CHILD BRIDGE, INC
Every Child is a Masterpiece Worthy of Being Seen
Programs and results
What we aim to solve
There is a foster care crisis in Montana. As of December 2022, approximately 2,600 children are in the foster care system, having been removed from their homes due to severe abuse or neglect. Child Bridge finds and equips foster and adoptive families for these children.
Our programs
What are the organization's current programs, how do they measure success, and who do the programs serve?
Monthly Foster/Adoptive Family Resource Groups
Child Bridge provides monthly Foster/Adoptive Family Resource Groups that strengthen and encourage families as they walk the foster journey. These vital Resource Groups provide continuing education, a quality meal and child care. Notably, the State of Montana has approved the Child Bridge Group for 2 hours of renewal licensing credit for each class attended.
Foster/Adoptive Family Recruitment
Partnering with the local church, Child Bridge works to find and recruit foster/adoptive families. After presenting the need for families to foster/adopt, Child Bridge provides informational meetings for families, answering questions and guiding them through the journey of caring for foster children.
Foster/Adoptive Family Refocus Groups
Refocus Groups are small group/book studies. These are facilitated discussions that take a “deeper dive” into topics from monthly Resource Groups. Families leave with tangible takeaways and practical parenting skills they can put into place right away. These small groups also build a community among local foster families.
Where we work
External reviews

Our results
How does this organization measure their results? It's a hard question but an important one.
Number of Foster Families Recruited
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Adults, Christians
Related Program
Foster/Adoptive Family Recruitment
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Holding steady
Context Notes
2022 efforts focused on equipping existing families (vs. recruiting new families) 2023 efforts will also focus on equipping.
Instances of adults and children served at Child Bridge monthly Foster/Adoptive Group Education
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Children and youth, Caregivers, At-risk youth
Related Program
Monthly Foster/Adoptive Family Resource Groups
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Context Notes
This is the original "equipping" program. Attendance in monthly group education has started to decrease year-over-year, as other training and support programs have been introduced. (beginning 2020)
Number of Children Child Bridge Families have Cared for
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Children and youth, At-risk youth
Type of Metric
Outcome - describing the effects on people or issues
Direction of Success
Holding steady
Context Notes
The number of children in the child welfare system has been steadily decreasing, so the number of children needing care has also decreased. (Prior to 2021, child placements had been underreported.)
Instances of adults served at Child Bridge Foster/Adoptive Parent small group/book studies
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Holding steady
Context Notes
Small group/book studies were introduced in 2021 as program to augment monthly group education.
Goals & Strategy
Learn about the organization's key goals, strategies, capabilities, and progress.
Charting impact
Four powerful questions that require reflection about what really matters - results.
What is the organization aiming to accomplish?
Consistent with our mission, Child Bridge's overarching goals are to RECRUIT foster families and EQUIP foster and adoptive families to successfully care for children who have suffered unspeakable trauma caused by abuse and neglect.
What are the organization's key strategies for making this happen?
ABOUT RECRUITING
Finding a family takes many touch points. This includes presenting information (usually at churches), answering questions, and offering guidance through the training and licensing process.
In 2021, we started offering FOSTER CARE INFORMATION MEETINGS. These meetings are a way for families to learn more, alongside other people who are in exactly the same place – the very beginning.
When a family is ready to move forward and start the process of becoming licensed, Child Bridge makes a warm handoff to the State or another approved training/licensing entity.
ABOUT EQUIPPING
For many years, Child Bridge has offered MONTHLY GROUP EDUCATION in communities across the state. During COVID, we quickly transitioned to virtual group education sessions. Today we offer both in-person and virtual options.
In 2021, we introduced SMALL GROUP/BOOK STUDIES. These are facilitated discussions that take a “deeper dive” into topics. Families leave with tangible takeaways and practical parenting skills they can put into place right away. These small groups also build a community among local foster families.
We also offer social FAMILY GATHERINGS. These are casual, but intentional, together-time for the whole family. These meet-ups are designed to help foster families meet others, connect, and know that they aren’t alone on their fostering journey.
In 2022, there were 2,718 instances of adult caregivers participating in Child Bridge equipping programs and services.
A Child Bridge foster mom says, “We are no longer living on an island. Every Child Bridge connection and class helps us learn how to be successful foster parents.”
What are the organization's capabilities for doing this?
Our mission remains laser-focused and strategically simple: “to find and equip foster and adoptive families for children who have suffered from abuse and neglect.”
The work, however, is far from easy.
We remain highly attune to what families want and need in order to be successful caring for children who have experienced unspeakable trauma.
For instance, we have EXPANDED THE WAY WE EQUIP FAMILIES: from monthly, in-person group education events to a variety of online and in-person options, including our very popular book study groups (introduced in 2021) and our new parent-child together programming (introduced in 2022). In 2023, we will be unveiling an online resource library with more than 250 vetted books, articles, websites, webinars and more.
In response to family feedback, we will also be producing specialized, trauma-informed “micro-content” for foster/adoptive families. For instance, a mom who doesn’t have time to read a book can read a blog. Or listen to a podcast while she washes dishes or drives around town.
Child Bridge is also committed to STAFF DEVELOPMENT / SPECIALTY JOB KNOWLEDGE to better equip families. We currently have 8 formally trained TBRI(R) Practitioners on staff. (TBRI is Trust-Based Relational Intervention -- the trauma-informed caregiver model we use to train families.) We also have 3 Certified Parent Coaches on staff, and plans to upskill others.
By expanding our equipping offerings and building our teams’ skill sets, we can build parents’ skill sets, which will improve outcomes for families and the children their care.
What have they accomplished so far and what's next?
Child Bridge was founded in Bigfork, Montana in 2011. In its first year, the co-founders' recruitment efforts doubled the number of licensed foster families in Flathead Valley. Given this early success, and the growing need for foster families, Child Bridge strategically and thoughtfully expanded its reach.
We opened our first regional office in Billings (2015), followed by Missoula (2016), Bozeman (2017), Great Falls (2018), Butte (2019), Glendive (2019), Kalispell (2021) and Helena (2022).
Hundreds of foster families have been recruited across Montana, and thousands of hurting children have found safety and stability in their arms... whether they needed a family for a few days, a few months, or forever.
AWARDS & RECOGNITION
Child Bridge is a highly respected social impact organization. Our work has garnered national attention, for providing thoughtful and life-changing solutions to the child welfare problem.
In 2016, in Washington DC, Child Bridge became the first Montana organization to receive the ANGELS IN ADOPTION AWARD from the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute. This award recognizes individuals or organizations that have made extraordinary contributions to the areas of foster care/adoption.
In 2018, our co-founders, Steve and Mary Bryan were recognized as the NonProfit PRO NONPROFIT PROFESSIONALS OF THE YEAR. They received the “UNSUNG HEROES” award for their impact on the lives of Montana’s children and families.
Every year, Child Bridge is the TOP RECRUITER of new foster families for the State of Montana. In 2021, Child Bridge introduced 109 families for training/licensing This is especially meaningful because Montana was one of only 15 states in the nation that increased the number of licensed foster families in 2021.
Financials
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Operations
The people, governance practices, and partners that make the organization tick.
Connect with nonprofit leaders
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Connect with nonprofit leaders
SubscribeBuild relationships with key people who manage and lead nonprofit organizations with GuideStar Pro. Try a low commitment monthly plan today.
- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
- Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
- Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations
Want to see how you can enhance your nonprofit research and unlock more insights? Learn More about GuideStar Pro.
CHILD BRIDGE, INC
Board of directorsas of 01/22/2023
Bill Goodwin
Managing Partner for Northwestern Mutual, Retired
Term: 2019 - 2027
Bryan Douglass
Tony George
Marvin Wilson
Jared Hauskins
Dan Rearden
Jenni Leach
Board leadership practices
GuideStar worked with BoardSource, the national leader in nonprofit board leadership and governance, to create this section.
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Board orientation and education
Does the board conduct a formal orientation for new board members and require all board members to sign a written agreement regarding their roles, responsibilities, and expectations? Yes -
CEO oversight
Has the board conducted a formal, written assessment of the chief executive within the past year ? Yes -
Ethics and transparency
Have the board and senior staff reviewed the conflict-of-interest policy and completed and signed disclosure statements in the past year? Yes -
Board composition
Does the board ensure an inclusive board member recruitment process that results in diversity of thought and leadership? Yes -
Board performance
Has the board conducted a formal, written self-assessment of its performance within the past three years? Yes