Faith and Community Based Services Coordinator…

One thing that I find about Seasons is that it marks time and with time there is purpose. This summer has been a time of warmth, vacation, preparation, and of course some travel.

This summer’s notable OFCBS events are traveling, CFSD visitation room remodels, preparing for a weeklong Human Trafficking Forum, collaborating with Statewide faith partners, and setting dates for the fall Summit Series locations.

In June, I toured and visited with many faith leaders and community organizations in Northwest Montana including towns such as Thompson Falls, Libby, Kalispell, and Columbia Falls. In August a trip to Billings to meet some great leadership members of a few faith-based nonprofits and a couple MT. Legislators. On August 22^nd Lt. Governor Juras and DPHHS Director Brereton spoke at the Child and Family Services Helena Office’s Visitation room reveal event. The event was a partnership between the Helena Chapter of Toys for Tots, Buffalo Church (a Promise 686 partner church), and Office of Faith and Community Based Services to renovate Child Protection Services visitation room where families can have supervised visits. (See links below for more)

September the Office of Faith and Community Based Services coordinated a three-day Human Trafficking Forum in partnership with Arthur M. Blank and HER Campaign with subject leaders from across the State. The focus was prevention, recovery, and reintegration of victims and survivors with more to come soon.

Many of you continue to look forward to the Summits Series events and some dates have been set. Billings – October 17^th, Miles City – October 19^th, and Kalispell – October 24^th. In the adds below will be the address and QR code to register online. The one-day events will be a great time of collaboration, education, and partnerships.

Do you have a project, event, news, or resource you would like to get into the bulletin? Share with me a half page styled add in a Jpeg or PDF. Note this information in this bulletin can be shared with congregations, organization, coworkers, and friends.

Rob Lawler, Faith and Community Based Services Coordinator.

Rob.lawler@mt.gov

DPHHS Family Visitation Rooms Receive a Boost from Local Partners

HELENA - Lt. Governor Kristen Juras joined Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS) Director Charlie Brereton to accept 2,000 new children’s toys and various furnishings from local community partners Tuesday, August 22 at the Child and Family Services Division (CFSD) office in Helena to benefit family visitation rooms.  

https://www.kxlh.com/news/positively-montana/over-2-000-toys-donated-to-help-montana-child-and-family-services-division

https://helenair.com/news/local/helena-groups-bolster-dphhs-foster-children-visitation-rooms/article_95ab39ae-412d-11ee-bce3-77bc31fb20ba.html

Promise 686 Job Opportunity

Promise 686 mobilizes church communities in order to meet three goals: (1) Prevent children from coming into the foster care system. (2) Intervene when children enter the system. (3) Connect children and families when children are in need of a permanent home. The Promise model hinges on developing strong Family Advocacy Ministries (FAMs) in local churches to accomplish this work. The Eastern Montana FAM Specialist is a part-time position responsible for implementing and maintaining Family Advocacy Ministries (FAMs). This includes recruiting new churches, providing ongoing shepherding of church leaders as their FAMs develop, and maintaining relationships with agency partners. FAM Specialists Assist Area Director, for more information please contact Heather Vande Sandt at hvandesandt@promise686.org.