Bernheim Kelley, LLC’s Post

We are thrilled that our partner Crossnore Communities for Children innovative Bridging Families program has been adopted as the state of North Carolina's professional foster care model! A grant from both the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services and The Leon Levine Foundation will enable Crossnore to establish the Bridging Families Institute and partner with other organizations to train and implement the program in regions throughout North Carolina. Crossnore provides foster homes for children in need. In return, each family receives training, a home study and ongoing monthly support throughout the foster care licensing process and beyond.The ultimate vision of Bridging Families is working toward a world where all children live with their families. The program uses a team approach that builds resilience to strengthen families, empowers birth parents through the support of professional foster parents and walks with families through the reunification process. Foster parents are salaried organization employees whose sole responsibilities are parenting the children in their care and working with the family of origin toward reunification. To find out more about the Bridging Families program, visit https://lnkd.in/e-ag45EW. #LeonLevineFoundation #EmpowerKids #NCNonprofit #BridgingFamilies

10 Creative Ways to Support Foster and Adoptive Families in Your Church Fostering and adopting children is challenging, yet so vital for vulnerable kids. As the article shares, there are over 390,000 children in the U.S. foster care system - the need for caring homes is immense. However, many Christian families who consider adoption end up not following through, often due to the daunting process and lack of community support. This is where the church can make a huge difference. The article outlines 10 practical ways congregations can rally around foster and adoptive families, including: - Regularly talking about and recognizing these families in your church - Organizing a team of prayer warriors to support them - Leveraging small groups to provide tangible help - Creating a "foster closet" with donated supplies - Offering tutoring and certified babysitting/respite care By building this type of support system, churches can make foster/adoption a more sustainable option for families and have a direct impact on vulnerable children.

Fostering is just one of many ways to help children in crisis, so here are seven other ways you can help a child in foster care. 1. Mentor a Teen Mentors can provide needed support to teenage youth and help them learn daily living and vocational skills, budgeting, goal setting, time management, problem-solving and organizational skills. Most importantly, mentors give young people in the foster care system a caring adult they can look up to and share their problems with. 2. Provide Respite Care Instead of taking a child into your home full-time, respite care providers give foster parents a short-term break, often for one night or a weekend. It’s an opportunity for you to do something similar to foster parenting for a short period of time and it’s a great way to see if foster parenting is right for you. 3. Donate Many children in foster care have very few belongings. In addition to our welcome boxes, we gather clothing, personal hygiene items, toys, school supplies, and other items that children and teens might otherwise not have. #WeCareFamilyConnections #fostercare 

Fostering is just one of many ways to help children in crisis, so here are seven other ways you can help a child in foster care. 1. Mentor a Teen Mentors can provide needed support to teenage youth and help them learn daily living and vocational skills, budgeting, goal setting, time management, problem-solving and organizational skills. Most importantly, mentors give young people in the foster care system a caring adult they can look up to and share their problems with. 2. Provide Respite Care Instead of taking a child into your home full-time, respite care providers give foster parents a short-term break, often for one night or a weekend. It’s an opportunity for you to do something similar to foster parenting for a short period of time and it’s a great way to see if foster parenting is right for you. 3. Donate Many children in foster care have very few belongings. In addition to our welcome boxes, we gather clothing, personal hygiene items, toys, school supplies, and other items that children and teens might otherwise not have. #WeCareFamilyConnections #fostercare

🖇STRATEGIC SATURDAYS🖇 This month I was honored to support the team of Royal Family Kids Anchorage by speaking at their annual fundraising and informational event, Night to Remember. This ministry serves children in foster care with some of the deepest trauma by providing a week in the outdoors surrounded by vetted, highly trained adults to help them have a normal childhood experience. We discussed 20 ways to support the foster care community (and only one of them involved being a foster parent). Why is this being posted under this “Strategic Saturday” series? Because caring shouldn’t be something we do “strategically”. Caring is a lifestyle. Caring is who we strive to be. Caring cannot be falsified (although some will try and some organizations do a good attempt at it). You know what caring looks like deep down. My encouragement today is to always advocate for the care of the least of these in strategic means. Use your abilities to advance those who have no voice. It’s the most fulfilling thing you’ll ever do. Keep Leading Forward, D. #fostercare #leadership #childwelfare #childadvocacy

Agency Spotlight: Department of Children and Families As Massachusetts’ child protection agency, the Department of Children and Families (DCF) works in partnerships with families and communities to keep children safe from abuse and neglect. The Department currently serves 34,000 children. Approximately 80% live at home with their families while 20% are in foster care for their safety. Whether children are at home or in foster care, DCF makes referrals to community-based services that support child safety and well-being and help parents safely care for their children. When it is unsafe for a child to reunite with their parents, DCF finds new permanent families through adoption or guardianship. November is National Adoption Month, which raises awareness for adoption from foster care. Massachusetts’ official celebration takes place every year on the Friday before Thanksgiving, when courthouses across the state dedicate their morning sessions to finalizing adoptions. On Friday, November 22nd (today!) more than 100 children will be adopted! To learn more about adopting through Massachusetts DCF, go to https://lnkd.in/gZduHfSd.

May is Foster Care Awareness Month, an opportunity to advocate for the needs of children in care and empower them to reach their full potential. It's about ensuring they have access to essential services, educational opportunities, and the support they need to thrive. By investing in their well-being and development, we invest in the future of our communities. There are many ways to get involved and make a difference during Foster Care Awareness Month and beyond: •Support Foster Families: Offer assistance, encouragement, and resources to foster families in your community. •Advocate for Policy Changes: Advocate for policies that improve the foster care system and support children and families in need. •Volunteer: Volunteer your time with organizations that support children and youth in foster care, such as mentoring programs or advocacy groups. Let's honor the dedication of foster families and professionals who work tirelessly to make a positive difference in their lives. Together, we can build a brighter future for every child, ensuring they grow up in safe, loving, and supportive environments. #FosterCareAwarenessMonth #CelebrateFosterFamilies #EmpowerTheFuture

Did you know that foster teens aging out of the system face significant challenges, including increased homelessness and incarceration? It's a reality that underscores the importance of providing robust support as they transition to adulthood. Samaritas [client], a nonprofit providing vital support to children in foster care, recently hosted its annual Michigan Teen Conference, aimed at equipping foster teens with the skills, resources, and networks they need for a successful transition to adulthood. The event featured inspiring speakers, practical workshops, and valuable connections to help these young individuals overcome obstacles and seize new opportunities. By working together, we can create a future where every foster teen has the chance to thrive. #FosterCare #YouthEmpowerment #TransitionToAdulthood #SupportFosterTeens #MakingADifference

Every child deserves to feel safe, loved, and cared for. Unfortunately, not every child is fortunate enough to grow up in a stable and nurturing environment. For children who have suffered abuse and neglect, finding a family who can provide them with the love and support they need can be a challenge. That's where Child Bridge comes in. Child Bridge is a nonprofit organization that works to find foster and adoptive families for children who have experienced neglect or abuse. We understand that healing from abuse and neglect is a journey that requires patience, compassion, and understanding. That's why we equip families with the training, resources, and tools they need to help a child heal and thrive. Our goal is to bridge the gap between children in need and families who are willing to do the hard work of caring for the vulnerable. Whether a child needs a temporary placement for a few days, a longer-term foster home for a few months, or a forever family through adoption, Child Bridge is there to support the family every step of the way. We believe that every child deserves a chance to heal and grow in a safe and loving environment. By finding families who are willing to open their hearts and homes to children in need, we are creating a brighter future for all involved. Together, we can make a difference in the lives of abused and neglected children and give them the opportunity to thrive. If you are interested in becoming a foster or adoptive family, or if you would like to support our mission in any way, please visit www.childbridgemontana.org or message me for more information. Together, we can bridge the gap and provide hope and healing to children who need it most.

November is National Adoption Month, a time to recognize all who make the adoption process possible. With this in mind, we have put together some key insights into foster care adoption in the U.S.: 💙360,000+ children are in the foster care system. 💙109,000+ children are waiting to be adopted (based on the latest available data). 💙On average, children spend 22.6 months in care before being adopted. There are also numerous ways to make a difference outside of adopting: ✨Mentor a youth who has aged out of the system. ✨Become a Court-Appointed Special Advocate (CASA). ✨Donate supplies to local foster organizations. ✨Provide meals to new adoptive families. Have legal questions about adoption? Our team is here to help. The Bowen Law Firm, PLLC 14202 Champion Forest Drive Houston, Texas 77069 713-574-7777 www.BowenLF.com "When the going gets tough the tough get Bowen!" Your trusted partner in Family Law, Estate Planning, Probate, Personal Injury, and Civil Litigation. #BowenTheBeast #BowenLawStrong #BoeKnowsLaw #BowenLF