safe families

8/8/2019 Safe Families

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Safe Families for

Children

Opening the door for change


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Baptist Family and ChildrensServices (BFCS) BFCS has partnered with the

Safe Families Alliance to bringSafe Families for Children hereto the Baltimore/ Annapolis area

Mission: to plan, develop,implement, and promote servicesthat encourage the physical,mental, social and spiritualwellbeing of children, the elderlyand families in crisis


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History of Safe Families forChildren

began in 2002 as a ministry of LYDIA Home Association,a Christian based organization in Chicagoa mother called LYDIA Home Association needingsomeone to watch her children while she took care of animmediate emergency. Residential programs or fostercare were not an option because her children were not inthe child welfare system. There were some shelters inthe immediate area but no programs that providedtemporary respite care for children of a family facing animmediate crisis.Dr. Anderson, Executive Director of LYDIA, began torecruit Christian families to volunteer to be host familiesthat would be able to provide assistance in thesesituations, resulting in Safe Families For Children


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What is Safe Families for ChildrenAn innovative collaboration

between area churches,volunteers and child careprofessionals designed tosupport at-risk children andparents in need.Safe Families returns thechurch to the forefront ofcaring for families in crisisby extending the communitysafety net to familiesexperiencing an immediate

crisis


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The NeedSome families do not have a safety net orsupport system they can turn to in times ofcrisis.

Children in families traumatized by crisisbecome especially at risk for abuse andneglect

Families in crisis situations face anincreased threat of State involvement


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Why is it important?Throughout history the church and otherreligious organizations were the safety net fordiscarded and vulnerable childrenNow thereare State Welfare agencies that have taken onthat roleState Child Welfare Agencies are flawed. They

can not do for families what the church is meantto do!Safe Families for children returns the church to

the forefront of caring for orphans and widowsand preventing involvement of Child Welfareagencies

*Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look afterorphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being

polluted by the world (James 1:27).


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Main Objectives of Safe FamiliesEarly Intervention: asafe alternative tochild welfare custody

Child AbusePreventionFamily Support and

Stabilization


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Hallmarks of the Safe FamilyModel:

Biological parents maintain full custody

Volunteer families are extensively screened,educated, and supported Six-week average length of stay (ranging from

two days to a year) Close working relationships between SafeFamilies, the local church, and the referringorganization Commitment to reunite the family as soon aspossible.


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Safe Families for Children is:

An opportunity forvolunteers to have apowerful impact in

the lives of otherswhile practicingbiblical hospitality

and extending thelove of Christ topeople in need

*Romans 12:13: Share with

the Lords people who are in need. Practice Hospitality


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Volunteer opportunities include:Host Families: Volunteer families willing to open theirhomes to children in crisis and provide a safe and lovinghome and family atmosphere for them on a temporarybasisFamily Friends/Mentors: Mature Christians serving in amentoring role to connect with biological families;assisting with and addressing the circumstances that ledto their crisisCase Coaches: Volunteers who facilitate therelationship between the biological and volunteer SafeFamily during a placement. Their primary focus isensuring the well-being of the child(ren) whilecoordinating communication between the variousagencies, Host Family, and the biological family.


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Providing Resources: Most children come to SafeFamilies with very few supplies and possessions andhost Families are not reimbursed for any expensesthey incur. Therefore the donation of childrens itemsincluding (but not limited to): diapers, formula, cribs,

car seats, strollers, and clothing are essential.Professional Services: A comprehensive network ofprofessionals willing to provide services on a donatedor discounted rate for the support of children in crisisand/or volunteer families. Doctors, dentists, hair-careprofessionals, handymen and house cleaners are justa few examples.Respite Care: Volunteers willing to providetemporary (less than 1 day) care of children to allow

volunteer families to run errands, shop or simply geta break.Support Groups: Groups of individuals providingprayer, encouragement, and support to volunteer andbiological families.


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Volunteer Criteria:All Safe Families volunteers must:

Be over the age of 25 and be emotionally stable, matureand law abiding.Not abuse drugs and alcohol.Refrain from profanity and other potentially damagingbehavior.Be sufficiently healthy and active in order to keep up withthe demands of caring for a Safe Families child.Be involved or willing to work with a Safe Family hostchurch.Able to support child during stay (if hosting a child)


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Please check out the national websiteat www.safe-families.org or [email protected] for more

information on how you can getinvolved in this innovative movement!

safe families

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