Arkansas Sheriffs' Youth Ranches, Inc.

Arkansas Sheriffs' Youth Ranches, Inc. is an American nonprofit organization dedicated to providing residential and non-residential services to children of Arkansas. Founded in 1976 by the sheriffs of Arkansas, the organization aims to create safe, healthy, and permanent homes for children who have been abused, neglected, or abandoned.

Founding and Expansion

The initiative to establish the ranch began in 1974 when the Arkansas Sheriffs' Association (ASA) formed a committee to explore the possibility of creating a ranch for boys. This committee, led by Pope County Sheriff Bill Abernathy and Johnson County Sheriff Donald Meek, decide to establish a separate nonprofit organization, which would be supported by all seventy-five county sheriffs in Arkansas. By late 1975, an incorporation document signed by all sheriffs was presented to the ASA, marking a significant step towards its establishment.

Initially known as the Arkansas Sheriffs' Boys Ranch, Inc., the organization's first campus was established on a 528-acre site near Batesville. The first children were admitted during the construction of the first cottage, which was dedicated on October 10, 1977. In 1977, a facility near Harrison was leased to serve girls, and the organization began operating under the name Arkansas Sheriffs' Boys and Girls Ranches, although the legal name change occurred in 1998. Over the years, additional campuses were developed, including one on DeGray Lake in Clark County (2003) and another near Mulberry in Crawford County (2005).

Mission and Programs

The mission of Arkansas Sheriffs' Youth Ranches is to address, remedy, and prevent child abuse and neglect by providing a safe and nurturing environment. The organization offers a family-style foster care program, where children live in large family homes with professional houseparents. This transformative model ensures children receive adequate healthcare, educational opportunities, and practical skills by participating in the ranch's educational farm program, where they care for animals like cattle and pigs.

Impact and Funding

Since its inception, the organization has been home to more than 2,300 children. Approximately 60 children benefit from the program annually. The ranch operates as a 100% privately funded nonprofit, relying entirely on donations and community support. This funding model allows for flexibility in program development without government constraints.

Governance

Arkansas Sheriffs' Youth Ranches is governed by a diverse board of directors that includes sheriffs from various counties, as well as representatives from the business and legal communities. The organization emphasizes transparency and conducts regular assessments of its leadership and governance practices.