CUSTER COUNTY – Sign-up sheets lined tables on Vision Sunday at Life Fellowship Church in Weatherford.  

Lead Paster Dakota Marsh wanted to see who was interested in helping serve local foster families through CarePortal, a growing connection technology managed by the 111Project. 

Over 20 people signed up.  

“The Bible is clear that we’re to care for the widows and orphans,” Marsh said.  

The next week, CarePortal launched in Custer County.  

CarePortal, which has been active in Custer County for a month, allows agency partners, like the Oklahoma Department of Human Services Child Welfare, to submit vetted needs to the community so local churches can serve families in crisis.  

111Project is a not-for-profit 501c3 with the mission to mobilize the local church so every child has family. The organization’s initial goal is to mobilize 1,000 churches across Oklahoma that can serve at least a family a month on CarePortal and recruit and support a foster family every year.    

If 1,000 out of the 6,200 churches in Oklahoma commit to recruit and support one foster family a year, and serve one family a month on CarePortal, the state will move closer to having more than enough help for children and families in crisis.  

Custer County, launched in late March, is the second county launched in 2023 and is the 42nd county launched in total, which is more than halfway to statewide expansion.  

The first request released in Custer County helped strengthen a biological family that was struggling. The mother and father had four kids, ranging from 16-years-old to one-year old, were using a mini fridge and needed help organizing the belongings of six people. The request included a full-size fridge, dresser, storage bins and child-proofing items – an estimated value of $1,116. 

“The family agreed to do a voluntarily Family Centered Service Plan,” the CarePortal request states. “This is a voluntary program that allows DHS to be involved and assist the family with necessary changes to prevent further involvement with DHS. The parents are cooperative and eager to learn new ways of parenting. They are working hard and making great progress.”   

Pine Acres Church, Life Fellowship Weatherford and First Baptist Church Weatherford worked together to meet the request. 

“To be able to meet that need, and to see the organizations coming together was, I think, a huge first step and in rolling this out in Custer County,” Marsh said.  

Rita Blumer, 111Project Regional Manager, said every request has been met since CarePortal launched. 

“These churches are heading to a very healthy place,” she said. 

Blumer said she is impressed by how quickly the churches are getting on board. Some churches have begun setting money aside to serve children in crisis, she said.  

“It’s just God leading the way,” she said.  

Marsh said CarePortal not only provides ways for his congregation to serve, but also allows them to connect and build relationships with the OKDHS staff in their community.  

“We’re all on the same team working together,” he said. 

Custer County has 81 children in foster care as of May 1, according to monthly numbers released by the OKDHS.  

Dewey counties are scheduled to launch May 25. The date for the Custer County Community Gathering is to be determined. Check the events calendar for updates.  

Any churches or individuals interested in learning more or getting involved can visit 111project.org. 

“We love it and we’re excited to see all that God does using CarePortal,” Marsh said.