Children & Youth Programs

Vera Lloyd cares for boys and girls, ages 6 to 21, who are in the custody of the Arkansas Department of Human Services’ Division of Children and Family Services or Division of Youth Services.

These vulnerable boys and girls have either been removed from their homes due to abuse or neglect or are returning home after spending time in the juvenile justice system.

Admissions staff members are on call 24 hours a day and are always available to meet a state caseworker and youth in need.

Youth Must Meet the Following

Admission Criteria

  • Have no signs of psychosis
  • Not be a sexual perpetrator or offender
  • Not be a runaway risk
  • Not be physically aggressive
  • Have an IQ of 70 or above

We document the youth’s family history, past placement, circumstances requiring placement and medical needs.

“The children and youth who come to Vera Lloyd don’t always understand what is happening. They are leaving the only home situation they’ve ever known and are emotional and scared as they come into a place where they don’t know what to expect. We spend time comforting them and making sure they know Vera Lloyd is a safe and nurturing place for them.” –Rose Brewer, admissions director

How we care for youth in need

 Our team makes sure youth have everything they need to be successful in our care:

  • A pioneering model of care known as the Trust Based Relational Intervention, which was developed by the Texas Christian University Institute of Child Development. TBRI helps to heal youth who experienced trauma early in life.
  • All transportation for youth to school, extracurricular activities, medical appointments, court and cultural activities.
  • Nutritious meals following U.S. Department of Agriculture guidelines.
  • Independent living skills, including nutrition, cooking, laundry, budgeting and social skills. Youth in our care earn an allowance for completing chores in the home.
  • Professional counseling for youth to reach goals related to behavior, education, independent living, family relationships, and/or overcoming alcohol or substance abuse challenges.
  • Opportunity for their spiritual needs to be met by attending church or Bible studies on campus. Every youth is given a Bible of their own.
  • Opportunity to participate in physical fitness activities each day. We offer an indoor and outdoor basketball courts, weight room, fitness videos, paddle boats for use on our pond, and bicycles. We also host fitness instructors who teach classes on campus.
  • Clothes, shoes, personal hygiene items, school supplies and opportunities for cultural, recreational and spiritual activities.
  • Tutors and a GED program for youth who need help improving their academic outcomes.

Transition Services Program includes:

  • Financial Literacy classes
  • Job search skills and support
  • Life Skills classes
  • On-Campus Work Program
  • Family Stabilization
  • College testing, applications and tours
  • Healthy Relationships
  • And everything our youth need to transition into adulthood!

Youth are Served through Four Programs

Sibling Home & Emergency Care

  • 8-bed capacity for siblings (males and females) ages 6 to 17
  • Attend Monticello School District schools in the community
  • 5-bed capacity for males and females ages 6 to 17 in need of emergency care
  • Attend Monticello School District Alternative Learning Environment on the Annie B. Wells campus

QRTP Program

  • Qualified Residential Treatment Program
  • 10-bed capacity for males and females ages 6 to 17
  • Attend Monticello School District Alternative Learning Environment on the Annie B. Wells campus

Therapeutic Group Home

  • Youth in custody of Division of Youth Services
  • 15-bed capacity for males and females ages 11 to 17
  • Attend Monticello School District Alternative Learning Environment on the Annie B. Wells campus
  • Youth must be in 6th Grade or above
  • Youth stay at Vera Lloyd for 3 – 9 months

Respite Care

  • Youth in foster care can stay at Vera Lloyd for up to 7 days

Intake and Placement Policy

Vera Lloyd Presbyterian Family Services strives to handle client intake and placement in a prompt, fair and consistent manner. We do not discriminate against any race, religion, gender, disability, citizenship or any other legally protected classification.

Intake Packet PDF

Call Deverick Franklin, admissions director, at 870-367-9035 (office) 870-224-5509 (cell) for admissions assistance.

Your support is essential to changing the lives of youth.

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Because of you, our team improves the lives of more than 130 children and youth from all over the state every year.