About Us
Our Story of Hope
Discover the foundation, philosophy, and passionate team behind our mission to provide every child with the care, family, and future they deserve
Children's Homes
Our Foundation
Children's Homes, Inc. was established by the Seventh and Mueller Church of Christ in Paragould with a simple conviction: every child deserves the security of family and the hope of a bright future. We provide more than temporary shelter; we create environments where broken lives can be restored and young hearts can heal.
What began as a local ministry has grown into a comprehensive network of care throughout Arkansas. Our foundational principles remain unchanged: family structures work, faith-based guidance matters, and every child has unlimited potential.
Children's Homes
Our Philosophy
Family by Design
We structure our care around the family model because it works. Our houseparent couples don't just supervise; they parent, mentor, and advocate for each child in their care.
Education as Empowerment
Learning extends beyond textbooks. We combine traditional academics with experiential education, helping children discover their strengths while addressing their challenges.
Faith as Foundation
Our Christian values inform every aspect of our work. We believe each child is created with purpose and potential, shaping how we approach discipline, encouragement, therapy, and daily interactions.
Community as Support
No child succeeds in isolation. We intentionally build networks of support that extend beyond our campus and into the communities where children will ultimately live and thrive.
Our Story
The vision for Children's Homes began with church leaders who saw overwhelming need in their community. Arkansas children were falling through cracks in the system, and families were struggling without adequate support. Rather than simply acknowledge the problem, these faithful servants chose to act.
From our earliest days, we've operated under the governance of church elders who understand both the sacred responsibility and practical challenges of caring for vulnerable children. This structure has provided stability through decades of growth and change.
Our expansion into statewide foster care services came as a natural extension of our residential work. We recognized that many children could thrive in family settings with proper support, and we had developed the expertise to provide that support effectively.
Our Leadership Team
Executive Director
Micah Brinkley
Leading strategic vision and organizational development
Director of Child and Family Services
Paul Schandevel
Overseeing all direct care services and residential programming
Director of Development
Gary Cupp
Managing fundraising efforts and community partnerships
Child Placement Services Director
Chelsea Spencer
Leading statewide foster care program development
Director of Media Relations
Adam Sweeney
Coordinating communications and community outreach
Recruitment and Retention Specialist
Bailey Hensley
Supporting foster family recruitment and ongoing services
Donor Relations Assistant
Cindy Barnett
Managing donor communications and gift processing
Office Manager
Carla Lemmons
Coordinating daily operations and administrative services
Office
Our Locations
Main Campus
Home to our residential education program, featuring family-style homes, educational facilities, and therapeutic programming spaces.
5515 Walcott Road, Paragould, Arkansas 72450
Foster Care Office
Serving families throughout Arkansas with foster care placement, training, and ongoing support services.
Searcy, Arkansas