Jazz is a dedicated and seasoned foster parent with 14 years of experience, specializing in children with extensive trauma, medical needs, challenging behaviors, and teens. Throughout her fostering journey, she has welcomed over 100 children into her home, providing them with love, stability, and the support they need to thrive.
In her role as President of FPAWS, Jazz brings a wealth of knowledge and a deep commitment to systemic change. She is a passionate advocate for better resources for foster families, foster youth, and kinship families. Leveraging her skills as a business professional and community advocate, Jazz fosters a diverse and inclusive environment within FPAWS.
Jazz’s firsthand experience with the challenges faced by foster parents drives her mission to create a win-win situation for all involved. Her leadership style emphasizes collaboration and innovation, ensuring that all foster and kinship families receive the support necessary to help youth in care flourish.
Beyond her professional commitments, Jazz and her husband have a blended family of four adult children—two biological and two adopted—and are proud grandparents to four grandchildren. Jazz’s personal and professional life is dedicated to inspiring others and creating lasting, positive change in the foster care system.
Mary is a foster parent in Region 3 who cares for Developmentally Delayed Treatment Foster youth. Mary is the voice at the end of the FPAWS 800-391-2273 line. She talks with over 2000 people per year. Mary is a volunteer on the task force for educating foster families concerning the mental health system through the Bright Futures grant. She has been a therapeutic foster parent for over 13 years and has fostered over 35 children specializing in developmental delays and mental health issues. She developed and coordinated a respite program for children from families impacted by mental health issues with Compass Mental Health. She has been a trainer and advocate for families with special needs children; assisting with resolution of Special Education and IEP issues, since 1977. Currently, she is developing a foster family support program, “Heart Beat” in Snohomish County for foster/kinship families with Native American children.
Sarah and Bob Gammons-Reese are dedicated foster and adoptive parents who have welcomed children, including those with medical needs, into their home. Their unwavering commitment to providing a nurturing and supportive environment has made a significant impact on the lives of the children they care for.
As Vice Presidents of FPAWS, Sarah and Bob are deeply committed to the organization’s mission. Sarah is actively involved in the legal system, advocating for youth daily. Her extensive experience and dedication ensure that the voices of foster children are heard and their needs are met. Together, they have been instrumental in supporting legislative efforts aimed at improving services and resources for the foster community.
Their combined compassion, commitment, and advocacy work make Sarah and Bob invaluable advocates and role models within the foster care system. Their efforts continue to inspire and drive positive change for foster families and the children they support.
Shala and her family fostered over 50 children and are the adoptive family of a sibling group of 3. In serving as the Program Director of Fostering Together, Shala was able to serve foster parents in a wide variety of ways. Including training, events, support groups, and other resources. Advocating for foster parents and helping them to keep fostering. In addition, Shala served for 10 years as a representative for Region 3 for Washington State’s 1624 Foster Parent Consultation Team and recently became a board member for the Foster Parent Association of Washington State (FPAWS). Currently, she is the Executive Director of the non-profit organization Foster Hearts, who serve foster children in the Pacific Northwest.
Jac is a professional programmer and foster parent in Seattle. After she and her partner were licensed in 2018, she reached out to FPAWS hoping to turn fpaws.org into a broad source of information for everyone involved in foster care in Washington. She has also volunteered with Treehouse for several years.
