Afleveringen
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Ep.12 While thousands of children wait for safe, loving families, too many qualified same-sex parents are discouraged and kids are overlooked by outdated foster and adoptions agency bias.
This episode highlights the work of Families Thrive, a New York based agency committed to supporting all families through the foster care and adoption journey.
Veronica Black, Lauri McKnight, and Rachel Doig explore why LGBTQ+ youth are disproportionately represented in foster care, the mental health impact of rejection, and how foster and adoptive families can create truly inclusive environments where every child feels seen, celebrated, and accepted.
Whether you're considering fostering, adopting, or simply want to be a better ally, this conversation offers valuable insight, compassion, and practical resources.
Resources Mentioned:• Families Thrive | 585-232-5110• Trillium Health• MOCHA Center Rochester• NAMI Rochester
Because every child deserves a safe, loving home—and every family deserves the opportunity to provide one.
Chapters:
00:00 Inclusivity in Foster Care
05:17 Supporting LGBTQ Youth
10:56 Embracing Identity and Acceptance in Foster Care
12:57 Acceptance and Education
20:05 Ensuring Safe Spaces and Genuine Inclusivity
21:21 Challenges and Successes in Same-Sex Adoption and Fostering
31:33 LGBTQ Resources in Rochester
34:05 Supporting LGBTQ Families in Foster Care and Adoption
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Unsure about your rights, your voice, or what comes next in the family court process?
Ep. 11 Licensed to Love Nicole Bayly, Esq. a foster and adoptive parent with over 20 years of experience in Monroe County breaks down what really happens inside family court.
From understanding why children are removed from their homes to what permanency hearings actually mean for your role as a foster parent, Nicole brings both legal clarity and lived experience to the conversation.
Key Takeaways:
⚖️ What “Imminent Risk” Really MeansA child can only be removed when there is clear evidence of immediate danger—this legal threshold is higher than many realize.
🧭 Know the Court MilestonesPermanency hearings and Termination of Parental Rights (TPR) decisions shape the long-term outcome for every child in care.
🤝 Your Voice Matters in CourtAs a foster parent, you have the right to participate and advocate for the child’s best interest throughout the legal process.
💔 Balancing Heart & RealityFostering comes with emotional complexity—supporting reunification while forming your own bond.
🏡 Permanency is the PriorityThe system is designed to secure safe, stable homes for children—whether that means reunification or adoption.
Chapters:
00:00:00 Welcome Nicole Bayle Esq.
00:02:20 Foster Parenting 100 Kids in Care
00:06:45 How Child Removal & Foster Care Actually Work
00:15:21 What “Imminent Risk of Harm” Really Means
00:19:58 Kinship Care & Adoption Laws Explained
00:24:56 Adoption Agreements & Foster Parenting Challenges
00:26:14 Navigating Relationships with Birth Families
00:26:55 Permanency Hearings & Reunification Explained
00:34:58 Termination of Parental Rights (TPR) Process
00:41:01 The Emotional Reality & Risks of Fostering
00:45:47 Foster Parents’ Rights in the Courtroom
00:51:22 Guiding Families Through the Foster & Adoption Journey
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Ep. 10 pulls back the curtain on the real work of foster care—reunification, healing, and breaking generational cycles. Foster parents Tiffany and Louis Rivera share what it really feels like to love children as your own… and still help them return home.
From building relationships with birth parents to managing the emotional toll of goodbye, the Riveras offer a perspective most people don’t talk about—but every foster parent needs to hear.
💔 What do you do when a child you love calls for you as you drive away?
💬 How do you support parents you may not always agree with?
🏡 And how do you remind yourself… they were never yours to keep?
✨ Key Takeaways:
Reunification with birth parents is the goal
How to support both the child and the parent
The emotional reality of letting go—and why it matters
Creating stability so children feel safe in both homes
🔗 Learn more about fostering and support services at
🌐Families Thrive FamiliesThriveinc.org
📞 Contact Families Thrive: 585-232-5110
Chapters:
00:00:00 Why Letting Go Is the Hardest Part of Foster Care
00:01:00 The Real Goal: Reunification, Not Adoption
00:02:00 Building Trust with Birth Parents from Day One
00:04:00 Staying Connected Even After Children Go Home
00:05:00 Supporting Families Through Different Parenting Styles
00:06:30 Why Kids Need Two Families to Love Them
00:08:00 The Emotional Reality of Saying Goodbye
00:10:30 When Kids Don’t Understand Why They’re Leaving
00:12:30 Creating a Safe Space for Kids to Want Their Parents
00:14:30 Most Kids Want to Go Back Home
00:16:30 When You Lose Contact After Reunification
00:18:00 Preparing Kids for Transition (When You Can)
00:20:00 Helping Your Own Children Process Foster Care
00:22:00 Balancing a Household with Foster & Biological Kids
00:24:00 Setting Boundaries with Difficult Birth Parents
00:26:30 Foster Care Requires an Open Heart
00:28:00 Why More Foster Parents Are Needed
00:30:00 Finding Joy in the Smallest Moments
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Ep. 9 Unconditional love as a foster parent means showing up again and again… even after the child leaves your home. It looks like answering late-night calls, sending groceries across state lines, and reminding a child—no matter where life takes them—that they still have a family.
In this episode of Licensed to Love, you’ll hear the story of a foster-adoptive mom whose commitment didn’t end when the kids turned 18. For her, forever truly means forever.
Toni Marrocco-Helwig shares what it really means to provide a safe home and unconditional love to children in foster care—especially those with special needs who often wait the longest for families. For 15 years, Toni and her husband Mike have welcomed more than 50 children into their home, offering stability, patience, and lifelong support.
Foster parents can play a powerful role in supporting birth families.
Building trust takes time. Showing up consistently is more powerful than words.
Loving children with special needs or trauma backgrounds requires patience, flexibility, and a willingness to meet them where they are.
Key Takeaways🔗 Learn more about fostering and support services at
🌐 FamiliesThriveinc.org
📞 Contact Families Thrive: 585-232-5110
Chapters:
0:00 – Introduction
0:38 – Meet Toni: Foster Mom to More Than 50 Children
1:28 – What Foster Care Really Looks Like at Home
2:49 – Fostering Children With Special Needs
5:24 – Supporting Birth Families
11:00 – Loving Kids Even After They Leave Home
14:56 – Why Commitment Means Never Giving Up
19:19 – How Trauma Shapes Behavior
21:14 – Parenting Doesn’t End at 18
24:48 – The Teenage Years
26:42 – Living Moment to Moment as a Foster Parent
29:05 – Don't Take it Personal
31:50 – Parenting Strategies That Build Trust
32:58 – Why Consistency Matters
38:11 – The Daycare Story: A Child’s Fear of Being Left Behind
40:15 – Why Unconditional Love Is Half the Battle
41:53 – Celebrating Small Wins and Progress
43:17 – What Happens When Kids Are Given Up On
44:17 – Expectations vs. Reality in Foster Care
45:34 – What Foster Parents Need to Understand
48:06 – Earning Trust One Day at a Time
48:35 – Fighting for Your Child
50:04 – Why Kids Come Back Years Later
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“Kids know when they are loved and when they are chosen.”
Ep. 8 Veronica Black sits down with Trelawney McCoy, a foster and adoptive parent whose life is a living example of what it means to stand in the gap for children who need stability most.
Trelawney has fostered more than 30 children and adopted 11, all while working full-time, mentoring young women, and leading a youth football program with the Rochester Rams.
Her story isn’t about doing it all—it’s about doing what matters most. This conversation goes beyond inspiration and into the real work of foster care:
The truth behind common foster care misconceptions
Why honoring biological family connections can support healing
How structure, teamwork, and community shape a child’s sense of safety
Whether you’re curious about fostering, already in the system, or simply want to understand how love becomes action, this episode is a reminder that futures are shaped by the adults willing to stand in the gap.
🔗 Learn more about fostering and support services at 🌐https://familiesthriveinc.org/
📞 Contact Families Thrive: 585-232-5110
Chapters:
00:00 From Foster Care to Forever Family
03:31 Single Mom Raising 30+ Foster Children
08:08 — Kids Know When They’re Chosen
13:59 Advocating for Special Needs Children
16:23 Faith and Resilience in Foster Care
20:38 Supporting Biological Family Connections
27:04 Healing Trauma Through Community Support
30:37 Self-Care for Foster Parents
31:48 Building a Village for Future Generations
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Ep. 7 “Usually when I made a mistake, I would just get moved to another house. But here, you actually showed that you cared about me.” - Joubert Black, 19
I was in foster care. I moved through seven different placements. Every time I messed up, I learned to expect the same outcome: pack up, move on, start over.
On this episode of License to Love, I sit down with my mom, Veronica Black, to share what it was really like growing up in the New York State foster care system—and what changed when I finally landed in a home where mistakes didn’t mean abandonment.
✨ In this episode, you’ll hear:
What it’s really like to move through multiple foster homes
Why building trust with older youth takes patience—not perfection
The harm of judging children by their “file” instead of their humanity
Why older youth in foster care deserve families just as much as anyone else
How love, consistency, and empathy can change a life’s trajectory
This episode is a must-listen for foster parents, adoptive families, advocates, and anyone who believes children deserve more than a system—they deserve a home.
🔗 Learn more about fostering and support services at 🌐 FamiliesThrive.org
📞 Contact Families Thrive: 585-232-5110
Chapters:
0:01 A Child’s View of Foster Care
1:36 Why Stability Matters More Than Placement
4:07 From Foster Care to Adoption: Joubert’s Story
13:15 Why Older Kids Deserve Adoption Too
16:24 Parenting Through Trauma in Foster Care
21:39 Searching for Belonging in the System
26:11 Rebuilding Family Ties Through Supervised Visits
29:11 Adoption, Birth Families, and Identity
32:33 Building Forever Families, One Child at a Time
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Ep. 6 Opening your heart to foster a child is an act of love—but staying open when it hurts takes courage.
This week on Licensed to Love, host Veronica welcomes Michelle Hinds back to the podcast for a deeply honest conversation about what it really means to become a foster family—and how that journey ultimately led her and her husband to adoption in New York State.
As a dedicated home finder with Families Thrive and a foster/adoptive parent herself, Michelle brings a rare dual perspective. She shares what first drew her to fostering, the emotional reality of loving children who may not stay forever, and how understanding trauma, boundaries, and healthy attachment shapes everything. This episode is both tender and practical—offering reassurance to those considering fostering and affirmation to those already walking the path.
If you’ve ever wondered whether you’re strong enough to love children through uncertainty, this conversation will meet you right where you are.
🔗 Learn more about fostering and support services at 🌐 FamiliesThrive.org 📞 Contact Families Thrive: 585-232-5110
Fostering is centered on meeting children’s immediate needs and can sometimes lead to unexpected adoption journeys
Saying goodbye is one of the hardest parts of fostering—and caring for yourself is essential
Every child expresses love differently, especially when trauma is involved
Stability, structure, and patience can be life-changing for foster youth
Supporting children doesn’t end at adulthood—long-term guidance matters
“It’s our job to show them what healthy love is, right? With boundaries, expectations, and structure.” – Michelle
“I had to look at her as her own person… and how she was going to show affection.” – Michelle
“Take a chance on these kids… Teach them what it’s like to be in a family.” – Michelle
🎧 Listen now and learn what it truly means to love with intention—even when the outcome isn’t guaranteed.
Chapters:
0:00 Why We Chose Foster Care (And What We Didn’t Expect)3:24 The Emotional Reality of Foster Placements11:56 Loving Kids You Might Have to Let Go22:46 When Fostering Turns Into Adoption27:02 Parenting Foster & Adopted Teens Is Different34:38 Choosing Commitment When It Gets Hard37:17 Learning How a Foster Child Shows Love42:31 The First Time She Called Me “Mom”44:26 Building Trust Inside a New Family48:34 Love, Loss, and Growth After Adoption
Key Takeaways:Notable Quotes:
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Ep. 5 What does foster care really look like behind closed doors—especially when teens are involved?
In this powerful episode of Licensed to Love, Families Thrive’s Director of Program Services, Veronica Black-Turner sits down with seasoned foster parent Jeronda James for an honest, compassionate conversation about the realities of fostering in New York State.
Jeronda shares her lived experience opening her home to foster youth, navigating challenges with patience, advocacy, and heart—particularly when supporting teenagers who urgently need safe, loving homes. From managing daily routines and school placements to allowing emotional space for healing, this episode sheds light on what it truly takes to show up for children in care.
You’ll hear how ongoing support from Families Thrive makes a difference, why advocacy is non-negotiable, and how fostering—while challenging—can be deeply rewarding. Whether you’re considering foster care, currently fostering, or simply want to better understand the system, this episode offers clarity, encouragement, and truth.
✨ In this episode, you’ll learn:
How patience and flexibility shape successful placements
The critical role foster parents play as advocates
How Families Thrive supports foster parents every step of the way
Why following your heart matters when considering fostering
🔗 Learn more about fostering and support services at
🌐 FamiliesThrive.org
📞 Contact Families Thrive: 585-232-5110
Chapters:
0:00 Jeronda James' Journey Into Foster Parenting With Families Thrive
5:50 Preparing for Foster Care as a Single Parent
7:47 School and Healthcare Placements
9:46 Creating a Welcoming Environment
16:35 Importance of Space and Listening
20:11 Challenges of Foster Parenting
30:35 Flexible Parenting Strategies for Traumatized Children
35:19 Fostering Love and Overcoming Challenges in Family Dynamics
42:00 Fostering Hope for Teens in the Foster Care System
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Ep. 4 This week on Licensed to Love, we’re breaking down the heart of the initial fostering process: the training, preparation, and ongoing support that Families Thrive gives every family who says “yes.” 💛
Director of Program Services Veronica Black sits down with Michelle Hinds, a seasoned home finder and trainer, to walk you through the 10-week trauma-informed course that equips families to understand the emotional and developmental needs of children in care. From navigating trauma to building confidence as a caregiver, this training is designed to prepare you for the real-life moments you’ll face — not just the paperwork.
You’ll also get an inside look at the support that continues after licensing:
🏡 Regular in-home visits
🧡 One-on-one guidance tailored to your family’s needs
👥 Support groups and community resources
📅 Flexible training schedules for busy parents
🤝 A team that stays with you, every step of the way
Chapters:
0:00 Introduction
3:44 Training Foster Parents to Handle Trauma-Experienced Children
6:01 Background Checks and Support Systems
11:16 Flexible Foster Parent Training and Support Initiatives
15:49 The Joys and Challenges of Fostering Children
19:32 Supporting Foster Families Through Personal Experience
#LicensedToLove #FamiliesThrive #FosterCareTraining #AdoptionSupport #FosterParentJourney #TraumaInformedCare #InHomeSupport #NYFosterCare #FamilyServices
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Ep. 3 The holidays are supposed to be magical—but for foster children, they can also be complicated and emotional.
In this heartfelt episode of Licensed to Love, hosts Lauri McKnight and Veronica Black of Families Thrive unpack the emotional landscape of the holiday season for children in foster care. With some insights from current foster parents, they explore how to navigate holiday triggers, maintain healthy ties with biological families, and create new traditions that help kids feel seen and secure.
✨ What You’ll Learn:
Why holidays can bring mixed emotions for foster children
How small gestures—like shared traditions or inclusive conversations—can nurture belonging
Ways to honor biological family connections while building new memories
The importance of community support and awareness during the season
This episode reminds us that while gifts and gatherings may fade, the feeling of being loved and included lasts forever.
🔗 Resources:
Celebrate foster and adoptive families at the Families Thrive Heart & Home Gala — November 1st at 6 PM at the Rochester Riverside Convention Center.
Reserve your seat today at 👉 www.familiesthriveinc.org
Chapters:
0:00 Holiday Challenges for Foster Families
3:39 When Holidays Feel Different in Foster Care
12:20 Handling Emotional Triggers During the Season
16:59 Joys and Struggles of Holiday Parenting
19:56 Blending Traditions and Family Connections
21:29 Navigating Cultural Differences at the Holidays
28:18 Community Support That Makes the Season Bright
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Ep. 2 For Monique Burney, the desire to become a foster mom came from personal experience—she grew up in foster care herself and understood the power of keeping siblings together. What she didn’t know was whether she qualified to do it on her own as a single parent.
In this heartfelt episode of Licensed to Love, Monique shares how her path to fostering began with that question—and how a conversation with Families Thrive’s Director of Program Services, Veronica Black, helped her see that love, patience, and stability are what truly make a family. Joined by Executive Director Lauri McKnight, Veronica also breaks down the first steps of the foster care journey, explaining what to expect at an informational meeting, what the training process involves, and the biggest myths they work to debunk every day.
🎟️ Join the Movement:
Celebrate foster and adoptive families at the Families Thrive Heart & Home Gala — November 1st at 6 PM at the Rochester Riverside Convention Center.
Reserve your seat today at 👉 www.familiesthriveinc.org
💛 Key Takeaways:
What really happens at an informational meeting
The training process for becoming a foster or adoptive parent
How Families Thrive matches children with foster families
The truth about single, same-sex, or non-traditional foster parents
How love and structure can change a child’s life
Chapters:
0:00 Why I Said Yes to Becoming a Single Foster Parent
4:21 The Informational Meeting
7:02 Holistic Foster Placement: Matching Child Needs With Family Dynamics
10:23 Investing in Their Future
16:18 Blessings and Challenges of Foster Care
22:17 Fears and Misconceptions in Foster Parenting
24:34 Families Thrive Provides Comprehensive Support for Foster Parents
28:38 Fostering Journeys: Challenges, Commitments, and Transformations
34:54 Impact of Nurturing and Building Relationships on Children
39:57 Heart & Home Gala November 1
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Ep. 1 In this debut episode of License to Love, hosts Lauri McKnight (Executive Director) and Veronica Black (Director of Program Services) of Families Thrive share the inspiring journey of how their organization evolved from Children Awaiting Parents into a comprehensive foster care and adoption agency.
With decades of combined experience, Lauri and Veronica open the door to what fostering and adoption look like in New York State today.
From advocating for sibling groups and minority children to creating support models that nurture both kids and families, their work continues to transform lives and communities.
✨ Key Takeaways
Families Thrive has expanded from an adoption exchange into a licensed foster care and adoption agency.
The organization pioneered visibility for children in care through resources like the CAT book, which inspired NY State’s Blue Book.
Their approach focuses on family strengths and children’s needs—never just “bed availability.”
Innovative support programs like coach visitation and family team meetings help families succeed long term.
💬 Notable Quotes
“Our mission is to demystify the process of gaining your license to foster or adopt in New York State.” – Lauri McKnight
“Families Thrive is not just about putting kids in homes; it's about creating safe, nurturing environments.” – Veronica Black
🔗 Resources
🌐 FamiliesThrive.org
💙 Wendy’s Wonderful Kids Program: https://www.davethomasfoundation.org/how-we-help/wendys-wonderful-kids/
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Have you ever felt called to do more? To open your heart—and your home—to a child who needs love and stability?
Meet Lauri & Veronica, two moms with decades of lived and professional experience in foster care and adoption. As executives at Families Thrive Inc, they’re guiding future parents through the real journey of fostering and adoption in New York State. Because every child deserves a safe, loving home. 💛
Licensed to Love is your inside look at what it takes to become a foster parent: the steps, the stories, the challenges, and the joy of making a lasting difference.
📅 Episode 1 drops Friday, August 29 on the JazzCast Pros Network.
Connect with us:
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LinkedIn: (24) Families Thrive, Inc.: Overview | LinkedIn
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