We were lucky to catch up with Dani Washington recently and have shared our conversation below.

Dani, appreciate you joining us today. We’d love to have you retell us the story behind how you came up with the idea for your business, I think our audience would really enjoy hearing the backstory.

My journey into foster care started as a kinship caretaker, where I witnessed firsthand the struggles and challenges that children in the foster care system face. As a foster parent and eventually a PMC, my passion for helping these children and their families only grew stronger.

However, I soon realized that there was a gap in the system. Foster parents were often left to navigate the complex and overwhelming process of documenting, scheduling, and communicating on their own. I knew that there had to be a better way to support these families and ensure the success of the children in their care.

That’s when the idea for Foster Accountability was born. I wanted to provide foster families with the tools and technology they needed to make the process easier and more efficient. I created the Foster Accountability app to streamline everything from scheduling to reporting on the children’s progress, all in one convenient platform.

But I didn’t stop there. I also knew that foster children needed more than just practical support. They needed emotional support and affirmation to help them navigate the challenges of the foster care system. That’s why I created the IAmLoved Affirmation Comfort Kits, which provide children with cozy pillows, notebooks for creative expression, and powerful affirmations to remind them of their worth and value.

I knew that I was offering a unique approach to support foster families, and I felt that this was a worthwhile endeavor because I was filling a gap in the system that no one else was addressing. But most importantly, I knew that I was making a difference in the lives of these children and their families, and that’s what got me most excited.

I believe that it takes a village to raise a child, especially for those in the foster care system. And I’m proud to say that Foster Accountability is a part of that village, helping to make a positive impact on the lives of these children and their families.

Dani, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I’m Dani, the founder of Foster Accountability, a company that provides innovative tools and technology for foster care families to help improve the lives of children in their care. I started as a kinship care parent, became a foster parent, and then a PMC, and during my journey, I saw firsthand the struggles and challenges that foster families and children face.

Foster Accountability’s flagship product is our app, which streamlines the process of documenting, scheduling, communicating, and reporting on the children’s progress. It saves time, reduces stress, and provides foster families with the support they need to provide the best care possible.

But we also recognize that foster children need more than just practical support. That’s why we created the IAmLoved Affirmation Comfort Kits, which include cozy pillows, notebooks for creative expression, and powerful affirmations to remind children of their worth and value, even during difficult times.

What sets Foster Accountability apart from others is our focus on innovation and a deep commitment to making a positive impact on the lives of foster families and children. We are passionate about providing solutions that address the unique challenges of the foster care system, and we work closely with organizations to ensure that our products meet the needs of the families they serve.

I am most proud of the impact we’ve been able to make on the lives of foster families and children so far. It’s truly inspiring to see the positive feedback we receive from families who use our app and comfort kits.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

One of the most challenging moments in my journey with Foster Accountability was losing $12,000 while working with two developers for the app. The first developer failed to deliver on their promises, and the second one completely disappeared after the final payment. I was left with no app and a significant financial loss. But instead of giving up, I chose to be resilient.

Despite the lack of funding, I continued to pursue my goal of creating innovative tools and technology to support foster families and the children in their care. As I brainstormed fundraising ideas, I came up with the concept of the IAmLoved Affirmation kits. These kits include cozy pillows, notebooks for creative expression, and powerful affirmations to remind children of their worth and value, even during difficult times. I realized that these kits could be a source of comfort and support not only for foster children but for all children.

Although the journey was not easy, I am proud of the resilience I demonstrated. I didn’t let the setbacks stop me from achieving my goal of supporting children and foster families. Instead, I found a way to pivot and create something new and impactful. It’s a reminder that even in the face of adversity, our goals and passions can be a driving force to push us forward..

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

When I initially started Foster Accountability, my focus was on creating an app to help foster families document, schedule, communicate, and report on the progress of the children in their care. However, as I delved deeper into this work, I realized that my passion extended beyond just creating an app.

I became more passionate about supporting children, foster children, and their families, I realized that my true calling is to shift my focus and create an entire nonprofit organization. This organization is dedicated to helping all children unlock their full potential, find their voice, walk in their purpose, and shape their destiny.

As a result, Foster Accountability is now in the process of pivoting to a nonprofit organization that is committed to providing comprehensive and compassionate support to families who are navigating the foster care system. Our mission is to ensure that all children have access to the resources and tools they need to reach their full potential. We provide innovative technology and tools that empower caregivers and caseworkers to better support the children in their care. We believe that every child deserves to have the opportunity to succeed, and we are committed to making that a reality.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://iFosteriCare.com
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/fosteraccountability
• Facebook: https://Facebook.com/fosteraccountability
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danireignswashington
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/ifostericare
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@fosteraccountability8442
• Other: https://iFosteriCare.app

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