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Tuesday's Event was a huge success!  Ashley received a standing ovation at noon Rotary (the only I know of!)  Her speech was very moving to all.  We had a huge crowd at the ASU event as well.  Ashley spoke on mandated reporting and we had approximately 125 in attendance at ASU.  Our evening fund raising event 'paid off' at Mickey and Beverly Seeman's home.  We raised funds for the Heart Gallery Trailer and 'mini Heart Gallery' digital frames.  Ashley gave a short speech with Bernard Raley and Dia Sawyer providing entertainment.  Carla Boozer was formally announced as the new Heart Gallery Director, along with her assistant Jeri Rogers and Technical Manager, Amber Falls.  Read More......to see photos from the event!

Arkansas Democrat Gazette

Northwest Arkansas Edition

"Beebe keys on woes in foster-care system" by Seth Blomeley

Gov. Mike Beebe said Wednesday that fixing the state’s foster-care system is “absolutely” the No. 1 focus of his administration among problems facing the state at this time.

“We’ve got our people and the [Department of ] Human Services people meeting constantly,” Beebe said.

Beebe said problems in Human Services’ Children and Family Services Division came to his attention a few months ago when his administration noticed alarming trends of “huge increases” in the number of foster-care cases and overall child maltreatment complaints.

The Congressional Foster Youth Internship (FYI) Program provides talented college students, who have spent their formative years in foster care, an opportunity to intern in Congressional offices for the summer. These young adults, who have beaten the odds and thrived in spite of difficult circumstances, bring their unique perspectives and resilient spirits to serve in the offices of the U.S. Congress. The FYI Program raises awareness about the 517,000 children in foster care, and specifically the 114,000 currently available for adoption, by bringing members of Congress in direct contact with those who have personal experience of the foster care system.