Just 1% of Arkansas Baptists actively fostering will take care of 100% of the foster care need in Arkansas.
Nettleton Baptist Church is partnered with Connected Foster and Adoptions to bring restoration to families in Northeast Arkansas through our ministry Nettleton Fostering and Adoption.
Church-driven foster care and adoption provides a holistic, gospel-centered solution to the foster care need. Church-driven foster care allows a local church to take ownership of foster care for its community through a partnership with Connected Foster Care. You are not just supporting foster families but are doing foster care with the Nettleton Fostering difference.
Engaging in foster care is one of the greatest positive impacts on a community. Because the nature of foster care can be overwhelming, we partner with your church to support foster families by providing practical help such as meals, babysitting, taking care of household needs, prayer, and so much more.
Church-driven foster care and adoption provides a holistic, gospel-centered solution to the foster care need. Church-driven foster care allows a local church to take ownership of foster care for its community through a partnership with Connected Foster Care. You are not just supporting foster families but are doing foster care with the Nettleton Fostering difference.
Engaging in foster care is one of the greatest positive impacts on a community. Because the nature of foster care can be overwhelming, we partner with your church to support foster families by providing practical help such as meals, babysitting, taking care of household needs, prayer, and so much more.
The Nettleton Fostering Difference.
“He executes justice for the fatherless and the widow, and loves the resident alien, giving him food and clothing.”
Deuteronomy 10:18
Rather than being placed in a DCFS supervised home, our private foster care agency Connected Foster Care places children in our care with a Connected Foster Care home. Our professional staff also completes every step of the foster care process: foster parent training, completing the licensing process, coordinating foster placements, supervising foster homes, providing case planning and case management, and offering crisis support.
Fostering with Connected means you have a skilled coach who assists you as the foster parent and a caseworker who is your partner in caring for the children placed in your home. The caseworker manages the case process for you as you work through the challenges from decisions to behaviors. Any practical, emotional, or spiritual needs are met by your champion who works with your church to provide wraparound support and training.
We provide trauma-informed foster parent training that continues as you walk through your fostering journey, even providing you CEU opportunities. During initial training, your coach is working your licensing process by conducting a complete home study. During the duration of your foster care journey, the coach conducts licensing requirements, quarterly reviews, and annual license renewal while the caseworker is working with the child in supervised visits and staffings.
Fostering with Connected means you have a skilled coach who assists you as the foster parent and a caseworker who is your partner in caring for the children placed in your home. The caseworker manages the case process for you as you work through the challenges from decisions to behaviors. Any practical, emotional, or spiritual needs are met by your champion who works with your church to provide wraparound support and training.
We provide trauma-informed foster parent training that continues as you walk through your fostering journey, even providing you CEU opportunities. During initial training, your coach is working your licensing process by conducting a complete home study. During the duration of your foster care journey, the coach conducts licensing requirements, quarterly reviews, and annual license renewal while the caseworker is working with the child in supervised visits and staffings.
“Your love is our new anthem.”
Compelling Love by As We Gather
“For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died….All this is from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to Himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And He has committed to us the message of reconciliation.”
2 Corinthians 5:14, 18-19
2 Corinthians 5:14, 18-19
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most urgent need for orphan care right now?
Fostering is currently the greatest need we have, specifically for teens and sibling sets.
What is the goal in foster care?
We work to reunify parents with their child for the reconciliation that Jesus offers us through salvation to be offered to families as well. Every person who works with the parents and their child are providing a way to share the gospel and surround the family with spiritual support. We want to see families reunified and walking in a relationship with Jesus together.
What about adoption?
Sadly, some cases do not end with reunification. If parental rights are terminated by the state of Arkansas and you choose to adopt your foster child, we will walk alongside you as you prepare for adoption and continue to provide trauma-informed training and support.
Connected Adoptions is a privately licensed infant adoption placement agency for residents living in Arkansas. We call our adoptive families “waiting families.” Our vision is for waiting families, not waiting children.
As a part of the ministry and training for adoptive families, all waiting families are asked to serve in foster or respite care as a part of the missional model.
Connected Adoptions is a privately licensed infant adoption placement agency for residents living in Arkansas. We call our adoptive families “waiting families.” Our vision is for waiting families, not waiting children.
As a part of the ministry and training for adoptive families, all waiting families are asked to serve in foster or respite care as a part of the missional model.
How can I find out more information about either becoming a foster family or serving a foster family?
Sign up below to contact Melissa Van Scyoc, our Connected Champion with Nettleton Fostering, and take your next step. There are information videos explaining our ministry model and the process of opening your home you can watch before meeting with Melissa to answer any questions you have. Nettleton Fostering has a support team that would love for you to join if you are interested in serving foster families and foster children!
Melissa Van Scyoc
Melissa has been working with Arkansas Baptist Connected Foster Care since January 2023. She has fostered herself, having adopted her now-son in 2020. Her passion to serve the Northeast Arkansas region is fueled by her own experience of fostering with her family. Connect with Melissa to hear her story and learn how you can start your foster story!