Host Jeremy C. Park talks with Misha Cummings, Foster Care Engagement Specialist Supervisor at Youth Villages, who highlights the nonprofit organization based in Memphis, Tennessee, that has been working for more than 35 years to radically improve the lives of children across the country through an array of program models and services built around preserving and restoring families. During the interview, Misha spotlights how Youth Villages provides foster care and adoption services through their work with children and families. She discusses their support services for foster and adoptive parents and how becoming a foster or adoptive parent can transform the lives of both parents and children alike. The segment highlights the importance of National Adoption Month in November while sharing success stories and emphasizing the need for more adoptive parents, along with information on how the community can get involved in foster care and adoption through Youth Villages.SummaryYouth Villages Foster Care Overview - Misha Cummings, Foster Care Engagement Specialist Supervisor at Youth Villages, explains how foster care is a temporary setting for children awaiting reunification with their biological families, while adoption involves permanent placement. Misha has been with the organization for seven years, previously working in residential facilities and crisis management before transitioning to foster care and adoption services.Stability in Foster Care Education - Misha discusses the challenges faced by children in foster care, particularly the instability caused by frequent moves and changes in schools, which hampers their social development. She explains that Youth Villages aims to address this by keeping children in their community schools to maintain stability. Jeremy highlights the significance of National Adoption Month in November, emphasizing the importance of raising awareness about foster care and adoption.Supporting Adoption and Foster Care - Misha discusses National Adoption Month, highlighting the celebration of adoptions while emphasizing the need for more adoptive parents due to approximately 8,000 children in care in Tennessee. She explains Youth Villages' support services, including training for parents, post-training classes, and a mentorship program for new foster parents. Misha also mentions ongoing support through a 24/7 staff, organized family activities, and a community of foster parents to help improve the experience.Foster Family Training Timeline Overview - Misha explains that a successful foster or adoptive family is characterized by their ability to love and provide stability for children, effective communication, and openness to learning new parenting skills. She clarifies that the timeline for the entire process, from start to finish, is typically two months for ideal candidates who meet all requirements, such as completing background checks and attending all training sessions. However, she noted that the timeline can extend to three months if unforeseen circumstances, like missed classes, arise.Foster Care Success Stories - Misha shares feedback from youth and parents regarding life-changing opportunities in foster care and adoption. She shares a story about a parent who went through the training and embraced it, celebrating the child's milestones. Misha also highlights a success story of a foster youth who was adopted and went on to pursue a career in social work and public office.Youth Villages Foster Care Success - Misha and Jeremy discuss Youth Villages' success stories and the transformative power of providing stability, love, and opportunities for both children and families involved in foster care and adoption. Misha highlights the organization's focus on children aged 0 to 17, with a particular need for placing children aged 9 and up and sibling groups. She also emphasizes the positive attributes of teenagers in care, noting their adaptability and openness to learning.Youth Villages Foster Care Support - Misha discusses the support available to foster and adoptive parents through Youth Villages, emphasizing that children in care are not responsible for their situation and clarifying that barriers such as not being married or renting a home do not prevent someone from becoming a foster parent. She provides two ways for the community to get involved: calling the toll-free number 888-MY-YV-KID or visiting the Youth Villages website to learn more about foster care and adoption and filling out an inquiry form to speak with an engagement specialist.Visit https://youthvillages.org/services/fo... to learn more about Youth Villages and their Foster Care and Adoption programs or call 1-888-My-YV-KID.

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