LSG Foster Care Recruiter: Lauren Welch

When LSG’s Foster Care Recruiter Lauren Welch meets with potential foster parents, she knows first-hand the excitement and anxiety they’re experiencing as they go through the process of deciding if fostering is right for them.  She understands the frustration and impatience that prospective foster parents feel as they navigate through the approval process and multiple training sessions.  As a foster parent herself, she knows the doubts, fears, and struggles that foster parents deal with daily when they welcome children into their homes.

Lauren has also witnessed the dramatic transformation that occurs in many children when they are placed in a safe, loving foster home. Seeing that transformation in her own son, who she adopted through foster care, was the catalyst that led Lauren to pursue a career in foster care.

“Children need trust, love, and support, which are all the things good foster parents can give.  All it takes is one regular, loving adult,” says Lauren.

When Lauren was in her early twenties, she was diagnosed with a medical condition, and her doctors advised her against having biological children.  She and her husband began to look into overseas adoptions, but with Lauren’s medical issues, they were repeatedly denied.  Lauren and her husband began to accept that children may not be in the cards for them.   Then one day at church, she heard a fellow member talking about adopting through foster care. 

The Welches began to research foster care and were surprised to learn that Lauren’s health issues wouldn’t disqualify them from fostering. It took about a year for Lauren and her husband to get approved to open their home.  “We opened on a Sunday and got the call for a high-energy two-year-old on Tuesday morning,” says Lauren.  “That’s how desperately they needed a home for a child.”

The two-year-old little boy, who was diagnosed with behavior disorders and ADHD, had already been through several different foster homes. 

“He needed structure, and the Department of Family and Children Services suggested a young family with no other children so he could see what it was like,” says Lauren. “He needed individual attention.  He had some challenges and bad behaviors, but he was not a bad kid.”

The Welches were able to provide him with the love, attention, and structure he needed.  Fifteen months later, when his biological parents terminated their parental rights, Lauren and her husband adopted him.

After moving to Albany in 2015, Lauren began to feel that God had a different plan for her life career wise.  She woke up one day and told her husband that she wanted to work in foster care.

She began checking out online job sites.  “I looked online and there was the job opening in foster care with Lutheran Services of Georgia in Albany.” 

When she got the job offer, Lauren was excited to embark on a new career and thankful that God had set his plan for her in motion, allowing her to help out more children in foster care than possible by solely fostering in her home.   In addition to working in the foster care field, Lauren continues to foster with her husband. In addition to their son, they currently have two children temporarily in their care.

As a foster care recruiter, Lauren’s job is to find potential foster parents and offer them support as they work to create a warm, stable home environment for the children that come into their home. 

“Now when I look at my son, I think ‘man, did I think you were going to be difficult, but you are such an incredible and caring child.’  That’s my reminder for all of these children.  They all need what my son needed – love, time, and support,” says Welch.

If you are interested in learning more about becoming a foster parent, visit lsga.org/foster-care to learn more.

Inspiritus’ Specialized Foster Care Program: Helping Children, Supporting Foster Parents

Inspiritus’ Specialized Foster Care program works to find secure, stable, and loving homes for children in the custody of the state.  The term “specialized” means we focus our work on serving teens, sibling groups and children who are medically fragile or have emotional, developmental or physical disabilities. When a child is removed from a home where alleged abuse or neglect are present, they are in need of love and support.  Our top priority in Foster Care providing stability and security during this difficult time in the child’s life. We take the necessary steps to ensure that each child is matched with the most appropriate home to meet their needs.  We provide a thorough pre-placement training program as well as continuing training and support after placement to ensure the best possible experience for the child and the foster parent.

Our Approval & Matching Process

Each prospective family must complete an orientation, pre-service trainings, and have a thorough home study assessment completed and approved by the state of Georgia. During the home study assessment, recruiters assess your childhood upbringing, relationships, medical history, family interaction, desire to foster, behavior management/ discipline practices, capacity, and a host of other safety measures. At the completion of this process, both the family and assessor will be able to determine the type of child(ren) they can and are willing to foster and the capacity of their home to accommodate that type of child(ren).

We place a strong emphasis on matching each child with foster parents who are best suited to meet his or her individual needs.  Each prospective foster parent completes a placement preference log which includes answering specific questions about the type of child, behaviors, medical diagnosis etc. they would be comfortable working with and what behaviors and/or medical issues would be challenging and incompatible with their ability to foster.  The placement log along with the information gathered during the home study assessment helps the foster care supervisor make the best decision as to the type of child(ren) that can be matched with a particular family.

Training

Our Foster Parents receive extensive training to prepare them for their role in caring for a child. In addition to the Georgia mandated Impact Training, which includes 23 modules over 20 hours, Therapeutic Behavior Management Training (TBM); Inspiritus also requires additional foster parent education, including: 

1.       Core Training: Foster parents learn the basics of how we work with DFCS, Inspiritus’ foster care policies and other essential information like the on call numbers and emergencies services that are available to them. Each parent is also certified in CPR/First Aid.

2.       Special Needs Training:  Parents receive training in the how to deal with specific behavioral issues, physical or developmental disabilities.  If a medically fragile child is placed in the home, training is provided by a hospital medical professional, Inspiritus Nurse, or other designated medical personnel prior to the child being placed in the home.

3.       Continuing Training:  Foster parents are required to complete 15 hours of on-going training annually to remain in compliance.

  Support

Once a family has welcomed a child into their home, Inspiritus provides them with continued support. There are quarterly meetings that parents are encouraged to attend that cover additional training information and updates on changes in policy and other relevant topics. In addition, Inspiritus staff refer foster families to resources within their community. The month of May is Foster Care Appreciation. Inspiritus takes the opportunity to thank our caregivers with a celebration and gifts to show our appreciation. During the holidays, Inspiritus celebrates our families with a holiday meal and gifts for the parents and children.

Fostering is not easy, but for so many families, the blessing outweighs the challenges.  Many people become foster parents so they can impact a child’s life, but often their own lives are transformed by opening their home and their hearts to a child in need.   If you are interested in becoming a foster parent, please fill out an inquiry form. If you are interested in donating to Inspiritus to help support our Specialized Foster Care program, click here to donate and designate Foster Care as the fund. 

Three Marietta Churches Partner to Welcome A Syrian Family

Susan and Ibtehal pose for a selfie.

It’s a Wednesday afternoon, Susan Lyke has just arrived at the home of the Nouras and Ibtehal Abazied. They greet her warmly and as she removes her shoes at the door, and Ibtehal offers her coffee.   Soon Susan is settled in at table and begins English lessons for the day.  The three share smiles and laughs as Susan reviews the day’s lessons over coffee.  Before she leaves for afternoon, she goes over the week’s schedule with the couple.  Ibtehal, who is expecting another child, has a doctor’s appointment the following day, and both parents have a meeting with their older son’s teacher that Friday. 

Susan is one of the volunteers involved in helping resettle a Syrian family with Lutheran Services of Georgia.  This scene describes a typical afternoon in the life of the Abazied family, new arrivals to the Atlanta metro area.

Sharing a meal after an English lesson

Last year, a team of volunteers from three Lutheran churches in Cobb County - Lutheran Church of the Resurrection in Marietta, First United Lutheran Church in Kennesaw and Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Marietta joined together to sponsor and resettle a Syrian family in their community.  While LSG’s Refugee Services staff supervised the resettlement services, the volunteers took care of most of the day-to-day assistance the family required as they acclimated to life in the United States.

This arrangement was unique for LSG.  While LSG’s church partners often gather donations and set up apartments for new arrivals or serve as “first friends” for refugee families, this was the first time volunteers took on the majority of tasks involved in resettling a family. 

 “This collaboration of the three Marietta churches, LSG’s Refugee and Immigration Services staff, and this wonderful refugee family demonstrates the public-private partnership of the U.S. Refugee Resettlement Program at its very best,” says Melanie Johnson, Program Manager for Volunteer, Congregation and Community Engagement,  Lutheran Services of Georgia.  “The biblical mandates to welcome the stranger and love the neighbor are embodied in lives of all involved!”

A Need Arises, A Partnership is Born

Opening a gift from one of the church members.

When the Abazied family asked to be resettled in Cobb County, in an apartment near their close friends from Syria, LSG wanted to honor their request.  However, placing them in Cobb County would present several challenges.  In the Northwest suburb, they would be an hour’s drive away from the resources available in Clarkston, a popular area for resettlement in metro Atlanta, and without easy access to public transportation. 

Lutheran Church of the Resurrection has been a long-time supporter of LSG’s work, so LSG approached them with an idea.  LCR members Mark Olson and Ed Aebischerhad already expressed an interest in increasing their involvement with LSG’s refugee resettlement program and encouraging more members in their church to get involved.  Mark reached out to Susan Lyke from First United Lutheran Church, and she responded with enthusiasm, and the concept of a partnership between multiple churches began to grow.

Volunteer Bev Arends at Obadah's 15th Birthday Party

“The idea was if we could resettle them in Cobb County – it would be more likely that we would have church members that would get involved. I felt it was important for our communities in Cobb to show that we are a welcoming place,” said Susan.

When it was certain that the family would be resettling in Cobb County, the three began to assemble a team of volunteers from their own churches and from another LSG partner, Holy Trinity Lutheran in Marietta.  The team was comprised of around 20 volunteers who helped on a regular basis and additional volunteers who assisted occasionally.

The Welcoming Begins

The volunteers’ first task was to set up an apartment for the family.  They gathered donations and worked to fully furnish the apartment and stock their cabinets and closets with the necessities.

Volunteer Karen Bear at the Birthday Party.

When the Abazieds arrived, four of the volunteers welcomed them at the Atlanta airport and joined them for their first meal in their new apartment.  The volunteers quickly became a source of guidance, comfort and friendship for the new refugees.  The team worked daily with the family on a range of activities. They taught ESL sessions and tutored the children and offered in-school support for the family.  Volunteers drove the family of six to doctors’ offices, pharmacies, grocery stores, English classes and social events around Atlanta. As Nouras began to look for a job, the volunteers helped with resume preparation, job applications, interview coaching, and worked to prepare him for the expectations of the working world in the US.  In addition to practical assistance, the team aimed to boost the family’s confidence and encouraged them to trust in their own abilities to learn, grow, and be productive in their new society.

While the volunteers were teaching the Abazeid family, they were also learning a great deal themselves. 

“Nouras and Ibtehal have taught all of us a lot about hospitality and gratitude,” says Susan.  “We’ve really been enriched by their presence.”

“Spending time with these new neighbors helps me appreciate the fact that, regardless of race, national origin, ethnicity, faith tradition, and all too frequent tensions and wars, we share a common hope and humanity with our brothers and sisters in every corner of the world,” says Ed.

In addition, collaborative work between the three churches has had a strengthening effect on many of the volunteers’ faith.

 “It’s been a blessing to work with these volunteers.  They are all so loving and generous with their time.  It’s been really important for my faith to do this work with others as kindred spirits united in Christ, especially in the political climate today,” says Susan.  “We all really look forward to being with this family and getting together as a group.”

Ed agrees.  “On a daily basis, this ecumenical effort allows each of us involved to grasp, deep within, that a true faith is truly a “faith at work’ to help others in need,” he says.

Would your faith or community group like to welcome and walk alongside a refugee family?

 Contact Melanie Johnson at mjohnson@lsga.org to learn more about the Circle of Welcome, an initiative of Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service and Lutheran Services of Georgia where the Circle of Welcome is made complete when a faith or community group connects with LIRS and LSG to accompany a refugee family. Together, we support them as they rebuild their lives and are recognized as positive contributors to society.  The goal of Circle of Welcome is to increase successful integration of refugee families arriving in the U.S. and to create meaningful and varied opportunities for faith and community groups to engage with and walk alongside refugee families in service, friendship, and as advocates.

Healthy Families Helps Young Mom Succeed

In partnership with Great Start Georgia and the Georgia Division of Family and Children Services, Lutheran Services of Georgia provides parents in the Savannah area with an opportunity to grow their parenting skills.  

Through the Healthy Families program, expectant parents and parents of children under the age of five receive weekly support and education sessions.  Participants are often referred to Healthy Families if they have certain risk factors such as low income, are under the age of 21, unemployed, etc.,

During weekly in-home sessions, Family Support Workers help educate parents on appropriate child development as well as teaching them about developing a positive parent-child relationship, creating a safe and healthy home for children, and connecting to other community resources and support systems to ensure the family’s needs are met. These services are available at no cost to parents who are referred residing in Chatham or Liberty Counties.

 As a teen mom, Caroline, along with her son Hunter, has benefited tremendously from her time in Healthy Families. 

She enrolled in the program in October 2015, when she was in the very early stages of her pregnancy.  Caroline gave birth to healthy baby boy on June 1, 2016.  Caroline and Hunter remain enrolled in Healthy Families.

Q & a With Caroline

How do you think Healthy Families helped you be better prepared for having a baby and becoming a mother?  

It helped to not be afraid that you mess up.  It gives you confidence in yourself that you will be a good mom.  It guides you in finding out the type of mom that you want to be.

What are the most helpful skills or information that you've learned through Healthy Families?

Most of all, without a doubt, I learned patience.  I learned about self-sufficiency before he was born and even more after.  I learned a lot about myself before he was born, and then after was more about putting what I learned into practice.

What advice would you give someone who was about pregnant and about to start Healthy Families?  Any tips for getting the most out it?

My advice is to stick with it especially because it takes time to meet and make goals happen.  It’s very enlightening about how much you can learn.  You can get so many opinions and perspectives from different people about the same topic and having someone, someone you trust and who supports you, to bounce those perspectives off of helps a lot. 

My tip is to PRACTICE what is discussed, especially if you want to see results.  Also, always be open and honest.  Don’t shy away from things because you are afraid or have no experience in it. 

Was there anything that surprised you about having and caring for a baby?  Was anything different than you expected?

Everything was different.  It’s a surreal experience for me and some days it still feels like a dream.  I know it’s real and happening but everything is moving so fast.

When I was pregnant, I knew everything.  I got this, I know what to expect, I’m ready…at least I thought.  Because once I had him, it was like OH MY GOD, what do I do, what is happening, who do I call.  And those weekly session really helped. 

What is the hardest thing about being a parent?  What is the best thing about being a parent?

The best thing about being a parent is watching him grow and develop every day.  It’s amazing how you can never repeat the same day because no two days are alike.  It’s like a bitter sweet feeling because you don’t want them to grow but of course you do. 

The hardest thing is not getting enough rest.  Time management and balancing out your life with his life is challenging.  To get a balance, however, it’s best to think about needs versus wants, yours and his, then prioritize. 

Thank you Caroline for sharing your experiences with us!

Using People First Language

March is National Developmental Disabilities Awareness month, a time to recognize and celebrate individuals with developmental disabilities and the contributions they make to our communities.  LSG aims to treat people with disabilities with the utmost respect and help them live full, meaningful lives in a safe, welcoming environment.  Through our FACES program, we match those with developmental and physical disabilities with support companions, allowing them to live in a home setting and be active participants in their community.

To create a more respectful and welcoming society, experts who work with populations with disabilities have long advocated for using People First language.  According to the Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities, People First Language (PFL) is a way of communicating that reflects knowledge and respect for people with disabilities by choosing words that recognize the person first and foremost as the primary reference and not his or her disability. (gcdd.org)

Often times individuals with disabilities are identified by their disability first; they may be called a handicapped or a disabled person. People First Language puts the person before the disability and it describes what a person has, not what a person is.

LSG is pleased that just this week Georgia lawmakers voted on a bill that would change outdated language in our code and substitute it with wording that shows respect and dignity.  The bill would replace the words "mental retardation"  and "mentally retarded" with "intellectual disability."  

Are you using People First language when describe those with disabilities or illnesses?  Here's a guide to help you out.

People First Language Preferred Expression 

Instead of: 

 handicapped child or disabled

  palsied, CP or spastic

afflicted, suffers from, victim of

mute or dumb

autistic

slow or retarded

crazy or insane

deaf and dumb

confined to a wheelchair

retarded

mongoloid, suffers from Down syndrome

is learning disabled

is physically disabled/crippled

invalid or paralytic

quadriplegic

paraplegic

Say:

child with a disability

individual with cerebral palsy

person who has….

nonverbal (with speech)

child(ren) with autism

developmental delay

emotional disorder/mental illness 

deaf or has a hearing impairment

 uses a wheelchair

has a cognitive or intellectual disability

adult with Down syndrome

has a learning disability

has a physical disability

paralyzed

Has quadriplegia

Has paraplegia

Brenda: Living her Best Life

 Updated March 20, 2019

Inspiritus’ Disability Services program places adults with developmental disabilities with well-trained, caring support companions in host homes where they thrive and grow in independence and abilities.

Brenda is one of many we serve in our Disability Services program. She moved in with the McCoy family, her host home family, more than 13 years ago. She’s an avid bowler, although bowling is just one of many sports she is passionate about. She has a large collection of ribbons she’s won from a 30-year career with Special Olympics in Georgia.

Brenda spends a lot of time with Mrs. McCoy in their neighborhood, and she’s made a lot of connections with people in her community. After volunteering for most of her life, Brenda has recently chosen to retire and spend her time doing things she enjoys like shopping, going out to eat with friends, and water aerobics at the local YMCA.

As an active member of the family, Brenda has thrived in the McCoy home. When the McCoy family recently celebrated the birth of their grandchild, Brenda gushed about the new edition to the family and was thrilled at the opportunity to hold the baby at the hospital.

Through our Disability Services program, Brenda and many others are able to live the most fulfilling and meaningful lives possible thanks to caring families like the McCoys. Join Inspiritus in celebrating those we serve and their support companions!

The Proposed Heath Care Bill Could Affect Care for Vulnerable Americas

Someone you love could be affected by the proposed legislation to replace the current health care law.

On March 6, Congress released the “American Health Care Act” that would restructure Medicaid and reform the Affordable Care Act.

In addition to making substantial changes to the health law, the proposal would drastically cut and fundamentally restructure the Medicaid program by converting it to a per capita cap. Per capita funding sets a limit for each person receiving Medicaid, any services above the limit would not be covered by Medicaid.  This action would effectively shrink federal Medicaid funding over time, putting those who are most vulnerable - children, the elderly and the disabled receiving services and support - in danger of losing coverage and access to care. This radical restructuring would shift substantial costs and risks to states, ultimately forcing them to cut benefits, restrict eligibility and reduce provider payments.

Fast action is anticipated in Committee to bring a final bill to the floor. This accelerated timeline means your voice is needed NOW more than ever! Educate your lawmakers that the House proposal to cut and cap Medicaid is unacceptable and is putting the health, safety and well-being of the most vulnerable at risk

Email Congress by clicking this link, which provides education on the impact of these changes. You will be asked to fill out a form so the action tool can identify your Member of Congress and email directly to his or her Congressional office. We cannot stress enough the need to voice our concerns clearly, loudly and often. Please share this alert with your colleagues, employees, and friends to maximize our message’s effect.

Help support LSG's FACES program, which places adults and children with developmental disabilities in the homes of caring support companions. Donate at and select "FACES" under fund

Q & A with John Moeller

 On February 15th, LSG welcomed John Moeller as our new CEO.  John has worked in leadership in the nonprofit industry for more than 15 years in the Atlanta area.  With a background in the United Methodist Church, John is ordained as a minister and served as a pastor in UMC congregations throughout Northeast Georgia before entering the nonprofit world.  John sat down to answer a few questions about his background, his home life and his hopes for the future of LSG. 

What is your professional background? 

John Moeller with stephen friedrich at the hunger walk/run

While I’ve been in the nonprofit industry for many years, leading faith-based organizations, I started out in ministry. I grew up in the Lutheran church until high school when my family relocated to North Georgia. There wasn’t a Lutheran church nearby, so we joined a United Methodist congregation. After earning my Master’s in Divinity from Candler School of Theology at Emory, I spent a decade pastoring UMC churches before being called to nonprofit leadership. I recently left Action Ministries, where I served as President and CEO for the past five years. Prior to that, I served as CEO of MUST Ministries in Marietta for ten years.

What led you to leave pastoring and enter the nonprofit sector and social and human services in particular?

What I loved about pastoral work was helping churches to serve the community.  As I moved along in my career, I realized that you don’t have to be a pastor of a church to make that happen.  My wife Laurie Moeller is also a UMC pastor, and I’ve often said that there’s only room in our family for one really good preacher – and that’s Laurie.

I’ve always loved serving the most vulnerable and that goes hand in hand with my faith.  I think that the people LSG serves are among the most important in our community and our country, and that’s the opposite of what society thinks are the most important groups – the rich, the glamorous, and TV or sport celebrities.  Part of our job at LSG is to help lead the church to live out this calling to serve others.   

Society sees the vulnerable as weak.  LSG sees them as strong.  We and our church partners are in the position to show the world the strength that those we serve bring to our community.

John with our refugee services staff and volunteers at the Capitol

Tell us about your life outside of work.

My wife Laurie and I are raising teenage daughters, and I truly love being a parent – with all the challenges it brings.  I told a story to the staff on my first day of work about a trip Laurie and I took to the mountains many years ago.  I’ve always been a mountain person and love spending time outdoors in nature.  On this particular day, the weather was iffy and snow started falling as Laurie and I continued on this hike that ended up being more treacherous than expected.  I told that story to illustrate my take on life – that I always love a good adventure.  Between raising a family and managing our careers, now Laurie and I don’t have to go to the mountains for an adventure – every day is adventure for us.

You’ve been at LSG for just two weeks, what is your impression so far?

I’m in awe of the people I’ve met.  Our staff is full of smart people who are passionate about the cause. They really bring a vast array of knowledge and experience to their work.  I’m really encouraged by what I’ve found here. We already have the components we need to build on LSG’s success and grow together into a world class organization.

What is your vision or hope for the future of LSG?

LSG isn’t just about serving those in need.  It’s connecting the dots in community.  Building a better community as we serve the most vulnerable.

Throughout my career, I’ve really enjoyed helping great organizations to become more capable in the areas they serve - to be powerhouses in whichever field they are in.  What I really want for LSG is to become a leader in the minds of the public.  Our clients already think we’re the best, and our partners recognize we’re great.  Now, I want the public to recognize LSG as the best and as the “go to” leader in its field.

What you can do today to stand with refugees

By Melanie Johnson, Volunteer Manager, LSG's Refugee & Immigration Services Department

As we all know, it’s been a very sad week for the refugee resettlement community and the vulnerable individuals and families who we serve. In light of the recent executive order temporarily banning all refugees, and indefinitely banning Syrian refugees, I wanted to share some ways that you could help.

1.  Donate to Lutheran Services of Georgia and encourage others to donate. 
For more than 30 years, we’ve been welcoming and walking alongside refugee families – we are committed to continuing this work to the best of our abilities under the new executive orders. Please consider donating to our refugee program as our federal funding will be significantly reduced during this ban. We need assistance to be able to retain our staff and resources, so we can continue to help the refugees who have already arrived and be fully prepared to continue resettling families when the 120-day halt in resettlement is lifted. Support LSG’s refugee families today by donating.  Click here to donate and choose the fund “refugee services.”

2.  Tell your elected officials that refugees are welcome in your community and that you oppose the refugee ban.  Go online right now to oppose the ban and support refugee rights at the national level (http://www.lirs.org/action)  and at the state level (http://bit.ly/2kxoDX2)

3.  Support the refugees that are already in our community. Hearing what is happening in the news has been very rough for our refugee clients. Let’s show them that they are welcome here and that they have a community ready to support them.  Attend or organize events in your community to stand with refugees. 

4.  Continue to educate yourself and others. The national resettlement organizations, including our national partner, Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service, have jointly developed a series of videos and a social media campaign – Refugees Love America – to combat anti-refugee sentiment and open up important public dialogue.  Please use the videos with email/facebook/twitter; create your own content (make short videos and share other videos), request action (ask for Congress and the Administration to be reminded that Refugees Love America)!  Use #refugeeswelcome. 

See http://www.rcusa.org/refugees-love-america

Thank you so much for standing with refugees. We continue to be encouraged and inspired by the outpouring of support.

LSG Announces John Moeller as New CEO

Lutheran Services of Georgia recently announced the selection of Rev. John Moeller as its new Chief Executive Officer.  In this key leadership role, Moeller will steer the statewide organization as it looks to expand and enhance its services and programs and to strengthen its position as an industry leader.  Moeller will begin his new role effective February 15, 2017. At that time, Gary Johnstone, who has served as Interim CEO, will resume his position as Chief Operations Officer.

“The LSG staff and Board are thrilled to welcome John, and we anxiously await his expertise and leadership as we continue in our commitment to serve many of Georgia’s most vulnerable populations with an unwavering passion and the highest quality of services,” says Rev. Dr. David Hardy, Chair of the Board of Directors, Lutheran Services of Georgia.  “John has a reputation in the community as a visionary leader and as a builder and grower of organizations. Our Board and senior leadership unanimously agreed that John is the dynamic leader needed to propel LSG to the next level – to grow its programs and improve its services, so that ultimately we can better serve our clients and our community.”

“Lutheran Services of Georgia is known throughout the state as a leader in the program areas it serves.  I’m honored to have the opportunity to lead this established and respected organization into the future,” says John Moeller.  “I am eager to get to work and look forward to increasing LSG’s impact around the state and advancing our vision and mission in the communities it serves.”

John is a veteran of the nonprofit industry with extensive experience leading faith-based Organizations.  He comes to LSG from Action Ministries in Atlanta, where he has served as President and CEO for the past five years. Under John’s leadership, Action Ministries has expanded its service territory and increased its revenues while revitalizing its relationship with its United Methodist Church roots. Prior to Action Ministries, John served as CEO of MUST Ministries in Marietta for ten years. John is ordained as a minister in the United Methodist Church and served as Pastor to UMC congregations in North Georgia from 1991 to 2001 before being called to work in nonprofit human and social services. He retains his ordination status and currently serves as an ordained elder.

As an outdoor enthusiast, Moeller spends much of his leisure time hiking, biking and pursuing other activities in nature. He is a graduate of the University of Georgia and received his Masters of Divinity from Emory University.

John looks forward to meeting and working with our many partners, donors, volunteers and other constituents.

LSG Volunteers Make MLK Day a "Day On, Not a Day Off"

"Life's most persistent and urgent question is, 'What are you doing for others?'" -Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.  

On Monday, January 16th, people from all over the United States participated in the MLK Day of Service, honoring the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King by giving back to their communities by volunteering with various organizations.  Lutheran Services of Georgia's Refugee Services program held its annual Lutheran MLK Day of Service in conjunction with the national event.  More than 200 volunteers - adults and children, groups and individuals -  assembled at Rock of Ages Lutheran Church in Stone Mountain to help with service projects benefiting refugees and immigrants served by LSG. 

Rice for Refugees

Volunteers spent the morning portioning and repackaging more than 4,200 lbs of rice into family-sized bags.  The bags of rice will be distributed to refugee families that Lutheran Service of Georgia is resettling in the Atlanta area.  The rice, typically a staple of many refugees' diets,  will provide comforting and nutritious first meals for refugee families during an intense transition period in their lives.  

Volunteers join in blessing the 4,200 lbs of donated rice.

Letters of Hope

Volunteers also wrote letters to immigrants currently being detained in detention facilities.  Detainees often have few to no visitors and little contact with the outside world.  Volunteers were invited to be a compassionate presence by writing letters of hope and encouragement to immigrants in detention facilities in Georgia and by creating cards for mothers and children in family detention centers in Texas.

Advocacy Training

Following the service projects, many volunteers attended an advocacy training session led by Jessica Jones, Esq., Acting Director for Advocacy, Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Services (LIRS), Rev. Kevin Jacobson, Assistant Director for Outreach, LIRS, and Stephanie Ali, LMSW, Communications and Policy Coordinator, New American Pathways.  The training outlined methods and talking points for attendees to engage with their elected representatives and to advocate for refugees and immigrants. 

Jessica Jones, Acting Director for Advocacy, Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Services, provided practical tips and advice for communicating with elected officials and standing up for refugees

Stephanie Ali, LCSW, Communications and Policy Coordinator, New American Pathways, provided information on advocating at a state level.

Thank you to all of our volunteers who attended the 2017 MLK Day of Service.  If you were unable to attend but are interested in volunteering with LSG's refugee services department, please email Melanie Johnson.

The Carter Effect - Fostering Hope in Young Men

Many young men and adult men who have come through Georgia’s Foster Care system attribute their success, despite a challenging home life, to the Carter Effect.

The Carter Effect is an expression the youth who have lived in the foster home of Chevette Carter use to describe the positive impact Carter has had on their lives. Ms. Carter, a licensed foster parent with Lutheran Services of Georgia, opens her home to teenage males who have been placed in foster care through the Division of Family and Children Services. 

“I just want to see them be productive, but someone has to teach them, that’s why I do it,” said Carter.

Carter has been fostering for more than 16 years and during this time has touched the lives of more than 12 young men. She states that many of her foster children  come to her  from group homes, which lack the family-like setting that will allow these teens to thrive. Carter provides them with a normal home, where they can attend school with their peers, play sports, and prepare for the real world. 

Carter expressed that she also loves to be a support for the parents. She recollected a time when a birth mother gave her a hug and thanked her.

“That is why I do this, building people up is always a good thing,” reflects Carter.

Carter believes all children should have the right to grow up in a loving and nurturing environment. She explains the relationship she has with Lutheran Services of Georgia allows her to provide these youth with an opportunity to receive a fair chance at life.  

“There are approximately 9,000 children in foster care in the State of Georgia, and we at LSG want to spread the Carter Effect,” stated Akiva Ford, Foster Care Recruiter, Lutheran Services of Georgia. “We want to provide our children with homes like Ms. Carter’s.  A place where they can grow and thrive and have a connection even when they exit from out of the system. Lutheran Services of Georgia is truly indebted to Ms. Carter and all of our foster homes.”

If you would like to become a foster parent and provide Hope, Healing, and Strength to a child in need, visit our website and fill out a foster care inquiry form.

Getting Involved with LSG in 2017 - Volunteer in the New Year!

Making resolutions for the New Year has become a mainstay of American culture.  As new calendars are unwrapped, many men and women aim to lose weight, save money or be more organized. Others resolve to improve the world around them by serving others in their community and supporting nonprofit organizations that help others. 

Volunteering, a common goal for the New Year, benefits both the nonprofit and the individual.  While dedicated volunteers are critical to a nonprofit’s work, getting involved with a charity can also have many personal advantages. Volunteering is an ideal way to try out a new career, learn a new professional skill, meet likeminded people and improve self-esteem (helping others always makes you feel better about yourself!).

Are you looking for ways to get involved and give back in 2017?  Lutheran Services of Georgia has multiple opportunities throughout the year. 

Attend LSG's Refugee Services Lutheran MLK Day of Service on January 16 

 Register to participate in the Lutheran MLK Day of Service to be held on Monday, January 16, 2017 from 9 am to 1 pm.  Youth and adults will gather at Rock of Ages Lutheran Church (5135 Memorial Dr., Stone Mountain, GA 30083) to learn how to stand for welcome with refugees and immigrants and to work on service projects.     

  Service projects  include packing donated rice for refugees and writing letters of hope to immigrants currently being held in Georgia's detention facilities. 

In addition, attendees can participate in Training for Immigration Advocacy by Jessica Jones, the Acting Director for Advocacy for Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service in Washington, D.C. The training will equip participants to take a stand with refugees and immigrants as we learn to advocate together for just and fair laws and policies.  

Click here to register here for the Lutheran MLK Day of Service.

  

Walk or Run in the 2017 Hunger Walk/Run for LSG 

A simple yet tangible way to assist LSG is to register for and attend the 2017 Hunger Walk/Run.   

Held on March 5th, the Hunger Walk/Run is a community event and fundraiser organized by the Atlanta Community Food Bank.  As a beneficiary of the event, Lutheran Services of Georgia receives a portion of funds raised to provide nutritional support to many of the populations we serve.  LSG also gives a portion of the funds it receives to participating congregations and other agencies to help fund hunger relief programs of their own.    

 This family friendly event will be held downtown at 755 Hank Aaron Drive.  It features live music, activities and tasty eats from some of the city's best food trucks in addition to the 5k Walk and Run. 

 Click here to register

 Ongoing Service Opportunities For Individuals 

Interest in volunteering with one of our program areas?  In our refugee services department, we need volunteers to help in our Refugee Clothing Closet, to assist with driving refugees to appointments, to help with cultural orientation and more.  Click here for a list of opportunities in our Refugee Services program.  In addition, we have volunteer openings to assist in our Family Intervention Services program, click here to learn more. 

Do you love organizing parties and planning events? Volunteer to help with one of our special events!  We need volunteers to help with golf tournaments in Atlanta and Savannah, our annual Heroes of Hope Gala in September and other events.  Or host your own small, intimate fundraising event in your own home.  Click here for more information about how you can help spread awareness of LSG’s work and mission through a wine tasting, dinner party, brunch or other event. 

 

Engage Your Church or Community 

Individual support of our work is a blessing, but when our supporters engage their church, school, or other community organization, the power of that support increases exponentially. Coming together to support LSG is a meaningful way to strengthen your community by uniting your friends, neighbors and/or congregants to achieve a common goal. 

Projects ideas include holding a donation drive for a refugee family or hosting a baby shower for a new foster family.  Click here for a list of other group project ideas. 

Whatever your talent, skill or desired area of service, Lutheran Services of Georgia has a way for you to get involved.  Explore our website to learn more about LSG and how you can help. 

High School Student and Volunteer Creates Video to Highlight LSG's Refugee Clothing Closet

Isa Gerondelis is using her passion to help spread the word about one of Lutheran Services of Georgia's valuable programs for refugees resettled in the Atlanta area.  A high school student and LSG volunteer, Isa created the video above to highlight LSG's Refugee Clothing Closet at Rock of Ages Church in Stone Mountain.  

The Refugee Clothing Closet is a helpful resource for refugees who have recently been resettled in Atlanta and Clarkston, GA.  Refugees typically arrive with few personal possessions and have limited income to spend on necessities.  The Clothing Closet offers them an opportunity for to "shop" for clothing, shoes and other items.  The Clothing Closet relies on donations from the community to keep its shelves  stocked and on volunteers to keep the incoming donations organized and accessible. 

Isa's Idea

Isa's  church, St. John's Lutheran, has been very involved with LSG.  Last year, St. John's participated in the Lutheran MLK Day of Service, held at Rock of Ages.  (For more information on this year's Day of Service click here)

"I heard the refugee stories on MLK day last year, and the Clothes Closet came up. It seemed like a really cool opportunity to help out and get involved," says Isa.  "I love making movies, so I thought that I could make a short film about the Clothes Closet to spread awareness."

Last summer Isa spent Wednesday mornings, which is the day designated for volunteers to organize and sort at the Clothing Closet, helping out and filming.   Once the summer wrapped up and she was back in school, she begin editing the film in her free time.

"This opportunity has been great because I can use something that I enjoy doing to impact others," says Isa. "Working at the Closet has been an eye-opening experience and I'm glad I can share it."

If you are interested in volunteering at LSG's Refugee Clothing Closet, contact Melanie Johnson for more information on that program and other volunteer needs in our Refugee Services Department.

Do you have gently used clothing or other items to donate?    Click here for more information on donating clothing, furniture or other items. Do you have a special talent, skill or passion that you could use to help Lutheran Services of Georgia continue its invaluable work with vulnerable populations throughout the state?  Contact Melissa Pinsky at LSG to share your ideas and find out how you can get started.

Hope Tree Bring Hope and Joy to Families in Georgia

At Lutheran Services of Georgia, we’ve just wrapped up another incredible year of our Hope Tree program.  Thanks to generous donations from our friends and supporters, the children and families we serve are able to experience the joy and hope of the holiday season.  In the truest spirit of Christmas, our donors provided toys, clothing, warm coats and cozy blankets to those who might otherwise not receive a gift.

This year's donations from churches, businesses, community organizations, LSG Board members and other friends of LSG, brought smiles to the faces of more than 1140 individuals throughout Georgia. Gifts were given to

• 99 children in our Foster Care program
• 198 children of parents in our Family Intervention Services program
• 98 adults and children with developmental disabilities in our FACES program
• 897 Refugee families who have been recently resettled by LSG

Christ the King Lutheran Church in Peachtree Corners provided gifts for 125 individuals.  Good Shepherd Lutheran in Woodstock provider 179 shoeboxes filled with gifts and necessities for children ages 9-18.  Lutheran Church of the Redeemer in Atlanta donated gift for more than 100 adults and children and allowed us to use their church for sorting our gifts for the Atlanta refugees.

  Gift sorting at Lutheran Church of the Redeemer

 In addition to the toys for the children, each refugee receives a winter coat.  Our refugees arrive from warm weather climates and need appropriate attire for the colder days.  The coats were delivered just in time for the recent dip in temperature.

A young refugee boy opens a gift

The local nonprofit For The Kid In All of Us provided more than 150 toys for Hope Tree as a part of their annual Toy Party toy drive.  In addition, other community groups and nonprofits such as Helping Mamas and Little Helpers provided a number of gifts.

Gifts from For The Kid in All of Us

Donors helped provide gifts to our Rome location for 50 children and adults in our Foster Care and FACES (disability services) programs in Northwest Georgia. 

A portion of gift received for our Rome FACES and Foster Care clients.

Local Savannah businesses such as Memorial Health University Clinics (pictured) and Arconic manufacturing provided gifts for Savannah area families.  Other donations in Savannah were provided by local churches and other individual donors.

On behalf of all of those we serve - the recipients of these generous contributions - and our staff, we thank all the churches, organizations, and businesses that donated items for Hope Tree.  In addition, more than 40 LSG Board members and community members donated gifts.

We thank the following organizations for their donations:

Atlanta

• Christ Lutheran (Oakwood)
• Christ the King Lutheran (Peachtree Corners)
• Christ the Shepherd Lutheran (Alpharetta)
• Conference 10 (Magi Conference) of the SE Synod ELCA
• Epiphany Lutheran (Conyers)
• Epiphany Lutheran (Suwanee)
• Faith Lutheran (Marietta)
• First United Lutheran
• For The Kid in All Of Us
• God Smile Inc
• Good Shepherd Lutheran (Woodstock)
• Grace Lutheran (Atlanta)
• Grace Lutheran (Carrollton)
• Helping Mamas
• Holy Trinity Lutheran (Marietta)
• Little Helpers
• Lutheran Church of Atonement
• Lutheran Church of the Incarnation
• Lutheran Church of the Redeemer (Atlanta)
• Living Hope Lutheran (Kennesaw)
• Lord of Life Lutheran (Alpharetta)
• Oak Road (Lilburn)
• Peachtree Road United Methodist Church
• Rivercliff Lutheran Church
• Rock of Ages Lutheran Church
• St. Paul Lutheran Church (Peachtree City)
• St. Stephen's Lutheran Church (Decatur)
• Trinity Lutheran Church

Albany

• Trinity Lutheran Church  
• MSA Surgery Center

Athens

• Christus Victor
• Trinity Lutheran Church

Columbus           

• St. Matthew (Columbus)                    

Rome

• Our Redeemer (Augusta)             
• Christ Lutheran (Marietta)              

Savannah

• Arconic Savannah
• Asbury Methodist
• Compassion Christian Church
• Hilton Head First Presbyterian
• Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Agency       
• Jerusalem Evangelical Lutheran Church  
• Memorial Health University Clinics
• Mt. Calvary Lutheran (Warner Robins)     
• Redeemer Lutheran (Savannah)    
• St. James Catholic Church   
• St. John's Lutheran (Savannah)          
• St. Paul's Lutheran Preschool      
• St. Paul's WELCA (Savannah)    
• St. Paul's Lutheran Church                          

Full House, Full Heart

Lisa Holmes has been opening her home to children in need for nearly twenty years.  As both a foster and adoptive parent, she’s has had an incredible impact on those children who have been blessed to be a member of her family, whether it’s temporarily or permanently.   And by adding them to her family, she’s been tremendously blessed in return.

Lisa recently adopted her sixth child through Lutheran Services of Georgia.  In October she welcomed 13-year-old Taemar into her ever growing family. 

 “Adopting is my way of giving back.  God has been good to my family,” says Lisa. 

In addition to her five adopted children, Lisa has two children by birth.  Taemar’s new forever family consists of his mom Lisa and his brothers Coy (26), Daniel (18) and Bradley (17), and his sisters Leah (32), Aaliyaha (13), Rebecca (25) and Samantha (20).

Lisa’s passion for helping children started when her oldest daughter Leah was in second grade.  Leah would often bring kids home with her to play.  Occasionally these children would have problems at home or be dealing with bullying at school.  Lisa would take the time to go to the school and advocate for them.

She loved helping these children, and she wanted to take it a step further and begin fostering.   Once she began fostering, she saw how kids could benefit from the stability that a permanent home provided.

“I heard stories about kids moving from foster home to foster home, and I didn’t want that for my kids,” says Lisa.  “Kids need permanent homes, so they can be the person God intended them to be.  This can’t happen if they don’t have a stable home.”

Lisa began the process to start fostering while she was living in Kansas.  She took the classes necessary to become a foster parent, but her work schedule forced her to put the dream on hold.   At one point, Lisa ended up in the hospital.  She went in for surgery and had to extend her stay when she became sick.  As she lay in the hospital bed unsure of her future, Lisa made a bargain with God that if she made it out of there, she would start fostering.  Soon after, her fever diminished and she was released from the hospital.

Soon after, she moved to Georgia. 

“After I got out, I looked up LSG in the yellow pages, and the rest is history,” says Lisa.

With seven children, life can be hectic and challenging at times.  While some of Lisa’s children entered foster care with physical and emotional issues, she knows that these are the kids who really benefit from the love and stability that a permanent home offers.

“It’s not easy, but it’s worth it,” says Lisa. “Adopting has been a blessing to me; it’s taught me a lot.  God is not partial – and it taught me to be impartial.”

Lisa says that fostering and adopting has taught her unconditional love.  Despite the difficulties, “the love they give you is worth it,” says Lisa.

Lisa encourages those who are consider adopting a foster child to take the leap.

“We have room in our house.  As long as you have room, you should adopt.  First you start with the room in your heart and then make room in your home,” says Lisa.

Adoption Myths Debunked

November is National Adoption Month, and all month long we're celebrating families that were created through adoption.  

If you’re thinking about adopting a child, you may have heard a lot of the common myths regarding adopting children in foster care.  If this is a path you or a family member are considering, make sure you know the facts.

Parents must a “perfect” married couple to adopt.

Prospective adoptive parents do not have to be rich, married, own a home, or live in a certain area to become an adoptive parent (Nearly one-third of adoptions from foster care are by single parents).  At LSG, we work with all types of families and individuals who are willing and committed to becoming adoptive parents. In fact, our families are as diverse as the children who are available for adoption. Patience, a good sense of humor, a love of children and the commitment to be a good parent are the most important characteristics. 

Note: Prospective parents must be at least 25 years of age and at least 10 years older than the child(ren) placed.

All children in foster care have some kind of physical, mental or emotional disability; that’s why they are classified as “special needs.”

 The term “special needs” in adoption and foster care is somewhat misleading. “Special needs” is defined in Georgia as

• A child who has been out of the custody of his or her legal or biological parent for more than 24 consecutive months
•  Siblings who need to be placement together
• Children who have been diagnosed with physical, emotional or behavioral disabilities

Children who are dealing with physical, behavioral or emotional issues need the nurturing support only a permanent family can provide. Many children in foster care are in the “system” because their birth parents weren’t protective and nurturing caretakers— not because the children did anything wrong or because there is something wrong with them.

Adopting a child from foster care is expensive.

Actually, adopting children from foster care can be very affordable, and a growing number of companies and government agencies offer adoption assistance as part of their employee benefits packages, including time off for maternity/paternity leave, financial incentives, and other benefits.

Congress has also made federal tax credits available for foster care adoptions to help offset required fees, court costs, and legal and travel expenses. In 2014, the maximum federal tax credit for qualifying expenses was $13,190. These types of benefits enable more families to adopt children from foster care into their homes. 

Adoptive parents receive adoption assistance from the day a child is placed in their home and continues once the child is adopted if the child meets the “special needs” definition listed above.  The children also may qualify for Medicaid to cover most medical costs.

Children in foster care have too much “baggage.”

This is perhaps the biggest myth of all. Children in foster care—just like all children—have enormous potential to thrive given love, patience and a stable environment.

 For more information on adopting a child from foster care, please visit our website, www.lsga.org, and click on adoption.  

Danielle and Darien Find Their Forever Home

Dwayne and Diana Mitchell had always planned on having a child, but they never thought their path to parenthood would be so complicated.  After years of failed fertility treatments and heartbreaking miscarriages, the couple began to consider adoption.  They started researching options, and when they decided to pursue adopting children in foster care, they reached out to Lutheran Services of Georgia.

After attending the foster and adoption training, Diana found out she was pregnant.  Though the pregnancy ended in miscarriage, the Mitchells put their adoption plans on hold.  They wanted to be sure that adoption was the right path for them.  A few months later when Diana reconnected with a woman she met at the adoption trainings, she felt a stirring in her heart.  She and Dwayne worked to quickly complete their adoption paperwork.   

“The adoption process is tedious and overwhelming.  The amounts of paperwork you have to go through seems endless,” says Diana.  “However, if you go through a great agency like Lutheran Services of Georgia, they walk you through each step.  They’ll be responsive when you need help.”

Once they were approved, one of LSG's adoption recruiters began the search for a perfect match for the Mitchells.  She learned about a pair of siblings - a three-year-old boy and a five-year-old girl – in need of a forever home. The Mitchells had originally only planned on adopting one child, but when they were approached about the sibling pair, they began to reconsider.

“You have to be able to adapt,” says Dwayne.  “We originally only wanted one child, but when the opportunity came up to adopt a sibling group, we took it.”

Dwayne and Diana met the children in May and were overjoyed – they'd found their forever family.

“We fell in love with them,” says Dwayne.

“We were nervous with excitement and careful to make sure we did everything right,” says Diana.  “We remained positive that everything would work out and concentrated on making sure our home was ready for them to come.”

The children moved in with them in July.  After some initial adjustments to their new home, the children settled into their new life quickly.  In December the adoption was finalized.  Today the kids – Danielle and Darien – have been officially part of the family for nearly a year, and Dwayne and Diana are enjoying parenthood. 

Among many activities the family enjoys, Dwayne likes to take both kids fishing at local lakes around their area.  Dwayne remembers how excited Danielle was when she caught her first fish.

“We’d been sitting there for a while and she started to complain about being bored, and at that exact moment, a fish bit her hook.  When she reeled it in she was so happy and a little scared.  I love seeing the excitement on their face when they do something for the first time.”

The kids enjoy playing outside with their scooters or going to the park and playing Frisbee.  Danielle loves to sing, while Darien is a fan of Falcons football.

“They are loving kids, says Dwayne. “They tell us all the time.  We’ll be riding along in the car or tying their shoes, and they’ll say ‘You know, Mommy and Daddy, I love you so much.”

“The process in this journey toward parenthood has had many ups and downs; however, the end result of being gifted with these children – was worth the pursuit,” says Diana.  “We couldn’t have done better with what God has gifted us.”

Bringing Makayla Back Home

Last year, 26-year-old Jennifer Franklin* faced one of the biggest challenges of her life.  When her daughter Makayla was just one year old, the Division of Family and Children Services (DFCS) took Makayla from her home and placed her in foster care.  Jennifer loved her daughter and wanted to be a good mom, so she turned to Lutheran Services of Georgia’s Family Intervention Services (FIS) to help get her life back on track and bring her daughter back home.

Jennifer's own childhood was difficult.  As a teen, she turned to drugs to help her cope - starting with marijuana at age 14 and moving on to cocaine at 18.  When her daughter Makayla was born, Jennifer worked on staying clean and focused on being a good parent.  However, when Jennifer's father became sick, she found herself repeating the patterns of her youth.  She suffered from depression and began using drugs again to deal with the stress of her father's illness.  

Makayla’s removal from their home was the wake-up call Jennifer needed.  In November, she began in the Supervised Family Visitation program at LSG’s Savannah location.  Jennifer participated in family visitation, parenting group, and anger management counseling through LSG, while regularly participating in substance abuse and individual counseling through another agency. 

It wasn’t easy.  Jennifer struggled at different times through the program, especially as she was trying to find the right depression medication and dealing with her father’s death.  Uncertain about her ability to parent, she would often times become paralyzed by her fears.  

The FIS staff took time to encourage her and to keep her moving forward in the right direction, checking in when she tried to withdraw and encouraging her not to give up. Through the support of the program, Jennifer completed her counseling and found a full-time job. She built an active, positive support system in her community.  She was reunified with Makayla in June. 

As a part of the DFCS plan, Jennifer receives follow up visits to ensure that she is continuing to succeed as a parent.  With support of the FIS staff and through her own determination, Jennifer continues to grow in her parenting skills and abilities.  Now, caring for her daughter has become Jennifer’s number one priority.  She’s successfully maintained her sobriety and mental health while creating a safe environment for her daughter.

For more information on Lutheran Services of Georgia’s Family Intervention Services, visit lsga.org. 

*Names have been changed.

Building Parenting Skills Through Education

In partnership with Great Start Georgia and the Georgia Division of Family and Children Services, Lutheran Services of Georgia provides parents in the Savannah area with an opportunity to grow their parenting skills.  These services are available at no cost to expectant parents and parents of children under the age of five residing in Chatham or Liberty Counties.

First Steps

When parents sign up for First Steps, they are connected with a First Steps Coordinator.  The Coordinator focuses on each family’s specific needs and helps identify community resources that can support them in being successful parents and in creating healthy and safe homes. 

First Steps works with parents to help them cope with family stress, to understand child development and to provide support in multiple areas by connecting them with other resources.  Often these families are referred to our Health Families program.

 Healthy Families

Healthy Families provides weekly parenting support and education to families in the their home.  Services either start during pregnancy or immediately following birth and can continue until a child is five years old.

Families are teamed with a trained Family Support Worker who helps the parents develop goals, to identify necessary resources and to engage in fun activities to learn more about multiple aspects of being a successful parent and creating a safe and healthy home.  

Evidence has shown that outcomes for families that participate in Healthy Families include:

• Reduced child maltreatment;
• Increased utilization of prenatal care and decreased pre-term, low weight babies;
• Improved parent-child interaction and school readiness;
• Decreased dependency on welfare, or TANF (Temporary Assistance to Needy Families) and other social services;
• Increased access to primary care medical services; and
• Increased immunization rates. 

For more information on our First Steps and Healthy Families Services, contact our Savannah office at (912) 353-8875