Licensed to Love: A New Podcast for Foster + Adoptive Parents from Families Thrive Inc.

Have you ever felt called to do more? To open your heart and your home to a child who needs love, safety, and stability?

Every day, children in foster care here in Rochester — and across New York State — are waiting. Waiting for family. Waiting for someone to say, “I’ve got room.” And every day, adults like you are stepping up to answer that call.

That’s the spirit behind Licensed to Love, the newest podcast on the JazzCast Pros Network, hosted by Lauri McKnight, Executive Director of Families Thrive, and Veronica Black, Director of Program Services. Together, they bring over 50 years of combined experience in child welfare, fostering, and adoption. And they don’t just speak from professional expertise—they speak from lived experience.

Lauri (pictured left) raised five children, with her own journey through adoption.

Veronica (pictured right) is a mom of four boys, three of whom she adopted. Both have walked the path they now guide others through.

Why This Podcast Matters

In Monroe County alone, there are nearly 400 children in foster care on any given day, with dozens waiting for adoptive families. Many are sibling groups, teens, or children with special needs—the very children most often overlooked.

Families Thrive, formerly Children Awaiting Parents, has a long history of making these children visible. They published the groundbreaking CAT Book, which eventually inspired New York State’s Blue Book—a statewide resource that connected waiting children with prospective families.

But visibility is only the beginning. With its evolution into a fully licensed foster care and adoption agency, Families Thrive is now creating pathways of real change:

• Training and certifying foster/adoptive parents

• Offering coaching visits and family team meetings

• Providing reintegration support when children return home

• And, most importantly, matching children to families based on strengths and needs—not just bed availability.

What to Expect:

The Licensed to Love podcast is your insider’s guide to navigating the foster care and adoption journey in New York State. Lauri and Veronica will:

✨ Share real stories from foster and adoptive parents, social workers, and children themselves

✨ Walk you step-by-step through the process of becoming licensed

✨ Provide honest, heartfelt insights—no sugarcoating—about what fostering and adoption really looks like

✨ Offer resources and encouragement to help you make informed, empowered decisions

As Veronica says:

“Families Thrive is not just about putting kids in homes; it’s about creating safe, nurturing environments.”

How You Can Get Involved

Fostering or adopting isn’t the only way to help. Here are a few steps you can take right now:

💙 Listen & Share – Subscribe to License to Love on Apple Podcasts Spotify iHeart Radio and share it with friends who might be considering foster care or adoption.

💙 Learn More – Visit FamiliesThrive.org to explore training opportunities and information sessions.

💙 Support the Mission – Spread the word, attend events, or donate to help ensure every child has a chance to thrive.

Connect with Families Thrive Inc on Social Media

Instagram

Facebook

At JazzCast Pros, our mission is to develop leaders in both their personal and professional lives. License to Love is an extension of that mission—empowering families to step into one of the most important leadership roles of all: providing love, guidance, and stability for the next generation.

👉 The first episode is available now. Listen, learn, and be inspired to answer the call.