EDITOR’S NOTE: This article was written by Stella Prather, Director of Communications for Arkansas Baptist Children’s Homes and Family Ministries.
“Fostering is not always easy, but it is always a blessing,” shared Janice Bell, a Connected foster mother from West Fork. “There are the good days and then there are the great days.”
In recognition, Janice and her husband, Mike, have been named the Area 2 2020Foster Parents of the Year for the Arkansas Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS). The Bells are among 10 finalists for the 2020 Statewide Foster Parents of the Year for their significant efforts to support children in foster care and their biological families.
The 10 finalists will be recognized during a virtual event at the Governor’s Mansion in Little Rock, Sept. 18. The overall winner will also be announced at the Fall event.
The Bells are one of about 40 Connected foster families supporting foster children statewide. A ministry of Arkansas Baptist Children’s Homes and Family Ministries,Connected is a private, licensed foster care placement service that works with the state to place children in safe, loving homes. Connected offers statewide services and support for foster families to make permanency and reunification successful in Arkansas.
The Bell family is honored to be among the finalists. They currently are fostering seven siblings.
“We feel very blessed to be able to be here for them especially since the pandemic because there is not visitation between biological parents and other siblings for the last eight weeks,” said Janice. “God continues to bless us, and we have no doubt that we are right where He wants us to be in this season of our lives.”