First CarePortal request was met before the end of the launch
ELK CITY – She quickly raised her hand up in the air and said, “We’ll provide the pack-n-play and swing.” Shortly after another hand raised and said, “I’ll get the wipes and diapers.”
Almost instantaneously, Elk City United Methodist Church Assistant Pastor Rev. Kaela Burdge and community member Regina Williams committed to meeting the first CarePortal request made in Beckham County and serving a young mother in need.
CarePortal is a growing connection technology, managed by the 111Project, that allows agency partners – like Oklahoma Human Services Child Welfare – to submit vetted needs to the community and local churches to serve families in crisis.
These vetted needs can range from diapers and wipes to bunk beds and blankets, which will help support a foster family, strengthen a biological family, or help a family get one step closer to reunification.
“I am grateful for this community partnership with CarePortal and it now being activated in this county because it helps keeps children safe,” OKDHS District Director Denise Gerhold said. “In turn, this helps eliminate stress for workers, foster parents, parents and children and your contribution to CarePortal has a direct impact on the families.”
Gerhold said CarePortal has helped prevent removal and allowed children to stay in their homes, as well as helping parents achieve reunification.
CarePortal was launched in Beckham County Nov. 9, 2023, and is open for any churches to get involved in the child welfare crisis in their community. Beckham County has 55 children in foster care as of November 1, according to monthly numbers released by the OKDHS.
Elk City United Methodist Church, First Christian Church, The Link and Erick FUMC were involved in the initial launch. The Way and First Assembly were in attendance and have intentions of enrolling.
111Project is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) 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 one 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.
“The goal of foster care is to see the reunification and restoration of that family unit and as church people, we believe that too,” Executive Director Chris Campbell said. “We want to see the restoration and the hope in the solidification of that family body as best as we can. It makes sense that we should figure out how to work together.”
Campbell said the church and OKDHS have a unified mission of saving children and families.
The case worker of this young mother walked in with the desire and burden of helping this young mother and walked out with a pack-n-play, swing, clothes and a new-found community of support.
CarePortal has opened doors for meaningful support from churches to families in need throughout the state. Any churches or individuals interested in learning more or getting involved can visit 111project.org.