The Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments announced its 2023 Foster Parents of the Year honorees during its monthly meeting today, recognizing foster parents from 10 local jurisdictions for their dedication to the region’s foster youth.
This marks the 20th year that COG has partnered with local and state child welfare agencies to recognize exceptional foster parents on an annual basis.
“The foster parents recognized by the COG Board of Directors today exemplify the highest level of community service, dedicating themselves to nurture and uplift some of our region’s most vulnerable – children in need of a safe, supportive home,” said COG Board Chair and Montgomery County Councilmember Kate Stewart. “These parents are an integral part of the work done by our child welfare agencies to serve our children and families.”
“Foster Parents provide safe havens for children, their families, and the community. We hope that the stories of these exceptional individuals and families caring for children in foster care motivate and encourage others to embark on this journey to become foster parents,” said Dr. Regina Lawson, District of Columbia, Child and Family Services Agency, Foster Care Recruitment Supervisor, and COG Foster Care Advisory Committee Co-Chair.
While child welfare agencies strive to keep families together, foster parents provide essential support to families when that is not possible. Foster parents can offer a safe, supportive haven for children during otherwise uncertain and difficult times.
"The love, support, and stability of a foster family, even if it is for a short period of time, is essential to children in foster care. Becoming a foster parent is the greatest gift to offer a child,” said Lisa Robertson of Prince George's County’s Department of Social Services and COG Foster Care Advisory Committee Co-Chair.
Learn more about the 2023 Foster Parents of the Year in the summaries below provided by their city and county foster care agencies:
City of Alexandria Foster Parents of the Year: Emily Ward and Peter Nicewicz
Since February 2020, Emily Ward and Peter Nicewicz have advocated tirelessly to ensure their foster child’s needs are met to include safety, well-being, and permanency. In addition to educational support, they have addressed his medical needs as well as his emotional well-being. Emily and Peter are dedicated in nurturing a strong connection with the child’s birth parents and family in Texas and Honduras, traveling eight times to Texas to visit with the child’s paternal relatives. Emily and Peter actively seek out opportunities for their foster child to develop socialization skills and provide him with opportunities to develop his interests, skills, and self-esteem.
Arlington County Foster Parent of the Year: Jocelyn Cabe
Jocelyn is a single parent who has supported children of all ages since becoming a foster parent in 2018. She has the impressive ability to be the type of parent every child who joins her family needs. She was a first-time foster parent to an infant and became an expert in supporting developmental milestones; after almost a year in Jocelyn’s home, the child was able to successfully transition home. She quickly learned the importance of structure for teens and worked diligently to prepare the youth for life after care. When Jocelyn says yes to a child joining her family, she is all in and does whatever it takes. She is a strong collaborator and is endlessly resourceful.
Charles County Foster Parent of the Year: Allena Ward
Allena Ward has been a foster parent for Charles County since August 2021. Allena has been a resource parent to two youth, provided emergency respite, and remains open to other respite and emergency requests. Ms. Ward has been proactive in developing a bond and trust with the youth and is influential in helping them achieve their goals. Ward maintains frequent communication with caseworkers and attends meetings and events hosted by the department - always welcoming the opportunity to engage and network with other resource parents. Ward was a guest speaker at CCDSS’s 2022 Foster Parent Appreciation event sharing her experiences with fostering teenage youth and encouraging others to see the unique and rewarding opportunities that are present when fostering this particular age group.
District of Columbia Foster Parents of the Year: Michael & Lynda Ottey
The Otteys have been instrumental in helping to stabilize teen moms within foster care. As professional foster parents in the District of Columbia, they are very supportive and tirelessly engage with a youth's birth parents. The Otteys consistently step up and provide respite for children who are challenging to place or have had multiple placements in various settings, working with the youth to identify and manage their feelings and behaviors. The Otteys consistently team with the agency to ensure all services are in place for the children and are diligent about escorting/transporting the youth to these appointments. Many of the youth placed in their home who have later transitioned out of care continue to speak highly of the Otteys and express their gratitude.
Fairfax County Foster Parents of the Year: LaToya Berryman and Lakisha Bell
LaToya Berryman and Lakisha Bell initially became foster parents to LaToya’s nieces in 2016, later adopting the children. They felt that they had more love to give to other children who needed a safe and loving home and continued fostering. Despite demanding professional jobs, Lakisha and LaToya have created a home that is filled with love and joy, making sure that the needs of all the children in the home are met. In addition to providing them with fun and creative outlets for their energy, LaToya and Lakisha work with therapists, health professionals, and teachers to make sure that the children are reaching developmentally and socially appropriate goals. Lakisha and LaToya are understanding, thoughtful, intentional, and patient parents who strive to constantly meet the individual needs of each child.
Frederick County Foster Parents of the Year: Owen and Tyler York
On Thanksgiving Day 2021, one day after they became licensed foster parents for Frederick County, Owen and Tyler welcomed a sibling group of three young children into their home. The Yorks have made an immeasurable impact in the lives of these young siblings. The Yorks took immediate action to ensure that the children felt safe and secure while meeting their emotional, social, and physical needs. In one year, the Yorks collectively completed over 70 hours of additional resource parent training, learning to care for three active children, all of whom have significant trauma histories. The York's ability to create a loving, safe, accepting, and enriching home environment has empowered the children to openly express their joys, worries, concerns, past experiences, goals, and dreams.
Loudoun County Foster Parents of the Year: Garrett and Synovia Terry
Garrett and Synovia Terry will adjust their busy schedules at a moment’s notice to support children and youth in foster care. They consistently answer the calls in the middle of the night and change their plans in order to welcome a child into their home. In addition to fostering, they have become a natural support to youth in the Fostering Futures program. The Terrys have overcome difficult matters with patience and understanding, while being firm and consistent. They have demonstrated their support of permanency goals by going the extra mile to provide transportation for parents to attend visits with their children and modeling positive parenting techniques, and have even opened their home to children’s relatives to maintain those important connections.
Montgomery County Foster Parents of the Year: Daniel & Dionne Walsman
Daniel and Dionne Walsman have been licensed foster parents in Montgomery County since 2015. They have taken in over twenty children, including those with special needs, ranging in age from newborns to seven years old. Daniel and Dionne say that "all children should feel loved" and that they will continue to make a difference in the lives of so many vulnerable children for as long as they are able. Both continue to be dedicated to fostering a safe environment by working closely with the department, maintaining relationships with biological families, and relying on their faith. Their family, which comprises of their four biological children and one adoptive daughter, is very close-knit. Together, they all play a crucial part in providing each child that enters their home with love, patience, support, and guidance.
Prince George’s County Foster Parents of the Year: Donnell and Daniel Wallace-Powell
Donnell and Daniel Wallace-Powell became licensed Resource Parents in August 2019. Since then, they have opened their home to care for children of all ages. The couple accepted guardianship of their foster son in 2022 and continue to foster. They have gone above and beyond to provide a strong educational foundation for the children and are excellent advocates ensuring that the children’s needs are met. The Wallace-Powells also support and understand the importance of familial connections and supporting the plan of reunification. They have demonstrated this by participating in family visits and keeping the children connected to their families by maintaining an open line of communication and support with birth families. The couple both work full-time but always make time for enriching and fulfilling activities with the children to create lifelong memories.
Prince William County Foster Parents of the Year: Kristy & Carly McDowell
Kristy and Carly McDowell put the children’s needs before their own and go above and beyond to ensure that the children’s best interests are always considered. Their compassion for fostering has always been displayed in how they interact with the foster children, the department, and the biological family. They are very uplifting, positive, and patient when it comes to dealing with the foster children and their behaviors, ensuring that the children are empowered and heard. Since the children have been placed in their home, the children are more confident, and they know that there is always an adult listening to them when in need. They truly exemplify Prince William County, Virginia’s Practice Model to “partner with others to support child and family success in a system that is family-focused, child-centered community-based.”
MORE: 2023 Foster Parents of the Year Videos