PROGRAM
Foster Care - Children's Homes, Inc.
Children's Homes, Inc. operates a licensed private child placement agency serving Churches of Christ families throughout Arkansas.
Overview
Program Overview
Children's Homes, Inc. operates a licensed private child placement agency serving Churches of Christ families throughout Arkansas. Our foster care program connects vulnerable children with loving, temporary families who provide stability during difficult times.
Our foster care staff serves as your advocate and support system, helping you navigate the fostering process while providing an extra layer of professional guidance. We understand that fostering is both rewarding and challenging, and we're committed to supporting you every step of the way.
Children's Homes
The Need in Arkansas
Over 4,000 children are currently in Arkansas foster care. Every child in foster care has experienced some form of trauma and needs love, nurture, and stability to heal and grow.
Common Reasons Children Enter Foster Care:
Greatest Needs:
Sibling relationships are crucial when children have been removed from their parents' care. Often children must be separated due to limited availability of foster homes, making sibling group placements a priority for our agency.
Book a Visit
Visit Rooms in Searcy
We are blessed to offer two dedicated visit rooms at our Searcy Foster Care office, designed specifically for biological families and siblings to use while a child is in foster care and working toward reunification.
These rooms provide a safe, private, and welcoming space where families can spend meaningful time together, nurture God-given relationships, and grow in love and connection.
By providing this space, we seek to honor God’s design for family, support healthy bonds, and help children experience stability, encouragement, and Christ-centered care even while in foster care.
Book a Visit
Our Office Location
1126 Benton Ave, Searcy, AR 72143.
Please don't hesitate to contact us at 501-268-4330 if you have any issues locating us.
Home Types
Types of Foster Homes
REQUIREMENTS
Requirements for Foster Families
We welcome inquiries from couples and single individuals living in Arkansas who are active, faithful members of Churches of Christ congregations.
Foster and Respite Homes Requirements:
Support Homes Requirements:
Support homes do not require pre-service training, CPR/First Aid certification, or home study interviews, making this an accessible way to help foster families.
Support
Our Support System
Ongoing Casework Support
Each foster family is assigned a dedicated caseworker who provides:
Visits & Check-ins
Regular home visits and check-ins
Support
24/7 emergency support
Assistance
with appointments and services
Advocacy
with schools and other systems
Connection
to community resources
Comprehensive Training
All foster families receive thorough preparation through our pre-service training program. Training covers child development, trauma-informed care, behavioral management, and working with birth families.
Financial Support
Foster families receive monthly payments to help cover the costs of caring for foster children. Additional funds are available for special needs, activities, and emergency expenses.
Respite and Relief
We help arrange respite care when foster families need breaks or face emergencies. Our network of respite families provides this crucial support.
Work
Working with Birth Families
We believe family preservation is important whenever safe and appropriate. Foster families play a crucial role in supporting reunification efforts when that is the child's permanency goal.
Family Visits
Foster families may facilitate visits between children and their birth families, helping maintain important relationships during the healing process.
Court Participation
Foster families participate in court hearings and case planning meetings, providing valuable input about the child's progress and needs.
Advocacy
We encourage foster families to advocate for children's best interests while supporting appropriate family connections.
Ways to Support
Other Ways to Support Foster Families
Not every family can alter their lives to become foster parents, but there are many ways to support foster families and the children placed with them:
Direct Support:
Donation Support:
Congregational Support:
Let's Connect
Getting Started
Information Meetings
We regularly hold informational meetings throughout Arkansas to share details about our foster care program and answer questions. Contact our office to find a meeting near you or to arrange a presentation for your congregation.
Application Process
Ready to take the next step? Contact our foster care team to begin the application and approval process. We'll guide you through each step and answer any questions along the way.
Questions and Support
Our staff is available to discuss foster care opportunities, answer questions about requirements, and help you determine if fostering is right for your family.
Contact
Foster Care Contacts
Bailey Hensley
Recruitment and Retention Specialist
Primary contact for prospective foster families
Chelsea Spencer
Child Placement Services Director
Program oversight and policy questions
Foster Care Office
Searcy, Arkansas
Phone: (501) 268-4330