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News Recap of Foster Care

March 23, 2013 • HQ of Hope • by admin

The links below represent news we thought would be good to share. The news covers foster care, child abuse and neglect, adoption and former foster youth in the United States and abroad.

The Foster Care System: What parents Wish We Knew - News coverage of the foster care system is often in response to stories about the children — their struggles and sometimes their triumphs. Much of the public perception of foster parents is based on stereotypes and misconceptions. (NPR)
Foster kids press lawmakers for ‘Bill of Rights’ - KATU Portland – A KATU On Your Side Investigation exposed problems with the foster care system in January when the state removed two children from their foster home of several years.
‘American dream’ or fraud? The rise of Dan Simon and Community Care Resources - Wisconsin State Journal – From a humble childhood in northern Wisconsin, Dan Simon parlayed hard work and long hours into the largest for-profit foster care agency in Wisconsin.
Women Who Suffered Childhood Abuse More Likely to Have Child with Autism - Psych Central – Women who were victims of childhood abuse are at greater risk of having a child with autism spectrum disorder, according to new research. In fact, those women who suffered the most physical and emotional abuse were 60 percent more likely to have a child with autism than women who were not abused.
Child Abuse Prevention Focus of Sacramento Summit - Sacramento Today – Sacramento, CA.-Child advocates from all fifty U.S. states and numerous other countries will gather in Sacramento March 29th, 30th and 31st
Child abuse investigation lands Visalia man behind bars - KFSN-TV Fresno – The little boy is still in the hospital and listed in critical condition. Investigators say he has a serious head injury.

Foster Youth become the Trainers at Orphan Event

December 6, 2012 • HQ of Hope • by admin

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Covenant Community Services, Inc. (Covenant), and their social enterprise Covenant Coffee, recently sent three former foster youth to speak as part of a panel at

Enjoying a Mongolian lunch after the conference!

the Foster Care and Adoption Summit. The Summit was hosted by Arrow Child Services at Grace Baptist Church in Santa Clarita, California. The three youth, Jonathan R., Balinda A. and Keith K., each worked the event and spoke to the attendees about life in the system, the struggles of exiting without support and their current and future plans.

The purpose of the conference was to help individuals and churches understand the needs of former foster youth as they exit care. As the youth shared their stories tears began to appear in the eyes of shocked attendees as the horror of their life was shared. To many, former foster youth are an unknown people group. Thus, this conference shed great insight into the troubled after-care system that awaits foster youth.

In Kern County, California, former foster youth are given a greater chance for success due to the efforts of the Kern County Department of Human Services and their contractor Covenant Community Services (Covenant). Covenant operates a State funded Transitional Housing Plus program for former foster youth ages 18 to 24 years old. The program, CHOICES THP Plus, is a unique two-year service that aides youth in designing goals and dreams and achieving them.

The CHOICES Program has had great success over their four-year effort with many youth purchasing homes upon exit and finding stability and a solid life in the community. While most youth enter with little or no direction and goals they leave with both. Statewide, 50 counties participate in the THP Plus program. In fiscal year 2012, 2,151 former foster youth were served in the State of California. In Kern County, Covenant serves 50 former foster youth through CHOICES.

At the conference, the youth were able to drop their guard and share openly about their stint in foster care both good and bad. The response from the audience was nothing less than shock and sorrow as the reality of foster care and “system life” hit them in the heart and mind. As Balinda shared about doing drugs with group home staff or David shared about eating at a separate table, the crowd was silent but their minds were racing. The youth did a great job of sharing the hope that they have now found and thus presented the options and opportunities to make an impact clearly. The message was clear … there is a problem but you can help and you can make a difference.

Each youth shared from their heart and convinced the crowd that transformation of the system and individuals lives is possible but only as we strive to serve former foster youth with love and hope. This is the exact mission of Covenant Community Services in Bakersfield, California. It is exciting to think of where the future will take these inspirational youth and what the future holds for each. I know one thing – it is filled with hope!

For a more in-depth look into the plight of former foster youth read the report by Human Rights Watch – “My So-Called Emancipation” at this link Full Report.

To learn about California’s THP Plus program go to Fostering Connections

In the Life Media: Foster Care’s Invisible Youth

Team from Covenant and Crossroads goes Glocal

August 7, 2012 • HQ of Hope • by admin

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We are headed back to Tanzania for another round of ministry. Below is critical information for our time including purpose, travel, plans and prayer needs. The team will be just two … Pastor Ken Souers, of Crossroads Christian Fellowship in Bakersfield, California, and Randy Martin, ICM USA Board Member, Covenant for Tanzania Children Founder and Covenant Community Services CEO.

The team will travel to Dar es Salaam, Tanzania and visit the Covenant for Tanzania Children (CTC) Orphan Home that is a partnership with International Christian Ministries of Tanzania (ICM-TZ). The team members will preach in different churches Sunday and then travel seven hours into the interior to Mafinga. In Mafinga, the team will hold a four-day conference with local church leaders before travelling back to Dar to preach in different churches. The fast-paced journey will end as flights leave back to the USA on Monday evening!

Thanks for covering the mission to Tanzania in prayer. We are expecting great things from God and to use us to bless the African church, leadership and orphans.

We believe God is going to impart spiritual truths to pastors and church leaders for their growth and impact. We also believe our work will impart community and compassionate ministries to the local church as we engage them in resisting religion and walking in wonderful relationship with Jesus Christ.

We I will be traveling to Tanzania to teach through International Christian Ministries of Tanzania (ICM- Tanzania). Our main purpose is to train existing pastors and church leadership. Our extended purpose is to encourage the ICM Tanzania ministry staff and leadership and to visit and supply the needs of our partner ministry Covenant for Tanzania Children (CTC).

To share the current situation for children in Tanzania consider the quote from an article in the Guardian by Alex Duvall Smith citing an international study conducted last year,

Now for the first time, an African country – Tanzania – has subjected itself to international scrutiny of the rates of mental, physical and sexual violence suffered by girls and boys, and their impact.

The study (pdf), published on Tuesday by Dar es Salaam’s Muhimbili University in collaboration with the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, finds that nearly three out of every 10 girls and nearly three out of every 20 boys in Tanzania claim to have experienced sexual violence.

Almost three-quarters of girls and boys questioned had experienced physical violence before the age of 18 at the hand of an adult or an intimate partner. Around 25% had been subjected to emotional abuse by an adult during childhood.

Guardian Article: Poverty Matters Blog

Our Purpose

To come along side the African Church, through teaching, training and encouragement, for the purpose of equipping pastors and church leadership for the salvation and discipleship of Africa. To engage the faith-filled in Tanzania to replicate the ministry of Covenant in Tanzania … to move people from “pew to purpose”!

The Orphan Home

We will be visiting the staff and team at Mamma Teddi’s to provide encouragement, needed supplies and to purchase cows, chickens and other goods for the home.

Please pray for: health and safety, our teaching and training of local pastors, Mamma Teddi and the orphans she serves, favor in purchasing cows, chickens and other items for the home, meetings with the Covenant team in Tanzania, ICM-Tanzania ministries and James and Mary Kamau.

About Covenant Community Services

Covenant Community Services, Inc. (Covenant) is a nonprofit 501 (c) (3) social service organization serving foster children, former foster youth and their families in Kern County and through replication efforts, the United States and the world. Covenant provides hope to foster children, former foster youth and families through a diverse and creative team of dedicated individuals. At Covenant, our purpose is transformation of lives and thus our community. Covenant meets the needs of “hurting and hopeless” children/youth and families through partnerships with local churches, community-based organizations, individuals and businesses. Covenant exists to transform our community with the love and hope one child at a time! Learn More at www.covenantcs.net

News Recap of Foster Care

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