Foster
Become a part of the solution to the Foster Care Crisis in SW Florida.
Summit Church partners with One More Child, a Christ-centered organization specializing in caring for vulnerable children, to equip and license foster families.
1,200
Children in the Foster Care System in Circuit 20 (including Lee County)
100
Approximate number of licensed foster families in Lee County, marking a severe shortage in foster families within our area.
789
Statistic here about children in foster care in the state of Florida
You can join us in serving vulnerable children in the Foster Care system in two ways…
Respite Care (1-5 nights)
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Ongoing Foster Care
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Ready to learn more?
Foster Care Stories at Summit.
Ways We Serve Foster Families
It takes a village to raise a child, and we believe this is even more true for foster families. As you step into this brave calling, ECI and your Summit Church family will come alongside you in a variety of ways, including…
Ongoing Care from a Resource Coordinator
As soon as you receive your first Foster Placement, ECI will connect you with a Resource Coordinator. (Sentences here about what this is)
Wrap Around Care
Through Wrap-Around, your family will have access to a loving team of volunteers who will provide meals, help with household tasks, and provide a variety of other assistance options for you.
Blurb here about Monday nights
Support Group
FAQs
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The saying goes that it takes a village to raise a child… the same goes for foster children! We walk alongside you every step of the way in becoming a foster parent and caring for your foster kids.
Once you begin to take in children, you will get connected to a Resource Coordinator to help you meet the needs of your foster children, and you will be added to a Facebook group where you can communicated with fellow foster families and those with a heart for vulnerable children. You can ask your Resource Coordinator and/or the Facebook group any questions you may have, or check in to see if they have any supplies your child might need.
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Every foster placement is different. If you know you are only able to accommodate a child for a short time (1-7 nights), let us know when you reach out. There are many respite care placements available where you could accommodate a child for a short time.
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Yes, based on the child’s age, foster parents receive a monthly stipend from One More Child to help off-set the cost of caring for the foster child. Currently, the monthly stipend is as follows:
Ages 0-5: $551.64
Ages 6-12: $565.74
Ages 13-21: $662.19
In addition, foster children receive Medicaid and free college tuition through state colleges & universities.
If/when additional needs arise, foster families are invited to reach out to their Resource Coordinator and the Facebook Group to see if anyone has what they’re looking for. Chances are there is a family in our church that would love to help provide you with a bed, a car seat, or whatever your foster child is needing.
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Yes, the One More Child staff will work with you to determine the number of children, gender of children, and age(s) that will best work for your home. Once we get you connected with One More Child, their placement team will contact you regarding potential placements for a child/children who meet(s) these criteria.
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YES!
Want to serve in another way? Volunteer to serve through…
Wrap-Around Care
The most tangible way our church family can care for our foster families at Summit is by joining the Wrap-Around Team. Through Wrap-Around, our church family provides meals, helps with laundry, and assists with a variety of household tasks to serve our foster families well.
Better Together Host Family
If fostering isn’t for your family in this season, we’d encourage you to consider becoming a Better Together Host Family! Better Together Host Families take children into their home on a volunteer basis for anywhere from a few hours to 90 days.
Mentorship
Blurb here about Monday nights
