Arkansas Foster Parent Services

Disorganized and judgemental. I am a counselor with a masters degree and background in Child psychology. I’ve wanted to be a foster parent for years. I have 2 car seats, gave the master bedroom as the kid’s room, have organized supplements, am buying a shed, all to accommodate taking in a foster child. The first time I reached out to Compact, they never contacted. Now 2 years later they’re having foster class but have been very disorganized and inconsistent. Compact quite often would schedule a training and nobody would be there, without any notice. Several times I drove across town to attend a class that didn’t happen, calling several staff, nobody knew what was going on. So I just attended the first foster class after a month of them rescheduling and I received an email stating I wasn’t allowed to move forward with foster care, and most of the reasons stated were invalid. Saying I don’t have a dining table when I do, saying I don’t have car seats when I do, saying that my having a daughter with a giant room to foster a girl isn’t acceptable because we couldn’t take a boy, I mean just crazy made up stuff. Dealing with them has been absolutely exhausting and the message has been sent loud and clear. They don’t care about your education or qualifications, they’ll gladly accept young couples with little to no experience, but if you’re a single woman in the Bible Belt, you’re seen as worthless or a threat. I’m sorry but the way I was judged and made up stories about was absolutely offensive. I’ve got a Master’s degree, ordained in Ministry, work from home in counseling and just got certified in teaching yoga and social emotional competency for children. I’d imagine that someone who specializes in counseling and child psychology would be a valuable candidate to help children cope with trauma and develop social emotional competency. What’s truly unfortunate is their pettiness and narrow mindset is doing a disservice to children that need a competent and nurturing environment. Very disappointing. Attached is a picture of my princess, with our “imaginary” dining table in the background.

Great place 🙂☺️

Helps restore hurting children with the love of Christ and find homes for them

Friendly

Generally I don't give 5 stars to anybody, but I needed to counter a goofball who gave it one star with no explianation. Always be weary of anyone that won't tell you why they have an issue so bad as to leave one star. My experience was limited to just a few days as a visitor. I found the administration and staff to be real Christian people. We talked about their failures and successes over the last 70+ years of service. I found the foster group home parents to be solid people, considering the challenge of overseeing a home with as many as 8 children in them I found them down right heroic. Buildings were well maintained and the meals healthy and plentiful. Most Christian facilities won't touch state placements, this one does joyfully. They do go to church weekly, but I didn't witness any " hard sell" on campus. This ministry had it's own therapists on staff who are state licensed any very qualified to help young people with all types of trauma backgrounds.
I only wish they had facilities like CompACT ( AG Family Services) here I Iowa. We're still sticking kids in barely qualified individual home because it only costs the state $19.00 a day to do it. Jeff (now that my friend, is a review!)