What Pulaski County Leaders Say About Preventing Child Abuse

During Child Abuse Prevention Month, people across Pulaski County came together for a candid and solutions-focused conversation about how communities can better support children and families—before a crisis reaches the courtroom.

For Judge Shanice Johnson, who regularly sees families in court after children have already been removed from their homes, the patterns are hard to ignore. Many families arrive at that point isolated—without strong support systems, unsure where to turn, and often overwhelmed.

“They’re on their own little island… they don’t have a lot of family support, or they don’t know where to look for the resources,” said Judge Johnson. 

She also pointed to missed opportunities earlier in a child’s life—especially in schools, where warning signs can go unnoticed until a situation escalates.

Joshua Buck, the Arkansas program director for Youth Villages, explained the for those working directly with families, there is a starting point—meeting basic needs first.

“I can’t jump right into mental health if a parent can’t pay the rent… or is trying to decide, ‘Am I going to eat this month, or are we going to keep these lights on?’” said Buck.

He noted that families are often navigating impossible tradeoffs. Without stable housing, food, or childcare, long-term progress becomes difficult. He added that what they need most is consistent, individualized support.

Panelists emphasized that trust is often fragile in the child welfare system—but it is essential to progress. They said that trust is built through follow-through, honesty, and respect.

“Do what you say you’re going to do with respect. If we don’t respect families, they’re never going to work with us,” said Tiffany Wright, the director of the Arkansas Department of Human Services' Division of Children and Family Services. She noted that when families feel respected and supported—not judged—they are far more likely to engage with services and move toward stability.

One of the most practical takeaways from the panel is that helping doesn’t always require money.

“Sometimes it’s volunteering, running a simple errand, or helping watch children so a parent can take care of something important,” said Wright. 

Community members were encouraged to plug into existing efforts, offer their time, and look for tangible ways to support families. Wright added that small acts of support can prevent much larger crises.

The panel closed with a reminder that this work cannot fall on one system alone.

“Many hands make light work. We’re all in this together,” noted Buck.  

Child Abuse Prevention Month is a call to action—not just for professionals, but for entire communities. When systems, organizations, and neighbors work together, the outcome is clear: stronger families, safer children, and fewer crises.