# Why I Became a Foster Parent—and Why I'd Do It Again | Susan Devine

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/from-foster-to-forever-6781182/why-i-became-a-foster-parent-and-why-i-d-do-it-again-susan-devine
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/from-foster-to-forever-6781182/why-i-became-a-foster-parent-and-why-i-d-do-it-again-susan-devine.md
Podcast: [From Foster to Forever](https://stenobird.com/podcast/from-foster-to-forever-6781182)
Published: 2026-06-16T13:00:00+00:00
Episode link: https://www.fromfoster2forever.com/
Audio file: https://pdcn.co/e/episodes.captivate.fm/episode/8f84e61e-a16f-4e5d-af6e-cfa73470d3de.mp3
Processing state: not_requested
JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/from-foster-to-forever-6781182/episodes/why-i-became-a-foster-parent-and-why-i-d-do-it-again-susan-devine
Duration seconds: 1618

## Resource

What happens when a school employee opens her home to two brothers in foster care just days before Christmas? In this heartfelt episode of From Foster to Forever , host Rachel Fulginiti sits down with foster parent Susan Devine, who shares her powerful experience fostering two brothers through the child welfare system and supporting their eventual reunification with their father. Unlike many foster-to-adopt stories, Susan's journey highlights another important goal of foster care: helping families heal and reunite whenever safely possible. Susan discusses how a simple conversation at work led her to become a foster parent, the challenges and rewards of caring for children who have experienced trauma, and the deep bonds that can form even when adoption isn't the outcome. As a single mother and school health aide, Susan offers a refreshing perspective on fostering older children, supporting children with special needs, and staying connected after reunification. If you've ever wondered whether foster parenting is right for you, this episode offers an honest, encouraging look at how ordinary people can make an extraordinary difference in a child's life. In This Episode How Susan unexpectedly became a foster parent Fostering two brothers just before Christmas Supporting children through trauma and uncertainty The importance of maintaining connections with biological families What reunification looked like for these children Foster parenting as a single parent The realities of fostering children with special needs How community support can help foster families succeed Why foster care isn't only about adoption Coping with saying goodbye when children reunify The lasting impact foster parents can have on a child's life Why more families are needed in foster care Key Topics Fos…

## Actions

- request_transcript: `POST https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/from-foster-to-forever-6781182/episodes/why-i-became-a-foster-parent-and-why-i-d-do-it-again-susan-devine/transcription-requests` — Idempotently request low-priority transcript generation for this episode.
- read_markdown: `GET https://stenobird.com/podcast/from-foster-to-forever-6781182/why-i-became-a-foster-parent-and-why-i-d-do-it-again-susan-devine.md` — Read the agent-friendly Markdown representation of this episode resource.

A page view does not enqueue transcription. Agents should invoke `request_transcript` explicitly when they need this episode processed.

## Transcript

Full transcripts are not published on public pages unless there is a clear rights basis.