In this episode of the Wheel With It Podcast, Devon hosts Sharon Dunlevy, an educational advocate for children in foster care. Sharon shares her experiences and insights into the challenges faced by foster kids, particularly around education. They discuss the impact of trauma, the necessary laws like ESSA, IDEA, and the Family First Prevention Services Act, and the importance of trauma-informed care and advocacy. Sharon also highlights the significant need for better educational outcomes for foster children to help them become productive members of society. Tune in for a deep dive into how we can better support foster children and foster parents.
00:00 The Harsh Realities of Foster Care
01:09 Introduction to the Podcast
01:43 Meet Sharon Dunlevy: Educational Advocate
02:28 Understanding the Laws for Foster Care Education
04:41 The Impact of Trauma on Foster Children
06:23 The Three Key Laws for Foster Care Education
08:27 Challenges and Solutions in Foster Care Education
13:16 The Importance of Trauma-Informed Care in Schools
16:02 The Role of Social Media and Exposure to Trauma
18:28 Addressing Misconceptions About Foster Children
20:33 The Overlooked Importance of Education for Foster Kids
20:52 Staggering Statistics: Foster Kids and Education
21:36 Challenges Foster Kids Face in Employment
22:01 Medicaid and Foster Care: The Struggle for Benefits
23:12 The Impact of Trauma on Foster Kids
26:06 Fear-Mongering in Politics and Its Effects
28:21 Advocating for Foster Kids: Personal Stories and Solutions
29:10 The Value of Lived Experience in Social Work
32:57 A Passion for Helping Vulnerable Kids
34:09 How Communities Can Support Foster Kids
36:41 Final Thoughts and How to Connect
Connect with Sharon
https://fostercaretrainingtoday.com/homesharon@sharondunlevy.com
https://www.tiktok.com/@sharondunlevy
https://instagram.com/sharondunlevy72
https://www.facebook.com/fostercaretrainingtoday
https://linkedin.com/in/sharondunlevy
Connect with Devon/ the show
https://linktr.ee/wheelwithitpod