The needs of North Carolina children remained great this past year as Baptist Children’s Homes’ (BCH) statewide homes stayed full or near capacity.
Children are now living at BCH for longer periods of time in a trend that has shifted from 2016. A rise in abuse and neglect, often due to the nation’s growing opioid crisis, has resulted in children remaining longer in the safe, stable setting BCH offers.
One measurement the nonprofit uses to analyze the need is called “days of care.” A day of care is counted every time a child is safely tucked in bed at night. In 2017, that number reached a staggering 125,889 days. Also, BCH cared for 151 sibling groups. The ministry is one of the few providers that keep brothers and sisters together.