Driven by a belief that all children deserve safety and the opportunity to thrive, West Michigan Partnership for Children (WMPC) in Kent County, Michigan has been implementing an innovative foster care model creating better outcomes for children and their families.
The 2017 launch of WMPC was the result of a long-term collaboration between dedicated professionals, the Kent County Administrator’s Office, community leaders and partners, Michigan Child Welfare Partnership Council, and legislators. As the only private entity in Michigan to oversee a network of foster care and service providers, WMPC and its partners work seamlessly with the public sector to improve outcomes for abused and neglected children.
WMPC draws from national and local best practices to:
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- Administer performance-based contracts that require foster care and service providers to meet key outcomes for children and families in an efficient and timely manner;
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- Facilitate a funding model that prioritizes permanency, allows creativity and flexibility for needed services, and rewards early interventions that result in positive outcomes;
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- Utilize cutting-edge technology and software for real-time case management and predictive analytics that identify client needs and mobilize resources to prevent crises;
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- Lead and empower a collaborative consortium, leveraging the talent, expertise, and historical knowledge of Bethany Christian Services, Catholic Charities of West Michigan, D.A. Blodgett-St. John’s, Samaritas, and Wellspring Lutheran Services.