The How

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Parents — Simple Overview

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Good news: you won’t do this alone. We walk with you and provide all templates in the Welcome Packet.

1) Register as a Homeschooler

• Send a short Letter of Intent to your county.

• We’ll give you the template and where to send it.

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2) Keep a Simple Portfolio

• Save a few work samples from the beginning, middle, and end of the year + a reading list.

• We’ll show you easy ways to keep it (binder or digital folder).

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3) Do a Quick Year-End Evaluation

• Meet or email an approved evaluator who reviews your portfolio.

• We’ll share our trusted list and help you schedule.

• The evaluator gives you a certificate, and you send that to the state. 

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4) Choose Curriculum & Join the Rhythm

• Parents choose the core blocks curriculum (we’ll recommend options). 

• Plug into Co-Op Learning Days (2x/week at church) and Shepherd Homes (home pods on other days).

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5) Apply for Step Up For Students (PEP) Scholarship

• This scholarship is available to Florida homeschoolers and helps cover educational expenses.

• We’ll show you how to apply, what to select, and how to use funds with our model.

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We provide:

• Ready-to-use Letter of Intent template

• Portfolio cheat sheet

• Evaluator list and scheduling help

• Getting-started call to answer questions

• Portal to select your shepherd's home

• A lot of resources and support will be available to you. 

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For Shepherd Homes — Simple Overview

Good news: you’re not on your own. We train you, provide templates, and the church covers you spiritually and practically.

1) Say “Yes” & Get Oriented

• Attend a short Shepherd Orientation (vision, role, rhythm).

• Review the Shepherd Home Guide in your Welcome Packet.

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2) Covered & Compliant (Simple)

• Insurance: Shepherd Homes operate under the Church’s ministry insurance and spiritual covering.

• Not a daycare / not a tutor: You are not a licensed daycare and not a private tutor. You provide supervised learning, discipleship, and enrichment within a church-supported homeschool model.

• Two-deep safety: Complete a background check and secure an assistant (volunteer or paid) for two-deep supervision.

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3) Register to Receive Scholarship Funds

• Apply as a Step Up For Students (PEP) scholarship provider (we’ll walk you through it).

• This helps families participate without heavy costs and allows Shepherds to be compensated.

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4) Choose Your Weekly Rhythm

• Align with Co-Op days (2x/week at church).

• Pick your home-pod days and a simple daily schedule 

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5) Select Enrichment Track(s)

• Choose 1–2 Enrichment Tracks (e.g., service/leadership, creation care, arts/crafts, life skills).

• Use our plug-and-play kits (ideas, supply lists, quick plans).

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6) Support Core Learning (Parent-Directed)

• Parents choose curriculum; you provide supervised study blocks, gentle accountability, and a Christ-centered atmosphere.

• Keep a light pod log (attendance + highlights—template included).

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7) Set Your Simple Ops

• Pricing: You set your fees (suggested max $7,000/year to keep access open).

• Capacity: Up to 10 students per Shepherd Home.

• Schedule: Offer full-time, part-time, or both based on your capacity and calling.

• Assistant: Confirm your assistant (volunteer or paid) to meet two-deep standards.

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8) Communicate & Care

• Send a short weekly note to parents (what we did, what’s next, any needs).

• Pray with/for your students; model hospitality and discipleship.

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You’re not alone.

We provide:

• Orientation & training

• Safety checklist and two-deep guidelines

• Insurance + covering guidance (with your church)

• Step Up application help

• Sample schedules and enrichment kits

• Parent comms templates

• Access to a coach for questions

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Church Members — Get Involved

Good news: there’s a place for every gift. You won’t do this alone—we’ll train you, pair you with a leader, and keep schedules simple.

1) Be a Substitute (On-Call)

Jump in when a Shepherd or Co-Op leader is out.

What you do: supervise learning blocks, assist activities, keep the rhythm.

Time: as-needed (weekdays); you pick your availability.

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2) Serve as an Assistant (Two-Deep Support)

Stand alongside a Shepherd Home or Co-Op class.

What you do: second adult in the room, help with transitions, prayer & encouragement.

Time: weekly or biweekly block(s).

Next step: Background check + quick training.

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3) Help at the Co-Op (Campus Days)

Make our two weekly campus days run smoothly.

What you do: classroom helper, hospitality, setup/teardown, lunch duty, carline.

Time: 2–4 hours on Co-Op days (you choose frequency).

Next step: Pick a team & timeslot.

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4) Share Your Skill or Hobby (Enrichment)

Turn your passion into a blessing.

What you do: short workshops or a 4–6 week mini-track (gardening, music, carpentry, coding, art, baking, budgeting, etc.).

Time: seasonal; we provide a simple outline.

Next step: Pitch your idea—We’ll help shape it.

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5) Donate (Supplies & Scholarships)

Fuel ministry without straining the budget.

What to give: curriculum sets, art/science supplies, snacks, gift cards, or funds for scholarships.

Next step: See the Needs List or give online.

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6) Adopt a Student to Pray For

Cover a child or Shepherd Home in prayer.

What you do: pray weekly, send occasional notes or Scripture cards.

Time: 5–10 minutes/week.

Next step: Get an Adopt-to-Pray card.

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For Church Leaders— Simple Overview

Big idea: you’re not launching a private school. You’re organizing discipleship through two settings—Co-Op Learning Days at the church and Shepherd Homes in the community—while parents remain the primary educators.

1) Gather Vision & Greenlight (Elders/Pastors)

• Share the Why / What with your leadership and congregation.

• Identify a Point Leader (staff or trusted lay leader).

• Announce an interest meeting for families and volunteers.

We provide: slide deck, interest-form template, announcement copy.

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2) Form a Core Team (6–10 people)

• Roles: Point Leader, Safety Lead, Shepherd Coordinator, Co-Op Coordinator, Comms/Admin, Finance Liaison.

• Launch a prayer team.

We provide: role descriptions, meeting agendas, checklists.

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3) Covering, Safety & Insurance (Simple)

• Confirm your church insurance covers Co-Op days & Shepherd Homes (ministry activities).

• Adopt two-deep supervision, background checks, and basic child-protection policies.

• Clarify that Shepherd Homes are not daycare / not tutoring—they provide supervised learning, discipleship, and enrichment under the church’s discipleship model.

We provide: sample policies, background-check links, parent/volunteer covenants.

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4) Choose the Rhythm & Calendar

• Co-Op: 2 days/week on campus (select rooms and times).

• Shepherd Homes: remaining days in home pods.

• Publish a simple 36-week calendar (terms, breaks, showcases, service days).

We provide: room map template, sample schedules, calendar file.

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5) Recruit & Approve Shepherd Homes

• Invite qualified members to host Shepherd Homes (10 students max, two-deep).

• Each Shepherd secures an assistant (volunteer or paid).

• Shepherds set capacity, schedule (full/part-time), and pricing (recommend max $7,000/yr to keep access open).

• Assist Shepherds to apply as Step Up For Students (PEP) providers (FL).

We provide: interest form, orientation agenda, Step Up guide, home walkthrough checklist.

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6) Parent Onboarding (Lightweight)

• Host a Parent Info Night (how to register as homeschool, portfolio overview).

• Parents choose curriculum; church provides community & discipleship rhythm.

• Collect family covenants and emergency forms.

We provide: Letter-of-Intent template (FL), “portfolio cheat sheet,” recommended curricula list.

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7) Operations That Keep It Simple

• Comms: weekly email + text alerts; one page with calendar, contacts, and policies.

• Facilities: room-use plan, setup/teardown teams, supply closet.

• Finance: parent-to-Shepherd payments + scholarship routing; church receives no tuition (avoids school classification).

• Records: attendance snapshots, incident forms, volunteer roster.

We provide: comms templates, supply list, forms bundle.

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8) Training & Culture

• 60–90 minute Orientation for Shepherds, assistants, and Co-Op volunteers.

• Focus: discipleship > academics, hospitality, classroom flow, safety basics.

• Embed prayer, Scripture, and service into the weekly rhythm.

We provide: orientation slides, mini-trainings, enrichment track kits.

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 90-Day Launch Outline (At-a-Glance)

• Weeks 1–2: Vision night, form core team, confirm insurance/safety.

• Weeks 3–4: Recruit Shepherds/assistants; schedule orientations.

• Weeks 5–6: Parent Info Night; LOI help; publish calendar/rooms.

• Weeks 7–8: Training; background checks; set Co-Op classes/enrichment.

• Weeks 9–10: Finalize rosters; supply closet; comms go-live.

• Week 11: Soft launch (pilot week).

• Week 12: Full launch + celebration.

You’re not alone.

Psalms 78 Ministry provides:

• Leader Starter Kit (policies, forms, slides)

• Coaching calls (launch + quarterly)

• Shepherd & volunteer training

• Enrichment track kits and sample schedules

• Step Up application support (FL)

Next Steps (for your website/handout)

• Book a Leader Call

• Download the Starter Kit

• Schedule an Interest Night

Note: This overview is ministry guidance, not legal advice. Confirm insurance and local requirements for your context.

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