In collaboration with WHCP Cambridge Community Radio, in Maryland, Foster Care Alumni of America (FCAA) has launched a radio show pilot project called Foster Stories.
The show will tell the stories of the many facets of foster care in America and all of the people touched by and involved in the child welfare system. By creating podcasts of the show, Foster Stories will open a window into the world of foster care for individuals and communities all over the country who want to help improve outcomes for children at risk of foster care, in foster care, and those who have already left the system.
FCAA is seeking individuals who have a story to tell about their foster care experience. These can include stories from alumni of care, foster parents, social workers, policy makers, legislators, lawyers, CASA volunteers, judges, parents, siblings, or relatives.
Stories:
- Must be true
- Should not slander anyone
- Can be anonymous or not
- Should be a maximum of four minutes
- Can be about any personal experience related to foster care, but should be focused and specific
If you know someone who would like to share their foster care story of hope, healing, resilience, inspiration, wellbeing or best practice, please send questions or your recorded audio file to fosterstories@whcp.org.
FCAA will not pay anyone to share their story or sell the stories, and we will obtain a written release before sharing the stories. These stories, or portions of the stories, may be shared for free with other radio stations, as podcasts, or on the internet.
Tips for recording stories:
- Write your story down in your own words.
- Break the story up into short sentences of bullet points. Use the bullet points to tell your story, but do not read them word for word. If the story is written and then read, the listener can tell that you are reading your story instead of telling it.
- Use “do not” instead of “don’t or can’t.” They are more clear to the listener.
- Speak simply, use short sentences, and minimize complicated language. The listener absorbs content in no more than six second intervals.
