Foster families: first-aid and CPR standards
First Aid & CPR Arkansas
Becoming a foster parent in Arkansas means providing a safe home to a child in the care of the Division of Children and Family Services. Among the standards of approval: each foster parent must hold a current CPR and first-aid certificate before a child is placed.
The first-aid requirement
Under the Arkansas DCFS Standards of Approval, no child is placed in a foster home until each foster parent has obtained CPR certification (covering infant, child and adult) and completed first-aid training from a recognized organization. Online CPR and first-aid training is accepted when offered through an approved provider.
The requirement is administered by the Arkansas Department of Human Services, Division of Children and Family Services (DCFS). Certification must be kept current, and it is one requirement in addition to the 30 hours of pre-service training, the home study and the assessment of parenting suitability.
Severe allergies and anaphylaxis
A recognized first-aid certificate covers recognizing and responding to severe allergic reactions (anaphylaxis), including the use of an epinephrine auto-injector.
How to meet it
A recognized, up-to-date first-aid and CPR certificate meets this requirement. It is in addition to the required training or assessment, and is renewed periodically.
Training aligned with the latest emergency-care standards
Our CPR, AED and first-aid training is developed in line with the most recent international guidelines for emergency cardiovascular care and first aid.
We rigorously follow the recommendations of ILCOR (International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation), the international body responsible for the scientific evaluation and development of global resuscitation standards. These recommendations serve as a reference for health organizations, institutions and professional orders worldwide — and are updated as scientific and clinical evidence evolves.
Keep your skills current with confidence
Every intervention can make a difference. Keeping CPR and emergency-care skills current is both a professional requirement and a responsibility toward patients, colleagues and the public.
See the recognized first-aid courses in your regionReferences
- Arkansas DHS/DCFS — Standards of Approval for Foster and Adoptive Family Homes (PUB-22)
- Arkansas DHS/DCFS — Foster Parent Handbook (PUB-30)
- ILCOR — International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation
Content is being updated.