Short-Term Care
For His Children’s vision, is that a child would be welcomed into a loving family, within six months. While this is our goal, the unique circumstances of each child’s case will determine how long they remain in our care.
The referral of a child to FHC, usually comes from the courts, hospitals, or child protective services. A case may be referred to FHC for many reasons, including domestic violence, substance abuse, an unsupported pregnancy, or neglect.
Your support impacts a vulnerable or orphaned child’s life in three important ways through physical, emotional and spiritual care.
Physical Care: 24-hour holistic care is provided to the children by loving, well-trained caregivers. Each caregiver is typically responsible for five children. A low child-to-caregiver ratio encourages individualized attention and the development of important emotional bonds. The caregivers provide nutritious, home-cooked meals, plan activities, share lots of hugs and much more.
On-site pre-schools, our special education program, and community schools provide the children with opportunities to learn in an appropriate environment according to their age and abilities.
The children at FHC are evaluated by medical professionals and specialists on a regular basis. Some children receive physical therapy, speech therapy or occupational therapy-related activities depending on their unique needs.
Their physical and developmental milestones are carefully recorded each month. Photos and videos of their time at FHC are documented, so they have a memory book. This is important for the child as they grow older and have a history of their time at FHC.
Emotional Care: Psychologists work with each child to provide guidance on how to best meet each child’s emotional needs. Through play therapy, they help the children discuss past hurt and prepare each child for rejoining their biological family or meeting their adoptive family.
Spiritual Care: Each day the love of God is shown to the children at FHC in tangible ways. Spiritual care is vital to helping each child heal from the trauma of their past. Your support ensures each child hears God’s truth and knows He loves them. It allows each child to learn that God has a beautiful plan for their life and the foundation of their identity is as His beloved child.
Everything a loving family represents to a son or daughter – is what we strive to provide at FHC. This is the impact of your support! To help a child at For His Children today, click HERE.
Reunification
The first step when a child is welcomed to FHC is to work toward family reunification whenever possible. Our social worker evaluates if the biological parent(s), or an extended family member might be able to care for the child. If the biological parent(s) or a family member can care for the child, a comprehensive plan is outlined.
This ‘global plan’, lays out the steps needed for the individual to resume care of the child. Steps in this plan might include: drug rehabilitation, evidence of suitable housing, economic means to care for the child, and more. FHC’s psychologist works with the family to identify areas where counseling may be needed and provides these services to them.
Adoption
When reunification with a biological family member is not possible, we advocate for the child to be welcomed into a permanent, loving family through adoption. All adoptions are in accordance with the laws of Ecuador’s national and international adoption programs. For His Children is not an adoption agency and does not oversee adoption processes.
For more information on adoption from Ecuador, view the organizations below.*
If you live in Ecuador contact:
The Ministry of Economic & Social Inclusion HERE.
If you live in the USA contact:
America World Adoption HERE.
Children’s Home Society of Minnesota HERE.
Madison Adoption Associates HERE.
Children’s House International Adoptions HERE.
An Open Door Adoption Agency, Inc. HERE.
Children who have not been adopted (usually because of their significant special needs) will remain under the loving care of FHC in Casa Esperanza (see Long-Term Care).
* FHC cannot recommend or guarantee client satisfaction with any of the agencies listed. FHC does suggest that if more than one agency is listed for a country, that you inquire of all the agencies, and then compare the information and costs to make a well-informed decision before selecting an agency. FHC provides this information as a helpful guide for persons interested in adopting from Ecuador. FHC does not receive any financial benefit from listing these agencies on our website.