Wellspring Lutheran Services Foster Care Brochure

WHICH ONE WOULD YOU

TAKE HOME?

WeNeedFosterParents.com

WeNeedFosterParents.com

Children should be our

top priority.

Make a difference as a

Wellspring Foster Parent.

We are all part of God’s great creation, and pets certainly deserve good homes. Our children do, too, and they need to be our number one priority. At Wellspring Lutheran Services we’re looking for foster parents who share our belief that every child deserves something many of us too often take for granted: a family to care for them, unconditionally.

Children truly are our greatest treasure. It seems obvious we would provide them with a safe and nurturing environment — one where they can reach their God-given potential.

We consider it a great privilege to explore with you whether this is the time and place to open your heart and home to a child.

dogs & Cats

12% children

Almost 100,000 cats and dogs will find loving homes and families in Michigan this year.

Fewer than 14,000 children will. That means a child is 88% less likely to find a loving home this year than a pet.

Source: ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The simple moments are the most rewarding — things like an unexpected smile or an unprovoked hug. It’s when all the chaos of life falls away that we can see a glimpse of sunshine into their stormy lives.”

— A Wellspring Foster Dad

WeNeedFosterParents.com

Children should be our

top priority.

Make a difference as a

Wellspring Foster Parent.

We are all part of God’s great creation, and pets certainly deserve good homes. Our children do, too, and they need to be our number one priority. At Wellspring Lutheran Services we’re looking for foster parents who share our belief that every child deserves something many of us too often take for granted: a family to care for them, unconditionally.

Children truly are our greatest treasure. It seems obvious we would provide them with a safe and nurturing environment — one where they can reach their God-given potential.

We consider it a great privilege to explore with you whether this is the time and place to open your heart and home to a child.

dogs & Cats

12% children

Almost 100,000 cats and dogs will find loving homes and families in Michigan this year.

Fewer than 14,000 children will. That means a child is 88% less likely to find a loving home this year than a pet.

Source: ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The simple moments are the most rewarding — things like an unexpected smile or an unprovoked hug. It’s when all the chaos of life falls away that we can see a glimpse of sunshine into their stormy lives.”

— A Wellspring Foster Dad

“If you’re considering being a foster parent, don’t jump into it lightly.

It takes a big heart and a willingness to see things through. It won’t always be easy and you will ride a roller coaster of emotions. But the positive impact you can have on a child is incredible.”

— A Wellspring Foster Mom

CATS

Loving homeS

children

More than 32,000 cats will find loving homes in Michigan this year. Less than 14,000 children will. As a Wellspring Foster Parent, you provide hope to a child while they wait to return to a safe, nurturing environment with their biological family.

Source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

More than a century of bringing hope.

A wellspring is a source of continual or abundant supply, which seems appropriate for an organization that believes we all have an abundance of love to provide to children who need it. For more than 120 years, Wellspring Lutheran Services has been a source of hope for Michigan families and communities — previously as Lutheran Child & Family Service of Michigan and Lutheran Homes of Michigan.

We invite you to join the Wellspring Lutheran Services family and let hope flow through you to a child in need.

Let hope flow through you.

You make a real and lasting difference in a child’s life as a Wellspring Foster Parent. You are a source of hope, providing life-giving care to children who thirst for it. Wellspring Lutheran Services is right there with you, supporting you with expertise, resources and guidance — so you, your family and your foster child are prepared for the great journey that is ahead of you.

“If you’re considering being a foster parent, don’t jump into it lightly.

It takes a big heart and a willingness to see things through. It won’t always be easy and you will ride a roller coaster of emotions. But the positive impact you can have on a child is incredible.”

— A Wellspring Foster Mom

CATS

Loving homeS

children

More than 32,000 cats will find loving homes in Michigan this year. Less than 14,000 children will. As a Wellspring Foster Parent, you provide hope to a child while they wait to return to a safe, nurturing environment with their biological family.

Source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

More than a century of bringing hope.

A wellspring is a source of continual or abundant supply, which seems appropriate for an organization that believes we all have an abundance of love to provide to children who need it. For more than 120 years, Wellspring Lutheran Services has been a source of hope for Michigan families and communities — previously as Lutheran Child & Family Service of Michigan and Lutheran Homes of Michigan.

We invite you to join the Wellspring Lutheran Services family and let hope flow through you to a child in need.

Let hope flow through you.

You make a real and lasting difference in a child’s life as a Wellspring Foster Parent. You are a source of hope, providing life-giving care to children who thirst for it. Wellspring Lutheran Services is right there with you, supporting you with expertise, resources and guidance — so you, your family and your foster child are prepared for the great journey that is ahead of you.

Answer that

little voiCE that’s calling you.

Because you’re reading this, chances are you’ve already considered becoming a foster parent. You may feel a desire to make a difference in someone’s life. It’s like a yearning to do something deeply meaningful for you and tremendously beneficial for someone else. At Wellspring Lutheran Services we encourage you to answer that “little voice” to be a foster parent and discover how incredibly rewarding it can be for you, your family and your foster child. With Wellspring, you’ll have the strength and support to be an ever-flowing source of hope.

Help a child find a way home.

As a Wellspring Foster Parent, you play an important role in a child’s life because you’re providing a child with much more than just love and care. You are also providing him or her a safe haven from the family issues they are facing — issues that often involve neglect and abuse. While a child lives with you, Wellspring works with the biological parents to ensure they receive the help they need to create and maintain a safer home environment for the child. Once this has been achieved, the child may then return home.

Wellspring’s goal is to reunite children with their families in a safe and stable home. When returning them to that home is not possible, finding adoptive parents for the child is our next priority.

Every child deserves a home, regardless of age or need.

We believe every child deserves a safe, healthy and loving home no matter their age, gender or ability. There’s a specific need for foster parents who will care for children with special needs, teenagers and siblings. As you work through your decision to become a foster parent, we hope you’ll consider those children who are experiencing the greatest need.

More than 23,000 children nationwide “age out” of foster care each year without finding a permanent, loving home, leaving them with uncertain futures.

Source: childrensrights.org

Answer that

little voiCE that’s calling you.

Because you’re reading this, chances are you’ve already considered becoming a foster parent. You may feel a desire to make a difference in someone’s life. It’s like a yearning to do something deeply meaningful for you and tremendously beneficial for someone else. At Wellspring Lutheran Services we encourage you to answer that “little voice” to be a foster parent and discover how incredibly rewarding it can be for you, your family and your foster child. With Wellspring, you’ll have the strength and support to be an ever-flowing source of hope.

Help a child find a way home.

As a Wellspring Foster Parent, you play an important role in a child’s life because you’re providing a child with much more than just love and care. You are also providing him or her a safe haven from the family issues they are facing — issues that often involve neglect and abuse. While a child lives with you, Wellspring works with the biological parents to ensure they receive the help they need to create and maintain a safer home environment for the child. Once this has been achieved, the child may then return home.

Wellspring’s goal is to reunite children with their families in a safe and stable home. When returning them to that home is not possible, finding adoptive parents for the child is our next priority.

Every child deserves a home, regardless of age or need.

We believe every child deserves a safe, healthy and loving home no matter their age, gender or ability. There’s a specific need for foster parents who will care for children with special needs, teenagers and siblings. As you work through your decision to become a foster parent, we hope you’ll consider those children who are experiencing the greatest need.

More than 23,000 children nationwide “age out” of foster care each year without finding a permanent, loving home, leaving them with uncertain futures.

Source: childrensrights.org

THE TOUGHEST DECISIONS

ARE OFTEN THE

BEST DECISIONS. Foster parenting is not a decision you take lightly, and it’s normal to feel some doubt. You want to carefully consider everything that’s involved.

After all, you’re welcoming a new child into your home and family — a child who through no fault of their own has experienced some of life’s toughest challenges.

2,000,000

You’ll likely ask yourself some soul-searching questions: How will this impact my family? Will this cause problems with my own children?

How will we work with the child’s biological family? What happens when the child returns home — or cannot return home? Is adoption an option for us?

As you consider your decision about becoming a Wellspring Foster Parent, you are opening yourself up to a life-changing experience. You will have an opportunity to truly impact a child’s life and be part of charting a whole new course for a child, grounded in love and guided by hope.

Why Wellspring Lutheran Services?

I think with any kind of ‘family’ planning, you have doubts and concerns. My biggest concern was my time and could I be an effective foster parent with my work schedule. I was more than willing to change directions in my life to make theirs more secure. Now I find that even in the darkest moment, their light shines through.”

— A Wellspring Foster Dad

When you partner with Wellspring, you become part of an organization that has been faithfully serving families in Michigan for more than a century. Throughout our history, Wellspring Lutheran Services foster care has gained a reputation for strong ethical practices. Wellspring is accredited by the Council on Accreditation, and consistently evaluates its work in light of nationally developed standards.

We are well known for providing families exemplary service and support. We have a highly trained staff that is committed to open and consistent communications. We are focused on preserving families and we work closely with biological families to help children safely transition back to their homes. When reuniting a family is not an option, foster parents may consider adopting the foster child — and becoming the child’s “forever” home.

Over 2,000,000 American children live with grandparents or other relatives because their parents cannot care for them. When relatives provide foster care, siblings can often stay together.

SOURCE: fostercarealumni.org

THE TOUGHEST DECISIONS

ARE OFTEN THE

BEST DECISIONS. Foster parenting is not a decision you take lightly, and it’s normal to feel some doubt. You want to carefully consider everything that’s involved.

After all, you’re welcoming a new child into your home and family — a child who through no fault of their own has experienced some of life’s toughest challenges.

2,000,000

You’ll likely ask yourself some soul-searching questions: How will this impact my family? Will this cause problems with my own children?

How will we work with the child’s biological family? What happens when the child returns home — or cannot return home? Is adoption an option for us?

As you consider your decision about becoming a Wellspring Foster Parent, you are opening yourself up to a life-changing experience. You will have an opportunity to truly impact a child’s life and be part of charting a whole new course for a child, grounded in love and guided by hope.

Why Wellspring Lutheran Services?

I think with any kind of ‘family’ planning, you have doubts and concerns. My biggest concern was my time and could I be an effective foster parent with my work schedule. I was more than willing to change directions in my life to make theirs more secure. Now I find that even in the darkest moment, their light shines through.”

— A Wellspring Foster Dad

When you partner with Wellspring, you become part of an organization that has been faithfully serving families in Michigan for more than a century. Throughout our history, Wellspring Lutheran Services foster care has gained a reputation for strong ethical practices. Wellspring is accredited by the Council on Accreditation, and consistently evaluates its work in light of nationally developed standards.

We are well known for providing families exemplary service and support. We have a highly trained staff that is committed to open and consistent communications. We are focused on preserving families and we work closely with biological families to help children safely transition back to their homes. When reuniting a family is not an option, foster parents may consider adopting the foster child — and becoming the child’s “forever” home.

Over 2,000,000 American children live with grandparents or other relatives because their parents cannot care for them. When relatives provide foster care, siblings can often stay together.

SOURCE: fostercarealumni.org

What to expect

as a Wellspring Foster Parent.

Do you meet the qualifications?

What are your responsibilities?

It takes a special person or couple to join the Wellspring family. At Wellspring Lutheran Services we welcome families who are committed to providing a child a loving, supportive home. The children we serve are in the legal care of the State of Michigan. That means before a child is placed in your care, there is a process we follow to help ensure they will receive the best care possible, and you and your family are properly prepared for this exceptional experience. Wellspring will provide the following services:

Foster parents need to have positive parenting skills, stability, maturity and a love of children.

In addition, the State of Michigan outlines rules for licensing foster parents. There are many qualifications you and your family must meet, which will be fully covered with you in the orientation meeting. Some of the basic guidelines require that you:

When you are a foster parent with Wellspring you have responsibilities to your foster child, the child’s biological family, your own family and Wellspring. Your full responsibilities will be discussed during orientation, but here are some examples of the needs foster parents provide for a child’s well-being:

Before a child is placed: •

• •

clear and thorough explanation of your role as a foster parent, as well as the A roles of the child’s family and Wellspring staff A licensing worker will be assigned to your home to provide support and information A minimum of 12 hours of pre-service training

Once a child is placed: •

•

caseworker for each foster child, who is responsible for coordinating services A for the child, foster family and biological family A variety of support services, including training, individual and family counseling for children, and case management services

• Are at least 18 years old • Have adequate time available to be a foster parent • Have a defined income • Are willing to work with the child’s family or future family Foster parents need to comply with all federal and state laws, administrative rules and the foster care policies of Wellspring Lutheran Services.

• P hysical (food, clothing, shelter, medical/ dental) • Emotional (fairness to all children in your home, transportation to counseling appointments and parenting time visits, positive communication) • Educational (monitor progress in school) • Recreational (encourage involvement in social and recreational activities, hobbies) • Teaching/discipline (model and

provide guidance on appropriate social interaction, problem-solving and time management skills)

You provide the hope. We’ll provide the support.

Every day in Michigan, 58 new children come into foster care. Each one of them is in need of a nurturing and safe home — and family. There has never been a better time to become a Wellspring Foster Parent. You have the strength, love, and commitment to do this. And Wellspring is there with you, every step of the way.

Start making a real and lasting difference in a child’s life — and start letting hope flow through you.

Contact Wellspring Lutheran Services to learn more.

Call toll-free at 844.HOPE.FLOWS (844.467.3356) or email fostercare@wellspringlutheran.com

What to expect

as a Wellspring Foster Parent.

Do you meet the qualifications?

What are your responsibilities?

It takes a special person or couple to join the Wellspring family. At Wellspring Lutheran Services we welcome families who are committed to providing a child a loving, supportive home. The children we serve are in the legal care of the State of Michigan. That means before a child is placed in your care, there is a process we follow to help ensure they will receive the best care possible, and you and your family are properly prepared for this exceptional experience. Wellspring will provide the following services:

Foster parents need to have positive parenting skills, stability, maturity and a love of children.

In addition, the State of Michigan outlines rules for licensing foster parents. There are many qualifications you and your family must meet, which will be fully covered with you in the orientation meeting. Some of the basic guidelines require that you:

When you are a foster parent with Wellspring you have responsibilities to your foster child, the child’s biological family, your own family and Wellspring. Your full responsibilities will be discussed during orientation, but here are some examples of the needs foster parents provide for a child’s well-being:

Before a child is placed: •

• •

clear and thorough explanation of your role as a foster parent, as well as the A roles of the child’s family and Wellspring staff A licensing worker will be assigned to your home to provide support and information A minimum of 12 hours of pre-service training

Once a child is placed: •

•

caseworker for each foster child, who is responsible for coordinating services A for the child, foster family and biological family A variety of support services, including training, individual and family counseling for children, and case management services

• Are at least 18 years old • Have adequate time available to be a foster parent • Have a defined income • Are willing to work with the child’s family or future family Foster parents need to comply with all federal and state laws, administrative rules and the foster care policies of Wellspring Lutheran Services.

• P hysical (food, clothing, shelter, medical/ dental) • Emotional (fairness to all children in your home, transportation to counseling appointments and parenting time visits, positive communication) • Educational (monitor progress in school) • Recreational (encourage involvement in social and recreational activities, hobbies) • Teaching/discipline (model and

provide guidance on appropriate social interaction, problem-solving and time management skills)

You provide the hope. We’ll provide the support.

Every day in Michigan, 58 new children come into foster care. Each one of them is in need of a nurturing and safe home — and family. There has never been a better time to become a Wellspring Foster Parent. You have the strength, love, and commitment to do this. And Wellspring is there with you, every step of the way.

Start making a real and lasting difference in a child’s life — and start letting hope flow through you.

Contact Wellspring Lutheran Services to learn more.

Call toll-free at 844.HOPE.FLOWS (844.467.3356) or email fostercare@wellspringlutheran.com

Wellspring Lutheran Services engages people at every stage of life to help them discover and embrace their own potential. Through these services we will help change lives, build strong families and transform communities: • Adoption Resources

• Independent Living

• Affordable Housing

• Memory Care

• Assisted Living

• Parenting Support

• Counseling

• Personal Assistance

• Family Preservation

• Residential Care

• Foster Care

• Short-term Rehabilitation

• Home Health

• Skilled Nursing Care

• Hospice & Grief Support

• Supportive Housing

WeNeedFosterParents.com