The Aging Out Podcast

The Field Center for Children’s Policy, Practice & Research
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  • NON-PROFIT
  • TWICE MONTHLY

This podcast series, hosted by the Field Center for Children’s Policy, Practice & Research at the University of Pennsylvania, explores resources and strategies that are effective in helping older youth in foster care prepare for aging out of the system and transitioning into adulthood. Our goal is to put out a podcast every month. To support our podcast, go to www.fieldcenteratpenn.org and click on “Support Us”. Thank you!

  1. 6 DAYS AGO

    Episode 10: Interview with Maddy Day, co-Founder of Fostering Academic Achievement Nationwide

    In this February 2026 episode, MSS intern Cheri Mitchell interviews Maddy Day, Proprietor and Senior Consultant of Maddy Day, LLC & Associates, and co-Founder and co-Chair of FAAN (Fostering Academic Achievement Nationwide). Influenced by her family’s deep ties to child welfare, Maddy gained early insight into the realities facing non‑traditional families. Her career path ultimately led to the creation of FAAN in 2016, a network that grew from informal cross‑state conversations among practitioners that now includes more than twenty states. Maddy’s journey and FAAN’s expansion underscore the impact of connection, reliable data, persistent advocacy, and the importance of listening to students in creating equitable educational pathways for youth with experience in foster care.

    40 min

  2. 13 JAN

    Episode 9: Interview with Zach Blend, CEO of the Goshen Valley Foundation (Cherokee County, GA)

    In this January 2026 episode, MSS intern Cheri Mitchell interviews Zach Blend, Chief Executive Officer of the Goshen Valley Foundation located in Cherokee County, GA. Zach shares his child welfare wisdom and experiences caring for youth in foster care as they prepare to age out of the system. Goshen New Beginnings, an independent living program on Goshen Valley’s campus, plays an integral part in this transition to adulthood. The program enables young people to continue their time in care until age 21, helps them develop relational confidence to connect with adult supports in a healthy and trustworthy way, and provides opportunities to learn the skills of daily living.

    36 min

  3. 10/12/2025

    Episode 8: Interview with Alyssa Dennison-Glasgow, Regional Program Director at Olive Crest (Las Vegas, NV)

    In this December 2025 episode, MSSP intern Saadhya Bahudodda interviews Alyssa Dennison-Glasgow, regional program director at Olive Crest in Las Vegas. Alyssa discusses how her early experiences working in juvenile justice and child advocacy shaped her commitment to supporting youth and families and ultimately led her to Olive Crest. She highlights the organization’s Teen and Young Adult Independent Living Program, which won the 2024 Aging Out Institute’s Small Program award. This unique program provides housing, life-skills coaching, and savings-building opportunities for young people aging out of foster care. Throughout the conversation, Alyssa emphasizes the importance of external mentorship, consistent community partnerships, and individualized support, demonstrating that effective aging-out programs rely on strong, collaborative networks to help young people thrive.

    28 min

  4. 13/11/2025

    Episode 7: Interview with Jamie Bennett, Executive Director of Cetera (Tampa, FL)

    In this November 2025 episode, MSW intern Jasleen Virk interviews Jamie Bennett, co-founder and executive director of Cetera. Jamie shares her personal foster care journey and how it fueled her passion to advocate for young people in foster care. She believes that relationship building is a cornerstone to supporting youths’ well-being and highlights the importance of connections with consistent and trustworthy adults. Jamie also discusses the Fostering Success Coaching Institute, an innovative person-centered service that incorporates youth voice and evidence-based research to train professionals working with youth in foster care. Jamie is dedicated to supporting young people nationwide by increasing their visibility and meaningfully incorporating their voices where it matters.

    41 min

  5. 22/10/2025

    Episode 6: Interview with Sarah Pauter, Executive Director from John Burton Advocates for Youth (San Diego, CA)

    In this October 2025 episode, MSS intern Cheri Mitchell interviews Sarah Pauter, Executive Director of John Burton Advocates for Youth (JBAY). Sarah shares how her lived experience in foster care motivated her to become an outspoken advocate for extending the age of foster care emancipation to twenty-one. She passionately advocated for the passing of Assembly Bill 12 (AB 12) which became law in 2010, creating California’s Extended Foster Care (EFC) Program. At JBAY, Sarah continued her advocacy by establishing support programs for students with foster care experience on every public post-secondary campus in the state of California. To date, JBAY has championed over fifty-five legislative reforms and secured $3.6 billion in new state and federal investments for youth in foster care or experiencing homelessness.

    31 min

  6. 16/09/2025

    Episode 5: Interview with David Meyers and Lori Tiller from Embark Georgia (Athens, GA)

    In this September 2025 episode, Associate Director Sarah Wasch interviews David Meyers, Director, and Lori Tiller, Director of Research & Evaluation, of Embark Georgia. Together, they share their professional journeys that led them to the University of Georgia where they now lead a statewide initiative aiming to increase college access and retention for youth who have experienced foster care or homelessness. David and Lori discuss the critical “handoff gap” that impacts student success when they transition from K-12 education to higher education, often without resources and support. Finally, they remind professionals that everyone can make an impact by finding collaborators, starting small, and listening to individuals with lived experience.

    39 min

  7. 12/08/2025

    Episode 4: Interview with Liz Northcutt from City Living NY (New York, NY)

    In this August 2025 episode, MSS intern Hannah Bennett interviews Liz Northcutt, Executive Director and Founder of City Living NY. Liz shares her inspiring journey - from social policy intern to CASA Borough Coordinator to forensic social worker - leading to the creation of City Living NY. Moved by the barriers youth face as they age out of foster care, Liz teamed up with fellow social workers to build an organization grounded in dignity, trust, and practical support. She also reflects on how City Living’s comprehensive services took shape - starting with housing and growing to include parenting support and other critical resources that support young people build stable lives following foster care.

    31 min

  8. 08/07/2025

    Episode 3: Interview with Fritzie Saintoiry from Genesis Hopeful Haven (Miami, FL)

    In this July 2025 episode, MSSP intern Liya Cha interviews Fritzie Saintoiry, the CEO and President of Genesis Hopeful Haven in Miami-Dade County, Florida. Fritzie shares her personal story, turning her grief over losing her son into a life-giving force for youth in foster care. Genesis Hopeful Haven works to prepare youth to successfully transition from the foster care system to a purpose-driven adulthood by engaging them with diverse programs based on their age and need. Ongoing relational support is a key component to help youth thrive at Genesis Hopeful Haven.

    26 min
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About

This podcast series, hosted by the Field Center for Children’s Policy, Practice & Research at the University of Pennsylvania, explores resources and strategies that are effective in helping older youth in foster care prepare for aging out of the system and transitioning into adulthood. Our goal is to put out a podcast every month. To support our podcast, go to www.fieldcenteratpenn.org and click on “Support Us”. Thank you!

Information

  • Creator
    The Field Center for Children’s Policy, Practice & Research
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    100
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2025 The Field Center All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    The Aging Out Podcast