Episode 14

Episode 14 - Back to School and Foster Care: Helping Kids Thrive in the Classroom

Published on: 19th August, 2025

Back-to-school season can be stressful for any family—but for foster and adoptive parents, navigating school can feel especially overwhelming. In this episode of Dream Small, Jason and Whitney share their lived experiences of sending foster kiddos to school and offer practical advice for making the transition smoother.

From choosing the right school and advocating for trauma-informed teachers to preparing children with routines, comfort items, and role-playing, this conversation is packed with encouragement and real-life strategies. Whether you’re new to fostering or a seasoned resource parent, you’ll find wisdom and hope to help your child feel safe, supported, and ready to thrive in the classroom.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

  • How to evaluate school options for foster children
  • Why trauma-informed teachers and staff make all the difference·        
  • The importance of routines and preparation for school success
  • Advocating for IEPs, 504s, and support services
  • Helping kids feel safe, secure, and understood in new environments
  • The vital role of community and your “village” in back-to-school transitions

Whether your child is starting kindergarten, entering middle school, or switching districts, this episode will remind you that you are not alone—and that your faithfulness in the small things truly matters.

🙌 Special Thanks to Our Sponsor:

A huge thank you to Ray Podesta, realtor with Stone Gable Realty. If you’re in Central Indiana and looking to buy or sell a home, reach out to Ray at 317-538-3226 or email him at Ray@stoneangable.com.

📬 Connect with Us:

Email: dreamsmallpodcast@gmail.com

Instagram: @dreamsmallpodcast

Facebook: Dream Small Podcast

Twitter/X: @DreamSmallShow

🎵 Music credit:

"Paradise Found" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) | Licensed under

Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License | http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

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About the Podcast

Dream Small Podcast
The Dream Small Podcast is a foster care and adoption podcast hosted by Jason and Whitney Small, foster and adoptive parents who have welcomed more than 14 children into their home and adopted three. Through honest conversations and real life stories, the podcast encourages foster parents, adoptive families, and those considering foster care.

Each episode explores the realities of foster care, adoption, and parenting children from hard places, offering practical encouragement and hope for families navigating the foster care journey. Jason and Whitney share lessons from their own experience, faith, and conversations around trauma informed parenting, family life, and supporting vulnerable children.

Whether you are a current foster parent, an adoptive parent, considering becoming a foster parent, or someone who supports foster families, the Dream Small Podcast exists to encourage and equip you along the way.

Jason and Whitney believe that changing a child’s life rarely happens through big moments. More often, it happens through small, faithful acts of love lived out every day.

If you're thinking about becoming a foster parent or walking the foster care journey, this podcast will help you navigate the challenges, celebrate the wins, and stay encouraged along the way.
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