#USA #Meg Ryan #Foster Care #Buckhorn Therapeutic Care #Buckhorn

Shifting Perspectives on Foster Care

In the latest episode of the acclaimed Public Television series, Empowered with Meg Ryan, viewers will embark on a journey that challenges the traditional views surrounding foster care. This particular segment shines a spotlight on Buckhorn Therapeutic Care, emphasizing the resilience of children in foster care and the critical role that supportive families can play in their lives.

Understanding the Need for Foster Families

This episode addresses a pressing national issue: the urgent need for more foster families to support children who have faced trauma in their young lives. Too often, society views these children through a narrow lens, focusing on behavioral challenges without understanding the experiences that contribute to them. By reframing the conversation, the program aims to promote a deeper understanding that many behaviors are actually responses to trauma, rather than intrinsic flaws in character.

Illuminating Resilience and Potential

The production is set to take place in Buckhorn, Kentucky in October 2025, where audiences will witness how Buckhorn Therapeutic Care provides a nurturing, consistent, and safe environment for foster children. Through evidence-based therapies and in-home services, Buckhorn illustrates the significance of stability and trauma-informed care. This support enables children to confront their past challenges and promotes their individual growth and development.

Joy Delisle, CEO of Buckhorn, advocates for the need to see every child as an individual rather than a behavioral issue that needs fixing. She emphasizes the importance of opening hearts and homes to these children, allowing them the opportunity to thrive just like their peers who come from traditional family settings. Buckhorn reaches out to potential foster families with a heartfelt message: “Every child deserves to be seen as an individual, and not as a behavior problem.”

The Comprehensive Approach of Buckhorn

Buckhorn's rich history dates back to its founding in 1902 as an orphanage and school for underserved children in Appalachia. Over the years, it has evolved into a multifaceted organization offering various services, including foster care, family preservation, and treatment for adults struggling with substance use disorders. The legacy of Buckhorn symbolizes its commitment to a holistic approach towards care—one that is individualized and adaptable to meet the needs of each child.

The organization’s Family Preservation Program provides crisis intervention support aimed at keeping families together wherever possible, showcasing Buckhorn's dedication to preventive measures in child welfare. By addressing the issues that can lead to family separation in the first place, Buckhorn positions itself as a leader in innovative and compassionate care.

Encouraging Community Support and Education

This segment of Empowered with Meg Ryan aims not only to enlighten viewers about the complexities of foster care but also to urge potential foster parents, financial supporters, and policymakers to recognize the profound impact they can have on children’s lives. With the right environment, every child has the potential to flourish and redefine their future based on their strengths rather than their past circumstances.

As Buckhorn Therapeutic Care continues its mission, it remains steadfast in the belief that all children deserve love, security, and the chance to achieve their utmost potential. The program calls upon the community to consider becoming part of this transformative journey, ultimately fostering a culture of compassion and support for children in need.