preparation - both within our homes and within ourselves. In this article, we focus on what’s required to set up the external things in our lives - home, job, support network - as you prepare to begin your journey as a foster parent.
How can I become a foster parent?
So, you’re thinking about becoming a foster parent? Excellent! This is an exciting time for you and those who support you. It can be overwhelming too, but don’t worry - there are lots of resources to support you, including this blog.
Foster Care Resources in Colorado Springs & El Paso County
Need help finding foster care resources near where you live? If you live in Colorado Springs or El Paso County, we’ve got you covered!
First Steps to Getting Involved with Foster Care (in Big or Small Ways)
There are many ways to get involved with foster care — and all are important. The first step to getting involved is knowing your options.
What is the Savior Complex & How to Avoid It
The savior complex is still alive and well when it comes to the foster care system — and it is still very destructive.
Here are some other ways to limit the savior complex that also benefit kids in care.
How to Bond with Kids in Foster Care (According to a Kid in Foster Care)
As a former foster child and a master of blowing out of homes, I can say that the attachment piece of therapy is perhaps the most important part of making a home successful.
Diversity Training for Foster Parents
Big thanks to our Season 2 podcast sponsor, Kids Crossing, a private foster care agency started by foster parents for foster parents.
A Realtor You Can Trust
We’re so thankful for our community of supporters that makes Just As Special possible, including Christina Whiteley, realtor with Fabulous Homes Colorado powered by Keller Williams Freedom.
Saying Goodbye to your Kid in Foster Care (According to a Kid in Care)
Perhaps the hardest part of foster parenting is letting go.
Leaving someone, but still keeping the attachment you have formed with them, is a tricky skill but definitely one worth learning.
Navigating the Holidays: A Guide for Foster Parents
Being a foster parent requires a lot of creativity and flexibility — and navigating the holidays with kids in care is no different.
So don’t be afraid to make the holidays your own with these tips.