Throw me a life-line.

There is a new program in the region specifically aimed at throwing a lifeline to parent(s) that may be  having extreme difficulties to get help with their children for a short period of time.  This new program is called Safe Families for Children and is getting started in the Dauphin County area.  The program puts together volunteer families who are willing to act as a surrogate extended family, to parents who need some time to deal with with what ever their challenges may be.

The Safe Families for Children program is under the auspices of Bethany Christian Services, one of the nation’s largest adoption agencies based in Atlanta, GA.  Bethany Christian Services has 28 satellites across the country and they have three here in Pennsylvania located in Wexford, Elkins Park and right here in Harrisburg.

This program was designed to go in effect when a short term parental crisis strikes.  Most people can usually rely on relatives or if you have one, a church family for support.  But for many parents, there isn't a lifeline they can count on for support. Often problems such as drug addiction, domestic abuse, incarceration, or illnesses can be devastating, making it tough for parents to care for their children properly at that moment.  With the downturn in today’s economy many more families are experiencing financial crisis, unemployment, and homelessness.  During these times children are at-risk for neglect or abuse as their folks struggle to cope with their circumstances and emotions.  That’s where Safe Families for Children steps in to help.  Since 2005, Safe Families for Children has offered refuge to thousands of children, minimizing the risk for abuse or neglect and giving parents the time they need fix their personal issues in order to help their families survive.  According to their website (www.safe-families.org) they have these tree goals in mind when throwing a lifeline to parents in need:

1.       Child Welfare Deflection: Safe Families provides a safe alternative to child welfare custody, thus significantly reducing the number of children entering the child welfare system.

2.       Child Abuse Prevention: Providing an overwhelmed and resource limited parent with a safe, temporary place for their child without threat of losing custody. By offering support, the goal is to avert potential abuse/neglect episodes.

3.       Family Support and Stabilization: Many parents struggle because of limited social support and unavailable extended family. Many Safe Families Volunteers become the extended family that a parent never had.

Now is time for churches and volunteer families to step up to the plate and help these parents and needy children.  What can you do to help?  Become a volunteer family to host hurting kids on a temporary basis.  Children, will spend about 30-45 days (on average) with volunteer families and the children’s parents retain all their legal rights, and communication between parents, children and volunteer families is encouraged. The staff at Bethany Christian Services will be reaching out to churches, schools, hospitals, and other community groups to get the word out and recruit volunteer host families.

This program will not take the place of foster care – but will supplement it in times of need. To volunteer for Safe Families for Children or seek help from the program, call Bethany Christian Services at 717-238-3549, or toll-free at 800-472-6898 or visit them on the Web at www.bethany.org/harrisburg.