Foster parents from 10 jurisdictions across the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia were honored today by the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (COG) Board of Directors as the region’s 2019 Foster Parents of the Year.

COG partners with local and state child welfare agencies around the region to recognize these outstanding parents on an annual basis. Child welfare workers strive to keep families together, but when that it not possible foster families can provide the necessary support. In the region, the number of children in foster care has declined by 47 percent since 2008, according to data compiled by COG.

“These outstanding foster parents have gone above and beyond to provide children a safe and nurturing home until they can be reunified with their birth family or achieve permanency through adoption or guardianship,” said COG Community Planning and Services Director Paul DesJardin. “We appreciate their service to the region and making a difference in these children’s lives.”

The 2019 Foster Parents of the Year are listed below with a summary from their award nominations.  Videos and photos of each family can be found here: www.facebook.com/mwcog.

City of Alexandria Foster Parents of the Year: Michael and Jennifer Ohaneson

During 2018, Michael and Jennifer Ohaneson provided a safe and loving home to Child Protective Services prevention placements and one foster care placement. One of the prevention placements was a premature infant who was released from the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit with medications. The Ohanesons also have their own children, so taking on a prevention respite placement with medical needs was quite a challenge, but they rose to the challenge with outstanding success.

Arlington County Foster Parent of the Year: Heidi Kaplan

Heidi Kaplan has been a foster parent for Arlington County since 2015. During this time, Heidi has welcomed two school age children into her family. Then, Kaplan was asked to foster a sibling group of teenagers. Now that the sibling group’s goal has changed, she is in the process of adoption. Kaplan has gone above expectations by keeping the sibling group connected to their family of origin, maintaining cultural connections, and even taking Spanish classes to learn how to better communicate with their family. 

Charles County Foster Parent of the Year: Darlene Terry-Weeks

As a retired police lieutenant, Darlene Terry-Weeks is skilled in crisis situations, which has at times benefited her work as a foster parent. When she received the call for the placement of an extremely fragile infant girl, Terry-Weeks immediately went to the hospital, stayed overnight, and was trained to care for the infant. Terry-Weeks takes it upon herself to reach out to a variety of medical resources to provide the best possible care for the child. She actively engages the birth mother throughout this process. Through it all, Terry-Weeks maintains the delicate balance of supporting the birth mother and continuing her commitment to this little girl.

District of Columbia Foster Parent of the Year: Aletha Cain

Aletha Cain began fostering with a sibling set of three in 1993. After six years in foster care, Cain adopted the children without hesitation. In 2011, Cain returned to foster care by providing a home to 15-year-old girl after her mother died and there were no family resources. With Cain as her mentor and care provider, the foster child’s self-esteem and grades improved. She graduated from high school and college and is currently working for D.C. Councilman David Grosso.

Fairfax County Foster Parents of the Year: Jeffrey and Shannon Anderson

Jeffrey and Shannon Anderson have eight daughters, six biological and two adopted, ranging in age from 12-years to 6 months. They opened their hearts and home to care for a 6-year-old boy diagnosed with a critical heart condition and in need of a heart transplant. Although the boy was fortunate to receive a new heart, he encountered significant complications. The Andersons spent sleepless nights by his side. Unfortunately, he recently passed away. The Anderson family is devastated as they continue to grieve this terrible loss. In honor of the Anderson’s foster son, COG will donate $2,500 to support medically fragile children within the foster care system.

Frederick County Foster Parents of the Year: Sam and Katie Jackson

As their first placement, Sam and Katie Jackson opened their home to an El Salvadorian teenage girl. The Jacksons consistently incorporate her culture into their everyday lives with traditional El Salvadorian meals, encouraging the Spanish language, and locating mentors of El Salvadorian influences. The Jacksons are teaching her how to become a strong advocate for herself and develop the self-esteem and confidence she deserves. 

Loudoun County Foster Parents of the Year: Lamont and Lillian Ford

Lamont and Lillian Ford nurture all of the foster youth that they welcome into their home. They provide their foster youth connections to their biological families and invest their time into attending meetings and advocating for all the foster youth that have resided with them. While they have had struggles, like many families who foster teens, they don’t give up and keep pushing for what is best for the child. They most recently agreed to foster a youth that needed permanency, at 17 years of age, who eventually became part of their forever family.

Montgomery County Foster Parents of the Year: Dave and Jen Brewer

Dave and Jen Brewer have been foster parents for five years. In that time, they have fostered more than 10 children, while also caring for their four biological children. Dave is serving in his second year as president of the Foster Parent Association, organizing events and training to help new foster parents. They have fostered several sibling groups, understanding the importance of keeping siblings together. When one of their previous foster children needed an adoptive placement, they knew he belonged with them. Recently, the Brewers had a newborn girl placed with them, who has had severe medical complications. The Brewers remained by her side as she received medical treatment.

Prince George’s County Foster Parent of the Year: Gloria Thaxton

For more than fifteen years, Gloria Thaxton has never turned down the request for a youth placement, no matter the circumstances or challenges. Thaxton willingly shares her home with any youth who needs a place to stay whether it is for a night or a year. Thaxton understands that families make people whole and she strives to provide a family lifestyle for all youth who are welcomed into her home.

Prince William County Foster Parents of the Year: John and Christina Hayes  

John and Christina Hayes originally requested to care for young children and infants, but when they were asked to take care of a 15-year-old, special needs child, they immediately agreed. They made sure that all of his medical and educational needs were met in addition to participating in activities like basketball, baseball, and golf. They have worked with both of his biological parents to make sure they continue to be involved in his life. He is now 18 years old and they want him to remain with them as part of their family. In addition, the Hayes family welcomed a three-week-old baby girl, who was placed with them last October.