Foster parents from 10 jurisdictions across the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia have been named 2021 Foster Parents of the Year by the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (COG).

"Foster parents play a crucial role in caring for children across the region," said COG Board Chair and District of Columbia Councilmember Robert C. White, Jr. "It's my pleasure to recognize this year's Foster Parents of the Year for their resilience and commitment during such a challenging year."

“I would like to congratulate all the Foster Parents of the Year throughout Virginia, Maryland, and the D.C. area,” said COG Foster Care Advisory Committee Chair and Arlington County Department of Human Services Outreach and Recruitment Specialist Erica Serrano. “Your commitment to children and their families has meant more than ever during this last year. You all are true heroes!”

Learn more about the 2021 Foster Parents of the Year and how they made a positive impact in the lives of children in need in the summaries below provided by their city and county foster care agencies.

City of Alexandria: Heather and Curtis Marshall

Heather and Curtis Marshall have gone above and beyond making their home available to four of the eight-sibling group that came into the foster care system in 2019. They have always kept a positive outlook in the home, especially when addressing any concerning behaviors with the children. Thanks to their unconditional love the children have become more caring toward others. They have provided a nurturing and judgement-free environment where the children are able to openly express themselves and begin the healing process.

Arlington County: Nathan Wiehe and Cassie Ravo

Nathan Wiehe and Cassie Ravo have been foster parents with Arlington County for just over three years.  During that time, they have shown selflessness, patience, and understanding to the youth that they serve, particularly older youth. They have thoughtfully created ways to make each foster child feel like they are an equal part of their family with the same rights and responsibilities as anyone else. For example, the Wiehe-Ravos ensure that the youth participate in meal planning and assist them in preparing a meal for the family at least once a week. The youth have expressed that this is a skill that they are thankful for receiving and will be able to take many of these recipes with them as they transition to adulthood. Their perseverance has shown that it is necessary to continue parenting despite the difficulties and conflicts they may encounter whether the child is still with them or not.

Charles County: Jenna Monroe and Camella Caudill

Jenna Monroe and Camella Caudill have provided care to a child with extensive medical needs since the child was placed in their care in December 2019. They have ensured that he attends all medical appointments and supportive services. Additionally, they are sure to incorporate activities recommended to improve motor skills. During COVID-19, Monroe and Caudill conducted multiple virtual visits per week with the youth’s parents to continue to allow the bond to develop. They have remained a support to the birth parents in their efforts towards reunification.

District of Columbia: Valencia Harvey

Valencia Harvey has been a resource parent with the Child and Family Services Agency since 2003 and became a Specialized Older Youth (SOY) resource parent in 2015. She has provided short and long-term respite services for six youth who present with challenging and therapeutic needs. She has also fostered youth who have been involved in sex trafficking, domestic violence relationships, and the juvenile court systems. Harvey is dedicated to shared parenting with birth parents and kin. She ensures that all the youth in her home are exposed to positive activities such as painting, skiing, and traveling, while also supporting their goals and aspirations. Harvey also shares the wealth of information she’s amassed over the years with resource parents who are just starting the process. 

Fairfax County: Scott and Marie Kokotajlo

Scott and Marie Kokotajlo found the right balance of nurturing and limits as they got to know each child and developed supportive, trusting relationships where the kids felt safe and cared for. They put the children’s birth family at ease as the family saw how the Kokotajlos cared for their children. As the family prepared for reunification, the Kokotajlos came alongside the children’s mother and shared parenting strategies they’d found to work well with each child. The children returned home to their mother more than a year ago and both families remain in touch giving further evidence of the strong, caring relationships the Kokotajlos have built with the whole family.

Frederick County: Jarred and Mary Ellen Callura

Jarred and Mary Ellen Callura have fostered several children and have become champions for reunification with birth parents. They understand what it means to a child when their foster parents treat their birth parents with love, grace, and respect. They enjoy celebrating the parents' accomplishments and this support has helped make it possible for the children they have fostered to reunify with their families. The Calluras remain in contact with the children and their parents after they reunify, which provides the families with another source of support during a very stressful time.

Loudoun County: Jamie and Kathryn Payton

The Payton family has gone above and beyond for years for the foster care youth in Loudoun County. They have “unofficially” supported a Fostering Futures youth who has moved out of state for college and have continued to open their home and consider him part of their family. The Paytons are collaborative in meeting this young adult’s unique medical and psychological needs immediately when their support is requested. This family has shown an unwavering willingness and enthusiasm to take in emergency placements when other families declined. They advocate for the children in their home, while being proactive in determining appropriate educational settings for them as well.

Montgomery County: Jim and Mary Jo O’Brien

Jim and Mary Jo O’Brien wanted to help older foster teens through the transition from childhood to adulthood. At the time they were licensed, however, few teens were coming into care while the need for siblings groups soared. The O’Briens opened their home to a sibling group of four young children and coordinated their transition to an adoptive family carefully during the pandemic. When the adoption plan fell through, the O’Briens welcomed the children back into their home without reservation. Throughout this challenging pandemic year, the O’Briens have remained devoted, committed, and tireless advocates for the children. They have engaged with and facilitated relationships with the birth family, which resulted in a 180-degree change to the permanency plan returning to reunification.

Prince George’s County: Ingrid Burford

Ingrid Burford has been a licensed resource parent with Prince George’s County Department of Social Services for three years. During her time as a resource parent she has been an advocate, communicator, mentor, leader, supporter, nurturer, and, most of all, committed to ensuring that the needs of children entrusted to her care are met. Burford goes above and beyond to help each child placed in her home. She calms the fears of the children in a soothing and reassuring manner. She has accepted children of all ages from infancy to adulthood, with different behaviors and mental illnesses. When she is called upon to assist with a child joining her family through placement, she is always ready and willing to open her home and heart.

Prince William County: Timothy and Jessica Woodcock

Timothy and Jessica Woodcock and their three children, Kylie, Lexie, and Logan joined the Prince William County Foster Parent Program in 2016. They have provided care for several children including a sibling group and provided respite care for many of our foster children. They continually make themselves and their home available for emergency situations that have come up no matter the day or time. The entire family are very humble and calm people who willingly display their commitment and kindness with every interaction including staff, biological families, and especially the children.