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by The Field Center for Children’s Policy, Practice & Research
This is a podcast series to explore the resources and strategies that are effective in helping youth prepare for aging out of the foster care system and transitioning into adulthood.
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In this November 2026 episode, MSSP intern Zhi Yi Tan interviews Darlene Allen, CEO and Executive Director of Adoption Rhode Island, a nonprofit dedicated to creating safety, belonging and permanency for children who are adopted or in foster care, vulnerable youth, and families. Darlene traces Adoption Rhode Island’s history and growth and shares its emphasis on promoting a sense of belonging and identity for young people connected to the foster care system. Focusing on their youth and young adult services, she describes their “Making KINnections” program, which helps prevent homelessness among young people aging out of foster care. Emphasizing the importance of listening to young people and centering their needs, Darlene also reflects on Adoption Rhode Island’s recognition as the 2025 Aging Out Awards Phoenix Award winner and how the awards provided an opportunity to celebrate the organization’s impact and progress.
In this October 2026 episode, MSW intern Amaya Saintal interviews Dana Lopez, CEO of Dogwood Ranch, and Lisa Chrastina, Haven Care Coordinator of Dogwood Ranch. Set on 60 acres in rural Missouri, Dogwood Ranch serves teenage girls and young women who have aged out of foster care. Dana and Lisa explain why they chose Missouri, a high-need area with limited geographic access to support systems, and why exiting care at 18 often doesn’t serve young people well. They discuss how the ranch extends support to age 21 and helps residents build independence. Through a success story of a young mother who reunited with her daughter, they show how the ranch supports young women who arrive feeling defeated and guides them toward stability and success. Listeners will come away with a clearer picture of what specialized, rural, long-term support for youth aging out of foster care can look like.
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In this September 2026 episode, MSSP intern Taryn Painter interviews Rob Scheer, Founder of Comfort Cases. Rob shares his personal journey of growing up in and aging out foster care at 18 and discusses how his individual experiences within the system led to the creation of Comfort Cases. Rob highlights how Comfort Cases supports emerging adults through the organization’s scholarship opportunities and Pathways Program and offers his perspectives on challenges facing the foster care system and opportunities for systemic change to better support youth aging out of foster care. Rob emphasizes the importance of community and mentorship for youth aging out of foster care and provides concrete steps all listeners can take to support this population.
In this August 2026 episode, MSSP intern Taryn Painter interviews Tamalani (Tami) Barnett, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of RaisingHOPE. Tami shares her journey to becoming a nonprofit leader after years of legal advocacy for children and youth in California’s foster care system. She details how RaisingHOPE supports emerging adults’ own stated needs through innovative and complementary programs spanning transportation and housing assistance, youth mentoring, and life skills courses. She discusses future plans to expand RaisingHOPE’s programming, including a visionary residential project called “Hope Sweet Home,” and what it means for RaisingHOPE to have been selected as a 2025 Flame Award recipient by The RightWay Foundation’s Aging Out Awards.
In this July 2026 episode, MSW intern Jasleen Virk interviews Romi Lassally, Co-Founder and CEO, and Julia Reitsma, Grants & Partnerships Manager, of Ready to Succeed. Together, they work to support young people who have aged out of foster care by providing mentorship, skill building, professional development and financial support. Julia opens the conversation by sharing her lived experience in the foster care system, discussing how children in care lack consistent community that helps them after aging out. Romi highlights the deficit in resources supporting youth exiting care as they transition from college to career and beyond. Ready to Succeed uniquely focuses on increasing social capital, noting that connecting youth with industry leaders strongly benefits their personal and professional growth. Please be advised that this episode contains discussions of suicide and may be distressing for some listeners.
In this June 2026 episode, MSS intern Cheri Mitchell interviews Tera Hilliard, President and CEO of Forgotten Children, Inc. Tera recounts her journey from foster care to advocacy, shedding light on pressing challenges for youth who age out of foster care such as trafficking, homelessness, and trauma. Forgotten Children, Inc. responds to these needs by providing emergency housing, food, transportation, and case management, focusing especially on vulnerable teens. Tera underscores how mentorship and adult support can transform lives. She talks about the value of community funding, training, and partnerships, advocating for every young person to be met with dignity, respect, and personalized care to nurture true healing and independence.
In this May 2026 episode, MSSP intern Saadhya Bahudodda interviews Greg Rapport, founder and Executive Director of Age Out Angels. Greg shares his journey from a writing services career to leading a nonprofit focused on helping youth in foster care transition to independence. He discusses the importance of mentorship, innovative educational programs, and trauma-informed care in supporting these young individuals. The conversation highlights the challenges faced by youth aging out of the foster care system and the organization’s efforts to provide practical solutions for financial well-being and educational success. Greg also emphasizes the need for systemic improvements and the significance of Foster Care Awareness Month.
This is a podcast series to explore the resources and strategies that are effective in helping youth prepare for aging out of the foster care system and transitioning into adulthood.
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