On the morning of May 5, 2026, community leaders, child welfare experts, church leaders and concerned citizens gathered on the Monticello Town Square in support of children in foster care in Drew County. 

The event was collaboratively developed by The CALL in Southeast Arkansas, CASA of the 10^th 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 Jason Akers delivered a Proclamation of May 2026 as Foster Care Awareness Month in Drew County. Akers 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.” 

Reverend Lori Fallon led times of encouragement and prayer over local children and families impacted by foster care and those serving them. Fallon, long-time local minister and wife of Guardian ad litem for local children in foster care, reinforced the importance of each person’s role in ensuring the safety and well-being of our local children. 

Social Services Expert Reginia Hawkins (Area 10, Division of Children and Family Services) shared the desperate need for local foster homes in Drew County following the retirement of 20-year veteran Ms. Verlinda Harris.  

“[The department] now only has one traditional foster home licensed in Drew County, which is not nearly enough to meet the needs of the many children who spend time in foster care each year,” Hawkins shared. 

“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 10^th District shared. 

Currently, 10 children are in foster care in Drew County. Local placements are needed so children can maintain family and community connections when they need them the most. 

This entry was posted on Tuesday, May 19th, 2026 at 12:39 am and is filed under Announcements. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.