Many people know the Chaplain Ted Network for training, encouragement, resources, and support for foster and adoptive families, church volunteers, and child-serving professionals. But there is something happening behind the scenes that many people may not realize.
Embedded within the Chaplain Ted Network is a small nonprofit agency that serves as a partner agency for CarePortal.
For those unfamiliar, CarePortal is a real-time care-sharing network that connects the needs of children and families in vulnerable places with churches and caring community members who are willing to help. Through CarePortal, practical needs like beds, clothing, food, car seats, diapers, furniture, and many other essentials can be met quickly through local churches and volunteers.
However, there is a challenge that often happens within the system.
Many agency workers do not have direct access to CarePortal. In some cases, their agency may not be enrolled to use the platform. In other situations, the children and families they are serving may have moved into ZIP codes that fall outside of their agency’s designated service area.
Unfortunately, that can leave vulnerable children without access to needed support and resources.
This is where the Chaplain Ted Network steps in.
Our role is often to serve as a bridge — connecting agency workers, children, and families with the caring community resources available through CarePortal. In many ways, we function as a middleman that helps close the gap so children are not overlooked simply because of geography, system limitations, or lack of access.
Because of this partnership, children whose needs may have otherwise gone unmet are able to experience the kindness and compassion of local churches and volunteers who step forward to help.
What may seem like a small act — delivering a bed, providing clothing, supplying diapers, or helping furnish a home — can have a life-changing impact on a child and family in crisis. Sometimes these simple acts of care help stabilize placements, prevent disruptions, encourage foster parents, and remind struggling families that they are not alone.
The Chaplain Ted Network wants to sincerely thank all of our partners, churches, volunteers, and individual financial supporters who help make this possible.
Your support allows us to serve in ways that may seem small at times, but often create some of the greatest impacts in the lives of vulnerable children and families.
Thank you for helping us build caring connections and bringing hope to children who need it most.