A gospel-centered, state licensed class for parents seeking to be reunified with their children in the foster care system.
What is Families Count?
Lifeline Children’s Services has put together a gospel-centered, robust seven-week program for parents who must attend a parenting class as part of their case plan to be reunified with their children.
They train and hand off this program to churches to host the class. Each class has a graduation to honor and celebrate the parents who complete the course. The graduation rate for these classes is an astounding 91%!
God has designed the family to be a place of flourishing, and we seek to do our part in bringing restoration where that design has been broken.
The goal of foster care is always reunification, so we desire to assist parents in their journey to take their children back into their care. We want to share the hope of the gospel and practical parenting tools that come together to bring restoration, redemption, and healing to the whole family.
Why Families Count at Christ Covenant?
Families Count takes a village to pull off. We need you!
The class is led by co-leaders and run by coordinators. See below for more information on those roles.
There are four other primary areas of need: Parent Advocates, Meal Sponsors, Transporters, and the Children Count Team
How Do I Get Involved?
Parent Advocates
Parent Advocates are paired with a single parent or couple to walk with them through the six weeks of class.
PAs do not stay for class, but will join for meals and fellowship three times throughout the course of the class. They are friends and mentors, helping parents process what they are learning both about being a parent and about the gospel. PAs will attend one training session prior to serving.
Meal Sponsor
Meal Sponsors are groups, families, or friends who provide lunch for a class.
They come serve the meal, pack up leftovers, and clean up after lunch. Sign up for a date and more information will be sent to you closer to time.
Transporters
Transporters help pick up and drop off parents in need. This is often one of the greatest barriers to tackling their case plan.
While we would love to pair you with a parent for the six weeks to build trust and relationship, we will gladly use your transportation help when you are available.
The Children Count
The Children Count team is a ministry for children while class is going on for adults. Kids volunteers are encouraged to join this team, as you are already Ministry Safe approved, but newcomers are welcome.
We will train and certify you to care for kids well, follow best childcare practices, and share the gospel. We will try to establish a rotation and not use you each week, but please select all dates you are available.
The class needs teachers & coordinators!
Co-leaders are a faithful, married couple that gets trained in the Families Count curriculum and teaches the 6-week course, and coordinators are passionate volunteers who help pull off the logistics of the class.
We have these positions filled for Fall 2026, but if you would like to teach or coordinate in the future, please join the list to receive more information.