From Foster Mom to DHS: Serving People with Dignity | Denise Cook | Episode 8

People aren’t problems to fix—they’re stories to honor.Denise Cook has spent decades helping people on the margins: foster mom and adoptive parent, front-desk triage at Lifeways, I/DD service coordination, and now Oregon DHS helping families access SNAP, Medicaid, and TANF. We dig into how relationships—not labels—move people forward.What we cover:Foster care realities: “honeymoon period,” reunification, adoption before aging outI/DD support: autism “superpowers,” building independence, true inclusionAddiction & recovery: respect at the front desk, showing dignity in shamePractical resources: SNAP/Medicaid/TANF, food banks, community & church partnershipsThe antidote to isolation: why face-to-face relationships still matterIf this helped you, share it with someone who’s carrying a lot right now.🎙️ The Brenton Peck Podcast — stories that change us🔔 Subscribe for full conversations every Sunday & daily clips🌐 www.brentonpeckpodcast.com#brentonpeckpodcast #fostercare #adoption #humanservices #medicaid #autismacceptance #downsyndrome #addictionrecovery #mentalhealth #homelessness #community