Bethany Christian Services

Kinship care is when children in foster care can stay with people they know, in a home where they’re likely to experience shared values, culture, and family history—and it offers crucial benefits. Regardless of the circumstances, entering foster care is always difficult for children. Kinship care provides a variety of familiar comforts when children and youth feel most vulnerable. Kinship care isn't always easy, but its benefits can be life-changing for children in need. Learn more about how you can help or become a kinship caregiver: https://lnkd.in/gN_AytpY.

Join us in recognizing the tireless efforts of child welfare workers during #ChildWelfareWorkerAppreciationWeek. ?? Courtney, our HOMEBUILDERS? Program Supervisor in Kennebec and Somerset Counties, trains and supports other specialists while working with Child Protective Services. We’re incredibly honored to have her on our team and we’re excited to see how she grows here at Bethany as she’s in it for the long haul. Outside work, Courtney enjoys traveling and adventuring with her husband and three children, as well as skiing, kayaking, and playing with her puppies Sadie Mae and Fen.

A special social media shoutout to Emily D., one of our SWAN Permanency Specialists. Her role includes writing child profiles, providing child preparation services, conducting child specific recruitment, and supporting families adopting from foster care. Her work focuses on helping children understand their journey through foster care and supporting families throughout the adoption process. She even works with attorneys and the legal system to finalize adoptions. Today, we honor child welfare workers like Emily during #ChildWelfareWorkerAppreciationWeek! Thank you for all that you do!

Today we want to honor Christine—our HOMEBUILDERS? team manager in southern Maine, covering York, Cumberland, and Sagadahoc counties. As the first staff hired in Southern Maine, she's built the program from the ground up. Her role involves overseeing administration, compliance, and program fidelity. In her free time, Christine enjoys traveling, hiking, and spending time at home with her spouse and cat Margot, often working on puzzles or watching films. Drop a “??” this #ChildWelfareWorkerAppreciationWeek to honor child welfare workers like Christine this week!

Our HQ Refugee Resettlement Team is taking over our Instagram account to take you behind-the-scenes of what it's like to work at Bethany Christian Services. ?? See you there! https://lnkd.in/gGG-RC48

This #ChildWelfareWorkerAppreciationWeek, join us in acknowledging the commitment and compassion of those who dedicate their lives to helping children and families in their community. Debbie has been with Bethany Christian Services for 5 years, currently serving as Site Supervisor for the Transitional Foster Care Program in Smyrna, TN. With a background in ministry and social services, she works to serve unaccompanied minors who are seeking unification with family already here in the United States. She enjoys free time with her three adult children and three grandsons, traveling, and exploring state parks, teaching, and spending lazy Sunday afternoons with family. “Our program serves unaccompanied minors who are seeking unification with family already here in the U.S. The work is challenging some days, but it is also very rewarding and everyone on the team has a heart for what they do.”

Annelise, the Retention & Training Coordinator for Bethany Christian Services' new Unaccompanied Refugee Minor Program in Pittsburgh, attended "City in the Streets" in Homewood last week. Annelise had the opportunity to meet with potential foster families as well as Mayor Ed Gainey. The Western Pennsylvania branch looks forward to collaborating with the city of Pittsburgh to find safe and loving homes for unaccompanied refugee minors arriving to their region!

During #ChildWelfareWorkerAppreciationWeek, we're celebrating the dedication and heart of those who serve children and families day in and day out. With over a decade working in child welfare and five years at Bethany Christian Services, Nicole currently supervises foster care and adoption services across central Pennsylvania. Her daily work includes family foster care/adoption licensing, foster care/adoption training, and direct support of foster and adoptive families. She oversees a dynamic team of seven family workers, managing diverse caseloads of over 100 foster, adoptive, and kinship families. She focuses on building a cohesive team, maintaining staff morale, and empowering families with trauma-informed and responsive parenting strategies. In her spare time, Nicole enjoys quality family meals, reading, and watching movies. Join us in celebrating Nicole today!

This #ChildWelfareWorkerAppreciationWeek, join us in honoring the compassionate individuals who make a difference in so many lives every day. For seven years, Lynsey has led our Tennessee Safe Families for Children team. Her role allows her to support families in crisis, step into challenging situations, and champion families on their journeys. As an adoptive mom and former foster parent, Lynsey brings personal insight to her work. In her free time, she cherishes moments with her husband and two kids. "Being part of a program that strives to prevent kids from entering foster care and keeps families safe and together is not just a job for me—it's part of my purpose. Every day, I’m driven by the desire to build people who discover their purpose and, in turn, create meaningful change in the lives of others." Drop a "??" or a "??" in the comments below to show Lynsey some love!

The clock is ticking for teens aging out of foster care: 20% will become instantly homeless, 50% will develop addictions, and 60% will face legal troubles. You can change their future: https://lnkd.in/g8zS_uHz