Christi Eden

Christi Eden would say that she has trained for this position since she was a year old when the judge ruled she would live apart from her biological parents. Throughout her adolescence Christi's parents were in and out of her life at unexpected times. 

​When Christi got married, she gained a stepdaughter who had much the same experience she did in her early years. Christi and her husband Jim went on to have four biological children, and she was determined to change the narrative for their kids.​

Christi and Jim became kinship placement providers in 2007 when some children from their church came into care; they cared for these children for about a year. Soon after that, they were approached by Children's Division and asked if they wanted to become foster parents. Even though for years Christi and Jim had wanted to adopt, they were very unsure of the idea of allowing caseworkers into their home because they homeschool and aren't particularly mainstream. However, they were assured that we could take the STARS classes without obligation, and they did so. The foster classes were very tough for Christi personally because she identified closely with much of the subject matter.​

Twenty minutes after their final paper-signing to become foster parents, Christi and Jim received a call to take a five-month-old foster boy. That boy is now their thirteen-year-old son. They went on to adopt twice more through Children's Division and once privately. (Yes, that is nine kids!) Christi and Jim have fostered over fifty children.

​Though they now primarily take kids with complex needs, Christi and Jim continue to foster to this day. They had a foster child who had been with them for several years and was getting ready to age out but still needed support. They became qualified through the Department of Mental Health via Restoring Hope to keep her. This entailed starting a business: Eden Lifecare Services, LLC. Being indirectly contracted to DMH has so many more requirements than just being a foster parent. Instead of one caseworker a month and a licensing worker per quarter, they have a nurse, a Children's Division caseworker, and a program manager- all who come monthly; a Community Support Services representative- she comes quarterly per placement; and the Department of Mental Health inspectors- they come yearly. Christi understands what it is like for the parent to feel that services, though necessary, are invasive sometimes.​

In addition to life skills, Christi also began college in her 40s and received a degree in Criminal Justice. Though important, Christi feels the paper degree is probably the least of her qualifications for this job. In addition, she has had years of continuing education through Children’s Division and Restoring Hope/DMH. Christi is a certified med aide, as well.​