Posts by Marianna Litovich
What Are All These DCF Meetings?
DCF’s practices and policies with regard to foster care can be complicated and idiosyncratic. These practices are not always standardized and can vary from office to office, or even social worker to social worker. However, there are a series of typical milestones that form the backbone of how a case moves through the foster care…
Read MoreAdvocating As a Foster Parent
Being a foster parent is never an easy or straightforward experience. Inevitably, you will encounter challenges you weren’t expecting, surprises you’re not sure how to handle, and difficult situations that leave you wondering about the best course of action. The child welfare system is not perfect – many of us think it’s terribly broken –…
Read MoreWho Are All These Social Workers?
The Massachusetts Department of Children and Families (DCF) is an enormous government bureaucracy, with a number of important responsibilities that support the safety and wellbeing of children and families in Massachusetts. Although foster care is a large part of DCF’s activities, it is by no means the only part. The majority of families receiving DCF…
Read MoreMasshealth Coverage for Adopted Children
updated October 2023 Masshealth is the state Medicaid program in Massachusetts, and provides insurance coverage for anyone in the state who qualifies based on income or disability. Children adopted through foster care in Massachusetts are also eligible for insurance coverage through Masshealth, but this is a very small population within the Masshealth system. For that…
Read MoreA Different Kind of Thanks
It’s significant that Thanksgiving and National Adoption Month coincide. There is so much to be grateful for around adoption, and the spirit of giving thanks comes easily when we think about how our lives are immeasurably strengthened and enhanced by the presence of our children. I’m eternally grateful for my kids, for the experiences we’ve…
Read MoreMissing My Village: A Pandemic Story
Even though I knew it was coming, the news that learning would happen remotely in my town was a punch in the gut. Remote learning was not a painless experience for our family this past spring, and I’m not sure how we’re going to manage it this fall with three school-agers and a toddler. Many…
Read MoreStatement on Systemic Racism
Ep. 25: Meet Child Welfare Advocate and Veteran Foster/Adoptive Parent: Missy Tyler Tarjick
Hearing about Missy’s lifelong involvement in foster care and adoption is inspiring, surprising, and sometimes even jaw dropping. From her own birth family’s fostering journey to her 20-year experience as a foster, adoptive and (more recently) guardianship parent – you are bound to be amazed. Hear about how she manages her large brood (how large?…
Read MoreEp. 24: Parenting During the Times of Covid
This is not the summer any of us looked forward to. COVID-19 has been ravaging communities, and leaving families with challenges they’ve never faced before. Marianna and Kyle talk about it all, in the way only they can. FosteringAOK · Episode 24: All Our Kids podcast: Parenting during the COVID-19 pandemic Remember you can download…
Read MoreEpisode 23: Navigating Discussions of Race, Justice, and Equality as Foster Parents
The world is changing quickly, hopefully toward more justice and equality. In light of the recent murder of George Floyd, and countless other victims of systemic racism, Kyle and Marianna talk about how we are personally navigating these waters, doing our best to raise our own multiracial families to be part of the change. Take…
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