Strengthening Communities, Supporting Children: The Power of Community-Based Care
COMMUNITY-BASED CARE IN TEXAS
WHAT IS COMMUNITY-BASED CARE?
Since 2017, Texas has implemented Community-Based Care (CBC), a redesign of the foster care system that shifts specific responsibilities from direct state management to regionally coordinated oversight. Under this model, the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) contracts with a Single Source Continuum Contractor (SSCC), as outlined in the Texas Family Code, to manage and deliver the full continuum of care for children in foster care within a defined service area.
How does Community-based care work?
Once a child enters foster care, the SSCC, not Child Protective Services (CPS), assumes responsibility for overseeing the youth’s case and coordinating the full continuum of services throughout their time in care.
The SSCC manages every major component of the foster care system within its region. This includes case management; placement coordination; services for reunification and permanency; adoption support; kinship and fictive kin care; and services for older youth such as Preparation for Adult Living (PAL) and Youth Achievement programming. The SSCC also administers all contracts with network providers, including foster care agencies residential providers and Purchase Client Service (PCS) providers who deliver therapeutic clinical and supportive services.
HOW IS ARROW INVOLVED?
In February 2023, DFPS launched Community‑Based Care in Region 4, also known as the Piney Woods.
This region is comprised of Anderson, Bowie, Camp, Cass, Cherokee, Delta, Franklin, Gregg, Harrison, Henderson, Hopkins, Lamar, Marion, Morris, Panola, Rains, Red River, Rusk, Smith, Titus, Upshur, Van Zandt, and Wood counties.
Arrow has served children and families across East Texas for more than 25 years, establishing deep roots through community partnerships, faith-based collaboration and a long history of child welfare services. Building on that foundation, 4Kids4Families now oversees and coordinates the foster care continuum for Region 4, ensuring children and families receive responsive, community-driven support.
4Kids4Families: The SSCC for East Texas
4Kids4Families, a division of Arrow Child & Family Ministries, serves as the SSCC for Region 4. This faith-based, 501(c)(3) non-profit organization is guided by its mission: “Helping Kids & Strengthening Families through community-based care.” This role allows us to bring foster care closer to the community, providing children foster parents and biological families with the personalized services, therapies, and programs they need to thrive.
What They Do
As the SSCC, 4Kids4Families coordinates foster care across 23 East Texas counties. They work with local providers and community organizations to strengthen the regional system, build capacity and prioritize in-region placements. Key initiatives include the Family Focus Recruiters program through Wendy’s Wonderful Kids Foundation, the Family Collaboration Specialists team supporting biological parents, and an expanded kinship program helping more families become licensed caregivers.
4Kids4Families is proud to serve as the SSCC for Region 4 since February 2023 and looks forward to continuing to build capacity, partnerships, and awareness of Community-Based Care.
Their work includes:
- Case management to guide children and families through the foster care process.
- Placement coordination, ensuring children are placed safely and appropriately.
- Services for reunification and permanency, supporting children in returning home or achieving stable long-term care.
- Adoption support, helping youth transition to permanent families.
- Kinship and fictive kin care, providing resources and support for relatives and close family friends who serve as caregivers.
- Programs for older youth, such as Preparation for Adult Living (PAL) and Youth Achievement Services.
- Quality and Compliance oversight, monitoring contracts and services delivered by network and PCS providers.
- Community Relations, overseeing stakeholder engagement and partnership development.
Community-Based Care: Local Support That Changes Lives
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