On The Grid: Tier 1 – Investing in Children and Families
Over the past four months, we’ve explored the various channels of engagement, through the CarePortal, to invest in and to address the physical needs of local children and families in crisis. To recap, we’ve discussed the following boxes in Tier 1 on The Grid and even coined a moniker to express one of the primary results of meeting the needs for that box:
Physical – Prevention: Family Preservation
Physical – Foster Care: Foster Care Reinforcement
Physical – Adoption: Adoption Acceleration
Physical – Transition: Self-Sufficiency Contributions
2015 will be remembered as a year of beginnings for the CarePortal network. It has been humbling to watch the Lord move through His church, stirring local congregations to meet the needs of local children and families. All requests and responses to date have related to Tier 1 needs.
There has already been such a wonderful impact to children and families. As we noted last week, the CarePortal network aided more than 1,000 children during 2015. Feedback has been very complimentary, noting the ease of use of identifying and meeting the needs of hurting families. Social workers, local churches, and families have echoed the transformational impact of CarePortal. Child welfare agencies have even called CarePortal “an amazing gift from God.” Our hearts will forever be content with God receiving the glory for this work.
Yet, as we noted, 2015 was a year of beginnings. Change is on the horizon. Aside from geographic expansion, we press on into the abyss of family collapse, with Tier 2 and Tier 3 needs added to CarePortal requests. Over the front half of 2016, we will unpack the boxes on Tier 2, considering the often overlooked relational needs for children and families in crisis as well as the relational needs for families endeavoring to serve children and families in crisis. During the back half of 2016, we will examine Tier 3 – Family Needs.
It will be difficult. It will be messy. It will be frustrating and discouraging and heartbreaking. A gale of brokenness waits around the bend, ready to consume the unexpected traveler with its torrential disappointment. Yet, we journey into this tempest together, knowing that it will take nothing less than the boundless hope of the unified people of a resurrected Savior to endure the challenges.
Onward.