COG recognizes region's outstanding foster parents

The Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (COG) has selected its 2026 Foster Parents of the Year honorees, recognizing foster parents from ten local jurisdictions for their dedication to foster youth across the region.

While child welfare agencies strive to keep families together, foster parents (or resource parents) provide essential support to families when that is not possible. Foster parents can offer a safe, supportive haven for children during otherwise uncertain and difficult times.

"The dedication, compassion, and care that foster parents provide to children in need is remarkable," said Reuben Collins II, COG Board Chair and Charles County Commissioner President. "The region benefits from their willingness to step forward and fill a critical need in our child welfare system. These parents offered their homes not because they believed it would be without challenges but because they asked, 'Why not me?'"

For more than two decades during National Foster Care Month in May, COG and its member governments have honored the region's outstanding foster parents and promoted their stories to inspire others to become foster parents themselves.

On May 2, this year's awardees were recognized at an awards ceremony organized by COG's Foster Care Advisory Committee.

Learn more about the 2026 Foster Parents of the Year in the summaries provided by their city and county foster care agencies. If you would like to connect with an awardee, please reach out to COG. Photos of awardees are also available upon request.

2026 Foster Parents of the Year

City of Alexandria: Berlin J. Brun

Berlin Brun has provided exceptional care, nurturance, and grace during her time as a foster parent. While already in the process of adopting two young children who had experienced significant trauma and required ongoing services to address their emotional and developmental needs, Brun took in a teenager following an emergency removal. They formed an unbreakable bond, and Brun agreed to adopt her. For the teen's 15th birthday, Brun did research and consulted with the child's family to deliver an exceptional Quinceañera celebration that honored the traditions of her native country-a memorable life milestone the teen was uncertain she'd have. Brun also ensures the child remains connected to her biological family.

Arlington County: Sara Kirwin and Joseph Calizo

Sara Kirwin and Joseph Calizo have fostered 15 children in 10 years and offered countless days of supportive respite. In addition to being a consistent presence at monthly support groups and service trainings, Kirwin and Calizo are expert community builders who have opened their home to support other foster parents, host events, and initiate community activities. The couple has cared for a range of ages, from infants to young adults. Currently, they care for two teens with different needs, yet make it work.

Charles County: Kimyada Hooks and Trenease Moore

Kimyada Hooks and Trenease Moore began their fostering journey in July 2025. In that short amount of time, they have made a profound impact on the lives of the children in their care. They go above and beyond to meet not only the children's basic needs, but also their emotional, developmental, and social needs. They prioritize routines, celebrate milestones, and create meaningful family experiences that help the children feel secure and valued. Hooks and Moore accepted an emergency placement of a child despite the agency having limited resources at the time, stepping in without hesitation during a critical moment. In addition to their daily caregiving, these foster parents are actively engaged with the agency, demonstrating their commitment to learning, collaboration, and advocacy.

District of Columbia: Michelle Jones

Michelle Jones, a long-time resource parent, fosters older youth through the District's Specialized Older Youth program and is a frequent respite provider. Her skills-patience, empathy, setting boundaries, building trust, managing trauma-informed behaviors, using strength-based communication, and active listening-are demonstrated through her positive youth outcomes. She effectively collaborates with social workers, therapists, and the agency line of command to mitigate emotional and mental health regression. Jones has demonstrated unwavering dedication to each youth's well-being, education, and emotional, medical, and therapeutic needs. She teaches older youth how to schedule medical appointments and advocate for themselves; she encourages them to stay informed by asking questions and writing things down; and she emphasizes the importance of these habits as the young people age into adulthood. She also values and actively engages in shared parenting with immediate and extended family members.

Fairfax County: Melanie Vracas and Adrienne Randall

Melanie Vracas and Adrienne Randall have been resource parents since 2022. Although they had never parented before, they quickly sought out training and resources to help them with challenges as they arose. After their first children were reunited with family, Vracas and Randall said yes to fostering a medically fragile infant. They spent weeks visiting the infant in the hospital before her discharge and received training from medical staff. The couple are also wonderful at bridging the gap with the families of the children they care for. They are quick to send pictures and to engage in phone calls when allowed. In addition to fostering, they sent a very thoughtful care package to a youth in congregate care, a demonstration of love and support from the community. They also offered their home as a holiday refuge for youths who did not have holiday plans, as part of the Fostering Futures initiative. With their optimistic outlooks and can-do attitudes, Vracas and Randall are changing the world for the better one interaction at a time.

Frederick County: Lauren and Paul Kitsoulis

On the same day that Lauren and Paul Kitsoulis became licensed foster parents in 2025, the couple exhibited impressive courage by accepting a sibling group of two boys into their home. Although the placement was meant to be short-term, they were willing to serve as an ongoing placement resource. Both children experienced significant trauma and struggled emotionally upon entering care, and the Kitsoulis' utilized appropriate therapeutic interventions to help manage their behaviors. When it was determined that the younger child needed a higher level of care in a residential placement, they continued to support him by making daily virtual contact and frequent face-to-face contact, as well as ensuring he saw his sibling frequently. As active members of the child's treatment team, they are amazing advocates for his needs. The Kitsoulis' also support the children's birth parent by modeling healthy interactions and boundaries. The couple have demonstrated the ability to tolerate rejection, be flexible, realistic, attuned, resilient, emotionally supportive, committed, compassionate, and empathetic.

Loudoun County: Johnette Hughes and Darrell Gavin

Johnette Hughes and Darrell Gavin were close to being empty nesters when they received a call about an infant in foster care-a relative in need of a safe and loving home. When they said yes to welcoming a baby boy, they could not have imagined how profoundly that decision would change their lives. From the beginning, Hughes and Gavin worked closely with officials throughout the reunification case. They demonstrated remarkable composure and integrity while navigating challenging interactions with a birth parent, always keeping the child's safety and well-being at the center of their efforts during difficult visits. When the child's sister was born a year later, they once again said yes-guaranteeing the siblings could remain together. After the arrival of two more siblings, the family rearranged their home and their lives to care for all four children. When the oldest child was diagnosed with autism, the family met the news head-on, educating themselves and becoming fierce advocates for his needs. The Hughes/Gavin family truly embodies the meaning of "it takes a village."

Montgomery County: Kathy Richardson-Booker and Glenn Booker

Kathy Richardson-Booker and Glenn Booker have raised three of their own children and currently have five little ones in their home-two 4-year-olds, a 2-year-old, and 1-year-old twins. All five children need special attention and care, and Richardson-Booker uses her experience as a Special Education teacher to manage the challenges. The twins were born very early and are medically fragile, requiring regular health follow-ups every 6 months, as well as other early intervention services through the Infants and Toddlers program. A few of the children were born extremely prematurely, and one child has significant food allergies and developmental delays. All the children need multiple appointments with various specialists and supportive services in order to have the best life possible, and the Richardson-Bookers have done just this, managing needs while creating loving and caring relationships with each of the children in their home.

Prince William County: James and Bobbie Jo Hanes

James and Bobbie Jo Hanes embody the heart of foster care for teens with special and complex needs. Even during moments of significant behavioral challenges, they respond with patience, empathy, and consistency, ensuring the children feel safe and supported. They intentionally remind each child that they belong in their home-not temporarily, but as a trusted and cherished member of the family. They provide exceptional care for teens with medical and developmental needs, supporting them through residential placements, bathroom accidents, and ongoing health concerns while always preserving the teen's dignity and self-worth. Recognizing the importance of family connections, the Hanes actively engage with children's biological families, offering positive role modeling and including siblings and family members in celebrations such as birthdays and family events. The Hanes are also reliable and valued partners to the County, consistently making themselves available for emergency and temporary placements. They willingly accept children who are often harder to place due to behavioral challenges, providing stability, understanding, and care when they are needed most.

Prince George's County: Michael and Chantel McDaniels

Since 2023, Michael and Chantel McDaniels have demonstrated an extraordinary commitment to supporting older youth, inspired by Chantel's personal history as a teenager in foster care. By recognizing the unique needs of teenagers, they provide a vital foundation of stability-and consistently model the core values of love, humility, compassion, and gratitude for every young person who enters their home. The McDaniels have navigated a wide range of placements, including working with undocumented youth, teen mothers, and school-aged children. Throughout every placement, they remain steadfast advocates for healthy familial connections, frequently going above and beyond to facilitate and support meaningful visitation with birth families. Beyond their direct care for children, they have emerged as leaders and mentors in the resource parent community. The McDaniels are not just resource parents; they are pillars of support for children and a source of inspiration for their peers.

More:

COG's Child Welfare page provides resources for individuals interested in becoming foster parents