A Walk in Their Shoes: A Child's Journey Through Foster Care

In honor of Foster Care Awareness Month, the 100 Families Initiative of Johnson and Franklin Counties, in partnership with The CALL, hosted a powerful and immersive community event. Through a dramatized narrative and panel discussion, participants were guided through the emotional and life-altering experience of a child entering care due to abuse or neglect—told through the child’s perspective.

Guests followed the fictional story of “Nathan,” a 13-year-old boy living in a home riddled with domestic violence. His voice was heard through a chilling statement:

"Life at home was scary. I never knew when my mom’s boyfriend would get mad and beat her up. I try to protect my mom, but then I would just get hit or whipped or beaten as well."

This story, though fictionalized to protect real identities, represents the very real experiences of many of the over 3,500 children currently in foster care in Arkansas.

The event featured an expert panel of local professionals who walked the audience step-by-step through the foster care process—from the first red flag in a classroom to safe placement and family reunification efforts. Panelists included:

• Miranda Kenner, Lamar Wellness Center

• Tiffany Rhinehart, Department of Human and Family Services

• Sky Freeman, The CALL

• Diamond Brockett, River Valley Child Advocacy Center

• Nickie Johnson, River Valley Child Advocacy Center

Miranda Kenner opened by sharing the educator's perspective. Teachers, school staff, and even custodians and cafeteria workers often build strong bonds with students, becoming the first to notice when something is wrong. While signs of abuse are not always visible, sudden truancy, withdrawal, or behavioral changes often raise alarms.

"The job of the mandated reporter is not to investigate. It is to suspect," said Kenner.

Tiffany Rhinehart explained how her department responds when a report is made. Whether via the child abuse hotline or the new online mandated reporter portal, even limited information can trigger a home visit.
In Nathan’s case, his situation was deemed a “priority one”—requiring intervention within 24 hours due to the severity of physical abuse and ongoing domestic violence.

At this point in the journey, the child is taken to the River Valley Child Advocacy Center. Diamond Brockett, a forensic interviewer, described the importance of creating a welcoming and non-threatening environment.

"A forensic interview is a developmentally sensitive, legally sound method of gathering information regarding abuse," she said. Investigators observe remotely, and if necessary, children are also provided medical evaluations at a partnering facility.

If it’s unsafe for the child to return home and no relatives can take custody, foster placement becomes the next step. Sky Freeman of The CALL explained how their organization works to recruit, equip, and support foster and adoptive families in the local community to keep children near their familiar surroundings.

"We want kids to stay in the community where they have bonds—with their teachers, friends, and mentors," Freeman emphasized.

Freeman also introduced a newly opened Family Resource Center in Johnson County, which supplies essential items—like backpacks, toiletries, and clothes—to children entering care with nothing but the clothes on their back.

Despite the trauma, children like Nathan often long to return home. The panel stressed that reunification is the ultimate goal—provided the environment can be made safe. Parents are offered an array of services including parenting classes, counseling, substance abuse treatment, and supervised visitation to facilitate healing and stability.

Nickie Johnson of the River Valley Child Advocacy Center emphasized the importance of local resources and partnerships by sharing a list of community organizations that work together to ensure safety and provide holistic support. These include Safe Haven, which supports survivors of domestic violence, Sleep in Heavenly Peace, which provides beds for children in need, and many other essential service providers.

The child welfare system cannot function without community involvement. Every teacher, volunteer, donor, and foster parent plays a vital role in the safety and healing of children like Nathan.

“None of this is possible without the partnership of everyone else,” 100 Families Coordinator for Johnson and Franklin County, Kerry Bewley, stated. “While the priority is safety of the kid, we also want to make sure that we're helping to provide the family what they need so that the family can get stable so we can encourage reunification."

The 100 Families Initiative is a community-led initiative that uses existing resources and collaboration to move families from crisis to thriving.