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Interested in becoming a foster parent? Find info at Every Child Arkansas. Want to support a foster family? In this episode we talk with Darneshia Allen with Zero to Three,
Christen Butler with The CALL, Dr. Derek Brown with Arkansas Baptist Children and Family Ministries, Pastor Chris Massey with Fellowship Bible  Church Searcy, and Dennis Berry, foster parent and The CALL board member.
Hosts Dr. Andrew Baker with Harding University and Paul Chapman with Restore Hope.

Read the SmartJustice Season 3 magazine

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[Website]: https://smartjustice.org/

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Guests
Allie Graves
Christen Butler - Executive Director The CALL
Dr. Derek Brown - Executive Director Arkansas Baptist Children and Family Ministries
Dennis Berry

Interested in becoming a foster parent? Find info here Every Child Arkansas
Read the SmartJustice Season 3 magazine

Welcome to season 3 of SmartJustice we're calling 'A Chance At Life'. This season we focus on the well-being and future of children, youth and families in the child welfare system.

Restore Hope https://www.restorehopear.org

A Chance At Life was written and recorded by artist/producer Jason Truby and licensed for use through Wixen Music Publishing, Inc. Watch the music video that includes the artist and community members passionate about making Arkansas a great place to raise a family. 

Support the show

[Website]: https://smartjustice.org/

[YouTube]: https://www.youtube.com/@wewillrestorehope
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[Facebook]: https://www.facebook.com/restorehopearkansas

[LinkedIn]: https://www.linkedin.com/company/restore-hope-arkansas

[Instagram]: https://www.instagram.com/restorehope.io/

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Interested in becoming a foster parent? Find info here Every Child Arkansas
Read the SmartJustice Season 3 magazine

Guests
Jeff Piker
Skye Mitchell
Mahogany Smith
Licia Etheridge
Devin Singh

In this episode we talk with Children and Family Services staff and community leaders in Russellville, AR about supporting families during and after child welfare cases. They share how their community is collaborating in a new way and seeing better outcomes for families.


Restore Hope https://www.restorehopear.org

A Chance At Life was written and recorded by artist/producer Jason Truby and licensed for use through Wixen Music Publishing, Inc. Watch the music video that includes the artist and community members passionate about making Arkansas a great place to raise a family. 

Support the show

[Website]: https://smartjustice.org/

[YouTube]: https://www.youtube.com/@wewillrestorehope
[Spotify + Apple + More]: https://smartjustice.buzzsprout.com/1213400/follow

[Facebook]: https://www.facebook.com/restorehopearkansas

[LinkedIn]: https://www.linkedin.com/company/restore-hope-arkansas

[Instagram]: https://www.instagram.com/restorehope.io/

Send us a text

Interested in becoming a foster parent? Find info here Every Child Arkansas
Read the SmartJustice Season 3 magazine

Welcome to season 3 of SmartJustice we're calling 'A Chance At Life'. This season we focus on the well-being and future of children, youth and families in the child welfare system.

In this edition, we spotlight visionary individuals who are reshaping
the system and breathing new life into the concept of care and support.
In February of 2023, Governor Sanders issued a compelling executive order, underscoring the need to Protect Children, Support Families, and Improve Foster Care.

As you read, we encourage you to consider your
role in this narrative. Whether through fostering,
adopting, mentoring, or supporting, your contribution
can make Arkansas a beacon of opportunity
and promise for every child.
Together, we can shape destinies and improve
futures, weaving a tapestry of acts that make
Arkansas the best place to raise a family.

Restore Hope https://www.restorehopear.org

A Chance At Life was written and recorded by artist/producer Jason Truby and licensed for use through Wixen Music Publishing, Inc. Watch the music video that includes the artist and community members passionate about making Arkansas a great place to raise a family. 

Support the show

[Website]: https://smartjustice.org/

[YouTube]: https://www.youtube.com/@wewillrestorehope
[Spotify + Apple + More]: https://smartjustice.buzzsprout.com/1213400/follow

[Facebook]: https://www.facebook.com/restorehopearkansas

[LinkedIn]: https://www.linkedin.com/company/restore-hope-arkansas

[Instagram]: https://www.instagram.com/restorehope.io/

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We talk with Arkansas' Attorney General about Community Diversion and a Representative from Fort Smith where the courts, law enforcement, and community providers are usually connected in innovative ways.

The way forward is to run a pilot 'Community Diversion' program in around 10 different courts to define common measures and procedures and then assess outcomes across a broad range of factors including litigant substance use, housing, employment, and ability to satisfy unresolved legal obligations. Around 60 leaders including several judges are convening at the Rockefeller Institute in March of 2023 to plan a pilot. 

Many Arkansans in prison and/or with children in the child welfare system started their legal engagement with misdemeanor crimes like traffic tickets, driving with no insurance, or theft. Community Diversion in District Courts is a key move to prevent future incarceration and/or foster care.

Thanks to:
Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin
Representative Cindy Crawford
Winthrop Rockefeller Institute Executive Director Janet Harris 

Support the show

[Website]: https://smartjustice.org/

[YouTube]: https://www.youtube.com/@wewillrestorehope
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[LinkedIn]: https://www.linkedin.com/company/restore-hope-arkansas

[Instagram]: https://www.instagram.com/restorehope.io/

Send us a text

Many Arkansans in prison and/or with children in the child welfare system started their legal engagement with misdemeanor crimes like traffic tickets, driving with no insurance, or theft. Community Diversion in District Courts is a key move to prevent future incarceration and/or foster care. 

In Crawford Co the District Court and Adult Ed have co-located to create a one-stop resource center. This unique situation has impacted hundreds of people who found their way out of crisis into stability and employment. 

Thanks to:
Dr Debbie Faubus and the team at Crawford Co Adult Ed
Judge Charles Baker and Crawford Co District Court staff

Support the show

[Website]: https://smartjustice.org/

[YouTube]: https://www.youtube.com/@wewillrestorehope
[Spotify + Apple + More]: https://smartjustice.buzzsprout.com/1213400/follow

[Facebook]: https://www.facebook.com/restorehopearkansas

[LinkedIn]: https://www.linkedin.com/company/restore-hope-arkansas

[Instagram]: https://www.instagram.com/restorehope.io/

Send us a text

Many Arkansans in prison and/or with children in the child welfare system started their legal engagement with misdemeanor crimes like traffic tickets, driving with no insurance, or theft. Community Diversion in District Courts is a key move to prevent future incarceration and/or foster care. 

In this episode we talk with law enforcement and prosecutors. It is our hope to see the expansion of Community Diversion to all Arkansas District Courts. 

Support the show

[Website]: https://smartjustice.org/

[YouTube]: https://www.youtube.com/@wewillrestorehope
[Spotify + Apple + More]: https://smartjustice.buzzsprout.com/1213400/follow

[Facebook]: https://www.facebook.com/restorehopearkansas

[LinkedIn]: https://www.linkedin.com/company/restore-hope-arkansas

[Instagram]: https://www.instagram.com/restorehope.io/

Send us a text

Many Arkansans in prison and/or with children in the child welfare system started their legal engagement with misdemeanor crimes like traffic tickets, driving with no insurance, or theft. Community Diversion in District Courts is a key move to prevent future incarceration and/or foster care. 

In this episode we hear from participants in diversion programs. It is our hope to see the expansion of Community Diversion to all Arkansas District Courts. 

Support the show

[Website]: https://smartjustice.org/

[YouTube]: https://www.youtube.com/@wewillrestorehope
[Spotify + Apple + More]: https://smartjustice.buzzsprout.com/1213400/follow

[Facebook]: https://www.facebook.com/restorehopearkansas

[LinkedIn]: https://www.linkedin.com/company/restore-hope-arkansas

[Instagram]: https://www.instagram.com/restorehope.io/

Send us a text

Many Arkansans in prison and/or with children in the child welfare system started their legal engagement with misdemeanor crimes like traffic tickets, driving with no insurance, or theft. Community Diversion in District Courts is a key move to prevent future incarceration and/or foster care. 

In this episode we talk with Judges who operate diversion programs. It is our hope to see the expansion of Community Diversion to all Arkansas District Courts. 

Support the show

[Website]: https://smartjustice.org/

[YouTube]: https://www.youtube.com/@wewillrestorehope
[Spotify + Apple + More]: https://smartjustice.buzzsprout.com/1213400/follow

[Facebook]: https://www.facebook.com/restorehopearkansas

[LinkedIn]: https://www.linkedin.com/company/restore-hope-arkansas

[Instagram]: https://www.instagram.com/restorehope.io/

Send us a text

Many Arkansans in prison and/or with children in the child welfare system started their legal engagement with misdemeanor crimes like traffic tickets, driving with no insurance, or theft. Some District Court Judges are taking steps to provide access to services that address root issues that might lead to incarceration and/or foster care for their children. 

Season 2 focuses on how these courts are improving public safety by addressing problems 'upstream' from felony crime and/or foster care. It is our hope that these stories will inspire a movement to make Community Diversion common in Arkansas' District Courts. 

Some data pulled from existing programs show the impact to individuals. This data is only a sample of the participants in the courts known to us. A formal pilot is desired to use the same metrics to assess impact and ROI of Diversion programs. 

Of 529 families served in the past three years where the parent(s) had their driver's license suspended due to a court issue, 

31% also had a child welfare case of some kind.  
- Families that are struggling to pay court fees and fines often find themselves in additional trouble with child welfare systems.  One crisis often leads to another.  

61% were unemployed with no income from any source.
- Payment of fees or fines is exceedingly difficult and usually a lower priority than shelter, food, or escape through substances. 
 
31% had misused drugs or alcohol in the past 30 days and were in need of recovery support

Engagement by case managers and connection to community provides had the following outcomes:

48% decrease in the percentage of families in legal crisis with a warrant out for their arrest.  
Almost 100 of these parents were able to completely stabilize their legal situation, becoming current on their fees and fines.

155% increased transportation stability (reliable/legal transportation).

 89% increase in full-time employment.

Support the show

[Website]: https://smartjustice.org/

[YouTube]: https://www.youtube.com/@wewillrestorehope
[Spotify + Apple + More]: https://smartjustice.buzzsprout.com/1213400/follow

[Facebook]: https://www.facebook.com/restorehopearkansas

[LinkedIn]: https://www.linkedin.com/company/restore-hope-arkansas

[Instagram]: https://www.instagram.com/restorehope.io/