Professional Recommendations
"...my strong recommendation for the Children's Homes outstanding programs in Paragould, Arkansas and Kennett, Missouri. Your facility has served hundreds of deserving children since its inception in 1955 and has demonstrated an extraordinary ability to improve the lives of these children while operating on a limited budget.
My experience with your staff and personnel demonstrates the hard work and commitment that your facility exemplifies. Your program in Kennett, Missouri which serves youth who are in special need of care, both of a short term and long term nature, has been well received within the community and within this court system."
H. Mark Preyer
Associate Circuit Judge
Circuit Court of Dunklin County, Missouri
"Children's Homes, Inc. has proudly served the children of this state for over 40 years. Your service and dedication truly show what wonderful success can come from such sacrifice and hard work. It is through the exceptional achievements of organizations like yours that real, positive change is made in this state and elsewhere.
Thank you for your exemplary serve to the state of Arkansas. I wish you the best as you continue to work on behalf of Arkansas' children."
Governor Mike Huckabee
State of Arkansas
"I have long been acquainted with and appreciative of the services rendered to children by this organization. As a legislator, I am continually confronted with the need to create state programs to, in essence, put families back together. Children’s Homes Incorporated of Paragould as a nonprofit organization, serves our state well by providing such a valuable service to children."
Senator Tim Wooldridge
Arkansas State Senate
"Children's Homes Inc. (CHI) have been serving the Paragould area for over forty years. Although regrettable, it is a fact in our country there are children who are neglected, abused and abandoned. While these circumstances are an abomination it is with great comfort that we have an organization such as CHI to serve in this area.
The positive impact on the children is immeasurable and the lives that are literally saved are of great importance to our society. Where would these children go? What would they do? Who would care? The answer is CHI where the children find love in a family type environment. Parental role models are used to achieve the success that is enjoyed by CHI. Their importance can only be measured by the number of children whose lives that have been positively impacted. For the lives of the children I thank God for Children's Homes, Inc."
Mayor Mike Gaskill
Paragould, Arkansas
"I have provided psychiatric consultation services for Children's Homes Inc. (CHI) in Paragould for several years now. This has given me the opportunity to work closely with dozens of kids, who have come from very traumatic backgrounds. Some of these children are insecure, withdrawn, unable to trust, and others suffer from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, severe depression and other problems.
The program at Children's Homes has been very helpful to deal with such a variety of difficulties. Besides receiving individual and group therapy, they are emerged in a 24-hour a day therapeutic environment, where their problems are dealt with as they emerge. Each child is given equal opportunities to participate in therapeutic programs, such as adventure based counseling and wilderness therapy. They may have such serious problems that they cannot function adequately in a public or private school situation, and for these kids, there is the Little Red Schoolhouse program, where they can receive their academic training, while addressing behavior and mood disturbances.
As these young people learn how to trust, communicate, and learn how to solve problems better, they are seeking to take social and personal responsibility, and are given more opportunities to develop coping skills and leadership potential. I have worked closely with the staff at Children's Homes, and I have always been impressed with their compassion and commitment for the betterment of these children."
Dr. Larry S. Felts
Director of Psychiatric Services
Jonesboro, Arkansas
"...the intervention processes that are currently in place are therapeutic and beneficial in the building of character in children and in providing them with opportunities to earn self esteem. There is a good balance between school work and therapeutic work.
The family teachers (houseparents) are well integrated into the therapeutic program... Social skills are being taught... and the students are able to have measurable objectives. The disciplinary system is initially positive to reward appropriate behavior but has also appropriate negative consequences when rules are broken.
Staff were observed to have excellent group therapy skills. Program change is an ongoing process and the leadership is aware of new knowledge and is able to apply it. The core aspects of the program that have been traditionally solid and useful in the family oriented program are being retained. The program is providing outstanding service to children who are in great need of care."
Program Evaluation Summary - Dr. Hal C. Brunt
Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist
Memphis, Tennessee
"Children's Homes in Greene County is making a tremendous effort to involve their young people in an agriculture farm setting. The Greene County Extension office has been advising and meeting with their leader from the start to try to provide assistance with this endeavor.
Children's Homes has a farm provided where they have established a garden, constructed a new modern greenhouse, and are planting other fruit crops. This farm also enables them to house and raise livestock projects which many have been donated to these children. They are raising rabbits, pigeons, goats, cattle, llamas, horses, and sheep. Many of these children are in a 4-H club that is very active and was just started at the Children's Homes about a year ago.
I have been very impressed with the support the home has received and the numerous experiences they are trying to provide for those children. I feel like the sky is the limit for this farm setting that these children have provided to them. I would urge any group or person to stop by and see what they re doing to teach these kids about agriculture."
Allen R. Davis
County Extension Agent, Paragould, Arkansas
University of Arkansas - Division of Agriculture