Georgia’s foster care system has approximately 11,000 children, but homes can only accommodate one-third of them. Evolve Initiative by Murphy Harpst Children’s Home is addressing this problem. The initiative aims to create homes for these children, while also providing necessary life skills for a successful into their communities.

Filling the Gap

The Evolve initiative is attempting to solve the shortage of foster homes in Georgia. It achieves this by creating supportive environments for children who need them. The initiative gives weightage to reunification and adoption and prepares children to become a part of community life. Cindy Simpson, VP of Strategic Initiatives at Murphy Harpst, underlines the significance of such goals.

“The measure of success is reunification or adoption – or tracking how many days a child spends in the community,” noted Simpson. “Our kids partake in activities at the Kroc Center, engage in after-school activities and learn essential life skills,” she added.

Comprehensive Approach

The Evolve home has therapists, case managers and operations managers onboard. This ensures that each child receives adequate care and attention they need. Information from Murphy Harpst team indicates that destructive behavior reduces by 82% among those completing the program while 90% display improved behavior management skills and daily living abilities.

“When children arrive here initially my primary goal is building trust,” said Yomika Latson, Therapist for Evolve Program. “Many have switched placements multiple times that makes trust-building challenging for them. “

 Creating a family-like atmosphere

A key feature of Evolve is its emphasis on fostering a family-like atmosphere. Activities involve grocery shopping together, cooking dinners and outings which foster belongingness and normality.

“We make use of the Boys and Girls Club during summer. Our children go on field trips and interact with other kids,” noted Megan Lew, Operations Manager and lead Behavioral Specialist.

Positive Outcomes

As a foster parent, Imani Woodward, reckons its fulfilling to see children grow up and gain independence. “Seeing them eventually become self-reliant is a very rewarding experience,” she shared.

Murphy-Harpst is committed towards addressing the needs of young people who have experienced abuse or neglect. Their initiatives include residential treatment, transitional living services, foster care placements alongside various community programs. These services are available for all children irrespective of their race, color or belief system.

 The Need for Supplies

There’s a high demand for school supplies as a new school year approach in local foster home programs which need clothing supplies to support needy children. As Cindy Simpson explains, such support can be significant since many foster children face unforeseen circumstances as they move between homes often without having necessary supplies.

The challenges faced by nearly 600 kids in Richmond County’s foster care system were highlighted by Simpson. “They might think they’re at one grade level when their credits indicate another level altogether,” said Simpson.

“They may not have access to clothes similar to their peers”. “Having own stuff like clothes or school supplies can make a real difference. “

Comprehensive Services of Evolve

The Evolve initiative leverages various services that cater to children aged 12-18 irrespective of their background.

• Practical Life-skill lessons: Lessons on cooking & cleaning facilitated by counselors and foster parents.
• Counseling: Minimum two individual sessions and two group therapies per week.
• Customized Tuition: Fulfills educational needs.
• Recreational Program: Encourages community participation activities.

Success Story

The story of John, a 10-year-old with a taxing past, is among Evolve Initiative’s inspiring success stories. He has been in foster care for 18 months, faced a daunting situation and was shifted between psychiatric hospitals, foster homes and hotels before he joined Evolve.

Under Evolve, John received intensive home-based mental health services, enrolled in public school and was provided tuition. His life improved significantly within 45 days due to routine consistency, medication management and behavioral treatment methodology implementation. Eventually he reunited with his grandmother who continues to connect with the Evolve team

Emboldening Resilience

The program fosters resilience in high-risk children along with positive coping strategies. It equips them to handle their emotions successfully upon return to their communities. The kids are taught vital lessons on stress & anger management, critical thinking & problem-solving skills besides determination, empathy and teamwork as core concept values.

 Conclusion

Murphy Harpst Children’s Home’s Evolve Initiative is a remarkable initiative in Georgia playing a crucial role by providing vital resources to foster kids. Their holistic approach towards care coupled with imparting key life skills training has had significant impact in these children’s lives thereby enabling them to script brighter futures. The initiative actively welcomes donations in its mission towards ensuring every child gets an opportunity to succeed.