God loves all of His kids and wants them to have a place in His Church. But sometimes a kid needs one-on-one support to be successful in our LifeKids rooms. That’s where LifeKids buddies come in.

Watch this video and read below to see what buddies do and how they provide additional support for any kid who needs it.

Why do we have buddies in LifeKids?

• We want to provide care to everyone who enters our church—regardless of how much care they need. LifeKids buddies offer a way to provide extra care to kids and families who need it.
• LifeKids buddies show families there is a place for them in the church. Sometimes, children who need extra care are excluded from programs that aren’t equipped to serve them. LifeKids buddies keep kids from being turned away so they and their whole family can find their place, get the care they need, and step up to serve others.

There are two types of LifeKids buddies.

• One-on-one buddies are assigned to work with an individual child who has demonstrated a consistent need for additional support.
  • They may work with the same child each week for a few months until the child is able to participate fully without support.
  • They may work with the same child for years if the child isn’t yet able to be fully integrated into a LifeKids room on their own.
• Experience buddies work together with the coach.
  • There is at least one experience buddy on-call at each service.
  • The coach and the experience buddy partner to identify any child who is dysregulated for any reason. The buddy then steps into the room to assist the child.
  • The on-call experience buddy assists new families who ask for support for their child.

Who do buddies work with?

• Buddies work with any kid who displays the need for extra one-on-one support. Maybe a kid has a developmental difference, or their family is going through a difficult transition and the child is acting out at church because of it—whatever the root issue is, buddies are there to share love, grace, and support with the child so they can participate in LifeKids.
• Buddies work with families who feel their kid needs extra support. When a family asks for the extra support of a buddy, a buddy assists their child.
• Buddies don’t work with all kids who have differences. When a child is able to participate fully in a LifeKids room without one-on-one support, they do not need a buddy assigned to them just because of a specific diagnosis.
• Buddies don’t lead small groups. If you have a buddy in your room, their responsibility is to the child they’re supporting. If you need additional small group support, let your coach know instead of asking the buddy to take on that role.

Talk through these discussion questions with your fellow leaders and LifeKids team.

1. What do you think is most beneficial about the LifeKids buddies ministry?
2. What did you already know about LifeKids buddies?
3. What did you learn from the LifeKids buddies video?
4. Who do you think would make a great LifeKids buddy?