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Connected Families ABCFM foster care, adoption, and family services.

Last week, our Northwest Arkansas Connected Families team had the opportunity to join our friends at ECA to connect with...
10/13/2026

Last week, our Northwest Arkansas Connected Families team had the opportunity to join our friends at ECA to connect with teachers and counselors from Springdale Public Schools!

Our team shared about the importance of kinship foster care and the unique role teachers, coaches, and school counselors can play in advocating for children in their schools.

For some, that may even mean stepping up and saying "yes" to providing a safe and loving home for a child or teen in need.

We're grateful for opportunities like these to build connections, raise awareness, and equip our communities to better support children and families across Arkansas!

Hope Happened in Fort Smith!What an incredible night celebrating the hope that is possible when a community comes togeth...
10/08/2026

Hope Happened in Fort Smith!

What an incredible night celebrating the hope that is possible when a community comes together for children and families.

From our community partners to every person who attended, gave, and continues to support this ministry, we are grateful for the many hands and hearts making this work possible. The gala may have been one night, but the impact goes far beyond it.

Fort Smith, thank you for showing up. Hope happened here and we can’t wait to see what happens next.

What happens when a foster care case moves toward adoption?It takes a team.When the goal of a foster care case changes t...
10/07/2026

What happens when a foster care case moves toward adoption?

It takes a team.

When the goal of a foster care case changes to adoption, there is still a great deal of work to be done before a child can officially join their adoptive family.

Connected Families works alongside DCFS throughout that process, helping foster families navigate next steps, providing support, completing needed legwork, and helping move the process forward wherever we can.

For Benny, that team included his foster family, Connected Families, DCFS Adoption Specialist Larry Kelley, the Office of Chief Counsel, and a church community that surrounded him with prayer and support.

Each person played a different role, but they shared one goal: helping a child move toward a safe, stable future.

This is what partnership can look like in foster care. And for Benny, that partnership helped him reach permanency through adoption.

Want to learn how you or your church can get involved with Connected Families? Join us on October 15th, for our monthly ...
10/06/2026

Want to learn how you or your church can get involved with Connected Families?

Join us on October 15th, for our monthly opportunity to connect, learn, and discover ways to serve children and families in your community.

Choose the time that works best for you:

12:00 PM (Noon)
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89655780947
7:00 PM
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86348840347

574 days in foster care.574 days of bottles and diaper changes. Doctor appointments and home visits. Case plans, court d...
10/05/2026

574 days in foster care.

574 days of bottles and diaper changes. Doctor appointments and home visits. Case plans, court dates, transportation, paperwork, prayers, hugs and countless moments of simply showing up.

And then came adoption day.

On September 17, Leo and Stacy Brandmeyer officially welcomed Benjamin “Benny” William Brandmeyer into their forever family.

The Brandmeyers have been fostering since 2002, caring for more than 600 placements throughout the years. Benny is the second child they have had the privilege of adopting.

So much work happens behind the scenes during a child’s journey through foster care. But on this day, Benny didn’t have to do any of the work.

He simply got to be loved.

We are so grateful for the Brandmeyer family and for every person who played a part in Benny’s story. Welcome home, Benny!

Fort Smith, tomorrow is the night!We’re just one day away from gathering for the Connected Families Night of Hope Gala.T...
10/04/2026

Fort Smith, tomorrow is the night!

We’re just one day away from gathering for the Connected Families Night of Hope Gala.

Tomorrow evening, we’ll come together to celebrate the hope happening through children, families, churches, and communities across our region and look ahead to the work still to be done.

Every story matters. Every family matters. And when a community comes together, hope grows.

We can’t wait to share this special night with you, Fort Smith. See you tomorrow!

The Toy Bus is rolling into Mountain Home!Join us October 3–4 at the Baxter County Fairgrounds for a weekend filled with...
10/01/2026

The Toy Bus is rolling into Mountain Home!

Join us October 3–4 at the Baxter County Fairgrounds for a weekend filled with outdoor recreation, boats, RVs, powersports, fishing, hiking, biking, local businesses, food, community organizations and more.

The event is free and open to the public, and the best part? All proceeds will benefit Connected Families, helping us continue serving children and families across Arkansas.

Saturday, October 3 | 10 a.m.–6 p.m.
Sunday, October 4 | 10 a.m.–3 p.m.

Stop by, find the Toy Bus and say hello. We’d love to see you in Mountain Home!

Hope happened in Wynne!What an incredible night celebrating the work God is doing through Connected Families and the peo...
09/21/2026

Hope happened in Wynne!

What an incredible night celebrating the work God is doing through Connected Families and the people who make this ministry possible.

Our Wynne Night of Hope brought together friends, churches, community partners, donors, and advocates who share a heart for children and families across Arkansas. We are so grateful for every person who attended, gave, served, sponsored, and helped make this special evening possible.

Because hope is more than something we talk about. It happens when people step up, show up, and choose to make a difference.

Thank you, Wynne, for showing us once again what it looks like when a community comes together for children and families.

Hope happened here. And the impact will continue long after this night.

Connected Families NEA is officially open!Yesterday, we celebrated the ribbon cutting of our new Connected Families NEA ...
09/18/2026

Connected Families NEA is officially open!

Yesterday, we celebrated the ribbon cutting of our new Connected Families NEA Ministry Center alongside the Jonesboro community, church partners, donors, board members, staff, and friends. We are so grateful for everyone who joined us for such a special day!

This new space will serve as a hub for Connected Families, Living Well Professional Counseling, and ABCFM ministries throughout Northeast Arkansas creating a place where children and families can find resources, support, connection, and hope.

A special thank you to the Jonesboro Chamber of Commerce for helping us celebrate this milestone and to everyone who has prayed, given, served, and helped make this ministry center possible.

We believe hope needs hands and feet, and our prayer is that this building will be a place where hope is put into action every day.

Hope is happening here in Northeast Arkansas, and we are so excited for what is ahead!

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