It's so frustrating as a former foster youth to hear the same issues we had 30 years ago STILL being issues. We always seem to have money in the US until it comes to kids; be it schools, teacher support and fostercare. So frustrating!

Families who take in foster kids for the right reasons are amazing! I used to work in a daycare and I remember this one girl that came in that was in foster care and she was so angry but for some reason I was able to connect with her. What bothered me was that this little girl would come into daycare everyday with clothes that were too small and her hair unbrushed and messy. My coworker bought elastics and brushed her hair everyday and the foster mom would claim that this girl wouldn't let her brush her hair and refused to wear anything else yet when she was in respite for the foster mom to go on vacation she came every day with her hair brushed and in clothes that fit her. Then when she was back in the original foster home it was back to clothes not fitting and hair not being brushed. I am not sure what actually happened but I know that she ended up being investigated and the child was removed from her care and she told us that will no longer be fostering.

I'm a social worker in Australia and I find it wild that there is competition for placements. We're so lucky if we can find 1 placement for 1 child let alone siblings. You guys do an amazing job!

I also suspect there's a problem with what you've previously described that there's multiple private agencies competing for each case. It's problematic when they have a profit incentive because it means the numbers matter more than what's best for each child.

The LGBTQ situation you talked about really made me upset and angry. I’m very Christian but I strongly believe that when you decide to have children you should love them unconditionally. Thinking about a child being put into care Bc of their gender identity or sexuality is unimaginable. Everyone is their own person and everyone should be loved no matter who they are. Such a devastating situation.

I do appreciate how you explain everything. I never really considered how this all works. I’m so glad you are trying.

I was in care in GA for 10 years, and there were times when there were 10 or more kids in a home. Sometimes we were 4 beds to a room.

I hate how money is more important than the child's best interest in these situations! That shouldn't be happening! Would it be at all possible to be registered at both counties? I love to see how open-minded you guys are to so many different types of people! As a member of de LBGTQ+ community myself, I know important families like yours are! Thank you

Hearing your voice shake when you were talking about that LGBTQ+ teenager made me tear up. You truly are such a light in what can sometimes be a very dark world. I've said this before on one of your videos but there's a song by Wrabel called "The Village" and I really feel like your family is out there fixing the village 💜 good luck with getting your next placement

I love how open and honest you are about your frustrations. Keep on keeping on. You are changing so many lives, not just the beautiful children you take in

You know you have so much to offer and it’s sad like you said that some of these foster parents are not in it for the right reasons so you would love to know the children are in good hands. You are so selfless it’s amazing. 🙏🏽

I feel like your home would be such a welcoming place for lgbtq youth, I never ever heard any judgement in your voice in all the time I followed you. I wonder what happens if these kids are placed in a very anti-lgbtq family. Can they ask for a different foster family?

At the 10:40 mark, watching you tear up... I was 17 when I was kicked out. I came out as a lesbian, and then a couple of years later as a trans man. I spent several years moving from state to state, getting into online relationships and very dangerous situations to keep from living on the streets. At one point, I was homeless. My family's "love" for me only matched my willingness to be the person that they thought I should be. Before I was even born, they had my life mapped out for me. Any effort to be myself that caused me to stray outside of that box was meant with belittlement, discouragement, criticism, and denial of love. I felt worthless, discarded, and have been told explicitly that I'm an embarrassment and a failure. I still feel those things. I still wonder how anyone could ever love me. I cut off my family in January, and mailed them letters as I literally left my apartment to hit the road to get top surgery. When my obituary is read one day, there will be no family to speak of, just the fur kids I have at the time. That was 13 years ago. Those wounds haven't healed; they opened up again and are bleeding all over the broken pieces of my heart. I wish every person had family that loved them without condition. I wish everyone knew how beautiful and loved they are. I wish everyone coukd give themselves permission to take up space in this world and to be their authentic selves. The world needs more people like you guys. Anyone who has a child and refuses to love them unconditionally doesn't deserve that child.

Damn. The Lgbtq thing hits close. I'm 19 and feel lucky to have already been of age when I realised I was a lesbian. I know I won't be welcome home anymore either once I'm coming out but I'm gonna be able to get my own place to live and fall back on the support of my wonderful friends instead of being placed in the system. It's making me so happy to see how supportive you guys are of these kids. We really need more families like yours❤️

I’m in rural Ky and our home opened up on a Tuesday and I received a call on Thursday to take 3 siblings in. Real quick. We are 25 minutes to town.

So happy to hear the love and support in your voice. I am sure it is hard to not be picked. Any kiddo would be lucky to have you.

I’m only 18 and definitely have a long way to go before I am ready for any children, but you’ve made me want to foster so bad! I think it’s so important to have foster families that support reunification and are committed to keeping the child connected to their family of origin. ❤️

I get and understand your frustrations. Y'all are such a caring family and it will happen. It will be in God's timing with the right placement for you and for them. Stay strong 😘

Bowl-oh-nays! 💗 🍝 Great video btw. Thank you for all you do. It’s why I want to be a foster, help the kids who did nothing wrong but be born to a family who maybe wasn’t fully ready or prepared. We all need a little support sometimes. 💕

Oof you got me in tears about the lgbtq teen. I hope they are safe.

We are in the same situation. We got licensed November 2 and have had probably 10 or so placement calls that we have said yes to and we still haven’t had our first placement. They are also telling me location. I’m trying to stay positive but it is frustrating. We just want to help and be a loving family and we aren’t even getting the opportunity to.

I’m 23 and I’ve been watching your channel since before you had Miss A. Saying I aspire to be like you is an understatement 😂

Keep it up. You are doing wonderful. I am a former foster parent and I totally understand what you are going through. You have a new subscriber and supporter. Hugs and love. Keep moving forward.

I have to say your hope and sprit is so amazing. I am shocked that they wouldn't want to place with you, but keep up your sprits, for one day they will say yes to you. thank you for sharing your journey and i want to say your heart is in the right place. hope you didn't mind me commenting.

Hope you get a place soon cos honestly you guys seem like great parents both bio and foster. :)

It's wild to me that some places don't want to offer transportation to children. I grew up in the greater Seattle area I was homeless/living out of district in high school my school offered transportation assistance the minute they found out (they offered to reimburse my mom for gas or have a service drive my brother and I to school).

I freaking love y'all. Keep saying yes.

Y’all are such amazing people. You have the best intention of the kids. I wish more people had your outlook and heart.

I’ve considered fostering but I am very rural and have a biological child who requires a lot of my time and energy already. Also, we’re atheist, which shouldn’t matter since we would respect the family’s own faith and culture, but it does to a lot of people :(

Thank you so much for being open to kids with all different orientations.

Here is Oregon we foster and they transport these kids all over the place. It is really hard to find foster families. I hope that you get the kids who need to be in your home soon.

Hoping you guys have new kiddos soon. You guys do an awesome job. Hav a good nite, 🌛

From my experience with the transportation companies they are very understaffed and very hard to deal with when needing to be used daily. Kids being stuck at school 1-2 hours waiting for the transportation to show. Parents at home not informed why their kids aren't dropped off and panicking. It's also hard to decide how to use the extremely limited funds allotted for the foster care system. Either way it is extremely frustrating that they're are kids needing homes and and safe supportive homes sit empty. That said I feel confident it won't stay empty it might just not happen on the time table your hoping. (Then likely you get a flood all at once).

You guys are a wonderful foster family.

I'm glad your county wants to keep the kids close! In my county (in Georgia), a lot of foster kiddos I've seen with work (I work in daycare) actually come from other counties and have to change schools. The most recent ones lived about 2 hours away and got moved but had to go 2 hours one way for visitations...They recently got moved again but I'm not sure where they went this time ):

You are right, money should never be the issue. The children should be what matters. In the UK, kids are automatically given transport to get to and from schools, and where possible if the sibling group is broken up they are transported to and from school together so at least they have some contact.

We are in a similar boat. Our county and the other neighboring county don't have many kids in care, and the counties that do, are further away and would mean the kids are in vans by themselves 1.5-2.5 hours a day going to and from school. They don't want to pay to transport and they don't want to transfer the kids. So it's sort of a frustrating situation all around.

Listening to you talk about a LGBTQ teen being kicked out of their own home made me cry. I just don't understand that one. Sending positive thoughts out to the universe, to whoever and wherever they are, that they find love and acceptance and people who love them as they are.

The right kid or kids. Will place with when the time right you will be great foster family to that kid/kids

It truly sounds like they are placing money and other factors above the child's needs. These kids need the absolute best homes so it is complete bull shit that they doing this. I think the best home should be chosen above costs. It cannot be THAT bad to pay for school transportation. My school was 35 minutes away from my home because I went to a private school and the drive was no big deal. Before I could drive, sitting in a car that long was no issue at all. I can totally understand your frustration and sincerely hope a child who needs you is placed with you. Wishing you all the best.

Your my kind of girl! Just saying... You are an amazing person. I love this video- I wish you had a mansion so you could just take them all in. Seriously- you rock!! Just know that you will have a full house soon enough- unfortunately we don’t know the big plan, but we do know it’s right. Whomever ends up in your care is going to be just fine!!! Keep up all the hard work and don’t ever stop crying- it means you care!!

I love your channel! I have been a fan since the very beginning. We got our first placement. Social worker was in contact until she did the placement. Now We cannot reach her and same issue trying to keep placement at school of origin. We just drive ourselves it is too frustrating working with the county.

We've had a couple times in the past where we fostered kiddos that they had to be driven for school and they did not like it. They hated the longer drives and being away from their friends and area.

Just keep your heart open

It’s so frustrating when a county worries more about the money than the best thing for the child. Praying the right fit comes along soon.

Oof! Totally fair to be frustrated by the logistics! It's hard to be ready to accept a kid and already care about them and then be like whoops nevermind 🙃 you phrased it so well.

I love your heart!

I'm just amazed other states have a surplus of foster homes! My state does not, we have a massive shortage and it's impossible finding good homes within reasonable distances from the child's home. Also wanted to play Devils advocate and say that there's a million factors we consider in placement decisions. But I also know that doesn't lessen the frustration. Hang in there! And move to my state if you want placements, I've got plenty I'm searching for right now :)

Hello! I work for foster care in your neighboring state of Indiana. I'm not sure how ESSA is completed in Ohio, but here the moment that it is determined that it is in the best interest of the child to remain in their school of origin, it is the school's responsibility to provide and pay for transportation. They are allotted a set amount of time (10 days I think) to get this transportation arranged. I'm currently fostering a teen and we have transportation set up through ESSA with the school. He has a 30 minute drive to his school from our home.

I can see and hear the love in your voice talking about the kiddos, I hope that you're matched soon so that you can share that love 💗

Aww this breaks my heart 😭 I am a Mum to a teenage identified LGBTQI daughter and I couldn’t think of a better home than yours🥰 I just hope that the family they are in will empower them and lift them up as they deserve to be 🏳️‍🌈💕

You guys really make me want to foster someday. I want to have kids of my own but I don’t really want to go through the process of pregnancy. I want to give a better life to kids that are in need and I know that fostering is a great way to do that.

Take heart and know that the right child(REN)will be placed by you. Have you thought about being a young mothers speciality home, or LBGQ home, if your heart lies there. I know many teens fall through the cracks as they are 15 when they have their babies and so they age out of care at 16. My son went through the care leavers independence program as he was taken into care during my admission to hospital. He was a young 17. By his own admission it was the best thing that ever happened. He was in a group home and then a flat before moving for work. But for the overseers of his care, including mentors, for both personal growth and career growth his future may not have looked as good as it is now. Just saying how these youngsters really need support and I think you and John would be great at coaching independence, without stereotyping or prejudice.

Even siblings times have totally different workers for everything. It is very stressful.

Would it work if you set up a found raiser to collect money for transportation, so you could say to the county that you'd be able to keep the child in their current school without them providing the transport?

Would it help to also be licensed in your own county so then distance may not be an issue?

Is there a way to stay open to accepting the city kids, but also expand your geographic area to also accept kids who might be closer? Or are you already set up for that. Just wondering.

I understand how transportation can be an issue, and your lucky perhaps that they will even consider providing it to a child whose residence chances, do to any circumstances. Most often, in most school districts transportation services are reserved for special needs children who classroom needs may be at a school not clos to their home and so on. Foster children do not usually fall into this category unless they also have a physical or mental, development disability and are often looked at in the same a child whose parents decide to move the family home during the year - the child can continue at the school they started the year in but the parents have to provide transport for the reminder of that year and the the child is expected to change schools. Transport just for the number of special needs children can be very expensive to a school system as they may need special vans hired that can handle their mobility aids and some transportation requires the country's to actually pay for medically qualified transport and that can get very costly. True the federal government does pay a portion of the money needed to special needs children, but they do not for foster care children's and this means that county is totally paying out of their own funds to provide transportation to a non special needs child without an IEP that designates transportation services. sadly this means that the money coming to pay the bill for non special needs child to get transported back to their original school will actually cut into the budgeting and funding of transportation for the special needs children. I realize things can differ from state to state but what does not change is what one state gets from the Feds is the same for all states. What is another possible solution that may work is to look around at other children's charities in your area that maybe willing to offset the transportation cost if the child needs to be transported to remain in the same school. That is what happens here in most cases so that transportation normally covered for special needs kid was not impacted, a church or charity agreed to sponsor one or more foster kids school transportation

Why don’t you open up your liscence in both places?

Its not about the kids with the state. But people don't realize it until they actually get put in a situation to see that its not.. it's all about money money money, don't care about the kids overall best interest. You and your husband is the greatest. I'm happy you aware of exactly what this video is about. that's why kids seem to always have behavior issues, get molested, and just grow up unhappy because they get placed anywhere just because.

Are you able to be certified in two diffwrent counties?

This is not even about other families being better, so many kids need a home and you guys would be such a good home!

You trying to say bolognese melts ma damn heart

THAT'S MY FAVORITE HELLOFRESH MEAL SO FAR!

Is it possible to be licensed in two counties in your state?

🥰LOOKS SO GOOD!!!!!🥰

I’m so sorry about your frustrations! It seems really upsetting to deal with. I just want to say it might also be aligned with Covid protocols. For instance, In HeadStart and low income programs around where I live, transportation is not being provided due to possibility of exposure. So HeadStart parents were surveyed if they wanted their children to return to in person services. It follows certain safety measures, etc. but NO TRANSPORTATION OF ANY KIND will be provided. If you agree to let your child come back and they turn out symptomatic you must answer your phone and pick your child up immediately. No staff can drive company cars for any reason, etc. So, it may be that transportation is harder to come by and also not included in safety protocols due to Covid. I’m not sure if that helps any, but just thought I would put it out there!

Did the three siblings fall through? I watched your TikTok from yesterday and it seemed like a for sure placement😕

I feel you. Your home would be my first choice. 💜🌈💜

In florida the school transportation special education busses took foster kids to their home school. It wasn't even the responsibility of dcf it was the school system. I would look into it. Idk if it's different in Ohio but my understanding when I worked there it was federal.

I really feel your frustration!! You're such a passionate woman, when you speak about the whole system!! They're lucky to have you both! So now you've sort of got that off your chest...... have you counted how many Funko Pops ( sorry if I got them wrong lol ) in your COLLECTION lately?? :) haha Much love to you all & stay safe Jacq

I understand your frustration in the situation. It is so out of your control and it is a helpless situation to be in. You just have to hope that the case workers really are putting the child first and are making the best decisions for these kids. I can understand not wanting to remove them from their home school but making the decision to move a child to “less better fit” home that is closer in proximity to their school purely on financial reasons doesn’t sit well with me. That isn’t the best for the child. I guess in the meantime all you can do is continue to learn about different types of traumas, disabilities, and health issues kids can be dealing with and educate yourself on how best to navigate these challenges so your family can be the best fit for any child that comes into your home when you are finally chosen. There is always more to learn and you can never be over informed. You guys seem like an amazing family that is really in it for the kids and I’m sure will be a great home for the next child who comes into your care. Use this time to rest and mentally prepare yourself for the challenges that are ahead and make yourself as strong as you can! You are doing amazing and I’m sure the universe has a specific child in mind that it knows needs you and you need them in your family.

Do you think more children will be placed with you if you take in children who ask to be in a new school district or would that still have extra costs the county doesn't want to pay for? I think having the same school requirement should be relaxed if the child either states that they are ok with it or even want to change schools. This would somewhat solve the whole profit incentive of foster kids not being placed in certain homes that are too far.

Is it possible for your family to volunteer to drive the child to their school if it’s within a reasonable amount of time/distance? Just wondering if the county/state allows that. If it is allowed, I know you wouldn’t be able to do that for every child.

I work in the foster care system in Texas and it is completely different... probably because it’s a lot more rural. It’s rare that a child entering the foster care system keeps the same school or even the same city. Especially for safety reasons, if the child kept the same school there’s a chance the people being investigated / possibly facing criminal chargers could get to the child. Even if it’s a child who’s awaiting possible kinship care, they go into an emergency shelter (which they are in random locations, no guarantee there’s one within an hour or two of any given place) for 30 days, with extensions available in certain cases. If a child is there for a week or so, they won’t attend school- if the child isn’t able to go to kinship care, case workers will look into long term facilities / foster homes and get the paperwork started for school. It’s crazy to think the reason no children are coming to your home just due to location. There should be state licenses for foster care not counties- there is such a lack of foster care homes compared to the children who need them. I hope they fix the system because this is horrible for you guys and foster parents and definitely for these sweet babies needing you! :(

Did the sibling set you mentioned in the tiktok yesterday fall through?

Maybe that is why your not being selected. Because they don't want to pay transportation. Because your such a good family. Iam sure you will get someone soon.

I wish hello fresh would give you the option of gluten free options. I’m gluten sensitive.

Can you offer to provide transportation yourself?

$$$ it usually is about money unless someone has broken down their care. No where to go? Here you go... the right fit is coming ♥️

Thinking on this, depending on the county requirements for the social worker to do home visits it could be that the social workers on the case don't want to or don't feel like they could make visits to your place work. Once again not what is best for the child or family but just another possible reason you are being passed up.

Maybe this is a time to rest and snuggle up. All shall work out in due time.

What happened to the three kids from your tiktok? Did something change?

Ball-ohh-naze (that is how it sounds) I always breaker things down to remember lol.

If I were in that situation I would go so far as to go to the county myself and express concerns like that, because they need to hear it! More than likely none of the people in Ohio government positions has experience with foster placement so it is irrelavent to them.

Either way, it’s difficult for the child. The county spending unnecessary money takes away from the children they service & support. You may want to foster within another nearby county.

I am also thinking if having youtube channel can play a role in somebody’s mind? Like they might see it as a potential complication? I hope not just having these thoughts .....

This makes me roll my eyes. The county us passing on a great home for a bad reason and not doing what is best for the kid. We have had open beds for weeks because indiana passed new reccomendations that we not remove kids from homes so much. Im not for splitting up families but this is a dangerous line to walk.

Makes me so happy to see you would love and support an LGBTQ+ child. It shouldn't be a big deal but sadly it seems to be... I'm watching this after you already got a placement of a sibling group, so I know you have kids to give all that love. :)

Bummed that Hellofresh doesn’t deliver to Alaska

07:25 main reason is where they live.

For anyone wondering its Bol-uh-nays😂❤️

It’s not always a case of “won’t.” DFCS is severely underfunded. They don’t always have the funds to provide transportation even though they have the policies and protocols in place for it.

As a social worker, you are impatient for all the right reasons. Keep advocating but don't agree to transport if it not sustainable. Placements are lasting longer than ever these days

The lgbtq+ thing is a serious worldview difference I can see why that would be hard for you as many that do foster care are Christians. If that was why they were in care I dont see why they would be placed with Christians unless there weren't good alternatives.

I think the #1 reason people don't choose to foster is because of the infrastructure around foster care - the inability of systems to adapt or be flexible to support foster families.

You have every right to be frustrated you just want to be as helpful as possible and they arent making it possible to you

Chose your battles

Some times you dont get referrals because the agency or your worker is prejudice. I was told directly by the social worker assigned to us, that she didn't believe in gay people raising kids. Baltimore city foster care administration supported that position and we went 3 years with no referals. I retained a lawyer and suddenly we get referrals. I next demanded a change in workers and after 6 years and 14 children ,1 was available for adoption. Sometimes you just have fight the instution.

It's understandable that you feel frustrated, but the county needs to prioritize cost when placing children. If an acceptable placement is available that costs less, they can't justify paying more.