Fostering Our Future

LaTonya Lavendar

LaTonya originally became licensed to become a foster parent so that she could care for her niece. While her niece was under her care, LaTonya went above and beyond the call of duty to make sure her she received the services she needed, ensured that her niece was on task in school, even when this meant she had to quickly drop everything in her work schedule at a moment's notice.

After her niece was no longer in her care, LaTonya opened her home to her nephew that was also in need of placement. She worked diligently with him to help him manage some of his disruptive behaviors. Before long, LaTonya also opened her home to general placements so that she could continue to help the children in her community. This act of compassion came when the licensing agency she was working with was in need of loving homes.

LaTonya has shown as much love and dedication with these children as she did with relatives. She has remained positive even while caring for children with extremely challenging behavioral needs. LaTonya has gone to great lengths to ensure children in her care enjoy many of the same privileges that other Wisconsin children experience. She was one of the recipients of the 2009 Governor's Foster Care awards.