The goal of foster care, the need of support systems, and the role of trauma – with Mandy Taylor

Juan sits down with parenting expert Mandy Taylor to touch on a wide array of ways anyone can step up to champion families. As an adoptive and foster parent who works every day in training and equipping parents to better parent and connect with their children, Mandy shares her unique perspective on the role extended relatives and a strong support network can play in strengthening families. Juan and Mandy also discuss the most important and ultimate goal of foster care, which is always reunification with the family of origin.

About our guest

Mandy Taylor has worked in foster care at Bethany Christian Services in Grand Rapids, Michigan, for over 8 years and is currently the parenting support supervisor. She earned her Master of Social Work from Spring Arbor University and is a trained facilitator of Resource Parent Curriculum, Together Facing the Challenge, The Child Welfare Trauma Toolkit, Pressley Ridge, and the Sanctuary Model. Mandy has also created and facilitates the Parenting After Trauma class for birth parents who have children in foster care. Mandy is a former foster parent and adoptive parent and was an Angel in Adoption honoree in 2018 from the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute. Mandy is passionate about working with families who have children in the foster care system to prepare them for reunification.

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The Champions for Family podcast is hosted by Juan Fernandez and produced by Bethany Christian Services. Guests include authors, speakers, experts, advocates, and volunteers who share their stories of uplifting and empowering families. Learn more about becoming a champion for family at Bethany.org/Champion.
The Champions for Family podcast is presented by Just Love Coffee Café. Check them out at JustLoveCoffee.com
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