frequently asked questions

Q.   How is a child/youth enrolled at Bethel?

A.   To find out about the enrollment process at Bethel, click here 

Q.    How long does a child/youth attend Bethel?

A.    Enrollment period depends on the family’s need. Average enrollment period is 9-12 months.

Q.   What kind of  crisis causes a family to consider enrolling their child/youth at Bethel?

A.   Common reasons for enrollment are family illness, family conflict, teen pregnancy, divorce, economic downturn, incarceration, institutionalization, drug and/or alcohol addiction, abandonment, or other family crises.  Bethel becomes an extension of the family during the time of crisis.

Q.  What is your success rate?

A.  Based on our research, about 85 % of adult Bethel alumni have a stable productive family life: not in prison, not on welfare.

Q.  What is the typical length of service of house parents?

A.  National average is nine months.  Average tenure at Bethel is 2-plus years.

Q.  Where do the children/youth go when they leave Bethel?

A.  Most return to one or both parents, an extended family member, or to independent living if 18 or older.

Q.  How is Bethel funded?

A.  Ninety (90) % of funding comes from individuals, local businesses and clubs, which includes donated items sold at our Thrift Shoppe, entry fees into special events, Will bequests, and employer matching gifts. Other from churches (5%), endowment income (4%) and government (1%).

Most families can afford only a small portion of their child’s cost of care: some none at all. The rest comes from the above sources.

Q.  What is Bethel’s budget?

A.  Our budget for fiscal year 2010/2011 is $1.6 million : 79% is for direct care; 21% is for administration and fundraising. Total annual cost for a full-year resident is $52,000. This is $5.95 per hour per child/youth.

Q.  How is Bethel governed?

A.  Bethel is governed by an independent Board of Trustees. This 18-member volunteer Board is made up of Christian men and women.

Q.  How does Bethel care for the children/youth?

A.  Bethel provides a residential setting with a married Christian couple as house parents (mentors) who live in a home on our campus with up to eight children/youth. Typically, each home also has a single associate house parent who is gender-specific to the home. Children/youth are assigned to homes based on age, gender and/or emotional needs. Each young person is encouraged to develop in five areas: spiritual, physical, intellectual, relational and emotional.

Q.  Do the children/youth live full-time on the Bethel campus?

A.  Yes. Bethel is their home until parents or guardians can once again care for them, or they leave on their own at age 18 or older.

Q.  How old are the children/youth who come to Bethel?

A.  Our children/youth are school age (5-17) with the exception of infants/toddlers enrolled with their mothers in our Promise (teen mother) ministry. Average age served is 13.

Q.  Where do the Bethel children/youth go to school?

A.  For the most part, they attend public elementary, middle, high schools or colleges. Some attend on-campus school, a State-approved classroom for youth needing more individualized academic help.

Q.  Are children/youth required to attend church?

A.  Yes, they are expected to attend a local church with their house parents.

Q.  What is Bethel's greatest need?

A.  Prayer in these areas:

• daily development of the children/youth
• situations that bring about crises in the family
• day-to-day strength and encouragement of house parents
• knowledgeable people to direct families in crisis to a safe haven like Bethel
• for God to call more couples and singles into ministry as house parents
• for God to raise up more financial partners to sustain the needs of the children/youth