Ready for Life Foster Family Agency

Have you ever drank orange juice after just brushing your teeth? Disgusting, right?! If you’re someone that could withstand the awful taste and actually drink the orange juice, then power to you. It’s guaranteed that I would spit it back out. In all honesty, that’s how I felt about vulnerability and courage growing up as a child in the foster system. I don’t think I could come up with a better metaphor. Courage, just like toothpaste, was a comforting component of my morning r...Continue reading

Ready for Life Foster Family Agency serves a variety of children including those who have been neglected, abused, abandoned or on probation. We are looking for individuals and families like yourselves who are willing to open your hearts and homes as resource families. To get the process started, or for more information, contact our office at (530) 222-1826 and speak with one of our agency staff or visit us at www.readyforlife.net

Often we switch the order of these by believing if kids will just trust us, they'll fall in line and make great choices. Instead, building trust, Dr. Purvis says, actually happens when we show our children that we will meet their needs and give them a voice.

We are big fans of Trust Based Relational Intervention (TBRI) here at Ready for Life! When facing perplexing behaviors with children, it is helpful to get curious about the cause or need behind the behavior. An easy acronym to remember is H.A.L.T.... Is the child... H: hungry A: angry L: lonely T: tired By asking ourselves a series of short questions we can often uncover why the child might be struggling. Ross Green says, "Children do well if they can" and we absolutely agree. When a child is struggling, a few curious questions are the first step to supporting them, getting the "behavior train" back on track, and moving forward together. So let's stay curious about what children need in order to support their brains and bodies as well as change unwanted behaviors

I can be thankful for my adoption and wish it didn’t have to happen. @tinaa_bauerr