About The Program
Children's Homes, Inc. was founded in 1955 by the Seventh and Mueller Church of Christ in Paragould, Ark. Since our inception, the elders of Seventh and Mueller have served as the Board of Directors for the agency. Our main office and residential program is located in Paragould, Ark., and our Foster Care Program office is located in Searcy, Ark.
Our Foster Care Program is licensed as a private Child Placement Agency. Our Foster Care staff is dedicated to helping you through the process of fostering, being a voice for you and an extra layer of support. Our foster families are members of the churches of Christ and are located throughout the entire state of Arkansas.
Our Foster Care Program is licensed as a private Child Placement Agency. Our Foster Care staff is dedicated to helping you through the process of fostering, being a voice for you and an extra layer of support. Our foster families are members of the churches of Christ and are located throughout the entire state of Arkansas.
The Need
IN THE STATE OF ARKANSAS THERE ARE OVER 4,000 CHILDREN IN FOSTER CARE.
Every child in foster care has experienced some form of trauma and needs love, nurture, and stability. The most common reasons
a child enters foster care are:
• abuse and/or neglect
• parent incarceration
• parents' substance abuse and/or mental health
The greatest need is for foster families to care for school age children, teens, and for sibling groups of all sizes. Often children coming
into care have to be separated due to the availability of foster homes. Sibling relationships are so important when children have been removed from their parents' care, so this has become a priority for our agency.
Every child in foster care has experienced some form of trauma and needs love, nurture, and stability. The most common reasons
a child enters foster care are:
• abuse and/or neglect
• parent incarceration
• parents' substance abuse and/or mental health
The greatest need is for foster families to care for school age children, teens, and for sibling groups of all sizes. Often children coming
into care have to be separated due to the availability of foster homes. Sibling relationships are so important when children have been removed from their parents' care, so this has become a priority for our agency.
Types of Homes
Foster Homes
A foster home accepts placement of a child until permanency can be achieved. A typical foster placement can last up to a year or longer.
Respite Homes
A respite home is a foster home that provides periodic, short-term care for children placed in another home. Respite care is typically used when a foster family a break or is traveling somewhere and cannot bring the child. Respite care is requested by the foster family, approved by the caseworker and is limited to 14 days.
Support Homes
Families approved for support can transport foster children to and from school, medical/therapy appointments and other activities. Also, families approved for support can keep a child overnight in their own home for up to 72 hours at one time.
A foster home accepts placement of a child until permanency can be achieved. A typical foster placement can last up to a year or longer.
Respite Homes
A respite home is a foster home that provides periodic, short-term care for children placed in another home. Respite care is typically used when a foster family a break or is traveling somewhere and cannot bring the child. Respite care is requested by the foster family, approved by the caseworker and is limited to 14 days.
Support Homes
Families approved for support can transport foster children to and from school, medical/therapy appointments and other activities. Also, families approved for support can keep a child overnight in their own home for up to 72 hours at one time.
Requirements
We welcome inquiries from couples and single individuals living in the state of Arkansas who are active, faithful members of the churches of Christ.
Successful candidates must:
Foster and Respite Homes
• Be at least 25 years of age
• Be married for at least 2 years
• Complete a physical examination by a physician
• Have sufficient living space
• Complete background checks (FBI, State Police, Child Maltreatment Central Registry, and DMV)
• Complete the required pre-service training and CPR and First Aid Certification
• Provide required documents
• Have at least 5 positive references
• Complete home study interviews with CHI social worker
Support Homes
• Complete background checks (FBI, State Police, Child Maltreatment Central Registry, and DMV)
• Have at least 3 positive references
Support homes do not have to complete the pre-service training, CPR and First Aid Certification, or the home study interviews.
Successful candidates must:
Foster and Respite Homes
• Be at least 25 years of age
• Be married for at least 2 years
• Complete a physical examination by a physician
• Have sufficient living space
• Complete background checks (FBI, State Police, Child Maltreatment Central Registry, and DMV)
• Complete the required pre-service training and CPR and First Aid Certification
• Provide required documents
• Have at least 5 positive references
• Complete home study interviews with CHI social worker
Support Homes
• Complete background checks (FBI, State Police, Child Maltreatment Central Registry, and DMV)
• Have at least 3 positive references
Support homes do not have to complete the pre-service training, CPR and First Aid Certification, or the home study interviews.
Other Ways To Help
We realize not every family will be able to alter their lives and become Foster Parents. We understand. But families unable to bring children into their home can still help foster families and the children placed with them.
Here are some examples of how you can provide help:
• Find a foster family in your church and offer baby-sitting, bring them meals when new children are placed or find out what other needs they have to make that placement successful.
• Donate to our clothing closet. Items such as diapers, children’s Bibles, suitcases, children’s furniture and car seats are always needed.
• Offer meals and locations for foster parent training
• Your church congregation could host an informational meeting to learn more about ways you can help foster children through Children’s Homes, Inc. If interested in hosting an information meeting, contact the Searcy office by phone at (501) 268-4330 or by email, using the links below.
Here are some examples of how you can provide help:
• Find a foster family in your church and offer baby-sitting, bring them meals when new children are placed or find out what other needs they have to make that placement successful.
• Donate to our clothing closet. Items such as diapers, children’s Bibles, suitcases, children’s furniture and car seats are always needed.
• Offer meals and locations for foster parent training
• Your church congregation could host an informational meeting to learn more about ways you can help foster children through Children’s Homes, Inc. If interested in hosting an information meeting, contact the Searcy office by phone at (501) 268-4330 or by email, using the links below.