Smart Justice is a nonprofit, independent publication and podcast that covers the pursuit of better outcomes on justice system-related issues, such as child welfare, incarceration, and juvenile justice. Our coverage is solutions-oriented, focusing on the innovative ways in which communities are solving issues and the lessons that have been learned as a result of successes and challenges.
We are a statewide coalition dedicated to making justice work better for Arkansas and its citizens. Our movement is nonpartisan, open-armed and diverse. By working together, we envision a future in which agency and law enforcement staff are connected effectively with community services, helping people leave prison with prospects, hope, and second chances — driving community stability and economic activity, reducing crime and incarceration, and lowering the burden on taxpayers.
Smart Justice is published by Restore Hope, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that works with communities in an effort to reduce the need for incarceration and foster care. Through its 100 Families initiative, Restore Hope helps families move from crisis to stability to career.
Restore Hope also provides communities with software, called HopeHub, that serves as a case management system and helps service providers communicate with one another efficiently about the families they are serving. Through data, the software helps communities track which efforts are working and which are not.
Our Team
Paul Chapman
Paul is Founder and Executive Director of Restore Hope Arkansas, is responsible for catalyzing and coordinating allocated resources for measurable results throughout the community. His vision helped create the 100 Families initiative, tying community agencies together for a reentry partnership between public and private sectors. This has led to decreased recidivism and successful community diversion programs in Arkansas’ justice system. He previously served as Executive Missions Pastor at Fellowship Bible Church and founded The Exodus Project, providing community support and assistance for expatriate Rwandan students. He currently serves on the boards of Every Child Arkansas, Sebastian County Opioid Task Force and Mercy Hospital Community Health Committee.
Karen Phillips
Karen is the Director of Operations for Restore Hope Arkansas. She has 22 years of experience in community development and housing. Karen is a NGMA Certified Grant Management Specialist and a nationally certified Community Housing Development Organization Specialist. As a foster parent, Karen works with families in Arkansas to preserve and reunite families. Karen currently serves on the Opioid Task Force and the Old Fort Homeless Coalition Board of Directors. She has previously served on the Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas Advisory Council. She has won multiple awards for program implementation and leadership including the ACHANGE Leadership Award, HUD Special Recognition, and Best Overall Program from ACAAA.
Sarah Littleton
Sarah is Director of System and Training. She joined the Restore Hope team in 2016 and has had the opportunity to serve in many roles within the organization since. Most notably, Sarah helped to architect Restore Hope’s Collaborative Case Management Model through her service as a case manager in both re-entry and court diversion/prevention, which led to what we now know as 100 Families. In addition, she has overseen the development of the HopeArk system since 2018. In her current role, she oversees the HopeArk team, in addition to working to scale Collaborative Case Management by providing technical assistance to Restore Hope’s 100 Families affiliate sites.
