On the morning of May 8, 2026, community leaders, child welfare experts, church leaders and concerned citizens gathered on the Warren Town Square in support of children in foster care in Bradley County.
The event was collaboratively developed by The CALL in Southeast Arkansas, CASA of the 10th Judicial District and the Division of Children and Family Services as an initiative to raise awareness and support for children in foster care in Southeast Arkansas during National Foster Care Awareness Month.
During the event, Mayor Gregg Reep delivered a Proclamation of May 2026 as Foster Care Awareness Month in Bradley County. Reep recognized, “Foster care involves a community effort, including social workers, foster parents, advocates, and volunteers, who work tirelessly to ensure the well-being of children and youth in foster care.”
Pastor Tim Saunders (Saline Baptist Church, Hermitage) and Worship Pastor TJ Files (Immanuel Baptist Church, Warren) led times of encouragement and prayer over local children and families impacted by foster care and those serving them. Files, former foster parent and long-time local adoptive parent reinforced the importance of each person’s role in ensuring the safety and well-being of our local children.
Social Services Expert Keisha Smith (Area 7, Division of Children and Family Services) shared the desperate need for local foster homes in Bradley County as there are currently zero traditional foster homes.
“[The department] currently has no traditional foster home licensed in Bradley County, which means we are not meeting the needs of local children who spend time in foster care each year,” Smithshared.
“The most urgent need right now is homes who will Open their Door to older children, teens and/or sibling groups,” shared Southeast Arkansas Affiliate Director at The CALL, Betsy Anderson. “The majority of Southeast Arkansas’s children who enter foster care are having to leave the area in order to find placement, if they are not fortunate enough to have a family member available to take them in.”
“Every child deserves to be safe, seen and supported,” Heather Harris, Director of CASA of the 10th District shared.
