Encourage Foster Care

06/01/2026

We are thrilled to announce the 𝒈𝒓𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒐𝒑𝒆𝒏𝒊𝒏𝒈 of our new Encourage Foster Care office at 𝟕𝟑𝟏𝟕 𝐏𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐭 𝐍𝐖 𝐢𝐧 𝐌𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐨𝐧, 𝐎𝐇! This expansion represents our ongoing mission to meet the rapidly growing need for mental health services and foster care resources across the region, and we couldn’t be more excited for what’s ahead.

Encourage Foster Care and Encompass Christian Counseling celebrated the grand opening of our new office location in Massillon, OH.

06/01/2026

𝗠𝗼𝗻𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝗠𝗼𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻!

“Our kindness to others can show others the kindness of God.” – Karen Ehman

05/28/2026

Heather Huebner, Director of Operations & Recruitment, speaks to aspiring foster parents. Read as she shares her heart here: encouragefostercare.org/post/saying-yes-stepping-into-foster-care

05/27/2026

Last but certaintly not least is another one of our newest team members, 𝗞𝗮𝘁𝗹𝘆𝗻 𝗞𝘂𝗯𝗶𝘁𝘇!, Foster Care Coordinator!

1. 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁'𝘀 𝗮 𝗳𝘂𝗻 𝗳𝗮𝗰𝘁 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗲𝗹𝗳?
I lived in Japan for a year!

2. 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗶𝘀 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗳𝗮𝘃𝗼𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗲 𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝗻 𝗳𝗼𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗲?
My favorite part about working in foster care is being able to advocate for kiddos and families as well as build strong relationships with them!

05/26/2026

Today you get to know a little more about our compassionate and caring foster care aide, 𝗦𝘂𝘀𝗮𝗻 𝗥𝘂𝘀𝗹𝗲𝗿!

1. 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁'𝘀 𝗮 𝗳𝘂𝗻 𝗳𝗮𝗰𝘁 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗲𝗹𝗳?
My husband and I will be celebrating our 15th anniversary in August. We will be doing a fun trip in November to celebrate. Our fun trip starts in San Jaun Puerto!

2. 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗶𝘀 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗳𝗮𝘃𝗼𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗲 𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝗻 𝗳𝗼𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗲?
My favorite part of working in foster care is getting to spend one on one time with the kids, helping support the kids and the foster families and helping the kids feel loved and supported.

05/25/2026

Welcome back to, "Let's Talk Foster Care"! Today you get a glimpse into an Encourage staff meeting and get to meet some of our Encourage team!

05/25/2026

Today is Memorial Day. A day where we intentionally remember and honor the fallen soldiers who gave their life for their country. We honor their sacrifice as they fought to protect us and our freedom.

05/22/2026

Today we shine a spotlight on the fabulous 𝗞𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗲 𝗪𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗸𝗲, Foster Care Coordinator!

1. 𝙒𝙝𝙖𝙩'𝙨 𝙖 𝙛𝙪𝙣 𝙛𝙖𝙘𝙩 𝙖𝙗𝙤𝙪𝙩 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧𝙨𝙚𝙡𝙛?
A fun fact about me is that I love to swim. I do not usually care where I swim, sometimes skeptical in the Ocean because I am terrified of sharks lol (another fun fact)! I have taught swimming lessons for years at our Ashland YMCA. I love to see the kiddos progress and learn new skills in the water!

2. 𝙒𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙞𝙨 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙛𝙖𝙫𝙤𝙧𝙞𝙩𝙚 𝙥𝙖𝙧𝙩 𝙖𝙗𝙤𝙪𝙩 𝙬𝙤𝙧𝙠𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙞𝙣 𝙛𝙤𝙨𝙩𝙚𝙧 𝙘𝙖𝙧𝙚?
My favorite part of working in foster care is the children and the foster parents that show these kiddos from hard places so much unconditional love. The greatest part is when an adoption occurs and the kid(s) have permanency, and they finally have their forever family.

3. 𝘿𝙤 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙝𝙖𝙫𝙚 𝙖 𝙛𝙖𝙫𝙤𝙧𝙞𝙩𝙚 𝙧𝙚𝙨𝙤𝙪𝙧𝙘𝙚 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙬𝙤𝙪𝙡𝙙 𝙧𝙚𝙘𝙤𝙢𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙙 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙛𝙤𝙨𝙩𝙚𝙧 𝙘𝙖𝙧𝙚 𝙞𝙣𝙛𝙤𝙧𝙢𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣, 𝙝𝙚𝙡𝙥 𝙤𝙧 𝙨𝙪𝙥𝙥𝙤𝙧𝙩?
Pure Gift of God is a great resource for foster parents. Also, there are so many good resources, support groups, both virtual and in-person that are available for foster/ adoptive parents. If parents ever need guided where to go, the Encourage team is always willing to direct them to resources.

05/21/2026

Next up in our employee spotlights is the amazing 𝗞𝗮𝘆𝘁𝗹𝘆𝗻 𝗟𝘂𝗺𝗽𝗽, Foster Care Coordinator!

1. 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁'𝘀 𝗮 𝗳𝘂𝗻 𝗳𝗮𝗰𝘁 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗲𝗹𝗳?
I was on a billboard my senior year of high school!

2. 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗶𝘀 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗳𝗮𝘃𝗼𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗲 𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝗻 𝗳𝗼𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗲?
I love being able to support, guide, and love our families throughout the fostering journey. I love being able to advocate for the children in our foster homes and help our kiddos experience their worth in Christ every day.

3. 𝗗𝗼 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗮 𝗳𝗮𝘃𝗼𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗰𝗲 𝗼𝗿 𝗯𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘄𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗻𝗱 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗳𝗼𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗶𝗻𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻, 𝗵𝗲𝗹𝗽 𝗼𝗿 𝘀𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁?
My favorite book with fostering is Raising Kids with Big, Baffling Behaviors by Robyn Gobel. This book explains the neuroscience behind children's behaviors. The book talks about connection over control and its an easy read which I enjoyed. I also always recommend any type of TBRI classes, websites, etc. as TBRI is such a good resource for using children that have experienced trauma.