In honor of Foster Care Month, Sierra Morgan is sharing some insights on her role as a Child Welfare/ Independent Living Skill 14+ Specialist with Adult & Child Health. Read below to learn more about the motivation behind her work, some misconceptions she sees about foster care, and the challenges and rewards of working this field.
Let’s get to know the child behind the adult! What is something you loved during your childhood?
One of my favorite things as a child was to go to Michigan with my auntie. She would come and get my brother and I from our adopted home for all my school breaks. My aunt exposed me to optimism and faith in myself.
What drew you to work in this field?
I was a part of the foster care system as a child and was blessed to be adopted by my paternal grandmother. My aunt was a family case manager in the state of Michigan where I was adopted, I used to see all the work she did for kids like me and I wanted to be like her one day.
As someone who works in child welfare, what is one message you’d like to give to parents and caretakers?
Take things slow and one day at a time. Get done what you can with what you have and reach out for help if you need it. There are a lot of good people out there wanting to help and make a difference in the community and the hardest part is reaching out for that support. But I would like parents to know that it is out there!
What are some misconceptions you think people have about foster care or about youth in the foster care system?
The misconceptions would be that we try to break up families.
The misconception that no one really cares about these kids and it’s just for a paycheck.
In your opinion, what makes someone a good foster parent?
A good foster parent is someone that takes time to care for the mental and emotional part of that youth. Being a parent is not easy but when an adult takes time to plant a seed, water the seed and grow it, that makes them a good parent.
When your work gets particularly challenging or heavy, what keeps you moving forward?
My faith in God keeps me moving, I know God is holding me and pushing me through some of my hardest times. I hold on to my faith because as a foster child myself that is all I had. My kids are my drive. I teach them no different than I would my fosters, and it feels good to my spirit.
Do you have any favorite moments or success stories from your work that you can share?
I have a client that wears a mask and hoodie all of the time, he has never taken it off for any other provider. On my fourth visit he removed his mask and allowed myself and his foster family to see his face.
Is there anything else you want to share about foster care?
Foster care changed my life; the services have come a long way from my time. I am truly blessed to be a part of something that others thought would have broken me. Here I stand with love in my heart, ready to give back to all my foster babies, reminding them anything is possible if you never give up.
Learn more about how you can help Adult & Child Health provide a safe home for foster youth here.
