Arkansas Blog

Arkansas Families First announces production of a 9-minute video that it will be distributing to churches, community groups and others interested about objections to proposed Initiated Act 1, which would raise new roadblocks to private adoptions and foster parentiong. Clergy, social work, psychology, pediatrics and foster families are represented in the video.

NEWS RELEASE

LITTLE ROCK — Arkansas Families First today unveiled a new video that will help voters across the state understand why they should vote “no” on Initiated Act 1.

The DVD features adult former foster children, current foster parents and experts in the fields of child protection, psychology, psychiatry, pediatrics and clergy who explain the negative consequences if the initiative passes.

“Experts agree that banning unmarried couples from foster parenting or adopting will limit the too-small pool of families available to vulnerable Arkansas children,” said Jennifer Ferguson, deputy director of Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families, a member of the coalition fighting the initiative.

“Since our grassroots fight against this initiative relies on volunteers and small donations, this video will help us get that message out to every corner of Arkansas,” Ferguson said.

The DVD will be available to anyone who wants to help educate voters about Act 1, from living-room gatherings to voter-education conferences and luncheons.

The DVD was produced by Arkansas Families First and features all volunteers giving their own testimony. There are no paid actors. Participants include:

Tesha Nelson- former foster child

Barbara Miles - former foster child

Rev. Ed Matthews retired Methodist minister

Susan Hoffpauir- social worker/foster parent

Charis Cook - social worker

Mia McNeal - adoptive mother

Dr. Sharp Malak - physician

Dr. Pat Youngdahl - child pyschologist

Rita Sklar - ACLU

Aimee Berry - American Academy of Pediatrics

Jennifer Ferguson - Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families

For copies, contact Arkansas Families First at (501) 280-0082. The video also will be available at www.arkansasfamiliesfirst.org