Ouachita Children, Youth, and Family Services
Ouachita Children, Youth, and Family Services serves our most vulnerable population throughout Arkansas providing advocacy, safety, and skill-building activities that empower them to achieve lifelong success.
OCYFS provides quality services for children, youth, and families, through the following programs:
• Ouachita Children’s Center is a shelter for children that provides both residential and nonresidential services including a 24-hour emergency shelter, child and family assessments, educational support groups, aftercare services, academic tutoring and enrichment, life skills and more.
• Ouachita Youth Center is an inclusive, accepting homeless youth day shelter providing items such as snacks, survival kits, shower and laundry facilities. OYC also provides resources for housing, education, employment, health, community involvement, and support groups.
• Ouachita Family Center is a safe, secure emergency shelter and advocacy program for all victims of domestic violence and their children. Serving Garland, Clark, Pike, Montgomery and Hot Spring counties, OFC provides a 24-hour hotline for crisis intervention, emotional support, information, resources and referrals, court advocacy, legal assistance, and transportation.
• Adult Homeless Reduction Program facilitated by the Department of Housing and Urban Development is a coordinated effort of 46 counties in the state of Arkansas called the Balance of State Continuum of Care, targeted at reducing homelessness and improving housing stability across Arkansas’ diverse local homeless coalitions.
• Ouachita Children, Youth, & Family Services Prevention Program promotes the statewide campaign, Rise Above Alcohol & Drugs. Arkansas’ RAAD campaign is a comprehensive effort designed to share drug prevention information and evidence-based programs with community stakeholders, school leaders, faith-based groups, and business leaders. Region 8 covers Clark, Garland, Hot Spring, Montgomery, and Pike counties.
The “RAAD” Region 8 social norming campaign focuses on connecting the public with local community champions to encourage positive change and outcomes. The Regional Prevention representative, Bailey Sharver, and Regional Lead representative, Marcus Tatum, have paired up with local stakeholders to promote the importance of prevention and wellness. On April 25, Region 8 will be hosting a “Building a Better You” conference at the Doubletree by Hilton Hot Springs, focusing on the importance of the eight dimensions of wellness.
April is Alcohol Awareness Month, so the conference will highlight the importance of alcohol prevention with many interactive guest speakers. This free conference will have breakout sessions for both youths and adults with lunch provided. Look out for a registration link on our social media, @Raadregion8.
The Region 8 Prevention Task Force meets every third Thursday at 2 p.m. in Suite No. 22 of the RIX Building at 1401 Malvern Ave. This prevention task force focuses on reviewing needs and resource assessment data of the region to provide guidance and direction in the prevention of alcohol and drugs. There is a collective effort to correct misconceptions and stigma surrounding alcohol and drug misuse. Region 8 Prevention Task Force is uniting like-minded individuals to break the stigma, start conversations, and find solutions to barriers.
Prevention is key and @Raadregion8 is encouraging anyone eager to make a change with their self and/or community to “Rise Above Alcohol & Drugs.” Join the #RAAD movement today!
For more information or to keep up with upcoming meetings and events, follow @Raadregion8 on Facebook and Instagram or visit occnet.org.