A future full of hope
Whether you’re a child, parent, or foster parent, we believe the road ahead is full of hope.
As the Single Source Continuum Contractor (SSCC) for the Piney Woods area of Texas DFPS Region 4, we are eager to partner with you to build a community where every child can thrive.
Built on a legacy of holistic care
4Kids4Families is a division of Arrow Child & Family Ministries, a Christian provider of child welfare and educational services that helps vulnerable children and families heal holistically within their communities.
Ever since its inception in 1992, Arrow’s mission has been much bigger than providing services. Our mission is helping kids & strengthening families – keeping in mind the unique story unfolding in the life of each individual.
Mission Statement
Helping Kids & Strengthening Families
Vision Statement
Through collaborative efforts with the community and local stakeholders, 4Kids4Families will transform the child welfare system to create innovative solutions for children in need, bringing hope and healing to children, families, and society overall.
We serve these counties:
Anderson | Bowie | Camp | Cass | Cherokee | Delta | Franklin | Gregg | Harrison | Henderson | Hopkins | Lamar | Marion | Morris | Panola | Rains | Red River | Rusk | Smith | Titus | Upshur | Van Zandt | Wood
Meet the team
Jon Mark McMullen
Sr. Vice President of
Community-Based Care
Full bio
Jon Mark McMullen is the Senior Vice President of Arrow’s Community-Based Care division, 4Kids4Families. He has over 20 years of experience in the Managed Care Industry and has extensive knowledge of both Medicaid & Manage Care Organizations serving Foster Children in Texas. Jon Mark’s life-saving measures, grit, and a can-do attitude enabled him to be awarded the DFPS Commissioner’s Award of Excellence as the 1st private recipient in Texas in 2017. This attitude and a servant leadership style equip him to produce the best outcomes for children in need, seeing improved lives and building partnerships that strengthen a community. Jon Mark and his wife Chrissi have three sons, Jonathan, Joshua, and Jacob.
Melissa Bennett
Director of
Placement
Full bio
Melissa started her journey with the DFPS in 2016 as a conservatorship worker, where she gained experience in investigations, conservatorship supervision, and child placement. Melissa was the Lead Centralized Placement Coordinator for DFPS Regions 4 and 5 and has a strong understanding of all the moving parts of placement and permanency. Melissa loves coffee, true crime shows, and reading … in that order! She and her husband, Mark, have three children who are 15, 13, and 8 years old and a dog child named Spinner. One of their favorite things to do as a family is to travel.
Courtnee Thigpen
Director of
Permanency
Full bio
Courtnee comes to 4Kids4Families after serving as the DFPS Conservatorship Program Director for multiple Counties. During her tenure as Program Director, Courtnee implemented new strategic programs designed to ensure caseworkers were trained in trauma-informed behavioral intervention. Courtnee also co-founded “Anderson County Cares,” a nonprofit corporation that provides clothing, backpacks, school supplies, and Christmas presents for children that are in the department’s conservatorship as a means of giving an elevated sense of “normalcy.” Courtnee is a graduate of Texas A&M University, with a degree in psychology. She is a devoted mother to her two amazing children.
Sara G. Klooster
Director of
Care Management
Full bio
Sara has 15 years of professional and volunteer experience in child welfare. She has been a conservatorship worker and trainer with the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services. She was a CASA volunteer for four years. Sara is passionately pro-child and pro-family and believes every child is adoptable. She has a strong background in research and is constantly striving for best practices. Sara is a native East Texan and is excited to work in Region 4.
Patrice Savage
Director of
Legal Affairs
Full bio
Patrice has a Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice from the University of Tennessee at Martin and a JD from South Texas College of Law. She worked for 12 years as a Criminal District Attorney in Gregg County, Texas, five years in Private Practice in Carthage, Texas, and 18 years as Regional Attorney for DFPS in Region 4. What drew Patrice to work at 4Kids is she saw an opportunity to be a part of the design and implementation of a community-based child welfare system.
Patrice is a pickleball fanatic, and when she is not working, she likes to read and go to flea markets and yard sales.
Belén Casillas
Director of
Community Relations
Full bio
Belén Casillas, an experienced communications professional, assumed the role of Director of Community Relations at 4Kids4Families on February 12, 2024. Prior to 4Kids4Families, Belén served as a Communications Director and Education Foundation Executive Director for a Region 7 Independent School District, spearheading impactful communication strategies and community engagement initiatives. With a background as the Keep Tyler Beautiful coordinator and a bilingual multimedia journalist at KLTV, Belén brings a diverse skill set to her current role. At 4Kids4Families, she leads community relations efforts in Region 4, uniting stakeholders to support children in foster care. Beyond her professional endeavors, Belén enjoys exploring new destinations, being a soccer mom, and refining her videography skills. She also actively volunteers for community causes, embodying her commitment to making a positive impact personally and professionally.
Belén was drawn to 4Kids4Families by its mission to support children and families in Region 4. With her background in communications and community engagement, coupled with a passion for storytelling, she recognized an opportunity to make a meaningful impact by leading community relations efforts.