Arkansas, Notre Dame Partner to Study Restore Hope Model

Arkansas is drawing national attention as Restore Hope and the Arkansas Division of Children and Family Services (DCFS) partner with the University of Notre Dame’s Lab for Economic Opportunities (LEO) to launch two major studies of the 100 Families Initiative.

On a national Zoom call this week, Restore Hope and DCFS presented details of the upcoming research to leaders across the country. The studies will examine whether intensive, community-based support helps families in crisis achieve stability and avoid repeated involvement with the child welfare system.

A Model for Supporting Families

The 100 Families Initiative brings together local service providers to help parents facing crisis navigate challenges such as housing, employment, healthcare, education, and transportation. By coordinating care across agencies, 100 Families works to reduce barriers, strengthen families, and prevent children from entering foster care unnecessarily.

“Every day, families in crisis are facing multiple challenges at once,” said Executive Director of Restore Hope Paul Chapman. “The 100 Families Initiative is designed to make sure no parent has to navigate those challenges alone.”

Two Rigorous Evaluations

The partnership with Notre Dame’s LEO — a research center known nationally for measuring the effectiveness of anti-poverty programs — will provide one of the most robust evaluations ever conducted on an Arkansas-based family support model. 

Randomized Controlled Trial: This study will follow families referred through the child welfare system and compare outcomes for those connected to the 100 Families Initiative versus those receiving standard services. Families referred through Arkansas’s Differential Response (DR) system will be randomly assigned either to 100 Families or to continue receiving standard services. Researchers will compare outcomes in areas such as child welfare involvement, housing stability, and employment.

Statewide Data Analysis: This study will look at years of state data to see the long-term difference the 100 Families Initiative makes in areas like child safety, housing, employment, and justice involvement. Researchers will examine outcomes for families since the 100 Families Initiative began in 2016. The study will measure effects on child safety, employment and earnings, healthcare use, housing, and justice involvement.

Together, the two studies will shed light on whether coordinated community supports can produce stronger outcomes than traditional approaches.

A National Conversation

The national presentation this week drew leaders from across the U.S. who are watching Arkansas’s model closely. By producing causal evidence of impact, the research could inform not only the future of 100 Families in Arkansas, but also national efforts to invest in prevention-focused strategies that strengthen families and reduce the long-term costs of child welfare involvement. 

“This is about building proof,” said Chief Operations Officer of Restore Hope Karen Phillips. “If we can show that early, coordinated support changes lives, then Arkansas can help lead the way for how the nation supports families.”