Fostering Happy Childhood Stories Blog
Martha Vigil is Friends of Foster Children’s Kinship Navigator. With nearly 12 years of social work experience, she began her career in case management before transitioning into her current role at FFC, where she supports relative or non-relative caregivers navigating the foster care system. When asked what her role entails, Martha explained: “When we receive shelter, we set up a home visit where I bring an emergency bag for the kids. A lot of times, children arrive with just the clothes on their back, which is unacceptable. At the home visit, we also do a needs assessment. This helps me see where we can help and how we can guide the caregiver. I explain how the system works, what court is like, and answer any questions they might have. Typically, I do my visits based on the needs of the caregiver. However, we never close our cases so if they need additional visits or calls, I will be there.” In her role, Martha sees firsthand the challenges caregivers face. The most common include financial strain, communication with people within the system of care, and navigating relationships with biological parents. “Clients often have very specific questions about their case, and it’s my job to help them find those answers,” she explained. When reflecting on her own challenges, Martha emphasized the importance of advocacy. “When resources are not available to my clients, I become the advocate. The process can take a while and involves a lot of paperwork, so it can be difficult sometimes. But this job has taught me to be patient and to understand that not everyone functions the same way. It has also taught me the importance of listening to caregivers. Sometimes being a listening ear is what they need to leave frustration behind, and also help us to know what is going on to try to find a solution. ” Despite these challenges, Martha remains grounded in her purpose. “Whenever I receive a hug from a caregiver and they feel relieved and know what to do, that’s when I feel like I’ve done my job,” she shared. “So many people need support, and sometimes they don’t know what steps to take. I’m willing to help as much as I can, especially when kids are involved.” Her work at Friends of Foster Children allows her to make that impact every day. She also emphasized the need for greater community involvement: “I wish people understood that we need support: more funding, more advocates, and more volunteers. We need the community behind us.” Finally, Martha offered encouragement to those considering becoming a foster parent or entering the field of child welfare:“It’s worth a try. A good placement can change a child’s life forever…not just right now, but for the rest of their life.”
You may have heard of the term “social work” or “social worker.” Yet, what is social work, and what does being a “social worker” actually entail? When someone refers to a social worker, they are usually talking about a professional trained in the field of Social Work whose job is to help people navigate difficult life situations and connect them with the support they need. Social workers assist individuals, families, or entire communities facing challenges such as poverty, mental health struggles, illness, addiction, domestic violence, or family instability. At Friends of Foster Children, our staff includes experienced social workers who specialize in child welfare. Additionally, FFC works closely with other social workers from partnering agencies across the community to support children and families. Depending on the agency and role, a social worker may investigate reports of maltreatment, visit homes to assess a child’s safety, or connect families to services such as the programs Friends of Foster Children provides. Through programs such as Kinship Navigation and Foster Navigation, our social workers guide caregivers through the often complex child welfare system, helping them access resources, understand their rights, and ensure children in their care have the support they need to thrive. Our Responsible Fatherhood program provides fathers with mentorship, parenting guidance, and tools to strengthen their relationships with their children. In addition, our Navigating Adulthood program helps young adults who are aging out of or have aged out of foster care build independent living skills, set goals, and navigate adulthood with confidence. We are proud of the impact that Friends of Foster Children is able to make as social workers. As we celebrate this month, let’s not forget the hard work that all child welfare social workers put in to help vulnerable children and families.
Road to Adoption: Jackie & Chris's Story
The Best Motivation for a Foster Parent
Each year, thousands of young people transition from foster care into adulthood, a milestone known as “aging out.” At 18, many face the challenge of building independence without the consistent support of family. While this time can be difficult, it also opens the door to new opportunities. Across the country, programs and resources exist to help with housing, education, career planning, and life skills. These supports recognize that, like all young adults, those leaving foster care need guidance and encouragement as they begin their journey. Here in our community, Friends of Foster Children offers Navigating Adulthood, a program designed specifically for teens preparing to age out of foster care. Led by Serenity—a young woman who aged out of herself—the program provides mentorship, resources, and practical life skills. The program covers topics such as budgeting, cooking, communication, and time management, giving participants the confidence to move forward. Serenity’s leadership makes the program especially meaningful. Having walked the same path, she understands the challenges these young adults face and models what’s possible with support and determination. Aging out is not just about foster care; it’s about stepping into adulthood prepared and supported. With programs like Navigating Adulthood, young people are equipped to build stability, pursue their goals, and create fulfilling futures. Community members can play a role, too, through mentoring, volunteering, or supporting programs like this one. Together, we can help ensure that when young people age out of foster care, they don’t face the journey alone. Help caregivers provide loving homes for children in need. Your donation makes a difference today.
Reunification is the process of returning a child in foster care to their parents or primary guardians. It is a slow process guided by courts, social workers, and support teams who all want one thing: to make sure a child is safe, loved, and cared for. Most children in foster care eventually return to their birth families. In fact, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, “Nearly 50% of children who leave foster care do so through reunification with their parents or primary caregivers.” That’s hundreds of thousands of families each year who are given a second chance — who face their struggles, make changes, and do the hard work of reuniting with their children. How Does Reunification Work? Reunification is a structured process that involves several key steps: 1. Family Assessment and Case Plan Once a child is placed in foster care, a caseworker conducts a full assessment of the situation. The court then outlines a family case plan — a set of goals and actions the parent(s) must complete to regain custody. These may include: Attending parenting classes Maintaining sobriety and completing a rehabilitation program Finding stable housing and employment Participating in therapy or counseling Complying with regular court check-ins and supervised visits This plan is tailored to the family's specific circumstances and is monitored closely by child welfare professionals. 2. Supervised Visitation During this period, parents usually begin with supervised visitation — scheduled times when they can see their children under the supervision of a social worker. These visits often happen in a neutral setting, such as visitation centers. Over time, as trust and progress build, supervised visits may evolve into unsupervised visits, overnight stays, and eventually trial home visits — all building blocks towards reunification. 3. Ongoing Support Reunification isn’t about checking off boxes — it’s about meaningful change. That’s why families receive continued support throughout the process, including: Therapy (individual or family) Substance abuse recovery programs Parent coaching Housing and financial assistance Help with transportation or childcare The goal is not just to bring the child home, but to create an environment where they can thrive long-term. 4. Final Reunification Decision Once the family has made substantial progress, and the child’s well-being can be ensured, the court may grant legal reunification. This means the child is no longer under foster care jurisdiction and can remain with their family permanently. But even after reunification, many families continue receiving services to reduce the risk of re-entry into care and promote ongoing success. What Does Reunification Look Like for a Child? Reunification is a deeply emotional and complex experience for a child. Foster parents, caseworkers, and birth families must work together to support the child’s emotional transition. When done right, reunification can be a beautiful reminder that healing is possible, that people can grow and change, and that love can endure hardship. Why Reunification Matters When we give parents the tools they need to succeed, we don’t just reunite families — we break cycles of trauma. We give children the chance to reconnect with their roots and culture. How Can Communities Help? Reunification isn’t just the job of child welfare agencies — it’s the work of entire communities. Here's how we can help: Employers can offer second chances to parents striving to rebuild their lives Churches, nonprofits (like Friends of Foster Children), and community groups can provide parenting classes, recovery support, and mentorship Neighbors and friends can offer rides, meals, or childcare during tough times Policy advocates can push for funding in prevention and family preservation programs When we invest in families before a crisis happens — and support them after — we change the entire story. So, can foster children be reunified? Yes. Reunification is one of the most beautiful expressions of hope in the foster care system. It says, we believe people can grow, children deserve the best, and we believe in healing. It doesn’t happen easily or quickly. It takes hard work, vulnerability, accountability, and compassion. But when it does happen, it’s a victory worth celebrating — not just for the family, but for all of us. Because every child deserves the chance to pursue a happy childhood. Help caregivers provide loving homes for children in need. Your donation makes a difference today.
