1. Obtain approval from senior pastor
This is the first and most important step in the process. A successful foster care ministry must have the support and advocacy of the senior or associate pastor.

2. Form a core team
Once the pastor has approved the foster care ministry, you must identify potential leaders to participate as members of a core team. FaithBridge Foster Care will appoint a church relations officer to assist you in developing this core team, which should consist of the following key roles:

• Designated Pastoral Staff Member. This individual has a passion for reaching out to children and families and will cast the vision of the ministry, emphasizing the church's biblical call to action.

• Intercessory Prayer Support Leaders. These individuals develop a prayer support strategy for the foster care ministry, activating and communicating with prayer teams.

• Church Advocate. This individual identifies, recruits, orients and disciples community group facilitators as they minister to the families and children.

• Communications team. These individuals work with the church advocate to promote goals and vision of the foster care ministry in the church and local community.

3. Conduct a core team orientation
Once the potential core team members are identified, FaithBridge Foster Care holds a meeting with them and introduces them to core team members from other churches. During the meeting we discuss the foster care crisis, the local church's mandate and the Community of Care^SM solution. Individuals will have the opportunity to prayerfully consider committing to a year of service as a core team member.

4. Register the core team
After the core team has committed to its role, team members will attend a Friday night session of our weekend impact training at a local church in their area (see a schedule of our upcoming events)

5. Launch foster care ministry awareness campaign
The core team, working in conjunction with their FaithBridge Foster Care church relations officer, will begin developing an awareness campaign for the ministry. This involves preparing and publicizing an orientation session and being available to answer church members' questions. FaithBridge has materials available for customization by your church.

6. Host an orientation session
This two-hour orientation session for potential foster families and volunteers provides an introduction to FaithBridge Foster Care and the Community of Care^SM model, as well as the opportunity to meet and ask questions of current foster parents.

7. Register families for impact retreat
Core team members will manage the registration process for the weekend impact retreat hosted by FaithBridge Foster Care at a local church.

8. Ensure families complete process and begin placement
The families and volunteers who have committed to becoming foster families or Community of Care volunteers complete a home study program that culminates in certification from the state of Georgia. At this point, the foster families are now on the list to receive a child placement.

9. Conduct commissioning service for foster families
During a Sunday morning worship service, recognize the individuals and families who have stepped forward to stand in the gap with foster children. Invite the congregation to support foster families and your church's new foster care ministry.