Working with families in the Child Welfare System

By Patrice Garvey.   (member of the Mt Airy church of Christ)

Working as a social worker is a darting task and, at times, can be rewarding. I am a Christian and working in this field has made it challenging to look the other way. Sometimes my Christian values and principles are challenged due to the statement you hear "politically correct." Sometimes we will have to let the families know that there is a way out, and that way is through Christ. At times I am not able due to being politically correct. Most of the parents that come to my agency for help are single mothers with different issues and barriers. Most time, they are here because of a lack of parental guidance and support.

The social welfare field can be a challenge especially being a Christian and serving the families. Most of the parents whose children are in the foster care system in the child welfare system are single mothers and single fathers. The children who are two parents are either separated or not in the home, thus bringing the family to the DHS. When you look at what the word of God says, it makes sense why these children and families are in the system. According to God's instructions about parenting apply equally to the single and the married (Ephesians 6:4; Colossians 3:21).

It is never the Lord's intention or desire for anyone to suffer, especially the children. These suffrages are a result of not doing thus said the Lord.  In" (Genesis 16:31) look at a single mother who was going against God's law, but in the end, she saw that she needed help and cried out to the Lord, and he heard her cry and gave her relief.  It is time our parents go back to basic principles and raise the children as the Lord has instructed according to Proverbs 22:6. "Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old, he will not depart from it."

Working in this field, I have seen the good, bad, and ugly. There is never any justification or reward when a child arrives in the system due to parents overdoing or being 302. However, it is always a challenge to find a silver lining, especially when they cannot return home.

Most of the parents known to the system suffer from mental health, drugs and alcohol, lack of parental guidance, and housing. Being a social worker can be very rewarding or heartbreaking, especially when the children cannot return to their homes. Most single parents, especially mothers, their children's father is either locked up or his whereabouts unknown.   The bible speaks about being a good parent in Psalm 127:3-5.  Most of these fathers do not know what it means to set up and help with raising their children.  Most of the children are in the welfare system are raised by their grandparents and or great grandparents.

It is time that we teach in our schools and homes basic bible principles, most of our parents would not be in the situation if they knew the fundamental principle that  spells out child rearing.  Having children out of wedlock and not knowing who the father is contributes to children staying longer in the child welfare system.