Introduction

Care Team Ministry
Replication Education Module

Background on Care Team
   Concept Development
History of Care Team Ministry
Definitions
Description and Parameters
Where Can Care Team Ministry
    Be Established?
How Do Teams Work?
Why Only 1-2 Hours?
Referrals
Calling Volunteers
Risk Management/Background
    Checks
Training
Care Team Established
Support of Volunteers
Ongoing Reporting
Cycle of Care Teams
Lessons Learned
Forming a Care Team Ministry -
    How to Get Started
Orientation for Organizations:
    Step 1, 2, 3
Media Information
Research & Resources
Conclusion and Sending Forth
Care Team Ministry Forms

Care Team Ministry
Volunteer Guidebook

History of Care Team Ministry at the Normandale Center for Healing & Wholeness

The Care Team Ministry program at Normandale was first organized in 1998 for older members of Normandale Lutheran Church, through the Normandale Center for Healing & Wholeness. The Senior Pastor realized that Normandale needed to minister to not only seniors’ spiritual dimensions of life, but also to the mental and physical dimensions, i.e., body…mind…and spirit. This was the genesis for the development of the Center. The Care Team Ministry became one of the first programs of the Center. The Center for Healing & Wholeness was then officially organized as a non-profit in the year 2000, with a mission to focus on the needs of frail elders in the community and their family caregivers.

In 2001, the Center received a 3-year grant from the U.S. Administration on Aging through the National Family Caregiver Support Program to enhance the Care Team Ministry model at Normandale and assess the impact of this volunteer team support on caregiver burden. The grant also provided funds for the Normandale Center to provide training and technical support to other organizations seeking to replicate the Care Team Ministry program. With this financial support, the Center assisted 10 other congregations as they developed the Care Team Ministry program in their own setting. Each parish was provided with in-person training and technical support, as well as printed materials and resources at no cost to the faith community.

An independent evaluation of the Normandale Care Team Ministry and Resource Coordination program showed a positive impact on family caregivers (spouses of the ailing senior and/or adult children). Caregivers felt supported and relieved. Many expressed gratitude at finding a program that helped them understand services and programs in the community, and provided ongoing assistance in terms of volunteers, reassurance, and a listening ear.