Our God Is a God of Restoration
How Families Count Can Help You In Your Journey of Restoration
Families Count
A family restoration and preservation ministry for parents seeking permanency with their children.
As financial pitfalls, drugs, alcohol, stress, depression, and other barriers invade a family’s life, many parents find themselves at-risk of being separated, or already separated, from their children.
The median amount of time a child spends in foster care is just over one year. We know through research statistics that a child who grows up without a stable home environment and without parents is more likely to have negative socio-economic, cognitive, and academic outcomes.
We also know God designed the family unit as a place of healing and safety for children. And a broken family needs the support, healing, mercy, and guidance from God’s people.
Through Families Count, local churches have a platform to minister to and walk with broken families to help them be restored and preserved.
440k
Children in U.S. Foster Care
365
Days
166
Families Count Graduates in 2020
34
Churches Trained in Families Count in 2020
What Makes Families Count Unique
For the Family
A 6-week parenting class is court mandated, so all families seeking restoration must participate in one. Families Count is a biblically-based court approved class.
For the Child
Children are not only impacted by the growth and healing they see in their parents, but are often also able to attend church activities while their parents are in class.
For the Church
Families Count equips church members to minister to at-risk families, and provides a platform to reach them.
“This ministry has been such an encouragement to me and my co-coordinator. Both of our families foster and being involved in this class gave us renewed focus and reminded us that just like us, these parents and families must have Jesus at the center. He is the only one who can redeem these families and bring them together again. We are so thankful for this ministry and the opportunity to be a part of something that can bring so much hope to hurting families.”
— First Baptist Church
Trussville, AL
How Families Count Changes Lives
In South Carolina, Casey and Brittany were in a rough home situation. The South Carolina Department of Social Services intervened and took their children while Casey was at work. For mom and dad, it was a dark time — filled with shame and feelings of failure. But they were given the opportunity to participate in Lifeline’s Families Count for one of their court-mandated parenting classes. Hosted by Freedom Church in Moncks Corner, the class ended up being a place of safety for the couple where they could openly talk about how they could improve their lives. Over the weeks, their marriage strengthened. Walls were torn down as they received the care and community they so desperately needed. As the class came to an end, the couple regained full custody of their children and began attending Freedom Church — making it their first home church ever.
Find An Event Near YouBiblically-Based
6-week biblically-based parenting class
Positive Outlook
Curriculum focuses on family strengths and purpose
Mentorship
Opportunities for families to be matched with a mentor
Next Steps
Educate My Church
The first step in engaging your church is understanding the goals of foster care and the role of the Church in family restoration.
ENGAGE YOUR CHURCH
Enroll in a Church Training
A 2-day training prepares Families Count coordinators and class co-leaders to work with Child Protective Services and the at-risk parents.
ENROLL NOW
Become a Licensed Families Count Partner
Once licensed, our partner churches are positioned to implement Families Count in their respective communities.
LICENSUREFind a Families Count Church Training Near You
This training is a prerequisite for licensure as a Families Count church partner. It is recommended that class co-leaders (husband and wife), class coordinators, and Pastor overseeing your Families Count ministry attend the training. Co-leaders are required to attend in order to be certified to teach the class.
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Louisville, KY (November) – Families Count Training
Families Count Training Louisville, KY (venue TBD) Friday, November 4, 2022 (5:30 PM to 9:00 PM; dinner provided) through Saturday, November 5, 2022 (8:45 AM-4:00 PM; breakfast & lunch provided) $85 per person or $150 per couple Register Here
Louisville, KY (September)- Families Count Training
Families Count Training Louisville, KY (venue TBD) Friday, September 23, 2022 (5:30 PM to 9:00 PM; dinner provided) through Saturday, September 24, 2022 (8:45 AM-4:00 PM; breakfast & lunch provided) $85 per person or $150 per couple Register Here
Columbia, SC – Families Count Training
Date: August 19–20 Location: North Trenholm Baptist Church6515 North Trenholm Rd.Columbia, SC 29206 Cost: $50 per person $100 per couple Note: Please choose the correct location before checking out below.
Ozark, AL – Families Count Training
Date: July 29–30 Location: Camp Ground Baptist Church3898 Andrews Ave.Ozark, AL 36360 Cost: $50 per person $100 per couple Note: Please choose the correct location before checking out below.
Spring Lake Park, Minnesota Families Count Training Registration
October 21st-22nd, 2022 Substance Church 8299 Central Ave NE Spring Lake Park, MN 55432 No Fee
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Contact Us
If you or your church wants to get involved in this life-changing work, but you aren’t sure where to start, reach out to us today. We’re ready to help you and your family of faith minister to those hurting in your community.