On Friday, January 31, Arkansas state officials will launch the 100 Families Initiative in Independence County, an effort to help families transition from crisis to career. The initiative, which currently operates in 19 counties in Arkansas and has expanded to parts of Michigan and Canada, utilizes a collective impact model involving multiple organizations to address the complex needs of families in crisis, such as employment, healthcare, housing, financial stability, and access to childcare.
Key Arkansas leaders attending the event include:
– Kristi Putnam, Secretary of the Department of Human Services
– Tiffany Wright, Director of the Division of Children and Family Services
– Jamie Rayford, COO, Batesville Area Chamber of Commerce
– Cassie Black, Area 8+ Coordinator for Connected Families with Arkansas Baptist Children and Family Ministries
The initiative is supported by HopeHub, a case management software developed by Restore Hope, which tracks and manages cases to ensure that families’ needs are addressed efficiently. According to Paul Chapman, Executive Director of Restore Hope, the system helps identify and track families’ needs, with outcomes being recorded for analysis and improvement.
In 2024, the initiative served 3,314 families, with 706 individuals meeting the criteria to transition from crisis to career. Restore Hope Associate Director Karen Phillips emphasized that the program enables community service providers to collaborate effectively, creating a more streamlined support system for families.
More information about the initiative and related meetings on justice system topics can be accessed through the Smart Justice website.
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