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Capacity Building

CENTER FOR STATES

Foster Care

Listen as resource parents explain what it means be a support to families of children in their care rather than a substitute for parents, and the training and support networks that helped them through challenges. Parent storytellers discuss the collaborative relationships they forged with resource parents and social workers to achieve better outcomes for themselves and their children. Youth and young adults talk about separation from siblings and culture and their journeys to reconnect, the stigma of being in foster care, and the importance of supportive relationships and of speaking up.

Find foster care stories that best meet your needs by selecting filters on the left and use them with activities from the discussion guide to build understanding and connections between people as you advocate, inspire, support, recruit, train, and coach individuals and teams.

Connect With Us

Learn how we can help your agency build the capacity to thrive.

Email: capacityinfo@icfi.com 
Phone: 1.844.222.0272

Visit the Center for States' Contact Us webpage for more information.

Showing 31 - 35 of 47 Voices of Lived Experience Stories
Video

Mosaic 5: The Journey From Foster Care to Reunification

Portrays a young woman's story of growing up in foster care, from 5 months through 7 years old, and the difficulties of transitioning back to her family. 

Video

Mosaic 4: It Takes a Village

Describes the complex nature and special support needs of kinship care. 

Video

Mosaic 3: Forging a Path to Permanency

Demonstrates the importance of collaboration and trusting relationships between a grandmother, a resource parent, and a social worker.

Video

Mosaic 2: Building Bridges From One Family to Another

Portrays one family's story from the perspectives of the child’s mother, the grandmother, and the resource parent.

Video

Mosaic 1: When Family Supports Family

Tells the story of a family from the perspectives of the father of five children; his mother, who takes on the parenting role for her five grandchildren; and their social worker.