Due to a critical shortage of foster homes, foster children are often placed in overcrowded, impersonal institutions or emergency shelters where their trauma continues. Presently, our counties are experiencing the greatest shortage of homes for foster children in history.

Currently, our community needs 500 more foster homes, in order to assure that good matches can be made between the children and families, to insure that no home is overcrowded, and to prevent the need for children to be moved to homes in other parts of the state.

For several years, and certainly now because of the shortage of foster homes, the foster child's prognosis for a good life has been dim. Because they don't know the love and security of a family, they may relate poorly to all forms of authority. Many end up with a life on the streets or in penal institutions. Many deal with disillusionment and anger by turning to drugs and alcohol and hurtful relationships. Many give birth to foster children.

The plight of foster children is a particular challenge to the Christian community, as God calls us to demonstrate His love to the least and most helpless among us, and to provide them with a roadmap for living an abundant life.

Foster parents must become certified or licensed to provide temporary shelter for a child. This process includes education, training, and screening. Foster parents can select the age and gender of the child that would be most appropriate for their home and they are always in control of who is placed in the home. The length of stay in foster homes can vary from days to months and years. The foster parents are made aware of the anticipated length of placement prior to the child moving into the home. If foster children are freed for adoption, the foster parents may have the opportunity to adopt the child or continue parenting the child until an adoptive home can be found.

Reunification services are usually offered to the biological parent to aid in the return of the child(ren) to the home. Drug testing, anger management and parenting classes, housing support etc., are often part of the government's attempt to assure the courts that the biological home is safe for the return of the child(ren). To people who have never been close to this environment, it may seem that the child would be better off never returning to a situation where there is a risk of abuse or neglect. However, if reunification is possible, all attempts will be made to return the child home.

The parent-child bond is a foundational building block in early childhood development and not easily replaced even by the most loving substitute parents. Regardless of the reason for the removal from the biological parents, the children almost always want to be with their family. When substitute parents are necessary, it is important for the foster parent to learn the techniques for re-bonding, in order to assure the best possible mental, emotional, and spiritual health of their children.

Help One Child's primary focus is to encourage individuals and families in the Christian community to become licensed foster parents in order to provide a home for one child or sibling set. A secondary goal is to recruit others to support the foster children through a variety of volunteer services such as baby-sitting, longer-term respite care for an overnight or weekend, tutoring, mentoring, transportation, and prayer.

In addition to the fact that each foster child or sibling group has a great need for individual attention, it is also necessary to interface with a social worker, an attorney, biological parents, health professionals, and (often) a child psychologist and court-appointed advocate.While experienced foster parents may be very effective at parenting multiple foster children, Help One Child suggests that a family or single adult focus on caring for only one child or sibling group, in order to meet all the needs of the child.

There are 700 churches in Santa Clara County and 250 churches in San Mateo County. If each church would shelter one child or sibling set by providing a primary care giving family and by surrounding the children with other helps, there would be a significant difference in the hope offered to foster children. Though foster parenting can be a challenging and sacrificial gift to a child, it can also be tremendously rewarding to the foster parents and to their own children. Also, volunteers who provide services to the child can make the job of foster parenting do-able while, at the same time, greatly enhancing the experience of the child.

The fost-adopt program, also known as concurrent planning, attempts to provide stability for a child by proceeding on two paths of action at the same time. The child is placed in a family that is willing to provide a foster home while reunification efforts with the biological family are being made. At the same time, the family has indicated their hope to adopt the child if attempts at reunification are unsuccessful. Because this program is not designed for the parent who is "weak at heart," Help One Child offers spiritual support and counsel to parents entering this program.

Churches are asked to host a Help One Child presentation or announcement during a worship service, a class, or at a small group meeting or "ministry faire." Brochures, bulletin announcements, and posters are available to help explain the ministry. Churches that encourage the ministry of foster parents will raise the standards of care for these children.

Personal and church contributions are needed to enable Help One Child to continue recruiting and supporting families for foster children. Additionally, Help One Child seeks volunteers who can provide help with children's events and expertise with ministry development. Volunteers can match their interest and skills with the needs of the children and the ministry by contacting Help One Child.

858 University Avenue
Los Altos, CA 94024
650-917-1210
or 888-KID-HOPE
(also 888-543- 4673)
Fax: 650-917-5796
Email: info@helponechild.org