Semi-Finalists – Best Foster Parent In The U.S. Award

Elf Squad Members:
Please help us choose the finalists for the Best Foster Parent in the U.S. Award.
Below are descriptions of foster parents which people have sent in for the contest. Vote on one parent (set of parents) and submit your vote.
On May 4- May 24 the public will be allowed to vote on the 3 finalists that YOU, the Elf Squad, have chosen. Thanks for helping to encourage and support caregivers.

Qualities We Would Like To Hear Examples Of:

  • Imperfection
    No parent is perfect. A great foster parent accepts this, owns up to their mistakes and learns from them.
  • Advocacy for Child
    Many of us dislike conflict. Many of us have overbooked schedules. Great foster parents will do what it takes for the best interest of their foster child.
  • Continued Learning
    Parenting a child from a traumatic background is “different” from traditional parenting. A great foster parent is continually trying to learn more about how to help children coping with difficult pasts.
  • Change
    Along with the qualities of imperfection and a willingness to learn, a great foster parent is going to change how they parent in order to do the best for their child.
  • Creative – Think Outside the Box
    A great foster parent has tricks up their sleeve. They have special games, activities, or bedtime books that “traditional” parents do not utilize to help their child(ren) to thrive.

Read the Stories Here:

Arlen and his wife Shawn were asked by one of their church congregation to care for his two children, Dallas and Shaylee. Arlen relied on his humor and intelligence when raising two sons years ago to become successful young men; Shawn’s patience and common sense helped her take on the responsibility of raising her many brothers and sisters. So Arlen and Shawn were up for the challenge and have guided Dallas and Shaylee through the pain and suffering of separation from familial trauma. Both children have become emotionally stable and well-adjusted to a new life. Dallas and Shaylee are now in a stable caring environment. Arlen and Shawn have drawn from their past experiences and their firm belief that all children deserve a loving family and that is what they provide.
I am an attachment-trauma therapist in Missoula MT. Three years ago Shawn Decareaux and Arlen Hall, a married couple, were referred to me about 2 weeks after they had "taken in" two children. Arlen and Shawn's foster parenting began with an emergency and act of kindness. A "church friend" had beaten his son (D. almost 9 at the time). He was in the hospital, and younger daughter (S. just turned 7 at the time) had been a witness. The father was taken to jail. Shawn and Arlen stepped up and have had S. and D. ever since, but it has meant rapid learning of everything attachment-related. These two youngsters had previous lives the Arlen and Shawn knew very little about: They took them anyway, utterly changing their lives from top to bottom and their understanding of how to parent. As a couple they dove into anything it took to help D. and S.: foster parent trainings, attachment-focused parenting trainings, therapy twice weekly and more. They grew to love them quickly despite the nearly daily challenges that occurred. Arlen and Shawn have taken on every agency in every capacity to advocate for their kiddos: dentists, schools, therapists, psychiatrists, state workers, bio-parents, everyone. They are absolutely a force for D. and S. This couple has a talent of humor, fun, and play, can create structure and take charge, and they have they strength to "Be With" BIG feelings. They can both acknowledge mistakes and readily make repairs. As a couple they've learned to ebb and flow together covering each others challenges and accenting strengths. Over and over I've been with them as they ask for help, be it understanding or problem solvint with the situations that they stumble on, including with their own "work" that gets triggered from time to time. It continues to be an amazing process to witness. They are now in the process if adopting D. and S. I have been present through all that I have written about and I am truly honored to know and work with Arlen Hall and Shawn Decareaux. In my mind theiy absolutely deserve this award!
Beth Lentz, with her husband, Jordan, are the best parents that I know. Every child who crosses their threshold--biological child, foster child, adopted child, niece, friend, grandchild--is immediately theirs. Theirs to love, theirs to raise, theirs forever. Theirs to reach the ends of the earth for; theirs to sacrifice A few examples: They live in Indiana, and in 2016 they were visiting us in Texas. They received a phone call stating that a baby with some health/physical needs was born that day, and could they take him in? Before I could blink, their bags were packed, they were at the hospital, and the child from this story was adopted by them in 2019. They took in a premature infant for a few weeks and easily moved around their daily/nightly schedules to accommodate her. They know every name of every child who has lived with them. They know how to differentiate the needs of each child. I've stayed with them & heard them stand strong for one child to stay in bed, in order to teach him independence & how to self-settle. I've seen them co-sleep with another child who wasn't ready to be alone at night. Their biological children have been raised in this environment of acceptance and love as well, and their permanent children love the foster children with the same immediacy and unconditional acceptance as their parents--which speaks to their parenting. They guard the children fiercely from environments or people who seem to not have the child's best interest in mind. They ensure that the physical and mental needs of their kids are met. I've seen them drive children to doctor's appointments, have therapists come to their houses when new spaces were frightening, and administer intense medical attention when required. A specific example: one child's g-tube came free in an accident. Beth and Jordan were able to follow instructions over the phone to re-insert the medical device without having to subject the child to an ER visit or further surgery. The child was 18 months old. During the Covid-19 crisis, they have also picked up the mantle of teacher. Beth is contact with all her children's teachers & works with her children daily, making sure their education has not closed just because the building has. They have given up vacations in order to maintain stability for their foster children, forgoing respite for the sake of the children. They have jumped through hoops in order to take foster children on vacations, giving them an opportunity they might have missed out on otherwise. Parenting is a calling. Parenting those who were born to someone else is a choice, and Beth and Jordan make this choice and follow this calling every second. Every penny they spend, every decision they make, every resource available to them goes directly to the children who live in their home. The number, ages, and needs of these children can vary day-to-day, but what the children receive does not. Their house is an outpouring of affection, support, and guidance, and I want to give them a small amount of recognition in return.
This woman is the most amazing person I have ever met. Ms. Duncan is a single mother of 4 amazing daughters and 2 great sons (all adopted, by the way)! She is also currently fostering 2 more amazing kids! She has the warmest heart for all of her kids and is the most patient with them. She is considered a medically fragile home and will take kids from birth to teenagers! She has her moments of being human and needing to breathe, but who doesn’t? She makes sure all her kids get to the doctor, has new clothes and shoes, she helps them with their homework.... she makes sure every child has the tools they need to succeed in and out of her home! She is always smiling and loving on the kids. I hope to be even a small fraction of the woman she is! Being around her makes me want to be a better parent to my boys!! I think she should win Best Foster Parent because what she does gets so little recognition and she deserves to be in the spot light for once in her life!!
I believe Janet Lee and Tim Royal should receive this award because I have seen them personally provide a loving, nurturing home to children in our community. Mrs and Mr Royal have been an incredible asset to the community we live in for the last year or so. They actively work with biological parents to help them succeed and work the steps to reunify the children in their home with their biological parents. I have seen Mr. and Mrs. Royal welcome biological parents into their residence, so the children in their home can be with their parents during holidays and special events. The Royal's strive to reunify children with their families and to me, I feel like they go above and beyond to provide for children and families in the community we reside in. These are only a few of the reasons I feel like the Royals deserve to win this award.
The Cook family has been fostering with A World For Children for almost 11 years and they have gone above and beyond of what is required of them as foster parents. They do so much for all of the kids in their home. They make them feel like a part of their own family and include them with everything. The Cook family has done so much for all the kids that she has served over the years. The Cooks make sure that their kids are taken care of by the necessary doctors that they need to see. Most importantly they take high needs babies and little's and ensure that they are in a safe home where their needs will be met and taken care of. The Cook family has such a servants heart that they want to serve all foster children if they could. Everytime there is an opening in the Cook home they want the spot filled because they want to serve another foster child that is in need of a safe and loving home. The Cooks are truly wonderful foster parents and are most deserving of this honor.
I nominate Joanne Colon Thaler as the Best Foster Parent in the United States as that is exactly who she is! At the same time, Joanne has been a full-time employee for the Hillsborough County School Board, but passionately made the time for children in need of care. Joanne has raised three biological children who are adults, and are successful in their lives. Joanne has given herself and her time to approximately 90 children of the Florida Child Welfare System (Hillsborough County). Joanne has experienced and learned from mistakes throughout her fostering experience, but has always been willing to learn through traumatic episodes of children placed in her care. Joanne has a loving heart, and could never find herself to turn down a child in need. Joanne has advocated for all of these children in every aspect, to ensure that they received appropriate services they were able to benefit from. Joanne allows children to be themselves in her home, and makes it a priority to engage their biological parents/families whenever it is approved by the courts. Joanne has allowed children placed in her home to their choice of cartoon characters to decorate their bedrooms; toothbrush designs; and school supplies to give them a sense of choice and individuality. Joanne has also adopted four children from the child welfare system during her fostering experience, and is in the process of adopting another who is currently in her home as a foster child. Joanne, who is Bilingual, has taught this child who only spoke the Spanish language, to speak English since he was placed in her home on 1/7/2020. Joanne is warm- hearted and the children she has cared for, maintain a special bond, and love for her. In conclusion, Joanne is the absolute Best Foster Parent I have had the pleasure to work with, and the Best Foster Parent in the United States.
Lori and her husband, Patrick have shown me God’s love in a way I never realized could even be possible. They have been through the highs and lows of fostering. Thrill to have a little one in their care and devastation of having to return a little bundle that they love into a insecure and questionable family situation. Long story short. A little girl that they fostered brought her foster parents and bio parents together to become one family in the love of Our Lord. It is a fascinating Chain of events. You can read more on Lori’s FB page “Broken Perfection”. I pray you will be drawn to their “story”. I’ve never seen a more beautiful “love story”. Please consider them for your wonderful award!
Mary Catherine is a single foster mama to six. She loves on a newly crawling baby, “triples“ - three 3/4 year olds and two teens. She has purchased, remodeled and designed her home so that she can welcome sibling sets; and that is exactly what she does. She currently has three different sibling sets to nurture. She navigates the world of teenagers and preschoolers seamlessly. She structures the children’s days so that she is sure to get 1 on 1 time with each and the little kids can get 1 on 1 time with the teens as well. She has poured over TBRI books and has successfully implemented strategies and supports to help her children through trauma. She is constantly evaluating her children’s needs and adjusting their home environment to ensure everyone’s needs are met. She’s advocated for each child in a specific and diligent way based on the child’s needs and the nuances of their case. Mary Catherine seeks council and advice from other foster parents, striving to always give her kids the best she can. She has helped to develop a community of people to love on her kids as well, friends and family support her children by spending time with them, teaching them, and so much more. As a foster mother myself, I do not know how she does it all, but she does!
Sandra and her husband are currently fostering two young girls who have seen a lot of trauma already in their young lives. I have been so impressed with how tirelessly Sandra works with her foster girls to help them learn to have confidence in themselves, trust others and experience a healthy family unit. No one is a perfect parent but she gives 110% to the girls and they are learning and beginning to trust more everyday. She balances this along with her biological children and she is just amazing in how she is handling it all.
Sandra constantly attends training and support groups to further her knowledge of parenting children from trauma. She has adopted 5 children (2 sibling groups) and is passionate about keeping siblings together. She raises the children in her home to be respectful and safe and happy. She has seen placements go home and adopted her placements as well. She gives amazing advice to us newer foster parents. She is always there to be a shoulder to cry on and a sounding board for sound advice. Most of all, she is completely humble and doesn't know the great impact she has on other, less-experienced foster parents. I am eternally grateful for Sandra and her passion for foster care.
Dedicated and loving parents to two children that where severely abused. They make sure they get the counseling they need and the outdoor activities for mental health. Her husband Arlen are so involved with Shaylee and Dallas , games, puzzles, hiking, cross country skiing. Video games are not part of their parenting style. The kids are cooking and Love the outdoor BBQ. Since they have come to live with Shawn and Arlen they have changed so much. They now know respect, love and trust. The changes I have seen in both children is amazing. The work they have put in has changed the children, their needs come first everyday. Getting to know the trauma they went through and knowing the best way to handle the situation has made Shawn and Arlen better people. I know I’m a better person from watching them parent, my husband and I are raising a grandson. We followed a lot of their style. This family deserves a trip like this for Shaylee and Dallas.
I believe Vicky should receive this award. She is dedicated to providing a loving, safe environment for our foster son. She has spent countless hours off of work over the last 2 years to be there for appointments and helping our kiddo navigate the “system “. Vicky has taken the time learn techniques and strategies to best help our high needs child whom is a Cans level 3. Vicky and our foster child spend time together dreaming up what their days will look like once they get into the magical world of Disney. They both think of bringing all their families together and all having a magical time together as one big extended happy family. There is no one more generous and loving as my wife Vicky. Please find it in your heart to give her and my foster son a trip of their lives at Disney!
Wayne and Denise always go above and beyond to help the children. Anytime a call comes in they hardly ever say no. They fight for the rights of the kids and the services that will help them to deal with what is happening to them. They typically take sibling groups so they usual have 2 or more foster kids in the home. In 2012 they were able to adopt 2 children from foster care. Unless you know the family, you would struggle to know that there were foster kids in the home. Everyone is treated equally like family. Their motto is “love them while you have them” and that is what you see and feel is that love.
William Harris is my husband and is an advocate for all children but fostering is one of his true callings. He has fathered over 16 foster teens. Most of these children have never had a male role model or a positive male in their lives. He steps up to be that for them.Regardless of the hardships and unfortunately legal issues these teens go through he does not give up on them. He has had teens steal his vehicle and he is at the juvenile detention center to visit. Knowing the child’s only consistency in his life For the last year has been his home. He remains in contact with them even after they have aged out of foster care. He encourages them in whatever they do. You can see him at ever sport game they play in home and away. It’s not always been easy for him Having teens can be hard. Some days are great others are not, but it’s always been worth it.

THANK YOU TO EVERYONE THAT VOTED!!

See who our finalists are by heading over to [official event page].


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Transfiguring Adoption is a 501(c)3 organization. This contest/award is only available for residents of the United States. This contest does not discriminate against person due to race, gender, religion, etc. The staff and volunteers of Transfiguring Adoption reserve the right to disqualify a nomination/entry for any reason for which they see fit.

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