Resources

Sophia’s* journey in life began with a challenging start when she was placed into foster care just four days after she was born. Sophia was detained into foster care after her mother tested positive for narcotics.

Exactly one day after the Tyler family had officially become an approved Angels resource family, they received a call from their Angels social worker telling them a newborn baby girl was in need of a loving home. They eagerly responded with a “yes” and Sophia arrived at their home just hours later. This was the beginning of a heartfelt story filled with love, challenges, and countless precious moments that would shape their lives forever.

During her first few months of placement, Sophia’s mother and father made efforts to overcome the barriers to parenting her. Sadly, it eventually became clear that Sophia’s mom was not in a position to care for her. Conversely, Sophia’s father, Matthew*, was making tremendous progress, and it was at this point that the focus shifted to Matthew reunifying with Sophia, as he was determined to be a present father and obtain a different outcome. In fact, once Matthew found out Sophia’s mother was pregnant, he immediately stepped into a recovery program and started taking the necessary steps to prepare for the arrival of his baby girl. Suffice it to say, Matthew was fiercely motivated to do whatever was needed to be the best father for Sophia.

Christine, Jacob, and their young daughters spent the next year loving and caring for Sophia. Throughout their fostering experience, they appreciated the intensive support they received from their Angels Foster Care social workers every step of the way. No matter what they needed, whether it was questions they had about the court hearings or guidance on navigating Sophia's developmental journey, their Angels Foster Care social workers were there, offering consistent assistance and expertise. From the smallest concerns to the most daunting challenges, Christine, Jacob, and their daughters felt embraced by a network of support that enabled them to provide Sophia with the stability and love she deserved.

Meanwhile, Matthew was working hard to make sure that he could provide for little Sophia. He secured stable employment and found safe housing for himself and his daughter. As Matthew made significant strides towards reunification, he, alongside Christine and Jacob, recognized that forging a partnership among themselves would best serve Sophia, fostering her ongoing growth and development. Matthew even invited Christine to attend church with him, and Christine gladly accepted the invitation. Christine and Jacob loved Sophia, and they wanted to be sure that Sophia and Matthew had the support they needed.

Eventually, the judge decided that Matthew could regain custody of his daughter. Despite the possibility of a bittersweet goodbye, the Tylers fully supported Sophia’s reunification with her father. The Tyler’s explained that reunification didn’t mean losing Sophia, but instead meant they were gaining both she and Matthew. Reunification is the ultimate goal of any family involved in the foster care system. Although reunification may not always happen, it is stories like Sophia’s and Matthew’s that remind us of what’s possible.

Matthew and Sophia are now living together, and the Tyler family has remained an integral part of Sophia’s and Matthew’s lives, babysitting Sophia regularly and maintaining a close relationship with Matthew. It is a win-win situation because Christine, Jacob, and their daughters look forward to spending time with Sophia, and Matthew is grateful for the support.

Matthew has continued to work hard, securing an apprenticeship program in construction, and moving into a new home. Sophia, now enrolled in a daycare program at their local church, is flourishing under the care of her loving father and the supportive community around them.

Sophia’s and Matthew’s journey is proof of the power that resource (aka foster) parents and first family partnerships can have. When the partnership between a first family and resource family is strong, parents can take the necessary steps to create a safe, stable environment for their children, while resource families provide invaluable support and care, enriching the lives of both the children and their first families.

Many studies show that when children are able to safely reunify with their parents, this leads to increased stability among families, less stress, and positive development for children. It means better overall outcomes for families and sustainable improvements for parents. While reunification is not always an option, it continues to be the star to which we hitch our wagons.

*Please note names have been changed due to confidentiality This story can also be viewed on the PACEs Connection/Resilient Santa Barbara County blog at https://www.pacesconnection.com/g/santa-barbara-county-aces-connection/blog/angels-foster-care-reunification-and-resiliency?nc=1

Photo, from left to right: Angels Foster Care Parents, Christine and Jacob Tyler with their children; Angels child Sophia* with her father, Matthew* Credit: Kelsey Crews Photo

The Ortegas are the first family to complete an Angels adoption! The Ortegas became resource parents to Jacob when he was two days old and finalized his adoption in 2008. Since then, Lucy and Frank have also cared for several other Angels children in short-term situations until they transitioned into permanent placements. Lucy describes Jacob as kind, empathetic, bright, funny, confident, humble and a natural born leader. He excels in every sport he plays.

In recent years, Lucy has served as a member of Angels' Advisory Board. Through her work in the medical community, she has encouraged numerous families to explore resource parenting as a different path to parenthood and adoption.

When reflecting back on her fostering experience with Angels, Lucy adds, "The Angels staff was loving, kind and supportive throughout every step of the foster-adoption process. Everything with Angels has been amazing and meaningful."

Congratulations to the Ortegas for being part of a major milestone in Angels history!

Photo from left: Jacob, Lucy and Frank

Angels is very grateful to the Davenport family for being Angels Foster Care's first foster family! Alan and Claudia Davenport became foster parents in October 2006 when they accepted placement of a one-year-old girl. Though there were many ups and downs, they remained committed and helped their young foster daughter successfully transition when she was eventually reunited with her birth mother. Claudia recalled, "We wanted a second child, but over time we became committed to the idea that we should foster regardless of the outcome. It became clear that this was the path in front of us." A short time later the family accepted placement of a newborn girl, Lola, who joined the family and became a sister to their son, Jackson. After 2 ½ years in care, Lola was adopted by the Davenports in 2009. Lola is bright, empathetic, perceptive, and makes friends easily. She loves to read, enjoys school (particularly the natural sciences) and is a member of 4H. She loves all forms of dance (ballet, tap, flamenco and especially hip hop). She would like to become a marine mammal vet when she grows up. When reflecting back on her fostering experience with Angels, Claudia adds, "The most meaningful part has been connecting with the babies. Taking care of them, seeing them respond, and falling in love with them for their unique selves." Thank you to the Davenports for their years of service!

Photo: Back Row: Jackson, Claudia and Alan

Scott, Chelsie and Kate Luebke finalized Kate's adoption late in 2015 when she was 21 months old. Scott and Chelsie wanted to create a family and knew adoption would be the way for them. After learning about the Angels Foster Care program, they decided this would be the way they could grow a family. They consider Kate the most precious gift they have ever received. They consider their road to adoption a long one but they would not have it any other way. The most meaningful part of the fostering experience was getting to watch Kate grow from the very beginning. Kate's contagious personality made the whole experience joyful and watching her smile makes everyone around her want to smile!

Meet Julie and Robert who welcomed baby David, as well as completed their adoption, in 2015. The Kennedys have a busy, active family and have always enjoyed parenting. Their two older children, Jessica and Nick, are now young adults. Robert and Julie always wanted to adopt and give a child a loving home. They bonded with baby David immediately and have enjoyed the love and energy that a young child brings. Julie describes David as sweet, happy, funny and loving. She says he enjoys spending time with his big brother Nick and big sister Jessica. When he is an adult, Julie predicts David will be a strong man of God and probably interested in sports and music. "We feel very blessed to have David in our lives," says Julie, "We are all so in love with him and he brings us so much joy."

Tommy was welcomed into the O'Neill family a few weeks shy of his 3rd birthday. Kelly describes Tommy as loving and affectionate with a sly twinkle in his eyes at all times. Although separation anxiety, fear of abandonment, and limited vocabulary were big hurdles early on, he has since blossomed into an enthusiastic boy with many interests. Tommy enjoys reading, Karate, swimming, basketball, tree climbing and backyard play. Kelly's recalls the most meaningful part of being an Angels foster parent was watching her child flourish and become the person he was meant to be once he got the love and stability he needed. She has marveled at Tommy's intuitive nature and nurturing with regard to babies and animals and wonders if someday he will choose a care-giving profession. Thank you to the O'Neill family for welcoming Tommy into your hearts!

Christy and Johnny first learned about Angels from a 2006 newspaper article about a new start-up foster care agency Angels Foster Care - in the Santa Barbara News-Press. After speaking with Meichelle Arntz (Angels' founder) about the need for foster parents in our community, and her passion for helping vulnerable children, they were hooked. After becoming certified, they joined the first "class" of Angels Foster parents and welcomed baby Annabelle into their home in 2007. Christy and Johnny had two young sons who were excited to have a baby sister in the home and the whole family was thankful for the support of Angels social workers during the two years they fostered Anna leading up to her adoption in 2009. Christy recalls the most meaningful part of their fostering experience was providing a loving home to a sweet baby that needed a home. She also enjoyed the knowledge she gained about the foster care system, which allowed her to share her story with others and encourage them to explore the idea of becoming a foster parent. Over the last few years, she has had a few friends join the Angels family. It has been an amazing feeling to watch a family grow while providing a much need home to a baby. Annabelle has a strong, fun-loving and somewhat silly personality and is constantly making the family laugh. She is a sweet, loving and intelligent girl who loves Flamenco dancing, soccer, softball, singing and music. When at home she loves joining in with her brothers in whatever they are doing, or enjoying classic cars with her dad including cruising in his El Camino. With her leadership abilities and strong personality, Christy says Anna's interest in being a police officer could be a great fit. On the other end of the spectrum, Anna's love for animals might translate into a veterinarian career someday. Whatever she chooses, Christy says she will be great!

Ashley and Jason Miller knew the need for foster parents in our area was great and they wanted to help so they joined the Angels program in 2009. Angels got the call for a set of baby sisters who needed a loving home soon after they were certified. Even though they had never been parents before, they immediately answered "yes" and happily took both girls. Eva, the "big sister" was 2 1/2 and Madison was 1 1/2 when they joined Ashley and Jason's home. Both girls received the love, attention, and healing that they needed and the Millers flourished as natural parents! Eva was 5 and Madison was 4 when their adoptions were complete in 2012. With the care, support, and guidance they got from the Angels Social Work team, and everything they learned through their first foster, then adoption, experience, when Angels got a call that a baby boy needed a home, the Millers, again, said yes! Austin joined his family in 2012 when he was 14 months old. The Millers loved him, took wonderful care of him, and were very supportive when the plan for reunification with his biological mom was taking shape. Together, the Millers and his bio mom developed a relationship and worked together to transition him back to his bio family. When the reunification did not, ultimately, work out, the Millers were able to welcome Austin back into their home and his adoption was complete in 2015 when he was 4 years old. In the meantime, they welcomed Anastasia through birth so now their family of 6 is happy, busy and full of energy. Jason and Ashley even sit on foster parent panels during our Foster Parent training classes to share their vast and varied experience with foster care and the Angels model.