Published in Children’s Voice, Volume 34, Number 1
by Ana Preger Hart
Although between 65% and 85% of children who enter the foster care system in the United States do so with at least one sibling, only about 25% are placed in homes together (Casey Family Programs, 2020). Gordon Johnson, who spent many years working at all levels of child welfare, witnessed firsthand how the separation of siblings added to the trauma a child experienced when entering care. He came to believe that keeping siblings together increased the likelihood of their reunification with parents and improved a child’s ability to bond with adoptive parents.
Johnson’s deep understanding of what he saw as a significant flaw in the foster care system motivated him to start Neighbor To Family (NTF) in 1998. The new welfare agency would focus on a simple but powerful mission: keeping siblings together. Today, NTF continues to provide an innovative model of care that prioritizes stability and family connections. Under the leadership of CEO Tony Everett, the organization is broadening its reach to support more families and foster healthy, stronger communities.
At the heart of NTF’s work is the Sibling Foster Care model, recognized as a promising practice by the California Evidence-Based Clearinghouse for Child Welfare and awarded the Council on Accreditation (COA) Innovative Practices Award in 2013. NTF’s signature program increases positive outcomes for children in care by keeping sibling groups together in a single home; holding birth parents accountable for their children’s longterm well-being; professionalizing the role of foster parents; and ensuring that reunification and permanency planning are purposeful, team-driven efforts. These fundamental principles were first instituted by Johnson, who served as NTF’s president and CEO until his passing in 2015.
The success of NTF’s model relies on comprehensive family engagement. The organization aims to involve parents early in the process, ideally within 48 hours of placement. Monthly Family Team Meetings work to build trust among stakeholders by bringing together parents, foster caregivers—who also serve as mentors to parents—and case managers. Additionally, the unique role of a family advocate strives to help parents navigate court requirements with the goal of reunification, provided it is in the best interest of the child. The support network formed through the involvement of all parties ultimately benefits both the child and their family.
NTF currently offers sibling foster care in communities throughout Florida, Georgia, and Maryland. In previous years, the organization has served up to 700 children daily and, in 2023 alone, supported over 2,100 children and 836 families through a combination of foster care and prevention programs. Additional initiatives, such as a therapeutic foster care approach in Maryland and services like adoptions, safety management, Medicaid counseling, clinical engagement, and supervised visitation in Florida, further ensure that families have the resources they need to thrive.
Whenever possible, NTF integrates a variety of evidence-based practices to improve outcomes for children and families. The organization has utilized tools such as the North Carolina Family Assessment (NCFAS), the Ages and Stages Questionnaire (ASQ), the Mandt System, Nonviolent Crisis Intervention, and the Nurturing Parenting Program, emphasizing the importance of trauma-informed care. Moreover, foster caregivers receive extensive training in child development. They also benefit from ongoing communication with case managers and participate in regular educational workshops, which significantly improve the quality of care that children receive.
Beyond foster care, NTF also focuses on diversion and preventive services that serve families before they reach the point of separation. The Family In-Home Resource & Support Team (FIRST) program, first launched in Florida in 2008, provides intensive in-home services to stabilize families and avert unnecessary foster placements. Through partnerships with community organizations, FIRST delivers safety management, parenting support, and behavioral health services, making sure that families receive timely and effective interventions.
One of NTF’s recent programs is emergency placements in Daytona Beach, where the organization is headquartered. Since 2022, NTF has successfully implemented an emergency foster care program there that places children in encouraging home environments instead of institutional care while they await permanent placement. This initiative helps reduce further trauma for children entering the system.
As NTF continues to grow, it is dedicated to expanding its programs to reach even more children and families in need. James L. Akins, III, NTF’s chief of staff, stressed the continued need for homes for large sibling groups, adding that, “If anybody can open their heart to keeping a sibling group together in Florida, Georgia, or Maryland,” they should contact NTF through their website, neighbortofamily.org. Everett and Akins both have been with NTF for more than 20 years.
Neighbor To Family has been accredited by the COA since 2005. It consistently meets high standards for child welfare services and has remained a steadfast leader in foster care practices for the past 25 years. NTF’s commitment to transforming foster care is evident in the lives it has touched. By prioritizing sibling connections and professionalizing foster care, the organization is proving that a better foster care system is possible—one that keeps families together.
Ana Preger Hart, MFA, is a freelance writer, editor, and educator in Baltimore, Maryland.
Reference
Casey Family Programs. (2020). How are child protection agencies promoting and supporting joint sibling placements and adoptions? https://www.casey.org/jointsibling-placements/
