Debbie Carrell

Foster Parent

Specializing in: Teenagers, Aging Out, School Problems, Difficult Cases, Trauma Informed, Special Education, Boundary Setting

**NOTE: Debbie Carrell is not comfortable mentoring someone who is dealing with drug abuse.

A relative of ours entered foster care at the age of seven. My son, who was in the same first-grade class, welcomed him into our home through relative placement. Over time, we became his adoptive parents and obtained our foster care license. Our family has grown through the adoption of five children, and we hold dear the many others we’ve cared for. We have been fostering for more than 23 years.

In the past, we’ve taken in teenagers, but in recent years, we’ve focused on children in elementary and middle school. After 37 years of teaching special education, I retired, having spent 20 years at Special Day schools in Cherokee and Girard, Kansas. My expertise lies in trauma-informed care, understanding the origins and reasons behind behaviors, which are often rooted in fear. This knowledge extends to how the brain reacts to trauma.

Our household emphasizes an “Integrity Bucket,” highlighting five key behaviors: honesty, dependability, responsibility, reliability and kindness. This concept is linked to the Circles of Responsibility, where privileges are granted as one progresses through these circles. We maintain a no-phone policy until such privileges are earned.

Currently, I serve as a co-pastor at the Pittsburg Community of Christ church, which occupies much of my free time. We share our home with four dogs. My hobbies include quilting, crocheting, reading, crafting, gardening and relaxing on my beautiful deck.

Looking back on this journey, I wish I had known the extent of time dedicated to others and the privacy sacrificed. We embrace this path as a service to others, but it’s certainly not without its challenges.