Family Support

In most cases, we will contact you right away during normal business hours, M-F 8:30am-5pm. We cannot provide emergency hosting, but are usually able to schedule your phone intake within 1-2 business days, and can begin hosting as soon as a host home is available. Please start by filling out the form below.

Of course! STRONG Families is a voluntary program. You do not give up any of your rights or authority. Parents sign a Power of Attorney that gives temporary authority to the Host Family to care for your child(ren) and make decisions on your behalf.

No, you are not losing any of your rights or power. You keep full custody of your children at all times. You will sign a Power of Attorney that gives temporary authority to the Host Family to care for your child(ren) and make decisions on your behalf. You are encouraged to participate in decisions regarding their care during the hosting, and the Host Family will always keep you informed about their needs. We are here to support you and walk along side you during a difficult time. However, our staff and volunteers are mandated reporters and must report anything they see or hear that could be a safety concern.

Daily phone calls or facetime calls are expected unless we are notified otherwise ahead of time. Host Families are volunteers, so we work together to ensure arrangements are convenient for everyone involved.

Our goal is to keep siblings together. However, most of our Host Families are only able to care for 1-3 children at a time. If your family is larger, we will likely need to arrange more than one Host Family to meet the need.

During the intake, we will discuss your child(ren)’s needs, routines, upcoming appointments, etc., including school and childcare arrangements. We will try to match you with a Host Family that allows your child(ren) to remain in their same school or daycare. If we are not able to accommodate this, we’ll work with you and the Host Family to make other arrangements.

STRONG Families has a strict discipline policy that does not allow Host Families to use any form of physical punishment or shame techniques. Your child(ren) will not be spanked or physically punished while with the Host Family.

Our staff will visit the Host Family’s home within 72 hours of the start of the hosting and will see and talk with your child(ren) during the visit. Staff also maintain regular contact with the Host Family during a hosting to ensure the safety and well-being of your child(ren).

Our goal is to walk along side you during a difficult time and work with you to meet your family’s needs. During the intake we will talk about those needs and brainstorm resources from the community and within Christian Family Care that will help meet those needs. You will set goals you want to accomplish while partnering with STRONG Families. You will also be provided a Family Friend, another volunteer, who can encourage you, be a listening ear, and brainstorm resources.

Every effort is made to have our staff, you, and the Host Family meet together for the exchange of the child(ren). Depending on the timing of the hosting, we may be able to arrange an introductory meeting in advance of the hosting.

Our Hosts and Family Friends are called to love and serve other families. They believe that everyone deserves to have community and they want to be a part of your life and support your child(ren) during this time.

STRONG Families is not foster care and we do not arrange adoptions. Christian Family Care does have these programs, but they are separate from STRONG Families. Our staff can discuss these options with you if you feel you may need one of those services.

Our Host Families live all over the valley and they have willing hearts to open their home and lives to you and your child(ren). Host Families may be married or single, have children of their own or no children. STRONG Families does require all our Host Families and Family Friends to be of Christian faith.

No, STRONG Families Volunteers are not licensed foster families. Some of them have been licensed previously and waiting to be matched with an adoptive placement. They understand that STRONG Families is voluntary, temporary care and will never ask you about adoption. Host Families do go through a similar process as licensed foster families in preparation to host, including training, background checks, home safety checks, and interviews.