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How long have you been a foster parent, and how long have you been with EA? 

I’ve been a foster parent since 2002, and have been with EA approximately three years.

What motivated you to become a foster parent?

I decided to become a foster parent about a year after getting custody of my biological son at 8 years old. I thought it would be a great way to help another kid and for my son to have a playmate.

Can you share some challenges you have faced as a foster parent?

Originally, as a single male foster parent, it seemed to take a while to get my first placement. When I did, it happened to be a young boy named Steven. I was told that he was a very difficult child: difficult to place and most likely would be going to a group home if not placed with me. I chose to take the placement and quickly realized I had a knack for working with the most challenging cases. I actually developed a mission statement back then, since I only expected to be a short term foster parent for kids until they found a forever home—not really realizing that forever homes were not that easy to come by. My mission statement was basically as follows:

"I will do my best to give any kid that comes into my home my best to prepare them for their forever home, and that they will leave my home with more than what they came with."

Over my years as being a foster parent, some of the biggest challenges were: realizing that it was much more difficult than I originally expected for kids to find forever homes or even reunite with family; the difficulty in trying to get services that the kids needed in a timely manner; navigating their emotional needs; and meeting them where they’re at to help them develop a more positive outlook on their future—despite how life had started for them.

What advice can you give to new foster parents?

The best advice I could give new foster parents:

• Be consistently who you are, because most kids are waiting for you to let them down, which makes it difficult for them to trust.
• Be patient and accept even the smallest progress in your child’s development.
• Understand your limitations and be able to reach out for the help and guidance you may need. You’re not expected to know it all or get everything right, but at the same time keep your vision on the best possible outcomes.

What do you like most about being a foster parent?

I truly enjoy helping kids recognize their own self value and individuality. I also enjoy watching them develop the mindset that their past doesn’t have to be their future, and that they have the ability to create their future as they choose–if they accept the proper support.