Central Florida Landscape Study
In 2014, Fostering Our Future at Grace Landing partnered with FaithBridge Foster Care to review the needs of Orange, Osceola, and Seminole counties’ foster children. To better understand the socio-demographics of these counties and the current state of the foster care system, FaithBridge agreed to make a series of visits to the area and to conduct a comprehensive landscape study of the current foster care system.
Over several months, the FaithBridge team conducted in-person and telephone interviews with 65 individuals who represent 32 organizations that serve and understand at-risk families, child welfare, church ministry and related fields.
Each interviewee answered a standard set of questions, and each was afforded anonymity to elicit candid responses. Although some questions could be answered with a simple yes or no, most were open-ended and were intended to stimulate expansive remarks.
Pastors and ministry leaders were invited to share their insights and experience through in-person or telephone interviews, as well as an online survey, and their viewpoints represent 20 of the 65, or approximately one-third, of the voices contributing to this report.
During the course of this study, we conducted in-depth reviews of child welfare and demographic data for all three counties and conducted select interviews in all areas. At the request of Embrace Families - formerly CBC of Central Florida, lead agency of Central Florida - FaithBridge placed a focus on Osceola County with the intent to launch services there first, then to make a phased progression into Orange and Seminole Counties.
We humbly and prayerfully share this report with the Orange, Osceola and Seminole communities at large. Please feel free to download and review the report below.