Murphy Harpst Children’s Home’s: First of its kind in Georgia Evolve initiative

AUGUSTA, GA. (WJBF) – There are approximately 11,000 children in Georgia’s foster care system. There is a home available for only one-third of them. One group is working to change this.

Murphy Harpst Children’s Home’s Evolve initiative program is working to create homes for foster children to address the shortage and provide them with skills to help them transition into the community.

“Success is when you get reunification, where you get adoption, or that you’re tracking and looking at for this child how many days because we are in the community,” said Cindy Simpson, VP of strategic initiatives at Murphy Harpst. “So, our kids walk to the Kroc center, you know, to participate in the activities. They can do after-school activities. They’re looking at life skills.”

The home is staffed with a therapist, case manager, and operations manager, so every kid gets what they need. The Murphy Harpst team has reported that 82% of the kids who have completed the program reduced destructive and self-harming behaviors and 90% improved their life skills and behavior management.

“Initially, when children first get here, my main focus is to gain trust,” said Yomika Latson, therapist for Murphy Harpst Evolve Program. “Because the only way that a child is going to open up to you and talk to you is if they trust you. Being that a lot of them have been in so many different placements, that’s hard for them.”

The Evolve home is different from others because it is more like a family. They have the kids grocery shop, cook dinners, and go out together.

“Summer, we utilize the Boys and Girls Club. A lot of our youth partake in that. They got to go on different field trips in the community with that and got to interact with kids, which is something a lot of them don’t do,” said Megan Lew, Operations Manager and Lead behavioral specialist.

Many enjoy being able to watch the kids grow and make a way for themselves after the home.

“It’s very rewarding, you know, because you get to see them eventually be able to grow up to when they are 18 and they are able to go out on their own,” said Imani Woodward, Foster Parent.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJBF.