Nearly 19,000 children in Arizona are currently in need of foster care—more than the population of the entire city of Douglas. Christian Family Care (CFC), a faith-based nonprofit organization with over 34 years of experience, is working to meet this urgent need by training and licensing foster parents through offices in Phoenix and Tucson.
Arizona relies on about 20 placement agencies to find temporary homes for children removed from unsafe environments. Of these agencies, only five are faith-based—including CFC. The state also operates a limited number of emergency housing shelters, making the role of these agencies critical.
In its last fiscal year ending October 2015, CFC served 1,470 children through foster care and adoption services. In addition to placing children, CFC offers counseling, adoption services, and ongoing support to foster families.
“The need is so big right now,” said Jacqueline Cruise of CFC. “We receive regular requests from the courts asking if we have any families with open beds. Our role is to vet these families thoroughly to ensure children are placed in loving, nurturing homes.”
The Foster Care Process
All prospective foster parents must complete a mandatory 10-week state training course. During this process, the state conducts a home inspection, checks family finances, reviews applications, and conducts interviews to ensure the family is qualified and committed.
“You really have to have a heart for children,” Cruise added. CFC walks families through every step of the journey, providing support based on the level of care a family can offer—from older children to high-needs youth.
Once licensed, foster families work closely with a child’s case manager. CFC pairs them with mentor families, offers support groups, and hosts “retention activities” such as holiday parties, appreciation dinners, and parents’ nights out. This ongoing support helps families feel confident and connected.
Supporting Reunification
CFC also encourages collaboration between foster families and biological parents whenever possible. “There are parents who made mistakes and now want their children back,” Cruise said. “We support open relationships to help facilitate reunification, which is always the state’s primary goal.”
According to Andy Myers, Community Engagement Manager for CFC, about one-third of children return to their biological parents, another third are adopted by relatives or close family friends, and the remaining third are adopted by their foster families.
Local Family Shares Their Journey
Yvonne and Mark, a couple from Oro Valley with three children and one adopted daughter from China, began fostering in 2011. “We typically take in infants or very young children,” said Mark. “My job is to support my wife, who has a calling to help kids. It’s also been eye-opening for our own children.”
In 2015 alone, the family cared for three baby girls—each of whom eventually reunited with biological family members. “Often, narcotics are involved,” Mark said. “But sometimes it’s just poor decision-making. We try to support parents without enabling them.”
Mark emphasized the emotional challenge of saying goodbye: “People say, ‘I could never give a child back.’ I ask, are you more concerned about your feelings or the child’s well-being? If you could love a child for six months, that love could change their life.”
His wife journals the child’s milestones and writes letters to biological parents, helping them stay connected and informed during the process. “Love is risky,” Mark concluded. “But it’s worth it. We believe God fills us back up after we pour ourselves out.”
Arizona Justice Summit: Defending Orphans
Myers is spearheading the Arizona Justice Summit: Defending Orphans, taking place February 18 at University City Church in Tucson. The summit will include over 20 breakout sessions and feature keynote speaker Jason Johnson, a nationally recognized foster care advocate and author.
The goal of the summit is to activate churches across Arizona. “If just a few families in every congregation stepped up, we could empty the foster system,” Myers said. A similar event will be held February 16 at Chase Field in Phoenix.
Everyone Can Make a Difference
“Not everyone can be a foster parent,” Mark said. “But everyone can help—by preparing meals, babysitting, or donating clothes. These small acts lift the burden off foster families.”
“The hardest part of being a foster parent is seeing how many children suffer due to adults who can’t make good choices. But the best part is knowing you’ve helped a child,” he said. “People focus on being successful. I think we should aim to be significant.”
To learn more about Christian Family Care, visit cfcare.org.