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In this episode, Sophia Mills speaks with Rebecca Korda, program manager for recruitment and training at the National Youth Advocate Program. Rebecca provides quality services to children and families within the dependency system here in southeast Florida.

Rebecca began her career as a case manager with ChildNet in 2012. She transitioned to working the last 8 years with foster parents and the youth they serve. First, as a treatment coordinator ensuring the children's appointments and needs were monitored. Then, as a licensing specialist monitoring foster parents were in compliance and good standing with DCF regulations. Currently, Rebecca works as a trainer and recruiter actively trying to dispel the myth that it takes "someone special" to be a foster parent. She has learned through professional and personal experience that being a foster parent simply means putting aside your own conveniences at times to ensure the children coming into your home feel welcomed and valued. Rebecca's expertise serves to educate and encourage anyone interested in becoming a foster parent. She also works with foster parents struggling because, per Rebecca's words, "being a foster parent isn't all sunshine and rainbows." There are struggles which require expert guidance. It is important to ensure foster parents and the children in their home are given necessary care and attention from the system of care responsible for their placement.

Rebecca offers personal experience. Many people work in the foster care system but not all of them are also licensed foster parents. Her ability to recruit and assist soon-to-be foster parents comes from a unique place; lived experience. Rebecca's lived experience as a foster parent has improved the way the state mandated curriculum is delivered to people attending foster parent training classes.

GUEST INFORMATION/LINKS:

NYAP.org
https://nfpaonline.org/
Maybe Days: A book for Children in Foster Care
EveryParent (Palm Beach parent app)
https://www.cscbroward.org/families/ (Children's Services Council)