For nearly three decades, Tracie and Dave Wyatt have made significant contributions to the foster care system, helping countless children in need. Their journey into the world of foster parenting began even before their marriage, driven by the necessity to provide a safe and loving environment for a young girl in distress.
The Start of Their Journey: While they were still dating, Tracie and Dave decided to take their first fostering class together, motivated by a strong desire to make a positive impact on children who had endured extreme hardships.
After obtaining their fostering license through Lutheran Services, they quickly welcomed their first foster children, two sisters aged 15 and 16. Tracie recalls, “The motivation behind our involvement in foster care stemmed from seeing the pain and suffering that kids and teenagers had gone through.”
Since 1997, Tracie and Dave have opened their home to between 30 and 40 children, with a particular focus on teenagers and medically fragile kids. Tracie emphasizes that teenagers often get overlooked in the foster care system and are unfairly judged. She notes, “Often, it’s not about what these teenagers did; it’s about what we, as a society, failed to do when we saw a child in need.”
Continuing to Make an Impact: Among their numerous success stories, one stands out significantly. Tracie and Dave welcomed a teenage girl who had been struggling with abuse and drug issues. With their support, she transformed into an honor student, traveled to Europe with her school’s singing group, and earned a full scholarship to Washburn University. Tracie and Dave are heavily involved in the care of medically fragile children, working closely with Children’s Mercy Hospital to ensure each child receives the necessary medical attention.
Their foster care worker, Hannah Hecker, plays an essential role by visiting weekly and forming strong bonds with the children. “Hannah checks in with me every week, and when she visits, she interacts with the kids, even our non-verbal ones,” Tracie explains about Hannah Hecker. “She does a fantastic job, so I genuinely believe that having support from your agency is crucial.”
Currently, they are fostering several children who are medically fragile and require continuous care. In 2009, Tracie pursued a nursing degree to better understand and serve these children, enabling her to provide even better care.
Challenges and Achievements: After more than 15 years of fostering, the Wyatt family encountered an unexpected challenge that forced them to pause their journey. In 2012, their home was tragically affected by a fire, but thankfully, everyone was unharmed. Although taking a break was difficult, it was necessary for healing and rebuilding. After years of uncertainty and loss and challenges, Tracie and Dave made the heartfelt decision to foster again. Their resilience and compassion continue to inspire as they dedicate themselves to making a difference in the lives of vulnerable youth.
The Importance of Support: Tracie emphasized the critical role of family support in their fostering journey and expressed gratitude for her parents, who were also therapeutic foster parents. Tracie’s parents live with them, and her father has a nightly routine of saying goodnight to all the children, spreading love and stability within the home. One of the children gets so excited when he hears Tracie’s dad coming down the hall and knows it is him because of the
sound of his boots. The child starts to turn his head from side to side, eagerly looking for him.
Tracie’s dad even talks about video games with one of the older boys, despite never having played a video game himself. These special moments are cherished by everyone in the family. In sharing her experiences, Tracie offers advice for new or potential foster parents.
“With the right support, the right attitude, and understanding that life isn’t always perfect, you can make a real difference in a child’s life. God never gives us more than we can handle,” says Tracie, “Once you are part of the family, YOU ARE FAMILY.”
Resilience and Commitment: Currently, Tracie and Dave are caring for multiple foster children, all with special needs. Some of the youth are close to aging out and the Wyatts have proactively identified potential guardians and are working to establish a small farm business at their home, providing him with the opportunity to develop skills and independence.
The Wyatt family’s unwavering dedication and compassionate heart have profoundly impacted the lives of countless children over nearly three decades. Their enduring legacy of hope and resilience serves as an inspiring example, motivating others to step forward and make a difference in the foster care community.
If you are interested in becoming a foster parent or learning more about it, we encourage you to visit: How To Become A Foster Parent – TFI.
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TFI is a leading child welfare agency providing experience, compassion, quality services and care. We have more than 60 years of experience strengthening families. We provide various services to the community, including foster
and kinship care, case management, adoption, clinical and behavioral health, prevention and family preservation, residential, and numerous other child welfare services.