The child welfare system is far from perfect. However, numerous individuals, agency workers, and organizations like us are working faithfully to help support and uplift the children and families within that system.
Our guest today knows this system intimately, as he has worked within it for over 40 years.
Norm Suire worked first at Elgin Mental Health Center before transitioning to the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS). With a lifetime of experience in child welfare, Norm brings such wisdom and honesty about both the joys and challenges of this work. He is also a husband and father of three sons and a proud grandfather of five.
In this episode, Norm shares practical advice for the day-to-day life of a foster parent, insights into how agency and social workers are required to operate within the system, an encouraging perspective to adopt as we work with children and families, and much more.
TAKEAWAYS FROM TODAY’S CONVERSATION:
1. We all share the same core mission.
Whether you were drawn to the foster care community because you are responding to the biblical call to serve children in need or you simply have a heart for supporting vulnerable families in your area, we all share the same core purpose—serving our neighbors. From agency workers to social workers, doctors, judges, therapists, foster parents, support organizations, churches, providers of respite care, and more, it’s important to remember that, although our specific roles may differ, we all desire the best possible outcome for the children and families involved in the child welfare system.
“The entire demeanor of the operation between foster parents and DCFS staff should be a reciprocal one of servanthood.”
2. God is in the business of redemption.
How beautiful is it to be a part of the work God is doing to redeem and transform? While we may not always see the entire portrait, it’s so encouraging to know that He is constantly at work, healing the brokenness we see each day bit by bit. This is true for the child who enters into the child welfare system as well as for their biological parents. It’s true for each and every one of us—as we are all broken and in need of God’s grace and restoration.
“It’s vital for foster parents to view what they are doing redemptively, not only for the child but for the entire birth family.”
3. Take the time to fill up your cup.
We’ve seen it time and time again where good people get burnt out because they did not have a solid support system to lean on. This is especially true of agency workers, but it applies to everyone in the foster care community. You cannot pour from an empty cup, and if you don’t take the time to rest and recharge, it could result in burnout—negatively impacting your wellbeing and impairing your ability to extend meaningful support to others.
“One of the curses of trying to do too much is that we do not have the reserves to be fully present. As a result, you will rush through and be more harsh.”
Meet Our Guest
Norm Suire has spent over 40 years serving children and families in Illinois. He worked first at Elgin Mental Health Center before transitioning to the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS). With a lifetime of experience in child welfare, Norm brings such wisdom and honesty about both the joys and challenges of this work. He is also a husband and father of three sons and a proud grandfather of five.
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