Smart Justice

Send us a textMany Arkansans in prison and/or with children in the child welfare system started their legal engagement with misdemeanor crimes like traffic tickets, driving with no insurance, or theft. Community Diversion in District Courts is a key move to prevent future incarceration and/or foster care. In Crawford Co the District Court and Adult Ed have co-located to create a one-stop resource center. This unique situation has impacted hundreds of people who found their way out of crisis into stability and employment. Thanks to:Dr Debbie Faubus and the team at Crawford Co Adult EdJudge Charles Baker and Crawford Co District Court staffSupport the show[Website]: https://smartjustice.org/ [YouTube]: https://www.youtube.com/@wewillrestorehope[Spotify + Apple + More]: https://smartjustice.buzzsprout.com/1213400/follow [Facebook]: https://www.facebook.com/restorehopearkansas [LinkedIn]: https://www.linkedin.com/company/restore-hope-arkansas [Instagram]: https://www.instagram.com/restorehope.io/

Send us a textMany Arkansans in prison and/or with children in the child welfare system started their legal engagement with misdemeanor crimes like traffic tickets, driving with no insurance, or theft. Community Diversion in District Courts is a key move to prevent future incarceration and/or foster care. In this episode we talk with law enforcement and prosecutors. It is our hope to see the expansion of Community Diversion to all Arkansas District Courts. Support the show[Website]: https://smartjustice.org/ [YouTube]: https://www.youtube.com/@wewillrestorehope[Spotify + Apple + More]: https://smartjustice.buzzsprout.com/1213400/follow [Facebook]: https://www.facebook.com/restorehopearkansas [LinkedIn]: https://www.linkedin.com/company/restore-hope-arkansas [Instagram]: https://www.instagram.com/restorehope.io/

Send us a textMany Arkansans in prison and/or with children in the child welfare system started their legal engagement with misdemeanor crimes like traffic tickets, driving with no insurance, or theft. Community Diversion in District Courts is a key move to prevent future incarceration and/or foster care. In this episode we hear from participants in diversion programs. It is our hope to see the expansion of Community Diversion to all Arkansas District Courts. Support the show[Website]: https://smartjustice.org/ [YouTube]: https://www.youtube.com/@wewillrestorehope[Spotify + Apple + More]: https://smartjustice.buzzsprout.com/1213400/follow [Facebook]: https://www.facebook.com/restorehopearkansas [LinkedIn]: https://www.linkedin.com/company/restore-hope-arkansas [Instagram]: https://www.instagram.com/restorehope.io/

Send us a textMany Arkansans in prison and/or with children in the child welfare system started their legal engagement with misdemeanor crimes like traffic tickets, driving with no insurance, or theft. Community Diversion in District Courts is a key move to prevent future incarceration and/or foster care. In this episode we talk with Judges who operate diversion programs. It is our hope to see the expansion of Community Diversion to all Arkansas District Courts. Support the show[Website]: https://smartjustice.org/ [YouTube]: https://www.youtube.com/@wewillrestorehope[Spotify + Apple + More]: https://smartjustice.buzzsprout.com/1213400/follow [Facebook]: https://www.facebook.com/restorehopearkansas [LinkedIn]: https://www.linkedin.com/company/restore-hope-arkansas [Instagram]: https://www.instagram.com/restorehope.io/

Send us a textMany Arkansans in prison and/or with children in the child welfare system started their legal engagement with misdemeanor crimes like traffic tickets, driving with no insurance, or theft. Some District Court Judges are taking steps to provide access to services that address root issues that might lead to incarceration and/or foster care for their children. Season 2 focuses on how these courts are improving public safety by addressing problems 'upstream' from felony crime and/or foster care. It is our hope that these stories will inspire a movement to make Community Diversion common in Arkansas' District Courts. Some data pulled from existing programs show the impact to individuals. This data is only a sample of the participants in the courts known to us. A formal pilot is desired to use the same metrics to assess impact and ROI of Diversion programs. Of 529 families served in the past three years where the parent(s) had their driver's license suspended due to a court issue, 31% also had a child welfare case of some kind.  - Families that are struggling to pay court fees and fines often find themselves in additional trouble with child welfare systems.  One crisis often leads to another.  61% were unemployed with no income from any source.- Payment of fees or fines is exceedingly difficult and usually a lower priority than shelter, food, or escape through substances.  31% had misused drugs or alcohol in the past 30 days and were in need of recovery supportEngagement by case managers and connection to community provides had the following outcomes:48% decrease in the percentage of families in legal crisis with a warrant out for their arrest.  Almost 100 of these parents were able to completely stabilize their legal situation, becoming current on their fees and fines.155% increased transportation stability (reliable/legal transportation). 89% increase in full-time employment.Support the show[Website]: https://smartjustice.org/ [YouTube]: https://www.youtube.com/@wewillrestorehope[Spotify + Apple + More]: https://smartjustice.buzzsprout.com/1213400/follow [Facebook]: https://www.facebook.com/restorehopearkansas [LinkedIn]: https://www.linkedin.com/company/restore-hope-arkansas [Instagram]: https://www.instagram.com/restorehope.io/

Send us a textAll communities work on criminal justice and child welfare issues but few have real systems change. You may have the right people and organizations, but if you don't get 5 things right you'll not make the change you're working so hard to make. In the season one final episode we discuss the impact a growing number of Arkansas communities are having by implementing the collective impact methodology of system change.  Season 1 of SmartJustice: To improve outcomes in complex problems around child welfare, incarceration, and crime we journey upstream to examine the Family as the institution we should   Interviewed:Fort Smith PD Chief Danny BakerCircuit Court Judge Shanice JohnsonRestore Hope Case Manager Courtnee Harlan Restore Hope A.D. of Community Development Karen Phillips100 Families White Co Coordinator Dana BakerEmpowering My Environment cofounder Charles Newsom Restore Hope Executive Director Paul Chapman Narrator Charles NewsomProducer Renie Rule Producer Ed Lowry "A change of perspective is worth 80 IQ points." - Alan KayThrough SmartJustice we explore issues from new perspectives in pursuit of better communities and better outcomes.Please consider a donation to support work like this in the future. Thank you!https://smartjustice.supercast.comSupport the show[Website]: https://smartjustice.org/ [YouTube]: https://www.youtube.com/@wewillrestorehope[Spotify + Apple + More]: https://smartjustice.buzzsprout.com/1213400/follow [Facebook]: https://www.facebook.com/restorehopearkansas [LinkedIn]: https://www.linkedin.com/company/restore-hope-arkansas [Instagram]: https://www.instagram.com/restorehope.io/

Send us a textChildhood trauma doesn't excuse bad behavior and crime, but it helps in understanding 'why' which is important in the creation of more successful interventions that yield better ROI for our communities. To improve outcomes in complex problems around child welfare, incarceration, and crime we journey upstream to examine the Family as the institution we should   Interviewed:Circuit Court Judge Shanice JohnsonClinical Phycologist Dr Rose Smith Restore Hope A.D. of Community Development Karen PhillipsChairperson of Parent Counsel and Harding University professor Dr Andrew Baker100 Families White Co Coordinator Dana BakerReentry Manager Billy InmanEmpowering My Environment cofounder Charles BensonEmpowering My Environment cofounder Charles Newsom Restore Hope Executive Director Paul Chapman Narrator Charles NewsomeProducer Renie Rule Producer Ed Lowry "A change of perspective is worth 80 IQ points." - Alan KayThrough SmartJustice we explore issues from new perspectives in pursuit of better communities and better outcomes.Please consider a donation to support work like this in the future. Thank you!https://smartjustice.supercast.comSupport the show[Website]: https://smartjustice.org/ [YouTube]: https://www.youtube.com/@wewillrestorehope[Spotify + Apple + More]: https://smartjustice.buzzsprout.com/1213400/follow [Facebook]: https://www.facebook.com/restorehopearkansas [LinkedIn]: https://www.linkedin.com/company/restore-hope-arkansas [Instagram]: https://www.instagram.com/restorehope.io/

Send us a textTo improve outcomes in complex problems around child welfare, incarceration, and crime we journey upstream to examine the Family as the institution we should protect and seek to strengthen.  Interviewed:Department of Children and Family Services Mischa MartinChairperson of Parent Counsel and Harding University professor Dr Andrew BakerTenth District Circuit Court Judge Shanice JohnsonRestore Hope Community Development Manager Karen Phillips 100 Families White Co Coordinator Dana Baker Restore Hope Sebastian Co Case Mgr Courtnee Harlan Restore Hope Executive Director Paul Chapman Narrator Charles NewsomeProducer Renie Rule Producer Ed Lowry "A change of perspective is worth 80 IQ points." - Alan KayThrough SmartJustice we explore issues from new perspectives in pursuit of better communities and better outcomes.Please consider a donation to support work like this in the future. Thank you!https://smartjustice.supercast.comSupport the show[Website]: https://smartjustice.org/ [YouTube]: https://www.youtube.com/@wewillrestorehope[Spotify + Apple + More]: https://smartjustice.buzzsprout.com/1213400/follow [Facebook]: https://www.facebook.com/restorehopearkansas [LinkedIn]: https://www.linkedin.com/company/restore-hope-arkansas [Instagram]: https://www.instagram.com/restorehope.io/

Send us a textSupport the show[Website]: https://smartjustice.org/ [YouTube]: https://www.youtube.com/@wewillrestorehope[Spotify + Apple + More]: https://smartjustice.buzzsprout.com/1213400/follow [Facebook]: https://www.facebook.com/restorehopearkansas [LinkedIn]: https://www.linkedin.com/company/restore-hope-arkansas [Instagram]: https://www.instagram.com/restorehope.io/

Send us a textSubstance Abuse is a common factor in Arkansas Child Welfare and Criminal Justice cases. In this episode we interview State leaders and those with life experience with substance abuse and the justice system. There is hope. Interviewed:Department of Children and Family Services Mischa MartinArkansas Drug Director Kirk LaneDirector of Peer Recovery Services Jimmy McGillParole Board Chairman John Felts Amanda and Patrick Myer Restore Hope Director of Operations Karen PhillipsRestore Hope Executive Director Paul Chapman Narrator Charles NewsomeProducer Renie Rule Producer Ed Lowry "A change of perspective is worth 80 IQ points." - Alan KayThrough SmartJustice we explore issues from new perspectives in pursuit of better outcomes and better communities.Please consider a donation to support work like this in the future. Thank you!https://smartjustice.supercast.comSupport the show[Website]: https://smartjustice.org/ [YouTube]: https://www.youtube.com/@wewillrestorehope[Spotify + Apple + More]: https://smartjustice.buzzsprout.com/1213400/follow [Facebook]: https://www.facebook.com/restorehopearkansas [LinkedIn]: https://www.linkedin.com/company/restore-hope-arkansas [Instagram]: https://www.instagram.com/restorehope.io/