Committed To Keeping Siblings Together

As a child, Courtney spent time in foster care. It changed her life. One of the most profound ways was her commitment, even as a teenager, to become a foster parent someday. She talked about it with her friends, so Cody already knew her goal to foster when they started dating in high school. He even knew how important it was to Courtney to provide a family for siblings.

As they matured, they moved closer toward their goal. Before they started fostering, Courtney and Cody completed the steps to provide respite care. Respite providers help foster families by offering overnight care when the parents need to be away or need a little time to recharge. As respite caregivers, they met three siblings in foster care. The kids’ joy and connection with each other reinforced their commitment to keeping siblings together.

After being married a few years, Cody and Courtney knew the time was right to begin fostering. They chose an agency and started the process. Later that year, they learned the three siblings they met as respite caregivers needed to move to a different home. Cody and Courtney welcomed one of the children, but workers separated the siblings for reasons outside their control. The couple advocated for the kids and made themselves available. About a year later, they learned their agency was closing. Even with two significant disappointments, they never gave up hope.

Courtney and Cody had learned a lot through their experience; they now had more confidence and knew what they were looking for in a new agency. The couple wanted to foster with an organization that emphasized reunification and keeping siblings together. They needed to decide quickly, and when they found PCHAS, they knew they were at the right place. The amount of time in training dedicated to reunification and learning ways to help children heal using Trust-Based Relational Intervention® made a big impression. What they wanted most was to be a safe place where siblings could remain together before reunifying with their birth family.

Courtney and Cody worked closely with PCHAS staff members Charlene and Brittanie to complete the steps for verification, and they got to know each other well. Charlene and Brittanie assessed the couple carefully, paying close attention to their experiences, knowledge and ability to care for the three children. They were happy to approve the family to care for three siblings when everything was complete. Brittanie says, "Their dedication to the entire family sets them apart. Courtney's personal journey highlights the significance of keeping siblings together, and their advocacy for reunification has never wavered." Brittanie and Charlene confidently advocated for the family and worked with the children’s team so all three kids could be together in Courtney and Cody’s home.

Parenting three children is not easy, but Courtney and Cody know they are doing what is best for the kids and are grateful for how Charlene and Brittanie listened with compassion and protected the children’s future. The couple quickly became active members of the PCHAS community for foster and adoptive families, and they continue learning and growing by spending time with adult adoptees and youth in foster care. Sometimes, families want to foster but don’t feel ready. Cody and Courtney encourage them to become respite providers or find ways to advocate for kids. There are many ways to help foster families and children in care, and we can all do something.

Is keeping siblings in foster care together important to you, too? Have you considered fostering or adopting? We want to get to know you! Connect with a PCHAS Foster Care & Adoption Guide at 281-324-0544 or Join An Online Info Session to learn more.