Program Spotlight: The

Heart of the Matter — Why Our Foster Parents Foster

Herneidra Tellery has always opened her heart to children. Whether as a Sunday school teacher, a tutor, or a mentor, she has provided that extra love, nurturing, and support that all children need to thrive. When she became a foster parent for CYFS five years ago, she knew right away it would be a great fit. “I’ve spent my life surrounded by children, planting seeds of wisdom that they could take with them into their adult lives, so becoming a foster parent was the natural next progression.” What makes Herneidra even more special is the difference she makes in the lives of teens. “I quickly realized I had a calling to help support the older children in foster care — around the ages of 14 and up. They often are the ones that feel they have been left behind, and being able to help support them as they reach independence has been so rewarding,” shares Tellery.

The last few foster children living with Herneidra were part of our Transitional Foster Home program. This special service was developed to assist youth in care who have significant mental health, education, or physical health needs and needed a stable placement so they could fully engage in the services they needed. The program is designed to be shortterm — and typically each youth is living with in the foster home for less than 60 days. Herneidra, along with our other Transitional Foster Parents, are specially trained and supported by a cross disciplinary team of CYFS staff to meet the unique needs of each youth while we are recruiting and developing a longer-term solution with a relative or foster family.

For Herneidra, being part of the Transitional Foster Home program has been especially fulfilling. “The last youth in care I had as part of the Transitional program had some significant mental health challenges and was expelled from high school and had to complete his work from home. He didn’t see the value of graduating and so my goal was to plant seeds each day about how obtaining his high school diploma would be the best gift he could give himself.

I am proud to say that before he transitioned to his long-term placement, he did successfully graduate,” stated Tellery.

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Part of any teenagers role is to be challenging! That’s the nature of being a teen. Teens in foster care who have experienced trauma simply need stability and care to work through that trauma.

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You must be married and living as a stay at home parent to foster.

Not true! Foster Parents licensed by CYFS are as diverse as all families – some are single parents, some are married, some are blended families, etc. and all are valued and make a huge difference in the life of a child. Many of our foster parents work and use childcare just like everyone else!

Some biological parents have experienced as much trauma as their child in care. They are people like everyone else. They make mistakes. But just like everyone else, they learn and change if given the opportunity.

Make a Difference for Life!

Become a Foster Parent

If you have ever considered being a foster parent, we understand you likely have lot of questions. Our team is just a phone call or email away! Contact Jesse Rodriguez-Hammond at Jrodriguez-hammond@cyfsolutions.org or by calling him at 815.223.4007.