Safe Foster Families for Survivors
Written by Ashlee Heiligman
Presenting the Family-Based Aftercare Framework to IJM’s OSAEC partners: The National Authority on Child Care, the Church of the Nazarene, and Shechem Assessment Center
One of GCA’s partners, Austin Ridge Bible Church also partners with International Justice Mission (IJM) in the Philippines to fight Online Sexual Abuse & Exploitation of Children (OSAEC). Two years ago, GCA was asked to consult on a pilot project that both ARBC and IJM were investigating together.
At the time, IJM’s aftercare partners were running out of beds for child survivors and building more shelters seemed to be the only option. As a church dedicated to raising up foster families and supporting family reunifications both locally and abroad, Austin Ridge wondered if the Filipino church could be trained and mobilized to raise up and empower safe families for survivors instead.
IJM has already been leading the collaboration to improve outcomes for survivors for many years. In that effort, they have seen incredible fruit from their partnerships with local churches so they felt confident that the church could be a big part of the solution.
After a thorough assessment with many of the key stakeholders to understand the existing dynamics and barriers, GCA ultimately recommended a two phase approach to address both immediate and long term needs. For Phase One, we recommended an important step prior to expanding foster care: the hiring of a Family Engagement Specialist. Read about this new role and why it is important for survivors.
Representatives from the National Authority on Child Care shared their commitment to support new foster families seeking to be licensed.
For Phase Two, our aim is to expand the recruitment of safe foster families for children while permanent options are explored. During our assessment, we found that the Philippines has robust foster care protocols, eight official licensing agencies, and they have formalized a National Authority on Alternative Child Care. There are also several family strengthening organizations who are supported by foundations in-country and abroad. However, the primary obstacle that has remained a consistent barrier has been the recruitment and preparation of safe foster families.
In response to this gap, we proposed a framework for engaging, mobilizing, and preparing the local church to recruit safe foster families for Phase Two. We incorporated key components from Safe Families for Children which offers a clear and systematic approach to on-ramping churches who want to be part of the solution for kids. Families who volunteer to become foster parents will go through the government’s formal process of licensing with the help of private agencies.
Thankfully IJM has already established very strong relationships with many local churches including the Church of the Nazarene, which has over 400 churches in the Philippines alone. When IJM introduced this proposed project to the network leaders, they were eager to join.
While we all expected Phase Two to launch at a much later date after Phase One was well underway, it seems that God has a different plan. On May 30th, I had the privilege of presenting the proposed strategy to NACC and leaders from the Church of the Nazarene.
Because all foster families who care for survivors of OSAEC will need to be highly trained, I also provided training on preparing foster families. I incorporated several of the best evidence-based approaches that I’ve seen work successfully in practice over the last 20 years. More in-depth training will be needed in the future to ensure that we are setting families and survivors up for success but the church is eager to learn and we’re excited to support them at every turn.
According to the pastors present, the training affirmed and solidified what God has been putting on their hearts for some time. Formal partnerships are in the works and we are all eager to see the impact of these commitments.
Survivor participation is critical.
On my last day in Manila, I had the privilege of meeting with the Philippine Survivor Network. When we explained the concept of foster care and our strategy to recruit safe foster families through the local church, I watched as their eyes lit up.
During that meeting, survivor leaders shared both positive and difficult experiences from their time in aftercare shelters. For each of them, the idea of being placed into a supportive family after rescue seemed to offer a new and hopeful excitement for survivors in the future.
After a lively conversation, I asked one final question:
“Looking back, would you have chosen to live at a safe shelter or with a safe foster family, if that option had been available?”
The responses were unanimous. Based on their lived-experiences of being rescued and placed directly into a shelter, each smiled and said they would have preferred to live in a safe foster family.
“A family is where we can feel the love we need.”
IJM’s Foster Care partners shared their readiness to support and equip new foster families recruited by churches throughout the Philippines.
We are well aware that every survivor is unique and each has their own story and experience in shelters and within families but the recommendation of the Philippines Survivor Network is to continue forward with Phase One and Phase Two.
With their stamp of approval, we will make every effort to carry out this plan with excellence to ensure every survivor of online sexual exploitation has the opportunity to heal within a safe family.