For Diane Wingert, fostering is a calling, not just a role.
“I’ve worked with children from all walks of life and over time I realized that the kids who needed the most understanding and structure often had the fewest people willing to take them in,” Wingert said.
According to Wingert, becoming a Treatment Foster Care parent with Arrow felt like the right step because it allowed her to use trauma-informed care, structure and consistency to make a difference where it truly counts.
“I did want to provide a roof and food, but more than that I wanted to provide safety, emotional regulation and hope,” Wingert said.
It can be challenging to find homes open to TFC, it asks families for more, but Wingert said that’s exactly why she’s here.
“I knew I wanted to work with children who had experienced trauma and this program equipped me to do that in a way that balances compassion with accountability,” Wingert explained. “It’s hands-on, intentional work and it fits the way I parent.”
While the work required of our TFC families isn’t easy, Wingert finds that it can be deeply rewarding.
“It’s been a journey of growth for everyone in my home,” Wingert said. “We’ve built a home that blends structure with warmth and we use Trust-Based Relational Intervention, or TBRI, strategies daily to help kids feel safe and connected.
In many cases, she finds herself in the learning seat.
“Every child who comes through my door teaches me something new about resilience, trust and grace,” Wingert said. ‘On the challenging side, every child’s trauma looks different, so there’s no one-size-fits-all approach. That’s also what keeps me growing as a caregiver.”
We asked Wingert what has been surprising in this journey as a Treatment Foster parent; it’s how healing can be seen once the child feels they are too.
Her family has learned to celebrate small victories such as a child having a positive five-day school week or them choosing to use coping strategies, or apologize, instead of shutting down.
Whether the waves are steady or a challenge arises, Wingert said Arrow is there to fill the gaps with guidance, resources and encouragement.
“I never feel like l’m doing this work alone,” Wingert said. “Arrow truly understands that TFC families need wraparound support and they’ve delivered that at every step.”
The search for more homes and hearts like Wingert’s treks on.
A piece of encouragement for families considering stepping in:
The hardest moments often lead to the most meaningful ones.
“If your heart is in the right place and you’re willing to learn, you can make a lasting impact; the training and support from Arrow will walk you through the rest.:
At Arrow, we agree with Wingert that the reward is seeing a child start to believe in themselves again; there’s nothing more powerful than that.