By: Les Harris, LCSW
Clinical Consultant, Utah Foster Care
In May of 2026 a set of foster parents were honored by their city in the Eastern region after providing care for adolescent boys for nearly twenty-seven years. Following the cityโs presentation the foster dad was able to provide insights into how caring for kids has not only changed himโmaking him a better personโbut allowed him to recognize a simple truth: children can thrive in caring homes if given an opportunity. Of course, he acknowledge that the journey was not easy, and there were times the emotions and behaviors of the kids, as most foster parents come to realize, were taxing. Yet they continued to experience the positive outcomes for so many of the children placed in their home which was what they needed to continue.
In my conversations with these foster parents, one prominent theme resonated: the need for support. Foster parents cannot do it alone. The more supports they have, the more likely children in care, along with the foster parents, will experience positive results. Support is a recipe for success, yet so many of us find it difficult to either accept support or ask for help. According to an article in Psychology Today, โyouโve got to be willing to ask for help, and that can be daunting because it requires that you lower the drawbridge and admit that you need help,โ (Lavoy, Gregg, June 6, 2016.) This vulnerability often prevents us from seeking help from not only helping professionals, but close friends, confidants or partners. Consider the numbers of people available to help foster parents: DCFS staff, cluster facilitators, guardians ad litem, mentors, clinical staff at Utah Foster Care, other foster parents, family, friends and others. With this many invested individuals foster parents have resources available whenever needed. But it requires asking for help.
So this is your friendly reminder to ask for help, because it is exactly what is necessary to help manage difficult circumstances. And admit, if the tables were turned, you would be the first one to volunteer to help others yourself.
