Mark Daley: Navigating Foster Care: Creating Safe Spaces

Mark Daley is a social activist, entrepreneur, and foster-turned-adoptive father. He is the founder of One Iowa, the state's largest LGBTQ+ equality organization, and TheFosterParent.com, a national platform connecting families with foster organizations. He is also the author of Safe: A Memoir of Fatherhood, Foster Care, and the Risks We Take for Family. In addition to his advocacy work, Mark has collaborated with over thirty members of Congress, numerous governors, and other elected officials and served as the communications director and spokesperson for then-Senator Hillary Clinton’s 2008 presidential campaign.
In today’s episode, host Shay Beider welcomes Mark to discuss his personal story of being a foster parent. The two discuss many of the challenges that can occur within the foster care system that are highlighted in Mark’s newest book, Safe: A Memoir of Fatherhood, Foster Care, and the Risks we Take for Family. Mark shares his experience of becoming a foster parent and talks about the complex dynamics at play, including grieving someone who is still alive. He talks with Shay about the reality that several states do not allow LGBTQ+ parents to foster, which can add additional difficulties for fostering children who identify as being LGBTQ+. Finally, the duo discusses ways the community can advocate for important changes and get involved in the foster care system.

Listen to the complete episode by clicking the player above. Transcripts for this episode are available at: https://www.integrativetouch.org/conv...

Show Notes:
Look into Mark’s website: http://TheFosterParent.com
Read the book: Safe: A Memoir of Fatherhood, Foster Care, and the Risks We Take for Family: https://www.amazon.com/Safe-Memoir-Fa...
Check out an LGBTQ+ resource, The Trevor Project, here: https://give.thetrevorproject.org/giv...
Learn about the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act here: https://sites.ed.gov/idea/about-idea/...


This podcast was created by Integrative Touch (InTouch), which is changing healthcare through human connectivity. A leader in the field of integrative medicine, InTouch exists to alleviate pain and isolation for anyone affected by illness, disability or trauma. This includes kids and adults with cancers, genetic conditions, autism, cerebral palsy, traumatic stress, and other serious health issues. The founder, Shay Beider, pioneered a new therapy called Integrative Touch™Therapy that supports healing from trauma and serious illness. The organization provides proven integrative medicine therapies, education and support that fill critical healthcare gaps. Their success is driven by deep compassion, community and integrity.

Each year, InTouch reaches thousands of people at the Integrative Touch Healing Center, both in person and through Telehealth. Thanks to the incredible support of volunteers and contributors, InTouch created a unique scholarship model called Heal it Forward that brings services to people in need at little or no cost to them. To learn more or donate to Heal it Forward, please visit IntegrativeTouch.org