Nikki MacKay & Amanda Walker help bring awareness to foster care in Utah

May is National Foster Care Awareness Month and in this week's episode, Utah's First Lady, Abby Cox, is joined by Nikki MacKay (Director of Retention Services) & Amanda Walker (Brand & Marketing Manager) with Utah Foster Care to talk about what influenced them to work in foster care, some of the challenges that they face on any given day, and the various considerations that determine whether a child should be removed from a home.

Then we talk about the need to identify and understand signs of trauma, some of the most significant needs within the foster care community, and why it's imperative to support underrepresented groups during such difficult moments in their lives.

We also dive into the differences between Utah Foster Care and the Division of Child and Family Services and how a healthy and loving family can have on a foster child.

To learn more about becoming a foster parent or get more information from Utah Foster Care, you can visit their website (https://utahfostercare.org/) or call 1(877) 505-5437.

You can also learn more about the Division of Child and Family Services you can visit their website here https://dcfs.utah.gov/ and if you suspect child abuse or neglect is occurring please call the DCFS 24/7 hotline at 1-855-323-3237.

For more information on National Foster Care Month, you can also visit: https://www.childwelfare.gov/fostercaremonth/

See our website for privacy information.

Join Utah’s First Lady Abby Cox and her friends for timely and candid conversations with fascinating people with unique perspectives in an effort to unite us all through our common humanity. Each week, Abby dives into discussions on topics ranging from education to motherhood to mental health and beyond. 

Abby is an outspoken advocate for “getting proximate” with people who have different viewpoints, and using her platform as Utah’s First Lady to combat the empathy crisis our country is facing. 

Come along with us as we journey to bring courage, compassion and connection back into our homes and communities... and have a lot of fun along the way! THANK YOU for being our friend.