Becoming a Foster Mom Changed All My Relationships - Bonus Episode

Jan 5

Listen on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Stitcher | Google Podcasts

Natasha went from having no kids to being a foster mom of a teenage girl in 2020.

She talks with her sister and foster care volunteer, Rachel, about what she wish she knew before becoming a foster parent and what she has learned along the way.

Natasha and Rachel also talk about what's to come for the Just As Special podcast in 2021.

Featured Guests

Natasha Garrett Just As Special host & foster mom to a teenage girl — Natasha Garrett
Just As Special host & foster mom to a teenage girl

Rachel Pepperl Just As Special host & foster care volunteer — Rachel Pepperl
Just As Special host & foster care volunteer

Foster Care Resources

Blog

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.

Pulse Perfect

Becoming a Foster Mom Changed All My Relationships - Bonus Episode

Featured Guests

Foster Care Resources

How Do I Escape This?

The Medicine Stick

Just As Special