Welcome to the Kingswell Conversations, a video series that looks at the heart of foster care and adoption. Join Richard Kingswell, CEO of FosterVA and Extra Special Parents, as he clears up common myths and talks openly about what foster care is really like.
Richard shares why he chose this work, the daily realities of foster care and adoption, and what keeps him going when things get tough. Whether you are thinking about becoming a foster parent or just want to learn more, these videos offer the honest truth and the inspiration you need to help change a child's life.
Length: 30:28In this first episode, Richard Kingswell, CEO of FosterVA and Extra Special Parents (ESPVA), shares his personal “why”: the journey that brought him into the world of foster care and adoption, what drives his leadership today, and what keeps him committed to building brighter futures for children in care.
Length: 15:48In this episode, Richard Kingswell, CEO of FosterVA and Extra Special Parents (ESPVA), shares candidly about the realities of leadership in child welfare: the hardest challenges he faces as a CEO, and the moments that make it all worthwhile.
Length: 17:04In this episode, Richard Kingswell, CEO of FosterVA and Extra Special Parents (ESPVA), talks openly about what inspires him when challenges arise, both personally and professionally. From leaning on his team during crises, to finding peace in a simple walk, to living by his mantra “Life is Good,” Richard shares how he stays grounded as the leader of one of Virginia’s largest foster care and adoption agencies.
Length: 16:42In this episode, Richard Kingswell, CEO of FosterVA and Extra Special Parents (ESPVA), explains the difference between traditional foster care and therapeutic foster care (TFC), and why this higher level of care is so important for children who have experienced greater trauma or disruption.
Length: 23:02In this episode, Richard Kingswell, CEO of FosterVA and Extra Special Parents (ESPVA), explores what it really means to be trauma-informed — and why it shapes every part of the foster care and adoption journey.
Length: 17:50In this episode, Richard Kingswell, CEO of FosterVA and Extra Special Parents (ESPVA), shares how his agencies collaborate with Virginia’s Department of Social Services (DSS) across 133 jurisdictions to ensure children find safety, stability, and the right match for their needs.
Length: 15:07In this episode I walk through a typical day in the life of a foster parent. I start with the simple truth that matters most. Take the word foster away and what you have is a parent’s day. Mornings are about routine and reliability. Breakfast. School bags. A calm start. For many children that consistency builds trust and safety.
Length: 18:55In this episode, I speak directly to one of the most common questions I receive: what are agencies actually looking for in a foster parent? Spoiler alert: there is no perfect mould. Families come in many shapes and sizes, and the title that matters most is “parent.”
Length: 15:37In this episode, Richard Kingswell, CEO of FosterVA and Extra Special Parents, explains how families are supported once a child or sibling group has been placed in their home.
Length: 21:28In this episode, CEO Richard Kingswell from FosterVA and Extra Special Parents tackles five of the most common myths that stop people from exploring foster care.
Length: 16:36In this episode of Kingswell Conversations, Richard Kingswell, CEO of FosterVA and Extra Special Parents, shares his personal view on the three biggest challenges facing foster care in Virginia today.
Length: 22:16In this final episode of the first Kingswell Conversations series, CEO Richard Kingswell from FosterVA and Extra Special Parents looks ahead and shares his thoughts on the future of foster care and adoption in Virginia and beyond.