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

AUGUSTA, GA (WJBF) – There are approximately 11,000 children in Georgia’s foster care system. Only a third of them have homes. One group is working to change that.

Murphy Harpst Children’s Home’s Evolve Initiative program focuses on creating homes for foster children to address the foster care shortage and provide them with skills that will help them transition into the community.

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

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

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

The Evolve house is different from others because it is more like a family. They let the kids do the shopping, cook and go out together.

“In the summer, we utilize the Boys and Girls Club, and a lot of our youth participate in that. They get to go on different field trips in the community and interact with kids, which a lot of them don’t get to do,” said Megan Lew, Operations Manager and Lead Behavior Specialist.

Many people enjoy watching their children grow up and go their own way after returning home.

“It’s very rewarding, you know, because you eventually see them grow up to be 18 and be able to go out on their own,” said Imani Woodward, foster parent.