This episode kicks off National Foster Care Awareness Month — a time not just to reflect, but to act.
On today’s Fostering Change, Rob Scheer welcomes back Laura, The Foster Parent Partner, a therapeutic foster parent, mentor, and now author of First-Time Fostering, releasing May 12.
This conversation focuses on a question many people ask, but far fewer answer: what does it actually take to become a foster parent?
Not the idea of it — the reality.
Laura brings practical, real-world insight into what fostering looks like day to day, what new foster parents need to understand, and how to move from thinking about it to stepping into it. As a returning guest, she builds on her previous conversation with Rob to go deeper into the emotional, logistical, and human side of fostering.
As we begin National Foster Care Awareness Month, this episode serves as a starting point for those considering how they can be part of the solution.
Episode Highlights
Why National Foster Care Awareness Month should lead to action, not just recognition
The gap between thinking about fostering and actually saying yes
What foster parenting really looks like day to day
Common fears and misconceptions that hold people back
How support, mentorship, and community make fostering possible
About Laura
Known as The Foster Parent Partner, Laura is a therapeutic foster parent, content creator, and mentor who supports individuals navigating the foster care journey. Through her platform, she helps new foster parents move through the licensing process and prepare for their first placement with confidence.
Her new book, First-Time Fostering, is a practical, honest guide designed to equip future foster parents with the tools, expectations, and clarity needed to take that first step.
Key Questions from This Episode
What inspired you to write First-Time Fostering — and who is it for?
What makes this book different from others about foster care?
Why does Foster Care Awareness Month matter, and how should people respond?
What are the biggest fears that stop people from fostering?
What does fostering really look like on a daily basis?
What role does community play in helping foster parents succeed?
What should someone do if they’re on the fence right now?
Closing Thought
Awareness is only the beginning. What matters is what comes next.
Foster care doesn’t need more observers — it needs more people willing to step in, show up, and say yes.