This episode has a few fun elements to it! First, Jaimie Lynn Moore, a former foster youth, and her mom share the story of Jaimie’s unique adoption at age 19. Then, you will listen to Jaimie’s interview from CAFO’s 2018 Summit. As Jaimie bravely shares her story in front of a live audience, you will hear some of the traumatic things she experienced before and during foster care, and what aging out of the foster care system was like for her. Jaimie is honest about the fear of constant displacement she began to carry with her and her distrust of people’s promises. She shares the insight she’s gained since and how some of her life shifted after her adoption.

Then, we are joined by Dr. Sharen Ford. Dr. Ford brings her years of experience in foster care to the interview as she explains the importance of promises and consistent, permanent influences in the lives of foster youth. She helps us to understand not only why these influences are important, but a few ways to establish these relationships with foster youth. Dr. Ford also emphasizes how vital it is to seek God’s leading and wisdom when engaging with foster youth.

Download the free companion PDF to this series—“Seven Insights about Foster Care from Those Who’ve Been There”–and share these types of insights with others in your community!

Key Quote

“I don’t think that there was ever a period of time in my life that I needed a family more than I did at the time that I was adopted.”- Jaimie Lynn Moore, Former Foster Youth

Learn More

Here are the resources and/or organizations mentioned in this episode:

Focus on the Family’s Adoption and Orphan Care Initiative (Dr. Ford): http://icareaboutorphans.org

Free Download: Seven Insights about Foster Care from Those Who’ve Been There

Meet Our Guests

JAIMIE LYNN MOORE
Jaimie was in and out of foster care since the age of six before entering the foster care system at age 14. Jaimie moved more than 18 times in her time in foster care before aging out. Jaimie went on to get a Bachelor’s Degree in Organizational Leadership from Texas A&M University. She is also certified as a Behavior Therapist, which allowed her to work with children who have developmental delays- one of her favorite jobs. However, her dream job would be to recruit adoptive parents for children in foster care. (Or be an astronaut). Jaimie married her husband in August of 207 and now lives with him in Texas. She’s working towards getting her Real Estate License! When not working or studying, Jaimie loves spending time with her husband, running, biking, doing yoga, and reading. She also enjoys traveling- she’s been to all continents except for Australia and Antarctica!
She wants everyone to know that all children are precious and are not at fault for being abused, put into foster care, or growing up without a family. She believes that all children deserve to grow up in a safe, loving, and grace filled home with a family that helps them reach their highest potential!

DR. SHAREN FORD
Dr. Sharen Ford is the program director for Focus on the Family’s adoption and orphan care efforts. In this role, she helps raise awareness of the need for adoptive families to provide loving and stable homes for the more than 100,000 waiting children in the U.S. foster care system. She also makes post-placement resources available for adoptive families.
Prior to her current role, Ford worked for child welfare services at the State Department of Human Services where she served as the manager for permanency services.
Ford has spoken at a variety of conferences on adoption and orphan care issues and has also done radio, print and TV interviews with various media outlets.
Ford has won a number of awards, a few of which include the Paul Singer Award from the Congressional Coalition for Adoption Institute and the the Adoption Activist Award from the North American Council for Adoptable Children.
Ford received a Bachelor of Arts degree in English literature from Benedictine College, a Master of Education from the University of Missouri – St. Louis and holds a doctorate in counseling psychology from Cornerstone University.
Married since 1991, Ford lives in Aurora, Colo., with her husband. She has one daughter and loves watching her grandson play sports. She also enjoys traveling and wants to see Egypt, Rome, Israel, Australia, and Fiji. She hopes to go on mission trips to Africa, as well.

Meet Our Hosts

JASON WEBER
Jason and his wife, Trisha, have been caring for children from U.S. foster care since 2001 and have had the privilege of adopting their five children from foster care. Jason has helped to produce and write several books, bible studies, and other tools all created to serve churches as they care for hurting kids including the newly released children’s book, Farmer Herman and the Flooding Barn (BroadStreet Publishing). Jason writes a regular column for Fostering Families Today magazine and is the host of the Foster Movement Podcast, which highlights the stories of former foster youth and national foster care advocates. Jason serves as the National Director of More Than Enough for the Christian Alliance for Orphans and currently lives in Plano, Texas.

DIEGO FULLER
Most teenagers remember the day they got their license, or their sweet 16, or even prom night. For Diego the most prominent day he remembers is In 2002, when he showed up on Bishop Aaron Blake’s steps. Blake stopped Diego at the door and told him to lose any foster care mentality that he has. “You are not a foster child; you are ‘Engrafted’ into my family.” Diego, now a national recording artist, released his second studio album titled “ENGRAFTED” in 2014! Diego is the founder & president of B.I.G Records & Foundation. He and his “Pops,” Bishop Aaron Blake have joined forces and travel the country empowering the local church to create a culture of families prepared to accept the calling of orphan care. Diego lives with his family in the Dallas area.