TCK Care in OMF

OMF TCK Care Vision

Through God’s grace we aim to see families with thriving children, who understand and value their TCK experience, growing in faith, towards being all that God desires

OMF TCK Care Mission

Our mission is to care for and equip families by providing encouragement, educational support and resources, while advocating for TCKs in line with the vision of OMF.

How are we caring for families and their children in OMF International today?

We firmly believe that it is the parents’ responsibility, before God, to raise their children and make decisions regarding their education. OMF offers support, resources and advice to help parents do this well. A brief outline is given below:

Application Process:

• TCK Advisor in the sending country is available to discuss concerns parents may have regarding their children.
• TCK Advisor in the country of service can discuss schooling options and the needs of the family.
• This dialogue helps inform the decision-making about where a family is placed.
• Application forms include questions regarding the children’s feelings; older children (pre-teens and above) are asked directly for their thoughts on the planned transition.

Orientation:

• Orientation Course lasts 3 ½ weeks at OMF’s IHQ in Singapore, with KidZone as a separate program for the children.
• KidZone is an intentional age-appropriate program to help children prepare for transitions, appreciate other cultures, deal positively with emotions, and feel valued as part of the OMF family.

Cross-Cultural Service:

• Field TCK Advisor has ongoing contact with the family, to help with orientation to the country and then to offer support, advice and encouragement as needed.
• Each family is encouraged, at an early stage, to develop a long range plan for the education of their children, considering such matters as the intended location of tertiary education and the best timing of transitions.
• Families with OMF use a wide range of education options, including national schools, homeschooling, international schools, international Christian schools, online courses
• A small number of families choose to board their children, mostly for secondary school age. OMF children that board either attend a boarding school which is run independently of OMF or they board in an OMF-run Boarding Home and attend a local day school.
• Boarding Home staff are chosen, screened and supported with particular care because of the tremendous responsibility entrusted to them. Each OMF Boarding Home also has an external ‘advocate’ – someone who lives locally but is outside the boarding system – who can act on the student’s behalf in the event of a problem.

Regular Review

• The regular Two Year Review asks parents how their children are doing and about the benefits and challenges of their education. In addition, the two-yearly Health Review is an in-depth medical check for all, including children.

Return to Sending Country:

• Wherever possible, the TCK Advisor in the home country of the family offers support to young adult TCKs when they are back home.
• Young adults are considered part of the OMF family (in terms of financial support, administration etc.) up to age 24.