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The Fisher family

The Fisher Family


I first became a foster parent in 1979 when I was working as a music therapist for a Special Education program in a school system. It was there that I met Jamie. He was a boy who needed to be removed from his home and needed a placement, so I volunteered. I was quickly licensed and began fostering him.


Soon thereafter, I met my future husband Jim and we had a great time with Jamie. Jamie was eventually moved to a long-term facility, but by then we had the “foster care bug.” Jim and I were married in 1981 and were licensed in 1985. Once we were licensed as a couple, we took pre-service training and completed a home study. This gave us a much better picture of the expectations of being a foster family as well as the child welfare system.


In 1989, we were licensed as therapeutic foster parents, which required more specialized training. We initially fostered a seven-year-old girl—what a great and fun first placement she was! We then ventured into fostering teens and found our gift. We have primarily fostered teens over the years, although there have been a few younger children.


We have found the key to success with children of any age is to first focus on building a relationship. When children first come into our home, we try to have their room ready, have another child show them around the house, and just share a few rules. During the first few days, we try to be fairly low key as we get to know each other. I try to fix the foods they like, find out their interests, etc. We are a family that likes to do many activities and are seen for most youth as a fun place to live with reasonable expectations and rules.


Our family has fostered for 23 years and adopted 3 children from the child welfare system. We adopted these children, who were teens at the time, in order to provide permanence in their lives. I believe it has been beneficial to have fostered these children prior to adopting. I am also the director of a foster care agency in Indiana and currently the President of the Board of Directors for Indiana Foster Care and Adoption Association. I love the opportunity to share my passion of making a difference in the lives of children and families through foster care and adoption. I am thankful for the privilege of being called to this meaningful ministry.