Episode 16

Episode 16 - A Week in the Life of a Foster Parent: Visitors, Appointments and Therapies

Published on: 2nd September, 2025

Ever wondered what daily life really looks like for a foster family? In this episode of Dream Small, Jason and Whitney pull back the curtain and share the organized chaos of their home—where visitors include case managers, therapists, guardians ad litem, and more.

A Foster Home is a busy place - where multiple visitors come into your home. This episode will give you a glimpse of some of the visitors. You’ll hear:

• What a DCS Family Case Manager (FCM) does and why they’re central to every case

• The difference between GALs (Guardians ad Litem) and CASAs and how they advocate for kids

• The juggling act of multiple providers in one home—and how faith sustains families through the overwhelm

• Encouragement for foster parents (and those considering fostering) to show grace to caseworkers

👉 Whether you’re a foster parent, considering the journey, or simply curious about how the system works, this episode offers both practical insight and heartfelt encouragement.

Sponsor:

This episode is brought to you by our friend Ray Podesta with Stone & Gable Realty. If you’re buying or selling a home in Central Indiana, contact Ray at 317-538-3226 or 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 | creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Next Episode All Episodes Previous Episode

Support Dream Small Podcast

A huge thank you to our supporters, it means a lot that you support our podcast.

If you like the podcast and want to support it, too, you can leave us a tip using the button below. We really appreciate it and it only takes a moment!
Support Dream Small Podcast
A
We haven’t had any Tips yet :( Maybe you could be the first!

Listen for free

Show artwork for Dream Small Podcast

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.
Support This Show