# Solving the Foster Parent Shortage with StepStone Family & Youth Services

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/fostering-change-249935/solving-the-foster-parent-shortage-with-stepstone-family-youth-services
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/fostering-change-249935/solving-the-foster-parent-shortage-with-stepstone-family-youth-services.md
Podcast: [Fostering Change](https://stenobird.com/podcast/fostering-change-249935)
Published: 2026-02-03T04:38:37+00:00
Episode link: https://youtu.be/JhLfJStavCg
Audio file: https://sphinx.acast.com/p/open/s/5d2ca7351bdb8a9377b9a4af/e/69817bcd4b12c3dd7314d902/media.mp3
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JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/fostering-change-249935/episodes/solving-the-foster-parent-shortage-with-stepstone-family-youth-services
Duration seconds: 1340

## Resource

As Fostering Change continues into the new year, this episode tackles one of the most urgent issues facing child welfare today: the national shortage of foster parents and what it means for children who need safe, stable homes. Rob Scheer is joined by Kelsey Davis, National Director of Foster Parent Recruitment, and Stacy Brindley, National Treatment Director at StepStone Family & Youth Services. Together, they explore why fewer families are stepping forward, how misconceptions about fostering hinder progress, and why supporting foster parents is essential to better outcomes for children. With more than 343,000 children in foster care and fewer than 200,000 licensed foster homes nationwide, this conversation goes beyond the numbers. Kelsey and Stacy share how StepStone approaches recruitment differently, centers trauma-informed care, and treats the entire family as part of the healing process. Episode Highlights This episode explores why the foster parent shortage continues to grow and how it directly impacts children who need consistency and belonging. The discussion challenges common myths about fostering, explains why recruitment messaging must change, and emphasizes that strong outcomes depend on strong support for foster parents. Listeners also hear why trauma-informed care must include the whole family, not just the child, and how communities can get involved with StepStone through volunteering, respite support, and national initiatives beyond fostering. As Rob notes, “We must get more qualified families to support our youth in foster care.” And as Kelsey reminds us, fostering works best when families know they are not doing it alone. About the Guests Kelsey Davis is the National Director of Foster Parent Recruitment at StepStone Family & Youth Services.…

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## Transcript

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