Articles

At a gathering of state and federal officials in the U.S. Capitol last summer, foster care alum Ivy Smith described the rocky path she traveled through higher education to earn three degrees from Boise State University. She recalled the foster mom who couldn’t drive her to college prep classes, having to argue in family court […]

On many afternoons between meetings, you can find Sacramento State University President Luke Wood seated at a piano bench, tapping out a playful jazz melody or stirring rendition of Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody.” He doesn’t just play for himself. Students flock to the piano, including a group on campus he has worked hard to nurture: budding […]

It feels like summer just started, but here we are, at the beginning of the school year. The new academic calendar brings mixed feelings for children who are in foster care and/or adopted. Some may anticipate it with excitement, while others feel dread. Parents are also affected in varied ways. If you are a parent […]

I’ve always contacted the teacher before school. I’ve explained the child’s behaviors and needs with them. They usually have my number when I leave the meeting. I always make sure they know to contact me about any issues, needs or questions. Our school is awesome at working with differently abled children. I was shocked when […]

It’s not uncommon as foster and adoptive parents to be asked questions by those around us that are too personal to answer. ”Are they twins?”, ”Are they all yours?”, ”Did their parents do drugs?”, ”How long do you get to keep them?” Beyond these questions is the constant struggle of how much do we share […]

Oh sweet summer time. Longer days. Campfires. Beach trips. Meltdowns. Ice cream. Nothing is more frustrating than meltdowns and challenging behaviors from our kids, interrupting our best-laid plans for a fun adventure. You see, while we dream of family bonding and making memories, our kids thrive on predictability and routine. While we’re trying to pack […]

A 2022 study reveals improved test scores among children with child welfare involvement, ages 11-17, who participate in structured extracurricular activities. At the same time, findings suggest high levels of participation aren’t necessary for improvements in educational outcomes. Researchers at the University of Oklahoma asked the question: does extracurricular participation improve academic performance, as measured […]

All responses taken from our Facebook groups: Foster Parenting Toolbox and Kinship Parenting Group. Having an after school routine is an important part of ensuring homework is completed and evenings at home run smoothly. We asked current foster, kinship and adoptive parents about their after school routines. Here’s what they shared: “Pick boys up from […]