For Children's Sake

This isn’t about being harsh — it’s about being real.
Foster kids don’t need perfection. They need presence. They need you regulated. They need you to do the work, not just mean well.

🧠 Get in therapy. You can’t co-regulate a child through trauma if you’re still drowning in your own.

❤️‍🩹 Love without understanding can do more harm than good. Learn what love looks like to a child with trauma.

🙅‍♂️ Stop expecting gratitude. They didn’t ask for this.

📚 Learn about trauma. Not on Instagram. From books. From trainings. From people who lived it.

⚖️ If you’re centering your feelings over theirs, you’re doing it wrong.

🛟 You’re not the hero. You’re the safe base — and that’s harder and more important.

🧱 Stability isn’t built with stuff. It’s built with consistency, boundaries, and showing up again when it’s hard.

If you’re feeling defensive, pause. Sit with it.
That discomfort? It’s probably pointing you toward what still needs healing.

After more than two decades of dedicated leadership including her role as CEO, Deb Evans is stepping into a new chapter as our Clinical Director now based in Scottsdale, Arizona.

Deb has been with For Children’s Sake since our doors opened in 1998, and her influence is woven into every part of who we are today. During her tenure as CEO, she transformed the organization into a leader in foster care innovation and child welfare excellence. Under her guidance, the agency expanded services, increased the number of licensed foster homes, and significantly improved outcomes for children in care.

She championed trauma-informed care, strengthened partnerships with community providers, and led efforts to secure new funding streams—ensuring the agency’s long-term sustainability. Deb also cultivated a mission-aligned, supportive workplace culture, leading to increased staff retention and professional development opportunities.

Her unwavering commitment to children and families has left an enduring legacy of hope, stability, and excellence in care. You will be deeply missed at our office here in Virginia, Deb. Thank you for everything. 🤍

Dear foster parents,
You’re doing better than you think. 🤍
They may not say it.
You might not feel it.
But your presence matters more than perfection.
Keep going.

Send this to a foster parent who needs to hear it 🫶🏼

Okay, so maybe you’re not exactly serving business casual but everyone’s safe, healthy, happy, and the house is clean... kind of. That still counts, right? 😂

Can we just take a moment to talk about how ridiculously talented our volunteers are?? 🎨✨

The Foster Hearts Initiative Club showed up big time, creating the sweetest end-of-year cards and the most detailed and adorable bookmarks for our foster kids. From graduation notes to “you did it!” encouragement, every card is filled with heart.

These kids are going to feel so seen. 💛

Huge thank you to this amazing group for helping us celebrate our youth in such a thoughtful (and seriously artistic!) way.

People assume foster care is about saving someone. But the truth is I t’s about stability.
It’s about the kind of steady, quiet love that says: You’re not too much. You’re not broken. You belong here.

It’s about rebuilding trust in small, daily moments — a bedtime routine, a stocked fridge, someone showing up every single day. Someone who knows how you like your hair. 🪮

If you’ve ever wondered what foster care really looks like, it’s not grand gestures. It’s offering consistency to a child who’s only ever known survival. And watching them soften, settle, and slowly believe they’re safe.

That’s the real richness.
That’s the reason.

We’ve heard it all. Every reason why someone thinks they can’t foster.

But here’s the truth: you probably can. Let’s clear a few things up 👇

💬 “I’m part of the LGBTQ+ community.”
→ Not only can you foster—you might be exactly who a child needs. Many kids in care identify as LGBTQ+ themselves and need affirming homes where they feel seen, safe, and supported. Your lived experience can be a lifeline.

💬 “I’m a single parent.”
→ You don’t need a partner to provide love and stability. Plenty of single foster parents thrive, and agencies are here to support you as you support a child.

💬 “I work full-time.”
→ You can still foster. Childcare options, flexible caseworkers, and support services exist to help working foster parents make it work—because many do.

💬 “I have roommates.”
→ That’s okay! As long as there’s a safe space for the child and your roommates pass the background checks, you’re good to go.

💬 “I can’t afford to foster.”
→ Foster care isn’t something you do alone. Monthly stipends, health insurance for the child, and other supports are provided to ease the financial lift.

💬 “I don’t own a home.”
→ Renting is totally fine. You don’t need to own your space—just create a stable, nurturing environment where a child can feel safe.

If your heart is in it, the rest can be figured out.
We’re here to help you take the next step.
📥 DM us with questions or visit the link in our bio to learn more.

✨ Can you travel with your foster child?

Thanks so much to Jordan Blann for sharing this it’s one of the most common questions we hear from foster families, especially as summer plans roll in. 💼☀️

Yes, you can!

Here’s what the process usually looks like:

✅ Talk to your caseworker about your trip
✅ They’ll submit the necessary paperwork to the state
✅ The court will review and approve the travel
✅ Once approved, you’re good to go!

Traveling together is often seen as a positive opportunity for connection, and when possible, the system supports keeping kids included in those experiences. 💛

What are your travel plans this summer? Tell us in the comments!