Foster care (also known as out-of-home care) is a temporary service provided by each state for children who cannot live with their families. Children in foster care may live with relatives or with unrelated foster parents. Foster care can also refer to placement settings such as group homes, residential care facilities, emergency shelters, and supervised independent living.
In Arkansas, foster care is managed by the Division of Children and Family Services (DCFS) under the Department of Human Services (DHS). This service is intended for children who are unable to safely live with their families due to abuse, neglect, or other serious family issues. Foster care is considered a temporary solution with the primary goal of reuniting children with their families whenever possible. When reunification is not an option, other permanent living arrangements may be sought, including adoption. Children in Arkansas foster care may be placed with relatives (known as kinship care), with licensed foster parents, or in other approved settings such as group homes, residential care facilities, emergency shelters, and supervised independent living programs for older youth. The state statutes governing foster care in Arkansas are found in the Arkansas Code, which outlines the regulations for the licensure of foster homes, the rights of children in foster care, and the responsibilities of foster parents and the state.