By Angie King Sullivan | Co-founder
The leadership of GRACE has gained much knowledge during the past quarter as we seek to expand services to include family-based residential care for children. Keeping our mission statement ever before us as we make decisions: GRACE fosters social change through STRENGTHENING FAMILIES and eradicating the vulnerabilities of human trafficking and exploitation. Also, considering the holistic well-being of the children, we strive to maintain the family unit through training parents and couples with life skills. In some cases, the better decision, or the necessary decision, is for the child to experience short-term or long-term separation from their biological family.
Establishing a viable option in Thailand requires diligent adherence to cultural norms. We engage our team of Thai staff, social workers, governmental agents, and other experienced organizations to provide an excellent option for childcare. The executive leadership of our Thailand foundation met with leaders from many regions of the country with roundtable discussions addressing various goals, programs and obstacles providing a wealth of knowledge.
The concept of family-based foster care is an alternative to residential childcare in Thailand. The term 'foster care' implies a child is placed in a shelter or an orphanage with many other children. Shelters housing more than six children must register with the government to provide care. Shelters housing six or less children are not required to register and can operate void of oversight.
Much research has revealed the shelter/orphanage setting is often detrimental to the child's emotional and physical well-being often resulting in increased vulnerabilities of becoming a victim of human trafficking and exploitation. Our plan is to provide parents with resources to care for the children and their families while achieving and maintaining personal well-being. Trained counselors are necessary to ensure those involved receive the best care.
GRACE leadership in Thailand is working on stragetic plans with long-term impact. Similar to completing a jigsaw puzzle, we are focused and diligent with a goal of preventing human trafficking of vulnerable minors.
Thank you for donating to the family-based foster care initiative of GRACE in Thailand.
Kindest regards,
Angie
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