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West Michigan Partnership for Children

In Kent County alone, close to 450 children are in foster care everyday.

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West Michigan Partnership for Children collaborates with local government and private foster care agencies to empower communities to create better futures for foster families and children.

reduction in maltreatment in care
0 %
fewer days in residential or institutional care
0 +
more older youth achieved permanency in 12 months
0 %
faster exit rate into permanency
0 %
Who We Are

Better futures for children and families.

Driven by a belief that all children deserve safety and the opportunity to thrive, West Michigan Partnership for Children (WMPC) is a Kent County, Michigan organization implementing an innovative foster care model to create better futures for children.

  • Accountable
  • Data-driven
  • innovative
  • trauma informed
  • social justice
  • tireless collaboration

2416+

children served

What We Do

Unique. Performance-Based. Innovative.

collaboration

We are Michigan’s only private entity to oversee a network of foster care providers, using data to improve outcomes.

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programs

Our organization is a pioneer in innovation, developing new methods and training for foster care organizations and families.

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analysis and innovation

We use predictive analytics, proactively identifying client needs and mobilizing resources to prevent crises before they arise.

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our vision

A community of safety, belonging, resiliency, and hope where children and families flourish.

Our mission: empowering communities to create better futures for children and families through innovation and collaboration.

Stacey Goodson Read More

"She gave me this smile... it just kind of like hooked me in.” That was when Stacey Goodson met Mimi. Mimi had moved around a lot, so it took some time to begin trusting Goodson. A few years later, Goodson adopted her. “My kids... just want to have someone to care about them...,” Goodson said.

Our Results

West Michigan Partnership for Children was created out of a 5-year pilot study developed by the five foster care agencies in Kent County. The goal was to introduce a data-focused program model to improve outcomes for foster children and families while also reducing cost. The interactive charts below showcase how expenditures and care were impacted during the pilot years (2018-2022). 

Cost Analysis

In the baseline period (2015-2017) prior to the pilot, total expenditures increased by 12%. The first two years of the pilot saw an increase, however there was an annual decrease of 18% in total child welfare expenditures in 2020, followed by a 24% decrease in 2021 and a 17% decrease in 2022. Expenditures are based on the number of care days provided, and the daily unit costs of care in each placement type.

Better Futures

Days children spent in care during the pilot decreased every year after 2019, culminating in a 19% decline in 2022. Care day utilization by placement type also shifted during the pilot. In the pre-pilot period, approximately half of care days were spent in foster care. Since 2018, the proportion of care days spent in foster care decreased, while care days spent with relatives increased. At the same time, the proportion of days spent in WMPC’s enhanced foster care (EFC) program, which is intended to reduce reliance on congregate (out-of-home or institutional) care, has increased steadily from 1% to 8%.

Kin-First Culture

WMPC has a kin-first culture, which can be demonstrated by viewing the improved data on relative placements, parent-child visits, and sibling contacts over time.

Well Being

WMPC outperformed state averages in 10 out of 12 measures, an improvement over 2022 where no measures were met. WMPC met or exceeded three out of five federal measurements as well.

Stability

63% of children with historically high placement instability (5 or more moves), had zero moves after Enhanced Foster Care (EFC) Services.

Racial Disproportionality

Although Black/African American was the most represented race in care, they also exited the WMPC network at least two times the rate of white children. This represents a positive outcome towards the strategic efforts WMPC has actively engaging in, in order to address racial disproportionality.

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Join Our WMPC Family

You can make a difference.

We are looking for partners, client referrals, service providers, volunteers, and foster parents.

Support

Help secure better futures for neglected or abused children. You can donate, foster, mentor, advocate, or volunteer.

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Careers

We are looking for talented, caring professionals who are committed to creating better futures for children to work with us.

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Donate

Your donation goes toward increasing our capacity to make a positive impact on the lives of children who need the most care. 

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Events

Attend upcoming events, trainings, and workshops from WMPC and our partner organizations to improve child welfare.

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Our Model is based on collaboration

Our Partners

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WMPC is the first performance-based foster care service delivery model in Michigan with the goal of improving outcomes for children.

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