Safe Families for Children Overview

Safe Families for Children is a ministry of Bethany Christian Services that has a network of volunteer host families and other supporters who are motivated by compassion to keep children safe and families together. Volunteer host families temporarily open their homes to vulnerable children while their parent(s) work toward stability. Safe Families surrounds families in crisis with caring, compassionate, extended family-like community. Children can be hosted for as short as a couple days to several months. Parents maintain custody of their children, have regular contact and visits, and can request their return at any time. Safe Families is committed to reuniting parents and children as soon as possible.
 
Area We Currently Service: Boone County. Clients must reside in Boone County.
 
Safe Families CAN help in circumstances like these:
  • Children 0-18
  • Parent needs to be hospitalized.
  • Parent has a mental health crisis.
  • Parent needs a break or is isolated with few supportive relationships
  • Parent is facing eviction or is already homeless.
  • Parent is facing a short-term jail sentence.
  • Parent is entering a drug treatment program
 Safe Families CANNOT match a child with a host family if:
  • There is evidence of current abuse or neglect (we will defer to Children’s Division)
  • The child is exhibiting major behavioral issues.
  • We are unable to obtain consent from the legal guardian(s).
  • The child’s behavior is the sole reason for the parental crisis.
Parent Participants in Safe Families must:
  • Understand that participation in Safe Families is completely voluntary.
  • Show proof of identity
  • Sign a power of attorney document and Safe Families agreement.
  • Understand that Safe Families volunteers are trained, vetted, and receive no payment.
  • Maintain contact with their Safe Families Family Coach
  • Understand that Safe Families cannot guarantee availability of a Host Family.

How to Make a Referral (3 options):
 
1.Call: Call the Safe Families for Children referral line at 573-217-0377.
2.Referral Form: Fill out a referral form and email it to midmissouri@safefamilies.net.
3.Online: Visit https://safe-families.org/get-help/request-a-host-family/ to fill out a request for a host family. Make sure to select “Mid-Missouri-MO” as the Region/Chapter.
 
Referrals can be made by staff or by the parents requesting help. After all necessary information is gathered and it is determined Safe Families is a good fit, a request will be sent out to our volunteer host families. Once a host family is identified, Safe Families staff will begin necessary paperwork and coordination of services.