Licensed to Love

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What does it really take to open your home—and your heart—to a child in foster care? Licensed to Love is the podcast for future foster and adoptive parents who want to understand the foster care system, build trauma-informed parenting skills, and create safe, loving homes for children who need them most. New episodes every 2nd and 4th Friday of the month on the JazzCast Pros Network. Hosted by Lauri and Veronica—directors at Families Thrive Inc., a leading foster care and adoption agency in Rochester, New York—each episode blends real stories from foster youth, birth families, and licensed caregivers with expert guidance drawn from decades of experience helping children find permanent, loving homes. Topics Include: ✅ How to become a licensed foster parent in New York ✅ What to expect during your home study and training ✅ Supporting teens and keeping sibling groups together ✅ The truth about family reunification and the Families First Act ✅ Navigating trauma, grief, and resilience ✅ Preparing youth for adulthood and aging out of the system Whether you’re just starting to explore foster parenting, deep in the licensing process, or preparing for adoption, Licensed to Love gives you the tools, encouragement, and clarity to say yes—with heart and confidence. Because love isn’t just a feeling—it’s a commitment. And every child deserves a place to belong. About Families Thrive Inc. Based in Rochester, NY, Families Thrive recruits foster and adoptive families for children in the foster care system ages 0 to 21. We place referred children in a loving home temporarily with a goal to return to a family member. When children cannot return or are waiting for a family, we provide pre-to-post adoption services and work closely with families through the entire process. Families Thrive offers services and training to our families and skill-building to the children. We host a Wendy’s Wonderful Kids recruiter on staff to find resources for children waiting for a family. With two sites in Rochester and the Finger Lakes, our mission is always to provide children with a kin family connection or find a permanent loving place to belong. Donate at: https://givebutter.com/FamiliesThriveDonation Connect with us on Social Media Instagram Facebook Families Thrive, Inc,| LinkedIn Music from #Uppbeat⁠https://uppbeat.io/t/evoli/vancouver ⁠ License code: OP7TONLRWONEVAYD

Episodes

  1. 2D AGO

    Committed to Kids with Special Needs | Insights from Toni Helwig

    Ep. 9 Unconditional love as a foster parent means showing up again and again… even after the child leaves your home. It looks like answering late-night calls, sending groceries across state lines, and reminding a child—no matter where life takes them—that they still have a family. In this episode of Licensed to Love, you’ll hear the story of a foster-adoptive mom whose commitment didn’t end when the kids turned 18. For her, forever truly means forever. Toni Marrocco-Helwig shares what it really means to provide a safe home and unconditional love to children in foster care—especially those with special needs who often wait the longest for families. For 15 years, Toni and her husband Mike have welcomed more than 50 children into their home, offering stability, patience, and lifelong support. Foster parents can play a powerful role in supporting birth families. Building trust takes time. Showing up consistently is more powerful than words. Loving children with special needs or trauma backgrounds requires patience, flexibility, and a willingness to meet them where they are. Key Takeaways🔗 Learn more about fostering and support services at 🌐 FamiliesThriveinc.org 📞 Contact Families Thrive: 585-232-5110 Chapters: 0:00 – Introduction 0:38 – Meet Toni: Foster Mom to More Than 50 Children 1:28 – What Foster Care Really Looks Like at Home 2:49 – Fostering Children With Special Needs 5:24 – Supporting Birth Families 11:00 – Loving Kids Even After They Leave Home 14:56 – Why Commitment Means Never Giving Up 19:19 – How Trauma Shapes Behavior 21:14 – Parenting Doesn’t End at 18 24:48 – The Teenage Years 26:42 – Living Moment to Moment as a Foster Parent 29:05 – Don't Take it Personal 31:50 – Parenting Strategies That Build Trust 32:58 – Why Consistency Matters 38:11 – The Daycare Story: A Child’s Fear of Being Left Behind 40:15 – Why Unconditional Love Is Half the Battle 41:53 – Celebrating Small Wins and Progress 43:17 – What Happens When Kids Are Given Up On 44:17 – Expectations vs. Reality in Foster Care 45:34 – What Foster Parents Need to Understand 48:06 – Earning Trust One Day at a Time 48:35 – Fighting for Your Child 50:04 – Why Kids Come Back Years Later Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    55 min

  2. JAN 23

    Fostering 30 Kids: Trelawney McCoy Explains Why + How She Does It

    Ep. 8 Veronica Black sits down with Trelawney McCoy, a foster and adoptive parent whose life is a living example of what it means to stand in the gap for children who need stability most. Trelawney has fostered more than 30 children and adopted 11, all while working full-time, mentoring young women, and leading a youth football program with the Rochester Rams. Her story isn’t about doing it all—it’s about doing what matters most. This conversation goes beyond inspiration and into the real work of foster care: The truth behind common foster care misconceptions Why honoring biological family connections can support healing How structure, teamwork, and community shape a child’s sense of safety “Kids know when they are loved and when they are chosen.” — Trelawney Whether you’re curious about fostering, already in the system, or simply want to understand how love becomes action, this episode is a reminder that futures are shaped by the adults willing to stand in the gap. 🔗 Learn more about fostering and support services at 🌐https://familiesthriveinc.org/  📞 Contact Families Thrive: 585-232-5110 Chapters: 00:00 From Foster Care to Forever Family 03:31 Single Mom Raising 30+ Foster Children 08:08 — Kids Know When They’re Chosen 13:59 Advocating for Special Needs Children 16:23 Faith and Resilience in Foster Care 20:38 Supporting Biological Family Connections 27:04 Healing Trauma Through Community Support 30:37 Self-Care for Foster Parents 31:48 Building a Village for Future Generations Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    39 min

  3. JAN 10

    Keeping Brothers Together: The Black Family Adoption Story

    Ep. 7 “Usually when I made a mistake, I would just get moved to another house. But here, you actually showed that you cared about me.” - Joubert Black, 19 I was in foster care. I moved through seven different placements. Every time I messed up, I learned to expect the same outcome: pack up, move on, start over. On this episode of License to Love, I sit down with my mom, Veronica Black, to share what it was really like growing up in the New York State foster care system—and what changed when I finally landed in a home where mistakes didn’t mean abandonment. ✨ In this episode, you’ll hear: What it’s really like to move through multiple foster homes Why building trust with older youth takes patience—not perfection The harm of judging children by their “file” instead of their humanity Why older youth in foster care deserve families just as much as anyone else How love, consistency, and empathy can change a life’s trajectory This episode is a must-listen for foster parents, adoptive families, advocates, and anyone who believes children deserve more than a system—they deserve a home. 🔗 Learn more about fostering and support services at 🌐 ⁠FamiliesThrive.org ⁠ 📞 Contact Families Thrive: 585-232-5110 Chapters: 0:01 A Child’s View of Foster Care 1:36 Why Stability Matters More Than Placement 4:07 From Foster Care to Adoption: Joubert’s Story 13:15 Why Older Kids Deserve Adoption Too 16:24 Parenting Through Trauma in Foster Care 21:39 Searching for Belonging in the System 26:11 Rebuilding Family Ties Through Supervised Visits 29:11 Adoption, Birth Families, and Identity 32:33 Building Forever Families, One Child at a Time Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    40 min

  4. 12/26/2025

    From the First Time They Call you "Mom" to When It's Time to Say Goodbye

    Ep. 6 Opening your heart to foster a child is an act of love—but staying open when it hurts takes courage. This week on Licensed to Love, host Veronica welcomes Michelle Hinds back to the podcast for a deeply honest conversation about what it really means to become a foster family—and how that journey ultimately led her and her husband to adoption in New York State. As a dedicated home finder with Families Thrive and a foster/adoptive parent herself, Michelle brings a rare dual perspective. She shares what first drew her to fostering, the emotional reality of loving children who may not stay forever, and how understanding trauma, boundaries, and healthy attachment shapes everything. This episode is both tender and practical—offering reassurance to those considering fostering and affirmation to those already walking the path. If you’ve ever wondered whether you’re strong enough to love children through uncertainty, this conversation will meet you right where you are. 🔗 Learn more about fostering and support services at 🌐 ⁠FamiliesThrive.org ⁠ 📞 Contact Families Thrive: 585-232-5110 Fostering is centered on meeting children’s immediate needs and can sometimes lead to unexpected adoption journeys Saying goodbye is one of the hardest parts of fostering—and caring for yourself is essential Every child expresses love differently, especially when trauma is involved Stability, structure, and patience can be life-changing for foster youth Supporting children doesn’t end at adulthood—long-term guidance matters “It’s our job to show them what healthy love is, right? With boundaries, expectations, and structure.” – Michelle “I had to look at her as her own person… and how she was going to show affection.” – Michelle “Take a chance on these kids… Teach them what it’s like to be in a family.” – Michelle 🎧 Listen now and learn what it truly means to love with intention—even when the outcome isn’t guaranteed. Chapters: 0:00 Why We Chose Foster Care (And What We Didn’t Expect)3:24 The Emotional Reality of Foster Placements11:56 Loving Kids You Might Have to Let Go22:46 When Fostering Turns Into Adoption27:02 Parenting Foster & Adopted Teens Is Different34:38 Choosing Commitment When It Gets Hard37:17 Learning How a Foster Child Shows Love42:31 The First Time She Called Me “Mom”44:26 Building Trust Inside a New Family48:34 Love, Loss, and Growth After Adoption Key Takeaways:Notable Quotes: Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    1 hr

  5. 12/12/2025

    Fostering Teens: The Part No One Talks About

    Ep. 5 What does foster care really look like behind closed doors—especially when teens are involved? In this powerful episode of Licensed to Love, Families Thrive’s Director of Program Services, Veronica Black-Turner sits down with seasoned foster parent Jeronda James for an honest, compassionate conversation about the realities of fostering in New York State. Jeronda shares her lived experience opening her home to foster youth, navigating challenges with patience, advocacy, and heart—particularly when supporting teenagers who urgently need safe, loving homes. From managing daily routines and school placements to allowing emotional space for healing, this episode sheds light on what it truly takes to show up for children in care. You’ll hear how ongoing support from Families Thrive makes a difference, why advocacy is non-negotiable, and how fostering—while challenging—can be deeply rewarding. Whether you’re considering foster care, currently fostering, or simply want to better understand the system, this episode offers clarity, encouragement, and truth. ✨ In this episode, you’ll learn: How patience and flexibility shape successful placements The critical role foster parents play as advocates How Families Thrive supports foster parents every step of the way Why following your heart matters when considering fostering 🔗 Learn more about fostering and support services at 🌐 FamiliesThrive.org  📞 Contact Families Thrive: 585-232-5110 Chapters: 0:00 Jeronda James' Journey Into Foster Parenting With Families Thrive 5:50 Preparing for Foster Care as a Single Parent 7:47 School and Healthcare Placements 9:46 Creating a Welcoming Environment 16:35 Importance of Space and Listening 20:11 Challenges of Foster Parenting 30:35 Flexible Parenting Strategies for Traumatized Children 35:19 Fostering Love and Overcoming Challenges in Family Dynamics 42:00 Fostering Hope for Teens in the Foster Care System Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    47 min

  6. 11/21/2025

    Trauma-Informed Training for Foster Families

    Ep. 4 This week on Licensed to Love, we’re breaking down the heart of the initial fostering process: the training, preparation, and ongoing support that Families Thrive gives every family who says “yes.” 💛 Director of Program Services Veronica Black sits down with Michelle Hinds, a seasoned home finder and trainer, to walk you through the 10-week trauma-informed course that equips families to understand the emotional and developmental needs of children in care. From navigating trauma to building confidence as a caregiver, this training is designed to prepare you for the real-life moments you’ll face — not just the paperwork. You’ll also get an inside look at the support that continues after licensing: 🏡 Regular in-home visits 🧡 One-on-one guidance tailored to your family’s needs 👥 Support groups and community resources 📅 Flexible training schedules for busy parents 🤝 A team that stays with you, every step of the way Chapters: 0:00 Introduction 3:44 Training Foster Parents to Handle Trauma-Experienced Children 6:01 Background Checks and Support Systems 11:16 Flexible Foster Parent Training and Support Initiatives 15:49 The Joys and Challenges of Fostering Children 19:32 Supporting Foster Families Through Personal Experience #LicensedToLove #FamiliesThrive #FosterCareTraining #AdoptionSupport #FosterParentJourney #TraumaInformedCare #InHomeSupport #NYFosterCare #FamilyServices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    27 min

  7. 10/31/2025

    Home for the Holidays: Fostering Belonging During the Season

    Ep. 3 The holidays are supposed to be magical—but for foster children, they can also be complicated and emotional. In this heartfelt episode of Licensed to Love, hosts Lauri McKnight and Veronica Black of Families Thrive unpack the emotional landscape of the holiday season for children in foster care. With some insights from current foster parents, they explore how to navigate holiday triggers, maintain healthy ties with biological families, and create new traditions that help kids feel seen and secure. ✨ What You’ll Learn: Why holidays can bring mixed emotions for foster children How small gestures—like shared traditions or inclusive conversations—can nurture belonging Ways to honor biological family connections while building new memories The importance of community support and awareness during the season This episode reminds us that while gifts and gatherings may fade, the feeling of being loved and included lasts forever. 🔗 Resources: Celebrate foster and adoptive families at the Families Thrive Heart & Home Gala — November 1st at 6 PM at the Rochester Riverside Convention Center. Reserve your seat today at 👉 ⁠www.familiesthriveinc.org Chapters: 0:00 Holiday Challenges for Foster Families 3:39 When Holidays Feel Different in Foster Care 12:20 Handling Emotional Triggers During the Season 16:59 Joys and Struggles of Holiday Parenting 19:56 Blending Traditions and Family Connections 21:29 Navigating Cultural Differences at the Holidays 28:18 Community Support That Makes the Season Bright Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    40 min

  8. 10/18/2025

    Why I Said Yes to Being a Single Foster Parent

    Ep. 2 For Monique Burney, the desire to become a foster mom came from personal experience—she grew up in foster care herself and understood the power of keeping siblings together. What she didn’t know was whether she qualified to do it on her own as a single parent. In this heartfelt episode of Licensed to Love, Monique shares how her path to fostering began with that question—and how a conversation with Families Thrive’s Director of Program Services, Veronica Black, helped her see that love, patience, and stability are what truly make a family. Joined by Executive Director Lauri McKnight, Veronica also breaks down the first steps of the foster care journey, explaining what to expect at an informational meeting, what the training process involves, and the biggest myths they work to debunk every day. 🎟️ Join the Movement: Celebrate foster and adoptive families at the Families Thrive Heart & Home Gala — November 1st at 6 PM at the Rochester Riverside Convention Center. Reserve your seat today at 👉 ⁠www.familiesthriveinc.org⁠ 💛 Key Takeaways: What really happens at an informational meeting The training process for becoming a foster or adoptive parent How Families Thrive matches children with foster families The truth about single, same-sex, or non-traditional foster parents How love and structure can change a child’s life Chapters: 0:00 Why I Said Yes to Becoming a Single Foster Parent 4:21 The Informational Meeting 7:02 Holistic Foster Placement: Matching Child Needs With Family Dynamics 10:23 Investing in Their Future 16:18 Blessings and Challenges of Foster Care 22:17 Fears and Misconceptions in Foster Parenting 24:34 Families Thrive Provides Comprehensive Support for Foster Parents 28:38 Fostering Journeys: Challenges, Commitments, and Transformations 34:54 Impact of Nurturing and Building Relationships on Children 39:57 Heart & Home Gala November 1 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    42 min

  9. 08/29/2025

    Connecting Foster Children with Adoptive Parents Since 1972

    Ep. 1 In this debut episode of License to Love, hosts Lauri McKnight (Executive Director) and Veronica Black (Director of Program Services) of Families Thrive share the inspiring journey of how their organization evolved from Children Awaiting Parents into a comprehensive foster care and adoption agency. With decades of combined experience, Lauri and Veronica open the door to what fostering and adoption look like in New York State today. From advocating for sibling groups and minority children to creating support models that nurture both kids and families, their work continues to transform lives and communities. ✨ Key Takeaways Families Thrive has expanded from an adoption exchange into a licensed foster care and adoption agency. The organization pioneered visibility for children in care through resources like the CAT book, which inspired NY State’s Blue Book. Their approach focuses on family strengths and children’s needs—never just “bed availability.” Innovative support programs like coach visitation and family team meetings help families succeed long term. 💬 Notable Quotes “Our mission is to demystify the process of gaining your license to foster or adopt in New York State.” – Lauri McKnight “Families Thrive is not just about putting kids in homes; it's about creating safe, nurturing environments.” – Veronica Black 🔗 Resources 🌐 FamiliesThrive.org  💙 Wendy’s Wonderful Kids Program: https://www.davethomasfoundation.org/how-we-help/wendys-wonderful-kids/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    17 min

  10. TRAILER

    Licensed to Love Trailer

    Have you ever felt called to do more? To open your heart—and your home—to a child who needs love and stability? Meet Lauri & Veronica, two moms with decades of lived and professional experience in foster care and adoption. As executives at Families Thrive Inc, they’re guiding future parents through the real journey of fostering and adoption in New York State. Because every child deserves a safe, loving home. 💛 Licensed to Love is your inside look at what it takes to become a foster parent: the steps, the stories, the challenges, and the joy of making a lasting difference. 📅 Episode 1 drops Friday, August 29 on the JazzCast Pros Network. Connect with us: Instagram Facebook LinkedIn: (24) Families Thrive, Inc.: Overview | LinkedIn Music from #Uppbeathttps://uppbeat.io/t/evoli/vancouver License code: OP7TONLRWONEVAYD https://uppbeat.io/t/northwestern/the-drive-homeLicense code: NB4UXXO92DPEWR1A Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    2 min

Trailer

About

What does it really take to open your home—and your heart—to a child in foster care? Licensed to Love is the podcast for future foster and adoptive parents who want to understand the foster care system, build trauma-informed parenting skills, and create safe, loving homes for children who need them most. New episodes every 2nd and 4th Friday of the month on the JazzCast Pros Network. Hosted by Lauri and Veronica—directors at Families Thrive Inc., a leading foster care and adoption agency in Rochester, New York—each episode blends real stories from foster youth, birth families, and licensed caregivers with expert guidance drawn from decades of experience helping children find permanent, loving homes. Topics Include: ✅ How to become a licensed foster parent in New York ✅ What to expect during your home study and training ✅ Supporting teens and keeping sibling groups together ✅ The truth about family reunification and the Families First Act ✅ Navigating trauma, grief, and resilience ✅ Preparing youth for adulthood and aging out of the system Whether you’re just starting to explore foster parenting, deep in the licensing process, or preparing for adoption, Licensed to Love gives you the tools, encouragement, and clarity to say yes—with heart and confidence. Because love isn’t just a feeling—it’s a commitment. And every child deserves a place to belong. About Families Thrive Inc. Based in Rochester, NY, Families Thrive recruits foster and adoptive families for children in the foster care system ages 0 to 21. We place referred children in a loving home temporarily with a goal to return to a family member. When children cannot return or are waiting for a family, we provide pre-to-post adoption services and work closely with families through the entire process. Families Thrive offers services and training to our families and skill-building to the children. We host a Wendy’s Wonderful Kids recruiter on staff to find resources for children waiting for a family. With two sites in Rochester and the Finger Lakes, our mission is always to provide children with a kin family connection or find a permanent loving place to belong. Donate at: https://givebutter.com/FamiliesThriveDonation Connect with us on Social Media Instagram Facebook Families Thrive, Inc,| LinkedIn Music from #Uppbeat⁠https://uppbeat.io/t/evoli/vancouver ⁠ License code: OP7TONLRWONEVAYD

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