Colorado Homes for Hope Program
Short-term care for Adams County youth and children in emergency care situations
COVID-19 and Emergency Foster Care
During unprecedented COVID-19 shut downs, calls to the Colorado Child Abuse and Neglect hotline system have dropped by over 50%. This is connected to children being removed from schools where mandated reporters can check in on the safety and stability of children in their classrooms. We are anticipating a large increase in calls for emergency placements as children begin to return to childcare in the summer and well into the fall when schools begin to open. During this time there is expected to be a huge need for Homes for Hope and for additional foster homes.
What we do
Children are often removed from their home in traumatic emergency situations. In these times of uncertainty, it is important to Adams County to have a safe place for each child to go. Homes for Hope is that place of safety.
- Homes for Hope allows us to keep the children in the county, in their school, and in their community. This brings stability in a time of instability.
- Children are brought directly to a Homes for Hope house where they are welcomed by foster parents and undergo an intake process designed to identify how to best meet the child’s needs and help the child feel safe.
- Children can remain in a Homes for Hope house for up to 90 days while a suitable long-term solution is created. For some children, this means being placed with family and for others longer-term foster homes.
“These kids that come into Homes for Hope are there through no fault of their own. From a kid’s perspective we are taking them away from everything they know. It is our responsibility to lessen that trauma.” – Commissioner Charles “Chaz” Tedesco
How we do it
Caring for children when they are at their most vulnerable.
It’s not enough for children to be safe, they must also feel safe. Home for Hope will provide a safe haven, a warm smile, and a warm bed at the time when they are most vulnerable, immediately after being removed from their parents. Adams County, Adams County Foundation, and Nightlight has partnered for this program. Two single-family houses have been completely renovated and are ready for families to move into.
- The two homes can accommodate up to eight to 10 children at a time.
- Homes for Hope will allow sibling sets to stay together in one home. Prioritization will be given to children infant to age ten but will serve children up to age 18 years old to keep siblings together.
- The homes have been specifically designed with a receiving area, to provide a smooth transition for the child into their new foster home.
Meaghan Nally, Foster Care Program Manager
We need your help!
There are many ways to help the kids living at Homes for Hope. You may provide a monetary gift to help cover the cost of needs within the home easily right here on the secure Nightlight Christian Adoptions website.
You may take an online tour of Homes for Hope. Your interest in supporting Homes for Hope through respite are, meals or some other type of support is greatly appreciated. Respite care providers will especially be in need after the expected increase of foster placements due to COVID-19. Please contact us at foster.co@nightlight.org or 970-663-6799.
Provide an occasional hot, or freezer friendly meal, to help our house parents take a break on the busy days where they have a lot of appointments to take each child to. Contact Foster.co@nightlight.org to learn more.
PROVIDE A MEAL
Donate services, such as automotive, cleaning, memberships, birthday parties, etc. Donations given will be to a nonprofit 501©(3) organization and will be tax deductible. Contact Foster.co@nightlight.org to learn more.
DONATE SERVICES
Provide a gift from our online registry to help make the homes more enjoyable and comforting for the children placed. You can have the items shipped to us, and we will deliver it directly to the foster child in need from our Amazon Registry.
AMAZON REGISTRY
Offer in home respite care for our Homes for Hope families. These respite providers will need to be teachable, flexible, and tenacious to provide our Homes for Hope families with a much needed break. Contact Foster.co@nightlight.org to learn more.
PROVIDE RESPITE CARE