The Department of Family and Children Services (DFCS) is partnering with CarePortal to connect area churches with local children and families in crisis.

CarePortal brings the needs of hurting children and families in our community to local congregations as child welfare workers share those needs via the Care Portal website. This gives local churches a real-time opportunity to respond to those needs.

After the need of a local family is sent to the churches, the points of contact at the churches then sends the need out to their congregations and other points of contact. The church or person who meets the need then has the option to deliver the need to the family, and often friendship/mentoring is born from that delivery. DFCS also can deliver the item if preferred.

“Many individuals and organizations want to meet tangible needs of children and families, but don’t know how. CarePortal puts the needs of the hurting in our community right in front of them so they have the opportunity as a church or as an individual to say, ‘I care and I am here for you,’” said Kim Jones, Director of the Community Foundation of West Georgia. “Carroll County is a wonderful community that is always eager to help, and this is an easy system to partner those in need with those who want to give.”

Churches need to register to be a “helping” church by going on CarePortal.org. Currently, four local churches have committed to help through this resource. They are First Baptist of Carrollton, New Church, St. Margaret’s Episcopal Church and Tabernacle Baptist Church.
Carroll County has about 250 children in foster care. There are only 25 foster homes in Carroll County, so many of these children are placed in homes all over the state.

“While the biggest need is more local foster homes, people who can’t be a foster parent can support these children through support, prayer and assistance,” Libby Smith, Carroll County DFCS Director, said. “Through CarePortal DFCS workers can post needs of both foster and birth families. The needs typically include beds, bedding, shoes, furniture, clothing, etc.”
Churches that would like more information about how to join CarePortal may contact Libby Smith at Carroll County DFCS at 770-830-2100, ELIZABETHLIBBY.SMITH@DHS.GA.GOV or go to the CarePortal.org website.