Restore Hope

08/31/2026

🚨 Last Chance to Register! 🚨

Join leaders from child welfare, education, healthcare, workforce, faith communities, government, business, and nonprofits as we explore what's possible when communities move beyond referrals and work together to create lasting change.

The Restore Hope Conference is an opportunity to learn from proven collaborative models, hear from national and local leaders, and leave equipped with practical strategies to strengthen your own community.

📅 Registration closes TODAY!

Don't miss your chance to be part of this incredible gathering.

Learn more and register here: https://www.restorehope.io/2026conference

08/28/2026

Literacy is a foundation for human flourishing.

Today’s conversation in Franklin County brought community leaders and partners together to look at the far-reaching impact of literacy across every stage of life.

From education and employment to family stability, economic mobility, and involvement with the justice system, literacy can shape the opportunities available to individuals and families.

We’re grateful for everyone who came together for this important cross-sector conversation and for the partners working every day to strengthen literacy, expand opportunity, and build stronger communities.

100 Families Initiative of Johnson and Franklin County

08/27/2026

Lasting human flourishing requires communities working together to create pathways to opportunity, dignity, and economic mobility.

At the Restore Hope Conference, the Beyond Survival: Pathways to Human Flourishing panel will explore what it takes to build systems that help families move beyond crisis and toward lasting stability.

Hear from:
• Kristi Putnam, Senior Fellow, Cicero Institute
• Clarence H. Carter, Commissioner, Tennessee Department of Human Services
• Heather Edwards, Director of Community Success, Restore Hope

Register before August 31st! https://www.restorehope.io/2026conference



Tennessee Department of Human Services

08/27/2026

Paul Chapman was a guest on the Army of Normal Folk podcast to talk about the power of collective impact and how communities can transform outcomes when organizations work together instead of in silos. The conversation explores coordinated care, shared outcomes, and why collaboration is the key to helping children and families flourish.

🎙️ Watch the full episode here:

A family in crisis shouldn't have to figure out which agency to cal...

08/26/2026

The faith community has a role to play in producing lasting change for communities.

The Faith in Action panel will explore how congregations are turning compassion into coordinated care and practical ways churches can plug into community-wide collaboration. Together, we'll discuss how faith communities can help create a true "no wrong door" approach, connecting individuals and families to the support they need while strengthening partnerships across the community.

We're honored to welcome:
• Ben O'Dell, Senior Advisor, HHS Center for Faith
• Morgan Warbington, Director, Arkansas Governor's Faith-Based Initiatives
• Greg Baker, Founding Director, Church Ambassador Network

Join us as we explore the vital role faith leaders play in building stronger, more connected communities where every family has the opportunity to flourish.

08/26/2026

Dr. Sha Fanion of Agape Child & Family Services knows that growth is needed in order for Tennessee to thrive.

HopeHub will allow Shelby County community leaders to move beyond guesswork and see whether progress is being made, giving insights into the progress of families participating in the Human Flourishing Initiative. From housing to employment to education, this model will ensure that families move from crisis to stability, and beyond.

Human Flourishing Initiative of Shelby County TN Governor's Faith-Based and Community Initiative

08/25/2026

Join us for "Restoring Justice: Second Chances, Stronger Communities," where leaders from corrections, workforce, higher education, state government, and community collaboration will discuss how coordinated systems can reduce recidivism, strengthen families, and help individuals build stable, productive futures.

Deadline to Register is August 31st: https://www.restorehope.io/2026conference

Featuring:
• Paul Chapman, Restore Hope
• Secretary Lindsey Wallace, Arkansas Department of Corrections
• Cody Waits, Arkansas Workforce Connections
• Cortney Kennedy, Office of Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders
• Dr. Summer DeProw, University of Arkansas - Pulaski Technical College

08/24/2026

Shelby County is proving what's possible when leaders come together around one shared mission: helping families flourish. 💙

Read more: https://smartjustice.org/family-stability/beyond-convenient-and-comfortable-change-in-shelby-county

08/24/2026

One of the essential responsibilities of a backbone organization in the Restore Hope Model is educating the public about how policies affect change.

At the Restore Hope Conference, our Policy with Purpose panel will explore how collective impact can produce lasting, system-level change.

Moderated by Mischa Martin, the discussion features:
• Les Ford – The Alliance for Opportunity
• Robert McGough – Arkansas Department of Shared Administration Services
• Christine Calpin – Casey Family Programs
• Shelley Horak -- Iowa Department of Health and Human Services
Together, they'll discuss how thoughtful policy, cross-sector collaboration, and shared accountability can strengthen communities and create lasting change for generations to come.

Learn more and register to attend: https://www.restorehope.io/2026conference
Deadline to register is August 31st!

08/21/2026

The classroom is often the first place where someone notices a need. Schools can become the front door to community resources helping to change the trajectory of an entire family.

Join us at the Restore Hope Conference, where education leaders will share how collaboration is transforming schools into hubs of support, connection, and opportunity.
https://www.restorehope.io/2026conference

🎤 Meet the panelists:

📚 Dr. Jared Cleveland – Superintendent of Springdale Public Schools and the 2023 Arkansas Superintendent of the Year. A champion for innovation and real-world learning, Dr. Cleveland has spent more than three decades building partnerships that prepare students for success both inside and outside the classroom.

🤝 Chrisna Chunn – Community Schools Site Director for Batesville School District. Chrisna leads initiatives that connect students and families to essential resources through programs like the Pioneer Pantry, Mobile HUB, Friday Friends, and a growing network of community partners.

❤️ Teresa Yates – Local Family Support Partner for Batesville Public Schools. After 17 years as an educator, Teresa now works alongside families, schools, and community partners to remove barriers to learning, strengthen relationships, and help every student thrive through coordinated support.

🎓 Dr. Debbie Faubus-Kendrick – Director of the Crawford County Adult Education Center and a nationally recognized leader in adult education and workforce development. Her work demonstrates that community schools don't just support children, but also create pathways for parents and adult learners to build brighter futures.

We hope you'll join us as we explore how collaboration is reshaping education and strengthening communities across Arkansas and beyond.

Register and Learn More about the Restore Hope Conference: https://www.restorehope.io/2026conference

Batesville School District Springdale School District Crawford County Adult Education Center