Why a foster care resource database?
We are building a vital bridge to address the foster care crisis by connecting families to the resources they need to thrive during their foster care journey.
This database was created in partnership with Cobbled Streets.
In spring 2023, we partnered with the University of California, Berkeley’s Data Science Discovery Program, leveraging Just As Special’s data to discover new insights about the foster care system.
This project was the runner-up for the Data Science Discovery Program’s Ribbon of Excellence Award out of 110+ participating projects.
Want to learn more? Check out the project’s final presentation slides and its whitepaper.
The bad news:
Each year in the U.S., more than 25,000 kids age out of foster care without any family to call home.
Most youth who age out end up surviving on less than $8,000 a year.
Within a few years of aging out, many youth end up homeless, in jail or dead.
Most foster families close their homes within just 2 years.
Every time a kid has to move homes, it makes it harder for them to build healthy relationships and successfully prepare for adulthood.
The good news:
We believe there’s a lot of room for these statistics to improve — and we are actively playing a part in the solution with our resource database.
Many foster parents are largely unaware of all the resources offered within their own community.
And it’s no fun to search for a therapist or dentist who accepts Medicaid while juggling all the other demands of foster parenting.
We’ve made it easier for foster families and former kids in care to access support to thrive.
Connecting a youth to a mentorship or internship has the power to change the trajectory of their entire lives.
Our Goal
We want to give kids in care a better tomorrow by building a foster care resource database for every state.
How We Help
Here are just a few ways our resource database makes a difference:
Expedites finding a mentorship or other extracurricular activity for a kid in care to develop new skills and grow confidence.
Makes it easier to find mental and physical health options for kids in care by listing only Medicaid-accepting providers.
Connects foster parents to free, virtual therapy to avoid placement disruption and a kid having to move homes.
Helps former kids in care secure employment or internships to more successfully transition into adulthood.
Allows organizations to create more effective partnerships by learning who serves the same populations in their communities.
What Makes Us Different
Just As Special is a safe space for diversity within the foster care community.
Our resource database is a reflection of our mission as we strive to honor and celebrate the diversity and lived experiences of the foster care community.
We do our best to verify that listed resources are always inclusive — and trauma-informed whenever possible.
We take community feedback seriously and believe our work of foster care advocacy is most effective when multiple ethnicities, sexual orientations, and religions are represented.
Statistic sources: nfyi.org, ifstudies.org, fostercare2.org
We need your help!
Our goal is to expand our foster care resource database in Colorado and to also build a database in every state!
Get Involved:
Virtually Volunteer: Help connect kids in care and foster families to community support so they can thrive by growing our foster care resource database from the comfort of your own home!
Recommend a Resource: Did we overlook a youth or family resource you find valuable? Let us know here!
Donate: Your funds will support our work of expanding the resource database. Our goal is to one day have a database for every state!
Sponsorship: For businesses looking to do good, we offer sponsorship options that are a true win-win! Contact us at hello@justasspecial.com to learn more.
Proud Project Partners
This database was created in partnership with Cobbled Streets.
Meet the Team
NATASHA PEPPERL | FOUNDER & PODCAST CO-HOST
Natasha (she/her) is a foster mom who welcomes teens and tweens into her home.
She was selected for the national New Leaders Council to advance her work of foster care advocacy through Just As Special and was also selected for House of Pod’s podcast incubator where she won funding for Just As Special’s pilot season.
Before launching Just As Special, Natasha founded the digital marketing company, Pulse Perfect Consulting, where she worked with many of Colorado’s movers and shakers including Rocky Mountain PBS, Denver Public Schools, and Colorado Succeeds.
Natasha is also a published poet and enjoys running in Colorado’s foothills.
EMMY TITHER | DATA ARCHITECT & COMMUNICATIONS STRATEGIST
Emmy (they/them) is no stranger to amplifying stories of diversity to drive change and their work spans the globe. They have worked with Rx Radio in Cape Town as well as for the Khizra Foundation’s Everyday Muslim Project in London.
Emmy earned a Master of Arts with Distinction in Documentary Arts from the University of Cape Town, South Africa.
Emmy came to Just As Special as a fellow through Urban Leaders Fellowship where they spearheaded the creation of our resource database.
In 2009, Emmy completed a 2,000+ mile solo bike trip from Edinburgh, United Kingdom to Osijek, Croatia. They currently live in New Mexico where they continue to take very long bike rides regularly.
BRIETTE BRIGHTMAN | SOCIAL MEDIA INTERN
Briette (she/her) is a senior at the University of Denver and passionate about leveraging community support to give kids in care a better tomorrow.
Briette is always up for a challenge and helps Just As Special with social media management, community outreach, our resource database, and podcast.
She is the mastermind behind our TikTok and Trivia Tuesdays on our Instagram.
Originally from the Boston area, Briette never takes Colorado’s mountains for granted and enjoys hiking and skiing.
Podcast Library
Hope felt like she had way more help than she could use as a foster parent which led her to start thinking about how she could help other families who could benefit from even just one more friend.