About The Call

Who We Are

An exciting Foster Care Church Initiative has rapidly emerged as churches are joining together with an unprecedented level of support from the top levels of leadership of the Arkansas DHHS’ Division of Children and Family Services.  This Christian non-profit is named The C.A.L.L. -- Children of Arkansas Loved for a Lifetime -- because of God's call on the Church: "Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress..." James 1:27.

Why did we form? There is a desperate need for more foster, adoptive and respite care homes for children in the Arkansas foster care system.For instance, there are about 7,000 children in foster care in Arkansas within a year, and there are only about 950 foster families available to care for those children!  Plus, there are over 500 children and teens available for adoption through foster care in our state. Those numbers alone are an indication that this situation is in crisis. We must find more loving homes for these hurting children.

Our Mission

To educate, equip and encourage the Christian community to provide a future and a hope for the children in foster care.

Our Vision

To have no waiting children in Arkansas foster care, but instead to have waiting, Christian families ready to take them in!

This is truly a God-sized vision. God is moving as things continue to fall into place quickly and barriers from the past have been overcome. It is nothing short of miraculous!! It is obvious that He wants these hurting children cared for…now.  As Christian families responded to "The C.A.L.L" in Pulaski County, this model is now being applied in various counties statewide across Arkansas!

The C.A.L.L. is unique because it provides the opportunity for prospective foster, adoptive, and respite care parents to go through state-approved training WITHIN a church setting. They will have an automatic “support group” as they go through training with other Christians. Plus, The C.A.L.L. will walk them through every step in the process, easing the burden on these prospective foster and adoptive parents. We have a church liaison within the state agency who will help in making sure these homes are opened in a timely manner. Then, once they have invited a child into their home, The C.A.L.L. encourages support from their local church family.

Your prayers are greatly needed for this initiative -- that God will move in the hearts of His people to step out in faith and care for the hurting children in foster care. It is clear from James 1:27 that He calls us, as His followers, to reach out to them in love.

Volunteer Opportunities with The Call

Click here to fill out the Volunteer Sign Up Form.
BABYSITTING

Do you enjoy caring for children?  This is a HUGE need in supporting full-time foster families when they need temporary breaks.

Responsibilities:

• Be willing to be placed on a list of volunteer babysitters to be provided to our CALL foster families.
• Volunteer to care for children in CALL foster families as you are able.

 CHURCH RECRUITMENT TEAM

Are you gifted in public relations or want to help The CALL reach out to more churches to get more foster, adoptive and respite care homes?

Responsibilities:

• Meet with Recruitment team monthly to brainstorm ideas.
• Help with initial contacts and finding a church rep for additional churches.

CHURCH REP

Would you like to mobilize your church congregation to help children in foster care?  See Lauri Currier for more information on this important role!

Responsibilities:

• Serve as liaison between The CALL and your church leadership
• Help plan Sunday morning recruitments, host trainings and Info Meetings

PRAYER TEAM

Are you called to be a Prayer Warrior for The C.A.L.L.?

Responsibilities:

• Prayer requests/praise by e-mail.
• Regularly pray that God will raise up the needed foster and adoptive families for the children in foster care in your local county and throughout Arkansas.
• Pray for the protection and spread of The C.A.L.L.

HOSPITALITY TEAM

Do you enjoy cooking and coordinating refreshments?

Responsibilities:

• Coordinating refreshments for monthly CALL Info Meetings and/or quarterly CALL Church Rep Summits.  You will be reimbursed for out-of-pocket food costs.

THE CALL FOSTER CARE CLOTHES CLOSET

Do you enjoy organizing things and/or interacting with foster families?

Responsibilities:

• Help organize donated clothing and help foster families to "shop" for needed sizes.
• Meet DHS caseworkers to get clothing for children in their caseload.  Usually work days are on Saturdays.

OFFICE HELP

Has God given you the gift of organization?

Responsibilities:

• Help as needed with various projects (Mailings, Data Entry, Packet Building) certain mornings or afternoons during the week.

PHONE TEAM

Do you enjoy encouraging people by phone?

Responsibilities:

• Call once a month with reminders before an Info Meeting.
• Call to help us round up volunteers for specific projects.

FUNDRAISING TEAM

Do you have the knowledge and skills to raise money for The C.A.L.L.?

Responsibilities:

• Approach individuals and churches about supporting The C.A.L.L.
• Help with mailings.

CPR/FIRST AID TRAINING TEAM

Are you certified to train classes in CPR and First Aid?

Responsibilities:

• Must adhere to the beliefs outlined in The Apostle’s Creed.
• Lead Saturday or weeknight CPR/First Aid classes for CALL families as available.

FOSTER/ADOPT PRIDE TRAINING TEAM

Are you gifted in teaching and have a background in social work or foster care?

Requirements:

• Must hold a college degree – associate’s or bachelor’s degree.
• Must adhere to the beliefs outlined in The Apostle’s Creed.
• Must be gifted in the classroom and an effective communicator.
• Must attend a free 3-day “Train the Trainer” Class at Mid-South.
• Must commit to co-lead at least two weekends of training per year.

SOCIAL WORKERS (MSW OR LCSW)

Could you donate your time to conduct one or more home studies per month for CALL families?  This is a CRUCIAL way to help families become certified more quickly than the norm, so that they can be ready to take in children!

Requirements:

• Must be an LCSW or have a MSW degree.
• Attend DHS home study format training (usually 1 hour on a weeknight).
• Conduct and return completed home study on CALL family within 30-day period.
• Commit to do one or more volunteer home studies per month.

SUPPORT SERVICES TEAM

Do you enjoy encouraging others and helping others?

Responsibilities:

• Help create a link between CALL families and their home church reps for support.
• Come alongside one CALL foster or adoptive family with prayer support, childcare support, meals, and connecting them with community resources.

SUPPORT GROUP FACILITATORS

Are you a professional therapist or someone with a heart to facilitate a group for biological children and/or foster/adoptive children?

Responsibilities:

• Work with Dr. Brian Kubacak on monthly support meetings.
• Facilitate monthly support group meetings for foster and adoptive parents at a local church.
• Could begin support group for bio and foster/adoptive children.

Click here to fill out the Volunteer Sign Up Form.

how to fill an empty nest - kids of the call @urban magazine AtUrban Articles

http://www.aturbanmagazine.com/home/AtUrbanArticles/tabid/73/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/168/how-to-fill-an-empty-nest--kids-of-the-call.aspx

Mentors for Foster Youth

This spring several foster youth in our area will be graduating high school and begin living a more independent life.  Some will be entering the work force while some may plan to continue their education.  Most will be leaving their foster homes to search for a place of their own. What is so different about their situation?  They have no permanent family to be their support.

New freedom brings new responsibility, decisions and challenges.  The CALL, along with others in the community, is looking for mentors who would be willing to make a commitment to help bridge the way for a successful and productive life of a young person.

Mentoring a foster youth is a big responsibility and can change the lives of both the mentor and the mentee.

Contact Nancy Brisher at nbrisher@cox.net for more information concerning the DHS Mentor Program.   

fostering the future @urban magazine people

http://www.aturbanmagazine.com/people/tabid/65/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/149/fostering-the-future.aspx

A Look at The C.A.L.L. and Arkansas' Foster Care System

Click Here!

A Look at The C.A.L.L. and Arkansas' Foster Care System

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By TheCityWire.com

Story posted 2010.12.29 at 10:41 AM CST

Children of Arkansas Loved for a Lifetime (C.A.L.L.) is a Christian-based foster care group new to the River Valley. Since February, it has recruited and trained close to 30% of the available foster care homes in Sebastian County. Program coordinator Megan Tran became involved with C.A.L.L. in February 2010, three years after its start in Little Rock.

"I'd wanted to get involved with the foster care system for a while, but my husband and I weren't financially prepared for it," Tran said.

She attended an informational meeting at Central Christian Church on Waldron Avenue in December 2009 and started working with the program a few months later.

Click here to read the full story from our partners at TheCityWire.com.

Story posted 2010.12.29 at 10:41 AM CST

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Will you answer The Call?

Mobilizing the Christian community to provide a future and a hope to children in Arkansas foster care.

There are about 3,500 children in the Arkansas State Foster Care System at any given time. These children come into state custody through no fault of their own - it is because of abuse, neglect, or some other safety concern in the home. For instance, there are about 7,000 children in foster care in Arkansas within a year, and there are only about 950 foster families available to care for those children!  Plus, there are over 500 children available for adoption through foster care in our state. It's a crisis shortage!

In the River Valley there are approximately 779 children in foster care with only 143 foster homes.  Sebastian county has 553 children in foster care with only 58 homes.  Leaving 60% of river valley foster children being transported across the state to find a place to stay. 

God is moving on behalf of His children in Arkansas foster care.  Will you answer The Call?

Becoming a Foster Parent

The C.A.L.L. is unique because it provides the opportunity for prospective foster and adoptive parents to go through state-approved training WITHIN a church setting. You will have an automatic “support group” as you go through training with other Christians. The training is offered in a more convenient format than the norm to accommodate your schedule. The C.A.L.L. will walk you through every step in the process, easing the burden. Plus, we have a church liaison within the state agency who will help in making sure you will have a child placement in a timely manner. Then, once you have invited a child into your home, The C.A.L.L. encourages support from your church family.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Question: Who may become a foster parent?

An applicant must be ages 21-65 years (exceptions may be made for the age requirement).  Singles may apply.  Homes will not be approved if there are transient roomers or boarders.

Question: What are the requirements to become a foster parent through The CALL?

• Attend a CALL Info Meeting and complete background check paperwork, CALL statement of faith agreement and standards policy, and FBI fingerprints
• Initial In Home Consult
• Complete remaining paperwork – home study application, assessment and questionnaires, copy of social security cards, copy of marriage certificate or divorce decree (if applicable), W-2 forms or pay stubs, proof of home and auto insurance, immunization records for all children, proof of pet rabies vaccination (if applicable), proof of TB skin tests for those 12 and older in the home, copy of water bill, 3 reference letter forms, home fire escape plan with room dimensions
• Attend pre-service CALL PRIDE training class required by the state – a two-weekend 30-hour class
• Attend Infant/Child and Adult CPR and First Aid Training
• Physical forms completed by doctor for ALL in the home
• CALL Support Group Meeting Attendance (Attend ONE meeting)
• Home Study (Requires 2 home visits)
• Final Walk-Through of Home

Question: What are the ages of the children in foster care?


0-5 years old = approx. 365 children
6-11 years old = approx. 250 children
12-14 years old = approx. 225 children
15 years old - 17 years old = approx. 200 children

These numbers are somewhat fluid as children move in and out of the system. However, this gives a good distribution overview of the current situation.  The greatest need is for foster parents for teenagers and sibling groups of three or more.

Question: Do I have to accept any foster child that the state offers?

No. You choose which children come into your home. You will be called with the age of a child or children who are needing a home. You can then decide if you are willing to take him or her in. You can also specify if you only want to care for a specific age group. For instance, you can state you will take only children six and under, or only teens, or only school-aged children, et cetera, if that is your need.


Question: How do I find out more about foster parenting through The C.A.L.L.?

visit  http://thecallinarkansas.org/  for more information.