Seattle's Child

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Congratulations Unsung Hero: Talya Miller

February is Parent Recognition Month. Strengthening Families Washington, of the Department of Early Learning for Washington State, believes there is no better way to recognize a parent, grandparent, foster or adoptive parent than by acknowledging the numerous and impressive things they do to strengthen their family and those around them in their community.

Seattle's Child is proud to sponsor the Washington Unsung Hero Awards, recognizing our everyday heroes and honoring the important role caregivers play in children's lives. There are 28 nominees for the 28 days of February, and Seattle's Child will highlight each and every one.

Congratulations to the Unsung Hero for February 13: Talya Miller – Seattle, WA:

I am nominating Talya Miller as an Unsung Hero as a Department of Social and Health Services worker that is extremely grateful for the commitment and service she provides to difficult youth in foster care. Many of the youth on my caseload have intense trauma histories and abandonment issues that manifest in very difficult to manage behaviors that make it difficult to find a foster parent willing to provide a home to them. Some of these behaviors include criminal activity, depression, anger outbursts, and defiance. What all of these children need, but many foster parents are afraid to take on the challenge to provide, is love and unconditional acceptance. Talya Miller provides this to these youth with open arms. Talya Miller is an advocate for every youth that enters her home in the educational system, juvenile justice system, and child welfare system. She makes it her personal mission to ensure that each child that comes through her home knows that they are loved by her unconditionally, and that her priority is fighting for their best interest. For children in foster care that have experienced abandonment and come to her with absolutely no one, this kind of care is invaluable for them. Youth often come to Talya feeling absolutely alone and unwanted, and often leave with a lifelong connection with someone who has devoted her life to ensuring that they have someone in their corner.

For over 25 years, Talya Miller has been a stellar support system for hundreds of troubled teenaged girls who are in the foster care system. Talya has the ability to connect with them on a unique level; thus providing them with the safety, security and support that they have been denied in their families of origin. Talya goes above and beyond to ensure that her teens are equipped with the services they need and is also a major advocate for them in the community. These girls refer to her as "Auntie" as they feel a sense of belonging and kinship while living in her home. Talya functions in the community as a community support for other foster parents. She has established meaningful relationships with our community in which the youth in her home benefit from such relationships.

Ms. Talya's work is her life, and I know her days are endless with wakeup calls at 3 in the morning. She has told me that this is her life passion and call, and she loves all the girls that she has cared for. I believe her, and know that nobody would make the sacrifices and be able to give the love in the way that Ms. Talya does unless it was part of who you were, and all that you believed in. Ms. Talya is a remarkable foster parent, auntie, and person because she gives hope, love, and laughter to some of the most forgotten children in our society.

Nominator: Jahna Shoecraft, Aimee Martin, Quiana Akyea, Beth Fan Fossan, Jeri White

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