Central is honored and overjoyed to partner with Connected Foster Care and Adoptions, a division of Arkansas Baptist Children and Family Ministries, as we seek to build, strengthen, and restore the families in Arkansas to the glory of God. This is a perfect opportunity to love and serve the vulnerable in Jonesboro and throughout the state. James 1:27 says, “Pure and undefiled religion before our God and Father is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress…”
 
Church-driven foster care allows us, the local church, to take ownership of foster care in our community. If just 1% of Arkansas Baptists said yes to actively fostering, then 100% of the foster care need in Arkansas would be met. You may not be called to foster or adopt, but we can all do something. Whatever your gifting, talent, or resource, pray and ask the Lord to show you what role you should play in this ministry.
 
Below is a promo video as well as several avenues for involvement including: fostering, adopting, serving as a respite family, joining the CFAM support community, and signing up for specific email lists, prayer and service teams. Learn more about each individually in the sections below, and fill out the Call to Action Form to contact our staff, sign up for our email list, or to begin serving!

“Whoever welcomes a child in My name, welcomes Me.” Mark 9:37

Families who pursue the call to foster will enjoy the unique blessing of working with our own case worker specific to Central families. This means a personalized team of people who are committed to preparing, educating, and supporting you from the moment you sense the prompting of the Spirit, to the moment you welcome that first child into your home, to the countless moments to come as you embark on the lifelong journey of love and healing.
 
Some base requirements to foster include: an application, a statement of faith, background checks, CPR/First Aid certifications, required training hours, and a name study. If you have questions, please fill out the form at the bottom of this page, and I will reach out to you soon!

Families interested in adoption, will experience personalized training, support and guidance throughout the process. Connected is proud to be a privately licensed adoption placement agency for residents living in the state. We call these families “waiting families.” Our vision is for an Arkansas with waiting families, not waiting children.
 
As a part of the ministry and training for adoptive families, all families are asked to serve in foster or respite care as a part of the missional model. When you become a “waiting family,” you are stepping in to champion and minister to a mother with an unexpected pregnancy and an infant who needs a forever family. Our services will support her with the care and compassion she deserves while we train and equip you to say yes to her child.

Support families can provide up to 72 hours of care for children in the foster care system. This is a great hands-on way to support your dear friends and close families here at Central by partnering with them in loving the vulnerable children in their home while, at the same time, giving the families and opportunity to rest and recharge! This ministry also provides foster families the opportunity for travel or additional training.

A family who decides to serve as a respite family will go through the full license process, and will be able to foster for anywhere between 0-14 days. These families can also help support other foster families within Central and across the state. If you have questions or would like more information about the difference between a support family and a respite family, please email, call, or fill out the Call to Action Form below!

Are you a current adoptive or foster family?
 
Please let us know through the form at the bottom of the page! Whether or not you are currently fostering through Connected Foster Care, we would love to connect you to other foster and adoptive families, include you in our trauma-informed training, and resource you as best we can!
 
Be sure to stay connected and up to date on all events by joining our email list and Facebook Page! Fill out the Call to Action Form below to contact our staff  or to sign up for our email list and join the CFAM community!! Also, don't forget to join our Facebook Page.

Not everyone is called to foster or adopt, but we can all do something. Here at Central, we want to wrap our arms around the vulnerable and those who have answered the call to foster and adopt. If you have a heart to serve foster and adoptive families, you can be an integral part of the personalized support we offer through this ministry!
 
Ways to support our families include: being part of a support system, prayer team, meal team, emergent needs for foster parents, involvement in community building activities throughout the year, and more! Whatever your gifting, talent, or resource, pray and ask the Lord to show you what role you should play in this ministry.
 
Join our Facebook Page to stay in the know and to be ready as emergent prayer requests and needs arise! Fill out the Call to Action Form below to contact our staff or to sign up for our email list and join the CFAM community today!!

At Central we want to care for every family member affected by foster care and adoption, including the birth families! Through our partnership with ABCFM, Central is honored to provide birth mothers holistic support through partnerships with Connected Foster Care and Adoptions, Living Well Professional Counseling, and Desired Haven Family Care!
 
Desired Haven is a division of Arkansas Baptist Children & Family Ministries providing support, counseling and advocacy for birth moms in crisis. They equip expectant mothers with the services needed to choose the best future for her child. Click Here to be directed to their website for more information and immediate support.

To contact our staff, join our email list, to express interest in a specific aspect of the ministry, or get more information, fill out the form below.

Morgan Flippo
Connected Champion at Central
Morgan.Flippo@arkansasfamilies.org
(470) 216 4918