About Us | Arkansas Family Alliance

Uniting communities to support children and families in crisis

Who We Are

The Arkansas Family Alliance (AFA) exists to provide upstream, proactive assistance to families and children in crisis, addressing the root causes of poverty, instability, and family separation before they escalate into more severe societal challenges. By creating a platform for community engagement, AFA mobilizes individuals, organizations, and resources to meet tangible needs, fostering a culture of prevention and empowerment. Through this collaborative approach, we are significantly reducing the financial and social burden on taxpayers, the state, and the community by preventing crises that often lead to foster care placement, homelessness, incarceration, and reliance on state-funded programs.

The Cost of Inaction vs. The Value of Prevention

Crisis situations such as family separation, domestic violence, and homelessness often have their origins in poverty. Addressing these challenges proactively saves millions in taxpayer dollars annually. The costs associated with foster care placements, incarceration, and emergency interventions far exceed the investments required for prevention. By meeting families where they are and providing direct support—such as beds for children, mentorship, and access to community resources—AFA changes trajectories, preventing families from falling into cycles of poverty and crisis.

The AFA Model: A Comprehensive Umbrella of Support

AFA operates under three pillars of care:

Preservation: Keeping families together through physical support, mentorship, and training. By meeting tangible needs, such as providing essential items like beds, we empower families to create stable, nurturing environments for their children. This often decreases the prevalence of domestic violence, as parents, particularly mothers, are able to create a safe, comforting space to rebuild their lives.
Preparation: Equipping foster youth with life skills and preparing foster/adoptive parents through specialized training. This proactive approach ensures that children in care or at risk of entering care are supported by informed and prepared adults.
Permanency: Ensuring every child finds a forever family by working closely with community partners, building relationships, and connecting children to stable, loving homes.

Community Coordinators and Ambassadors

To amplify our impact, AFA has implemented a network of community coordinators and ambassadors. These individuals build relationships with local partners, schools, and families, creating a seamless connection between those in need and the resources available. By fostering trust and engaging with families directly, we “do life with them,” rather than for them, ensuring sustainable change. This relational approach also strengthens our ability to identify and address the unique needs of each family, ensuring solutions that are both effective and efficient.

Arkansas Family Alliance