Foster Care Recruitment: Reimagined

In a time when so much feels uncertain in the nonprofit world—tightening funding, stretched teams, and growing needs—one thing remains clear:
The heart of foster care has always been people.
And right now, we’re being called to think differently about how we invite people into this work.
For too long, foster parent recruitment has relied on the same approaches, hoping for different results. But this moment is asking more of us—not just to recruit, but to truly connect.
Because people don’t step forward to foster because of a flyer or a campaign.
They step forward because something in them is moved. Because they feel seen, supported, and part of something bigger than themselves.
As one foster parent once shared, “Foster care didn’t just change a child’s life—it changed mine in ways I never expected.”
So, what if we leaned into that?
✨ What if we focused on building relationships, not just filling homes?
✨ What if we met people where they are—listening first, inviting second?
✨ What if we led with honesty about the challenges, while surrounding families with real, consistent support?
✨ What if we made it easier—not harder—for good people to say “yes”?
There are so many individuals and families out there who have the capacity to care, to show up, to make a difference in a young person’s life. Our role is to reach them in ways that are authentic, human, and grounded in trust.
This work has never been easy. But it has always been meaningful.
And if we’re willing to evolve—if we’re willing to lead with creativity, compassion, and courage—I truly believe we can build something stronger than what existed before.
Because every young person deserves more than a placement.
They deserve a place where they feel safe, valued, and truly cared for.
So, here’s the call to action:
If you’ve ever thought about fostering—even for a moment—lean into that feeling. Ask a question. Start a conversation. Take one step forward.
If you’re a leader in this space, challenge your organization to rethink how we engage and support foster families. Innovation isn’t optional—it’s necessary.
And if you’re already doing this work—thank you. Keep showing up. Your impact is deeper and more lasting than you may ever fully see.
Because when one person says “yes” to fostering, it doesn’t just change one life—it has the power to transform many.
Let’s move forward together—with intention, with heart, and with a shared commitment to doing better for the young people who need us most.
#FosterCare #ChildWelfare #NonprofitLeadership #SocialImpact #FosterParents #Community #Leadership #Hope

The Nonprofit Sector Is Being Tested

I’ve spent my career in this space, and one thing is clear—this moment is different.
The demand is higher than ever.
More children. More families. More urgency.
Every day, we’re making decisions in real time—placements, safety, stability—where waiting isn’t an option.
At the same time, we’re navigating staffing shortages, burnout, complex government systems, and funding structures that weren’t built for this level of speed or demand.
And while it’s easy to point outward—and some of that is valid—we also have to look inward.
In some cases, we’ve been too slow to adapt.
Too comfortable operating within the way things have always been done.
Meanwhile, the need hasn’t slowed down—it’s accelerated.
Leadership Has to Evolve
This moment requires more than passion.
It requires:
Clear, consistent communication
Strong presence—especially when it’s inconvenient
Accountability at every level
And a commitment to being solution-focused, not problem-focused
Because the people we serve don’t have the luxury of waiting for us to figure it out.
The Reality
The gap is growing.
Organizations that are evolving—building infrastructure, investing in their people, thinking differently, and moving with urgency—are finding a way forward.
Others are struggling to keep pace.
Not because they don’t care, but because the model is changing—and it’s changing fast.
Final Thought
The mission hasn’t changed.
But how we show up for that mission must.
This is a defining moment for the sector—not just to endure, but to evolve.
Caring for People. Connecting Communities. Promoting Peace.
Onward—solution-focused, accountable, and committed to disciplined execution.

Child Welfare Reform Ideas

Over the past several months, I’ve had the opportunity to help stand up and operate a 24/7 child welfare program. What it has reinforced for me—more than anything—is this:

Too often, we meet families at their worst moment… instead of reaching them before they ever get there.

I’ve seen incredible staff step up at all hours of the night to support youth in crisis. I’ve also seen how easily families can become overwhelmed navigating systems that weren’t designed with them at the center.

And here’s the reality—many of the challenges we label as “neglect” are rooted in something far more addressable: lack of resources, lack of support, and lack of stability.

If we truly want better outcomes for kids, we have to shift:

• From reacting to crisis → to investing in prevention
• From removal as a solution → to family stabilization as the priority
• From system-driven decisions → to family-centered planning
• From short-term placement → to long-term stability and connection

I’m proud of the work our teams are doing every day in incredibly complex situations. But I’m even more convinced that the future of child welfare isn’t about building better systems alone—it’s about strengthening families before systems are ever needed.

Strong families—not systems—are the most powerful intervention we have.

We have an opportunity right now to rethink how we show up for children and families—not incrementally, but in a way that truly changes outcomes.

#ChildWelfare #Leadership #FamilyFirst #Prevention #SocialImpact

Stabilization First Model: A New Approach to Placement Stability in Child Welfare

There are moments in a young person’s life when everything changes—often suddenly, and rarely on their terms. Entry into the child welfare system is one of those moments. It is a time marked by disruption, uncertainty, and loss. And yet, it is also a moment where the system has a profound opportunity to respond differently.

For too long, the initial response to youth entering care has been driven by urgency rather than intention. The focus has been on finding any available placement, often resulting in multiple moves, prolonged stays in temporary settings, or environments that are not equipped to meet a young person’s needs. While these decisions are rarely made without care, the outcomes can feel impersonal and, at times, destabilizing.

The Stabilization First Model was developed to challenge that pattern.

At its core, this model represents a shift in thinking—from placement as the immediate goal, to stabilization as the first priority. Instead of rushing decisions, it creates space for young people to pause, decompress, and be met with compassion, safety, and support. It allows professionals the time to conduct thoughtful assessments, engage meaningfully, and make placement decisions that are informed rather than reactive.

This approach reframes the front door of care. It recognizes that the quality of a young person’s first experience in the system can shape everything that follows. When that experience is grounded in dignity and stability, it sets the foundation for better outcomes—emotionally, behaviorally, and developmentally.

Importantly, this is not just an operational improvement. It is a matter of equity and social justice.

Young people in the child welfare system—particularly those with complex needs—are often the most impacted by placement instability. Repeated moves, time spent in non-therapeutic settings, and decisions made under pressure can reinforce inequities rather than resolve them. By prioritizing stabilization first, we begin to address these systemic challenges in a more intentional and humane way.

What makes this model effective is not just its structure, but its discipline. It requires alignment across teams, clarity in communication, and a willingness to slow down in a system that is often built for speed. It challenges leaders and practitioners to move beyond crisis-driven responses and instead focus on what is truly in the best interest of the child.

This work is not easy. It requires building new processes within existing systems, navigating ambiguity, and maintaining consistency in high-pressure environments. But it also represents an opportunity—to lead differently, to think differently, and to create something that better reflects the values we say we hold.

The Stabilization First Model is not a single program or location. It is a framework—a way of approaching care that can be adapted, scaled, and implemented across systems.

And at its foundation is a simple, but powerful belief:

When we get the first moment right, we change the trajectory that follows.