Developmentally Disabled Care

COMPACT Family Services will begin operating a specialized developmental disability emergency program for foster children and youth Oct. 1 on the campus of Hillcrest Children’s Home in Hot Springs, Arkansas.

The new Developmental Disabilities Service (DDS) is a fit for the Assemblies of God agency’s mission to redeem vulnerable children and families through compassionate care.
COMPACT Executive Director Jay Mooney says the ministry is well equipped to serve such a population.

“When an autistic or otherwise developmentally disabled child suffers abuse, abandonment, neglect, or maltreatment and enters the foster care system, who immediately helps them?” Mooney asks. “Who provides emergency shelter, assessment, and assists a permanency plan for this new foster youth?”

Because COMPACT has been diligent to adapt its accredited and licensed services to meet trends and forces in the changing American foster care system, COMPACT is poised to open this vital program of need on the historic Hillcrest campus, Mooney says.

“Fewer foster children and youth in America are more vulnerable than those with a developmental disability,” says AG General Superintendent Doug Clay, chairman of the COMPACT board. “Such precious kids need qualified compassionate, competent and professional services, and COMPACT is stepping up to help redeem these deserving kids.”

Mooney says a loving Christian family environment is vital for healing, nurturing, and redeeming traumatized foster children. COMPACT is committed to provide clinical care in a family-like setting, he says.

“The home will have qualified houseparents in caring partnership with clinicians and other trained providers for around-the-clock care,” Mooney says. “A family-like atmosphere is right for these special and hurting souls. We will give these precious kids a family-like environment to heal and overcome.”

The state of Arkansas has announced its intent to award the agency a contract that will fund much of the operational cost. However, not all costs are covered. There are startup and other unique continuing operational costs.

A total of $97,000 will be spent on renovation and program furnishing for the Gilliam cottage at the Hillcrest campus to provide this residential program for the kids. Built in 2009, the home is a 6,000 square-foot brick residence adjacent to a multipurpose sports field. A donor couple provided $30,000 for startup costs. The agency is seeking additional contributors to provide the remaining funds.

AG News