State officials will gather Friday in Batesville to launch the 100 Families Initiative of Independence County, a program designed to help Arkansas families transition from crisis to financial stability.
The 100 Families Initiative, now operating in 19 Arkansas counties and parts of Michigan and Canada, will officially begin operations in Independence County at a launch event featuring Department of Human Services Secretary Kristi Putnam and other state leaders.
According to a release from organizers, the program uses collaborative case management to connect families with multiple service providers addressing needs such as employment, healthcare, housing, and childcare.
“When a person in crisis participates in the initiative, they are entered into the system, their needs are identified, their case is tracked, and outcomes are recorded,” said Restore Hope Executive Director Paul Chapman. “It is a data-driven, evidence-based model that is having success around the state.”
The initiative utilizes HopeHub, a software system developed by the nonprofit Restore Hope, to coordinate services among providers.
According to Restore Health, 3,314 Arkansas families were served and 706 people met the criteria for moving from crisis to career in 2024. Further data on the initiative can be accessed here.
Karen Phillips, Restore Hope associate director of community development, said: “It is changing the way we are able to serve families in crisis. The average participant has nine service providers in their community on their care team. The goal is to empower service providers in communities to work together and wrap around families.”
Other officials scheduled to attend include Division of Children and Family Services Director Tiffany Wright, Batesville Area Chamber of Commerce COO Jamie Rayford, and Cassie Black, Area 8+ Coordinator for Connected Families with Arkansas Baptist Children and Family Ministries.
The launch event will take place from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at the Melba Theater in downtown Batesville.
Images: 100 Families Initiative of Independence County; Melba — Gena Tate, White River Now
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