Mission Update from One More Child
Every week, the leadership and staff of One More Child come together for prayer and devotion to celebrate the encouraging progress in our ongoing mission to serve vulnerable children and struggling families, all for the glory of God.
Here is a glimpse into the recent good news, activities, and accomplishments at One More Child:
Keeping Busy— One More Child’s National Influence
One More Child works to ensure our programming is evidence-based, trauma-informed, and has spiritual integration. Our staff has a wealth of expertise on how to implement programs that are helpful and effective—and this expertise is sought after on a national level.
Dr. Leon Battle, vice president of program operations, and Deanna Berkes, senior director of program development, conducted a presentation titled “Leveraging a Faith-Based Continuum of Care for Better Outcomes” at the annual Florida Coalition for Children’s Conference—reaching fellow child welfare professionals.
Additionally, Dr. Leon Battle participated in a training conference with the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services, at their request, and spoke to approximately 400 child welfare professionals regarding the importance of incorporating child protection strategies in agency policies and procedures, while also including trauma-informed care in agency protocol.
Also in partnership with the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services, One More Child’s Anti-Trafficking Mobile Team led a training on the dangers and realities of commercial exploitation to an audience of nearly 1,000 law enforcement officers, investigators, and front-line workers at “Light the Way – End Human Trafficking Summit” in Corpus Christi, Texas. Jodi Domangue, One More Child’s vice president of program operations and public policy, and Olivia Littleton, anti-trafficking team coordinator, presented information on the latest trafficking trends, the process for accurately identifying victims, and the importance of understanding the nature of trauma when working with survivors.
At the Florida Department of Children and Families 2024 Annual Summit, Stacie Ham, One More Child survivor, leader, and mentor, and Dr. Kathy Pracht, One More Child clinical director, led a session titled “What Your Kids Aren’t Telling You.” Presenting to an audience of about 700 individuals, they provided information on often overlooked red flags and effective ways to support children and teen trafficking survivors. Drawing on her expertise of working with survivors every day and applying her own human trafficking survivor experience, Stacie highlighted missing pieces of care and components of effective recovery. Dr. Pracht shared a clinical perspective on effectively collaborating with children, creating healthy boundaries, and having safe conversations.
One More Child also prioritizes continual professional development among our staff and leadership. Last month, staff members from every major department participated in a training to increase proficiency in evidence-based models that are trauma-informed and trauma-competent. They learned about the highly effective Motivational Interviewing curriculum used for counseling, coaching, and promoting positive behavior change. Staff will use what they learned to more effectively communicate and thoughtfully serve children and families.
Single Mom Comes Full Circle in the Best Way
A Single Moms Community Program at the First Baptist Church of Milton, Florida recently celebrated a full-circle moment. Danielle was a single mother who came to the program because she wanted the best for her child but needed support and resources.
In the program she received meals, established community connection, and learned about healthy boundaries, parenting skills, and budgeting through One More Child’s curriculum. Danielle strengthened her skills and experienced life-changing support and services. Then, because of the growth she experienced in the program, she decided to help single moms in the same way others helped her. She joined the team as a mentor, helping other single moms with experiences similar to her own.
Now, she has gone one step further and decided to become a leader of this Single Moms Community Program. Danielle brings immense value to the program, as she will be able to impart guidance, based on her experiences as a single mom and as someone who went through this process. In this program, Danielle found strength as a mother, received support from community, and gained passion to help other single moms achieve success.
We are grateful for God’s powerful work of transformation in Danielle’s life, and we trust that he will continue to move in the hearts and lives of those we serve, ultimately multiplying the impact beyond what we could ever imagine.
Learn more about our Single Moms Community Program.
Foster Family with a Heart for Medically Needy Children
As licensed foster parents through One More Child, the Martins* have a heart for children with great medical needs. They recently received a call about a child, named Leo*, who suffered abuse and neglect and needed to be placed in a medically licensed foster home. Until a home was found, Leo sat waiting in the hospital, but the Martins accepted the placement and began preparing their home for Leo.
After sorting out all the details, the Martins were invited to meet Leo about a week before their placement was supposed to begin, but instead they insisted on meeting him and bringing him home that day, refusing to let him sit in the hospital any longer.
The Martins welcomed Leo into their family and bought him a swimsuit and polo shirts for the community pool and church. As foster parents to Leo, the Martins are making an eternal impact in the life of one more child.
*Names changed for privacy.