Three Strategic Focus Areas
Technology solutions aligned with the Flourish Fund Children & Families Initiative for transforming foster care and strengthening families.
Preventing Family Separation
Digital solutions that strengthen at-risk families before crisis occurs
The Challenge: Neglect is a factor in 63% of child removals, yet most families face systemic barriers, not character flaws. Traditional reactive systems often disrupt families as a first response instead of last resort.
The Opportunity: Technology can connect parents to advocates, provide respite and resources, enable church communities to wrap around at-risk families, and help families navigate complex service systems before crisis escalates.
Example Innovations
- New service models that wrap community support around at-risk families
- Church-based volunteer networks providing respite and practical help
- Family navigator programs connecting parents to local resources
- Partnerships between schools, healthcare, and social services for early identification
- Technology tools that help coordinate care across providers
- Parent peer support models adapted for Fort Worth communities
Supporting Foster Families
Technology tools that reduce burnout, improve retention, and equip foster families with support
The Challenge: 50-70% of foster families stop within 2 years due to inadequate support, burnout, and lack of training for caring for traumatized children.
The Opportunity: Digital tools can provide just-in-time training, connect families to peer support, coordinate respite care, and help churches effectively mobilize to support foster families in their communities.
Example Innovations
- Peer support networks connecting experienced and new foster parents
- Church-based respite care programs providing regular breaks
- Trauma-informed training delivered through in-person cohorts or digital platforms
- Community support teams that wrap around foster families
- Mentorship models pairing foster families with experienced guides
- Coordinated respite care systems (tech-enabled or volunteer-based)
Preparing Youth for Success
Digital platforms that provide workforce readiness, life skills, and career pathways
The Challenge: 70% of youth aging out of foster care are arrested within years. They lack access to mentorship, career pathways, and life skills training that most young adults receive from family networks.
The Opportunity: Technology can provide career exploration, skills training, mentor matching, financial literacy tools, and employment connections that prepare youth for independent, thriving adulthood.
Example Innovations
- Mentorship programs connecting youth with caring adults and professionals
- Employer partnerships creating job pathways for aging-out youth
- Life skills training through hands-on workshops or digital platforms
- Alumni peer networks where former foster youth support each other
- Housing transition programs with wraparound support
- Financial coaching and literacy programs tailored for foster youth
Cross-Cutting Themes
Across all focus areas, successful solutions will demonstrate:
Whole Family Approach
Solutions strengthen entire families, not just children
Church & Faith Engagement
Ability to mobilize or partner with faith communities
Redemptive Orientation
Focus on restoration and healing, not just crisis response
Collaborative Spirit
Commitment to field-building and sharing learnings
Human Dignity Centered
Technology as enabler, not replacement for human connection
Cost Effectiveness
Path to 30% reduction in cost per outcome
Does Your Solution Fit?
Check eligibility requirements and selection criteria to see if your organization is a strong match for this challenge.
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