Across Kids Alive, our teams work with the families of children in our programs to improve parenting skills, help empower them economically, and bring the healing words of Jesus. We implement Trust-Based Relational Intervention (TBRI®) and facilitate reunification with safe family members within our ministries.
When it comes to adoption and foster care, it can be overwhelming to navigate the complex needs of a child who’s faced trauma and abuse. TBRI® is a holistic approach specifically designed for children who come from hard places, such as maltreatment, abuse, neglect, multiple home placements, and violence, but it’s a good tool to use with all children that’s consistent with biblical values.
A safe family member is someone identified as a responsible, trustworthy, and supportive individual capable of providing a nurturing and secure environment for children in need of care and protection. A safe family member transforms the life of a child, offering safety, stability, and unconditional love. KAI’s mission aligns with Isaiah 1:17, “Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed. Take up the cause of the fatherless; plead the case of the widow.”
Kids Alive Guatemala has focused extensive efforts on implementing Trust-Based Relational Intervention (TBRI®) practices into every aspect of the ministry.
TBRI has better equipped not only Kids Alive Guatemala psychologists and social workers but every ministry staff member on the best ways to connect, empower, and walk with the most vulnerable children and families that we serve. Kids Alive Guatemala staff and programs now operate on the basis of TBRI® as our principal way of accompanying children through their trauma and on their way to restoration.
Kids Alive Guatemala staff maintain regular contact with families, offering continuous support and encouraging open communication with those who have had children placed in their homes. This commitment requires patience, listening, and a dedication to growth amidst challenges. The outcome is evident as Jennifer Pérez, Kids Alive Guatemala’s foster family program leader, explains, “The result is healthy, thriving families, with children who are now not only in a safe place, but feel safe, feel seen, and feel loved.”
Simple TBRI® interventions can involve simple gestures ranging from offering water or a snack to gently encouraging physical activity until the child calms down. For more intense situations like a child expressing anger or frustration, a significant intervention involves temporarily removing them from the environment, offering support, understanding their perspective, and collaboratively exploring behavioral alternatives. In both small and big interventions, TBRI® encourages understanding and resilience, creating a path for healing and emotional growth.
House parents have expressed the usefulness of training for trauma-informed care. They're constantly searching for better ways to help the children in our care who have experienced trauma. In one early trauma care training, one residential director exclaimed, “This is what we have been looking for years”. TBRI® techniques have helped both teach and correct while building trust and connection.
Four brothers arrived at one of our residential facilities when they were malnourished and in need of care, coming from a single-parent household with limited resources. After years of nurturing their physical and emotional well-being, our team explored the possibility of reuniting them with their mother. Through spiritual guidance and support, their mother eagerly welcomed them back into her home, embracing her newfound faith and calling to raise her children. Now, nearly 18 months later, the boys thrive in their family environment, with their mother providing love, support, and essential care. When it comes to reunification, this is the ideal scenario, where we can come alongside families to help them be healthy examples of Christ’s love.
Ivy (pseudonym for privacy), a 14-year-old girl in our program, has faced the challenges of abandonment since birth, leading her to become independent and avoidant. However, through TBRI® intervention, she has experienced a transformative shift, growing in self-awareness and now embracing physical touch as a safe and healthy means of connection. TBRI® serves as a powerful tool, promoting emotional and physical well-being among both children and staff. This method facilitates learning, re-learning, and unlearning for a healthier livelihood within the community and society at large.
Sara's (pseudonym) journey is one of resilience and growth, overcoming the devastating loss of her parents and brother to find the path of healing through the Kids Alive protective care program in Karundas. Despite facing rejection and trauma, Sara's transformation is a testament to the power of resilience and support. With the guidance of TBRI® principles, dedicated counseling, and spiritual guidance, she has grown from a fragile and withdrawn girl into a confident student who uses her voice to meet her needs. In January 2024, Sara enrolled in High School and is excelling in her academics.
Whether they're parents or temporary caregivers in residential care centers or foster families, they've learned to build secure attachments and respond to children's needs with love and understanding. The training and support provided help caregivers overcome challenges, resulting in positive changes and a deeper connection with the children they care for.
The foster parents of an 8-year-old girl used strategies they learned from TBRI®. Together, they tackled obstacles, fostering a supportive environment where the girl felt understood and cared for. As an example, the girl expressed herself with swear words. Rather than harshly reprimand her, the caregiver approached her, asked her to look at her, and spoke with love. The caregiver calmly offered assistance to the young girl, and she responded positively. By incorporating daily practices and focusing on connection, they witnessed remarkable progress.
Identifying a safe family member is a process that involves structured interviews and psychological evaluations to assess their ability to provide sufficient care. To a child, a safe family member is seen as a present and stable figure who is connected, available, and can advocate for their rights and needs.
An encouraging example of foster care success in Peru: Two siblings, ages 8 and 9, received nurturing support and clear expectations appropriate to their individual needs and stages of development in the care of a loving foster family. This approach empowered the children to express themselves and have their voices heard, fostering a sense of security and belonging in their new environment.
George (pseudonym for privacy), a sixth grader, faced behavioral challenges, including misconduct, disrespect, and stealing. Through TBRI®, he has made significant positive changes, noted by both his house parent and peers. By addressing the underlying needs behind his behavior and participating in nurture groups and therapy sessions, George has transformed with the support of his dedicated house parent and therapist. This collective effort has led to his remarkable progress, and we remain hopeful for George's continued success on his journey toward personal growth.
Joshua (pseudonym for privacy), a 6-year-old boy, arrived at one of our residential sites in February 2023 after being found wandering near a sports field in a slum. After several investigations, it was established that the boy had been abandoned by his mother and needed to be placed in a care facility. Joshua adapted well to his new environment at Kids Alive, showing resilience and even joy. While his mother expressed a desire to reclaim him, investigations revealed it wasn't safe due to circumstances beyond her control. Instead, Joshua was reintegrated with his aunt, where he is currently thriving, attending school, and finding joy in family and faith. His favorite verse is John 3:16.
Learn how you can help make an impact through our Safe Haven programs.
