[title subtitle=”WORDS Catherine Frederick with Ashley Forsgren, Director of Development, Children’s Shelter”][/title]
The Fort Smith Children’s Shelter is a safe and stable home providing long-term, evidence-based and trauma-informed, resident-centered and family-focused care to youth in foster care who exhibit emotional and behavioral challenges due to neglect and/or abuse.
DS: Tell us about your current needs.
Due to COVID-19, our primary needs include Lysol spray, Clorox wipes, and monetary contributions. We encourage monetary contributions because a donor’s dollar will go further if we spend it, due to tax exemptions and discounts at local stores. Donations can be made online, FSChildrensShelter.org/donate.
DS: Are there any special events coming up that we should know about?
We have rescheduled Havana Nights, our annual fundraiser, to Friday, August 28! Fundraising is an integral part of our organization and proceeds from Havana Nights cover thirty percent of our operating budget.
DS: Tell us about the recent name change for your organization.
For twenty-two years, the Fort Smith Children’s Emergency Shelter operated under an “emergency” model of care for youth in foster care ages 6-17. In February of 2018 a federal law was passed (known as the Family First Prevention Services Act) that forced “emergency” shelters to change their model of care. As a result, we became a Qualified Residential Treatment Program (QRTP) in October 2019, and now operate under a model of care that serves youth in foster care for six months to one year. We are no longer considered an “emergency” shelter and have dropped the word “emergency” from our name. While many still refer to us as the CES, our official name is now the Fort Smith Children’s Shelter.
DS: What does it mean to be a QRTP?
As a QRTP, our mission has expanded to provide long-term care with an emphasis on therapy services to youth in foster care ages 10-17. We continue to provide a safe and stable home, along with social outings and life skills opportunities, but we can now better address the emotional and behavioral challenges that they face due to previous neglect and abuse. As a Qualified Residential Treatment Program, our staff along with the support of Western Arkansas Counseling and Guidance Center works with each resident on providing an evidence-based and trauma informed model of care, focused on helping each child heal.
DS: What is the GetREAL24 group called Gamma Rho?
GetREAL24 is our independent living program for youth in foster care ages 18 and older. The residents of the program have established their own governing body called Gamma Rho. As members, the residents have established a board with an elected president and vice president, created a mission statement and logo, and voted on a set of rules and expectations separate from the GR24 program rules. In addition, they participate in the selection process of new youth who are interested in being a part of the GetREAL24 program. To watch our young adults take responsibility for their campus, their successes, and hold each other to a standard of accountability is empowering. They are defining the future of successful independence for “aged out” foster youth—they are determined to break the cycle of dysfunction and poverty, and succeed!
Children’s Shelter
3015 South 14th Street
Fort Smith, Arkansas 72901
479.783.0018
fschildrensshelter.org
