Start a FAM
By addressing the needs of vulnerable children from both sides – through early intervention and by resourcing quality foster homes – we connect families to be strengthened through churches who are engaged with their needs.
A VIDEO FOR PASTORS
Get started with our virtual training.
Learn how to care for vulnerable kids and their families through a step-by-step model called Family Advocacy Ministries (FAMs). FAMs create much-needed support for foster & adoptive families and biological families in crisis. During this Clinic, we’ll equip you on how to build and lead a successful FAM, with a focus on developing Care Communities to support foster, adoptive, and biological families, within your local church so you can help provide what vulnerable children need most––strong families.
Leaders of a FAM are called Advocates.
First, learn more about becoming an Advocate by watching this video.
Then, attend a FAM Care Community Clinic
Click here for specific dates and to register
If you are a current Advocate and would like to attend for FREE as a refresher, please email Judy or Sera for more information.
Finally, C127 will connect with you to help build your Family Advocacy Ministry
Who serves in a FAM?
It starts with ministry leaders known as Advocates.
Often lay leaders, the Ministry Leaders, or Advocates, are identified by church leadership to help launch and lead the FAM and be the face of the ministry. They attend a Clinic that equips them with everything they need to successfully get a FAM off the ground.
Two main tools are offered to begin a FAM – churches may participate in either or both.
Care Teams.
Care teams do relational ministry by sharing life with a family for a year
Response Teams.
Response Teams meet real-time needs to stabilize families in crisis and prevent kids from entering foster care, whenever possible.
Care Teams
Here are the important roles that comprise a Care Team that wraps around a family loving kids from hard places:
Family Helper
Family Helpers usually serve by providing a meal once per month, delivered on the same day of the week and same week of each month. (i.e. the second Tuesday of every month.) Additionally, these volunteers can run errands, assist with housework, do yard work, laundry, and help with other practical tasks to support the family.
Child Mentor
A Child Mentor commits to provide childcare or transportation 2-3 times per month, with at least one scheduled day per month. This role may require necessary background checks in order for the volunteer to be unsupervised with foster children. This is a unique opportunity to pour love and encouragement into these vulnerable children. In order to thrive, foster and adoptive parents need the support of dedicated Child Mentors who will sacrificially serve them in this way.
Team Leader
The Team Leader provides leadership for the Care Community. This volunteer contacts the foster or adoptive family weekly and sends out a weekly email updating the team on prayer requests. This role can be uniquely filled or combined with any of the above roles.
Interim Caregiver
Interim Caregivers serve as overnight caregivers in their home or in the foster or adoptive home from as little as one night to up to two weeks, in accordance with the approval policy of the foster care agency. Additional background checks may be required, as well as a home safety inspection. Respite families also fall under this category of assistance.
Response Teams
Here are the important roles that comprise a Response Team that meets real-time needs:
Point Person
The church’s point-person is the lead of the CarePortal network and is made aware of all vetted needs entered by investigators and care workers.
Response Teams
Multiple response teams can be formed to be aware of the needs and be the deliverer of needed items to the family in need. They receive an orientation on how to be a good neighbor and love a family who may be in crisis.