Featured Foster Family: Tammy and Josh
Meet Family Works foster parents Tammy and Josh. They are experienced foster parents and have been doing foster care for many years. They live in the Menomonie area and have been doing foster care with Family Works for about 8 years. Before coming to Family Works, they provided foster care for several years with other agencies.
What Inspired you?
Tammy and Josh started their foster care journey almost 15 years ago with another foster care agency before transferring their license to Family Works in Spring of 2018. They share that they started this process because they love children and wanted to help them feel safe while also rediscovering their inner joy. Josh grew up knowing a family who provided care to foster children, so they began this process by talking with them about their experiences and perspectives. After meeting with this family and gathering more information about the foster care system, they moved on to finding a foster care agency that they wanted to work with. After meeting with an agency and attending an informational meeting, they signed up and their foster care journey began!
Family Time
Tammy and Josh have a large family. They have been blessed with nine children. Three of their children were adopted through foster care that are still in the home today. Tammy and Josh also have two dogs and three cats that love to be the center of attention. “Family is at the center of everything we do. Our family continues to grow, and we are excitedly awaiting our 15th grandbaby this March”.
Their family enjoys spending a lot of time outdoors. They love camping, swimming, and going on adventures. They also enjoy working together as a family at the Wisconsin Foster Closet in Menominee.
Why Continue?
“We remain involved in foster care because of the children.” They share that each child brings a new perspective, new emotions, and new opportunities for growth for both the child, but also for them as well. Watching children begin to find themselves, heal, and grow is what keeps them going. They share that they hope they are making a difference not only in each child’s life, but also within the foster care system as a whole.
Words of Advice
- Talk with other foster families to gain perspective.
- Start by providing respite care and/or volunteer with agencies that support children and foster families.
- Build a strong support team.
- Communicate openly with your workers and loved ones and never try to do it alone.
Why Family Works?
“We are especially grateful for Family Works. Their team truly cares—not just about the system or funding, but about the children and families they serve. That heart-centered support makes all the difference”.
Family Works Social Worker says:
“Tammy and Josh have opened their home to many children of different ages and abilities throughout the years, and we truly cannot thank them enough. They consistently provide a supportive, nurturing, and loving environment to every child who walks through their front door. Children welcomed into their home feel like nothing less than family, as they are included in so many aspects of daily life and family activities. Tammy and Josh show an exceptional level of dedication to foster children and youth, both at the state level and within their own home, and their commitment makes a lasting difference in the lives of the children they serve.” – Lisa, Family Works Social Worker