Family Preservation
OCA Family Preservation is about partnering with believers to support hurting families in crisis and reduce the number of children entering foster care.
All of the families we serve in Family Preservation are isolated and facing difficult circumstances with little support or encouragement. Who better to respond to their needs than the body of Christ!
Matthew 25:35-36,40 (NIV) God wants our lives to overflow with mercy, love, and compassion the marks of His Kingdom. AS followers of Jesus, we have a choice: respond to unsettling realities in fear and withdrawal, or follow Him in responding to the greatest needs of our day with love and hope.
Volunteer with Family Preservation
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Family Care is designed to assist families who have been identified by social services as needing temporary extra support to assure a stable environment to promote the health and wellbeing of their children. Volunteers in this ministry work alongside Family Care staff to provide guidance, resources and encouragement to these families in a difficult season of life.
The goal of the Family Care ministry is to enable families in crisis to navigate through their challenges in a responsible and reasonable manner. Helping them to obtain tools to overcome current issues and prevent others from occurring in the future.
How to get started:
- Fill out the “Volunteer in Family Preservation” form at the bottom of this page
- Our Family Preservation Director will reach out to you to take the next steps
- Apply to be a Family Care volunteer
- Have an interview with our Family Preservation Director
- Get a background check
- Attend a 4-hour training
Expectations:
- Volunteers in this ministry are asked to make a weekly commitment of 3-4 hours for 90 days
- Work along with OCA Staff and clients to create goals and initiatives for the family
- Meet with clients on a weekly basis and maintaining contact throughout the week through calls or text
- With the assistance of OCA Staff, connect parents with local resources.
- Provide encouragement, grace, and companionship
- Pray for your clients
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Restore is a respite care ministry, designed to bring restorative care to struggling vulnerable families. Volunteers in this ministry provide respite in their homes one weekend a month for six months for isolated families in need of respite.
Restore brings hope to families who find themselves consistently in highly vulnerable and stressful situations with little or no extended family or community support. Situations like these are often breeding grounds for childhood trauma.
Research shows that respite care increases feelings of wellbeing for families and improves coping abilities. Respite care also reduces the risk of abuse, neglect and feelings of depression and isolation.
How to get started:
- Fill out the “Volunteer in Family Preservation” form at the bottom of this page
- Our Family Preservation Director will reach out to you to take next steps
- Apply to be a Restore volunteer
- Complete a background check
- Have a home evaluation
- Attend a training
Expectations:
- Care for the children of those in need of respite for one weekend every month, for a 6-month commitment
- Build relationships with the struggling family
- Pray for your clients
Hebrews 13:16 : “And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.”
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When a crisis strikes a vulnerable family, Safe Harbor is there. Utilizing a team approach, Safe Harbor brings wrap-around support to isolated families who find themselves in the middle of one of life's storms. We provide short-term care for children, while we work alongside parents in crisis.
Every family needs help from time to time. When life gets hard most of us are able to turn to relatives or friends for support. Yet, for some families, due to poverty and social isolation, this is not an option. As a Safe Harbor volunteer, you become part of a Care Team designed to bring support to vulnerable families, giving them connection and stability to move forward through tough circumstances.
The Care Team consists of volunteers acting as the Care Coach and Care Family. These volunteers work with the client and OCA Staff to create a strength-based Case Plan to overcome the family's crisis situation. “Care Coach” volunteers act as mentors and encouragers by connecting weekly with the hurting parents. Care Families bring the children into their homes to provide safety and stability while parents navigate the crisis.
How to Get Started as a Care Coach or a Care Family:
- Fill out the “Volunteer in Family Preservation” form at the bottom of this page
- Our Family Preservation Director will reach out to you to take the next steps
- Apply to be a Restore volunteer
- Complete a background check
- Have a home evaluation
- Attend a training
Expectations:
- Mentor, encourage and love these families and their children
- With the assistance of OCA Staff, connect parents with local resources
- Provide encouragement, grace, and companionship
- Pray for your clients
Testimonials:
"Without Safe Harbor and their help, I don't know if I would be able to keep my child. I would have no choice but to put him in foster care. Now our lives are so much better and he has just blossomed while in Safe Harbors’ care. We appreciate all you do". Cl- Safe Harbor client
"The thing we love about Safe Harbor is that it allows us to help out people who are great parents but are just struggling through a difficult time. We are able to walk alongside them and support them through it. If we can help them through a temporary crisis, then they are able to become who God called them to be." J- Safe Harbor Care Family mom
Ready to take your next step with Family Preservation?
Fill out the form below to indicate which area(s) you are interested in and our Family Preservation team will reach out to discuss your next steps!
Family Preservation Volunteer FAQs
How old must you be to volunteer in a Family Preservation Ministry?
All Volunteers must be 24 years of age.
Are Volunteers required to pay for background checks or Home Evaluations?
No, OCA covers all volunteer onboarding expenses.
What are the reasons that families are referred to Family Care by CPS?
Common reasons for referrals include environmental issues, truancy from school, lack of routine or budget control and parenting skills.
Can you be single and still be a Restore or Safe Harbor Care Family?
Yes, you absolutely can!
Do I have to own my own home to be a Restore or Safe Harbor Family?
No, you simply need to provide a safe clean environment with an appropriate bed for each child.
Is there a stipend to cover the expenses of children staying in our home for a Restore weekend or as a Safe Harbor placement?
All medical and Daycare expenses are covered by the placing parent. Daily expenses such as food, entertainment etc. are the responsibility of the Restore/Safe Harbor volunteer family.
OCA does try to help when possible, with diapers, wipes and resources for clothing etc.
Can I continue to have an ongoing relationship with my client once their commitment to the program ends?
Yes!! It is our desire that a true mutual friendship will develop between volunteers and their clients and that both parties will desire to continue the relationship but we certainly do not mandate this.