THE NEED. THE GOAL. THE OUTCOME.
FOSTER CARE AND ADOPTION
Arrow Child & Family Ministries equips foster families to meet the needs of children in crisis—through comprehensive recruitment, training, licensing, and ongoing support. The ultimate goal is to transition these children back into a healthy environment with their biological families. Or, if that is not possible, provide a safe, nurturing home from which they can launch into a successful adulthood.
THE NEED
Foster care plays a crucial role in protecting vulnerable children. Every day, state child welfare offices receive reports of potential abuse or neglect. When necessary, children are removed from unsafe situations while a thorough investigation takes place. The state then reaches out to agencies like ours to find a local foster family whose preferences align with the child’s age, gender, race and other factors. If no suitable match is found, the child may be placed in a residential facility or shelter until a family becomes available.
The number of children entering foster care continues to outpace the number of families available to care for them. When no local options are available, children may be sent far from their communities. Fostering is more than providing a temporary home; it’s about offering love, stability, and a safe place to heal. It takes a committed family willing to look beyond preferences—to keep siblings together, support teens with nowhere else to go, or embrace children who don’t fit the “ideal” mold.
THE REQUIREMENTS
To qualify, you must be at least 21 years of age, financially stable, and a responsible adult. You can be single, or if newly married, cohabitating, or divorced, the relationship status must be established for at least 10 months. All household members age 14 and older must pass both a criminal background check and an abuse/neglect check. Applicants are required to provide personal references from spiritual, business, employment, or social relationships, as well as at least one personal reference from a relative who does not live in the home.
In addition, you must complete a foster parent application, participate in required trainings, and agree to follow all of Arrow’s Policies & Procedures, including the prohibition of physical discipline. Your home must provide adequate sleeping space of at least 40 square feet per child and may house no more than six children in total. You will also need to become certified in First Aid and CPR, conduct fire, health, and safety inspections, and ensure that all household members participate in a comprehensive home study, which involves sharing personal background and lifestyle information.
DIFFERENT TYPES OF FOSTER CARE
- Traditional Foster Care
- Treatment Foster Family Care (TFC)
- Foster to Adopt
- Matched Adoption
- Kinship Foster Care
- Kinship Straight Adoption
- Respite Care
If you’re interested in learning more about becoming a foster parent, call our Arrow HeartLine at (866)-328-4862 to connect with a member of our team.
CONTACT US
We know you may have questions, and we’re here to help!