Meet our 2026 District of Columbia Foster Parent of the Year 

We are excited to announce that Ms. Michelle Jones has been named our 2026 DC Foster Parent of the Year! Ms. Jones’s steadfast commitment and genuine compassion have created lasting positive change for older youth in our community. As a dedicated resource parent, she has been a pillar in our Specialized Older Youth (SOY) program and regularly steps in as a respite provider as well. Her current household includes several older teens, and recently she played a pivotal role in helping one transition into their own apartment, a milestone achieved thanks to Ms. Jones’s encouragement and support. Her story is a testament to the tremendous impact one resource parent can have through exceptional advocacy, collaboration, and unwavering care.

Ms. Jones’s focus on supporting older youth has cultivated independence, emotional resilience, and readiness for adulthood. Her mentorship shines through her remarkable abilities—patience, empathy, teaching practical life skills, setting clear boundaries, building trust, managing trauma-informed behaviors, practicing strength-based communication, and active listening. These talents translate into tangible successes for the youth she serves, and she consistently demonstrates these skills with grace and deep understanding.

A spirit of collaboration is central to Ms. Jones’s approach. She partners closely with social workers, therapists, and agency teams to address emotional and mental health needs, always striving for the best outcomes. Ms. Jones also works with schools to ensure her youth are attending regularly, arriving on time, and making steady progress academically. Her care goes beyond everyday routines. Ms. Jones empowers older youth to schedule medical appointments and advocate for themselves, guiding them to ask questions and take notes to stay informed. She emphasizes the importance of these habits as essential preparation for adulthood and is always willing to accompany youth to appointments for extra support. Shared parenting is important to her as well—Ms. Jones actively involves immediate and extended family members, helping youth maintain strong family bonds.

Advocacy is at the heart of Ms. Jones’s work. She collaborates with each youth’s team and agency partners, always ensuring their needs are championed. She encourages youth to speak up, voice concerns, and recognize their accomplishments and areas for growth. By modeling the importance of self-advocacy, Ms. Jones equips youth with vital life skills that will serve them well into adulthood. Her care for each youth encompasses their educational, emotional, medical, and therapeutic needs, always keeping their future stability and growth in mind.  Congratulations, Ms. Jones!