This monthly podcast series, hosted by the Field Center for Children’s Policy, Practice & Research at the University of Pennsylvania, explores resources and strategies that are effective in helping older youth in foster care prepare for aging out of the system and transitioning into adulthood.
The Field Center’s Aging Out Podcast is funded in part by a generous grant from the University of Pennsylvania’s Trustees’ Council of Penn Women. To support our podcast, go to www.fieldcenteratpenn.org and click on “Support Us”. Thank you!
Publisher
The Field Center for Children’s Policy, Practice & Research
Episode 18: Interview with Dana Lopez and Lisa Chrastina of Dogwood Ranch (Ozark, MO)
In this October 2026 episode, MSW intern Amaya Saintal interviews Dana Lopez, CEO of Dogwood Ranch, and Lisa Chrastina, Haven Care Coordinator of Dogwood Ranch. Set on 60 acres in rural Missouri, Dogwood Ranch serves teenage girls and young women who have aged out of foster care. Dana and Lisa explain why they chose Missouri, a high-need area with limited geographic access to support systems, and why exiting care at 18 often doesn’t serve young people well. They discuss how the ranch extends support to age 21 and helps residents build independence. Through a success story of a young mother who reunited with her daughter, they show how the ranch supports young women who arrive feeling defeated and guides them toward stability and success. Listeners will come away with a clearer picture of what specialized, rural, long-term support for youth aging out of foster care can look like.
21 Sept 2026
The Aging Out Podcast Trailer
Listen to the official trailer for "The Aging Out Podcast"
9 Sept 2026
Episode 17: Interview with Rob Scheer, Founder of Comfort Cases (Gaithersburg, MD)
In this September 2026 episode, MSSP intern Taryn Painter interviews Rob Scheer, Founder of Comfort Cases. Rob shares his personal journey of growing up in and aging out foster care at 18 and discusses how his individual experiences within the system led to the creation of Comfort Cases. Rob highlights how Comfort Cases supports emerging adults through the organization’s scholarship opportunities and Pathways Program and offers his perspectives on challenges facing the foster care system and opportunities for systemic change to better support youth aging out of foster care. Rob emphasizes the importance of community and mentorship for youth aging out of foster care and provides concrete steps all listeners can take to support this population.
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
7 ratings
Spotify
5.0 / 5
6 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 26 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
25
Social presence
0
YouTube
0
Engagement
68
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