We ask for prayers as the Board of Directors of Lutheran Children and Family Service (LCFS) has voted to not renew contracts for refugee resettlement, adoption, foster care, and after-school enrichment programs managed by the social service affiliate of Liberty Lutheran Services. LCFS will, however, continue to provide leadership to the West Philadelphia Senior Community Center and In Home Support Program, both which minister to the needs of underserved seniors.

"This was a very difficult decision to reach and took many months of prayerful deliberation. We seriously explored whether we could mitigate some of the challenges facing the impacted programs, but ultimately a series of factors crippled our ability to optimally deliver service to our clients," said Luanne Fisher, President and CEO of Liberty Lutheran Services (LLS).

Fisher explained that unpredictable state and local funding coupled with reimbursements that didn't cover the true cost of service contributed to a mounting deficit, leaving Liberty to resource millions of dollars to cover the shortfalls. As a result of Pennsylvania's budget impasse, $8 million in fees were still owed as of December 31, 2015. "Perhaps it takes actions as severe as this, when such a highly regarded agency stops providing services due to inadequate funding, to effectuate change in systems," says Fisher.

Liberty is working to sustain the legacy of the impacted programs.. "It is our hope that our clients will experience little disruption, given that talks are underway with faith-based and not-for-profit groups who are showing positive interest in assuming leadership of some of these programs. Additionally, Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service has confirmed that it remains committed to maintaining resettlement efforts in Pennsylvania and will soon identify a new local partner," says Fisher.

As LCFS works to transition services, please keep the vulnerable populations it serves and its dedicated staff members in your prayers. For questions or more information please contact Rev. Dr. Jennifer Phelps Ollikainen at 610-425-2981 or jollikainen@libertylutheran.org.