As the Intake and Certification Coordinator for CHOSEN, I help foster parents become certified and then have the exciting job of matching children/youth referred to our program with families. We couldn’t accomplish the important task of stabilizing kids without our foster parents. Matching is the process we use to determine if a youth and foster family will be a good fit.
It’s always important to remember that even during the toughest situations, our youth need sacrificial and unconditional love and support. We carefully consider the population each CHOSEN family has told us they feel equipped and comfortable to care for. When time allows, we give kids and families a chance to meet and visit before they are placed. Our goal is for our youth to remain in committed placements where they can be stabilized and find permanency through reunification, adoption or independent living.
Initiatives in the State foster care system cause fulctuations in the number of children and youth referred to CHOSEN treatment foter care. The average age of those coming into care is higher and their needs more acute. It is essential that foster parents are throughly trained to understand the diagnoses of the children/youth and to implement interventions. Together, we give these kids a new start and hope to encourage their trust in God’s love through the love that is shown to them by godly families.
During the month of March we received 48 referrals and placed only three (3) youth in CHOSEN homes. Help us to serve more; these kids need an opportunity to learn to trust and attain a fresh start!
By Lindsay Reep, Intake Coordinator and Family Treatment Manager