The Ranch's program is centered on the belief that abused, neglected or abandoned children – all children for that matter – must establish a nurturing relationship with at least one caring adult to become a healthy productive adult themselves. We know from our own experiences that abused and neglected children often move from depression to despair to rage before coming here. Admission records indicate that 75 percent of children in the residential program are victims of physical, emotional or sexual abuse. Many are not known to be victims upon admission, but instances of abuse are revealed after they have been at the Ranch for a while as a result of us learning more about them.

The road to recovery for our children is often long and bumpy. Therefore, we make a commitment to every child who enters our residential program – a commitment that extends from the board of directors to management personnel, administrative staff, houseparents, support staff and volunteers. We pledge to open our lives, and ultimately our hearts, to these special children and to support their aspirations for "as long as it takes," — knowing all the while that we have to believe in them long before they are able to believe in themselves.

A unique aspect of the Ranch is that there is no "up and out" philosophy. In most programs, children "age out" at 18. Children admitted to our residential program may remain through post-secondary education – until they are socially and financially prepared for independence and have stable employment.

Our program employs several fundamentals we count as necessary for children to reach their full potential. Among our components are: • making time for the children in our charge, ensuring that each one has several caring adult role models; • giving frequent, tangible and unconditional expressions of love and support; • setting clear rules and limits; • providing structured activities such as household chores, horseback riding, camping, vacations, picnics, Scouting and summer sports programs; and • providing direct rewards for achievements.

Perhaps most importantly, we strive to give children a sense of belonging – an awareness that they are part of a whole and that they have value.

The Ranch is a member of the Child Welfare League of America — the nation's oldest and largest voluntary membership organization devoted entirely to protecting and promoting the well being of abused, neglected or otherwise vulnerable children.

Current Ranch programs include the following:

Residential Child Care Program
Outreach Program
CASA Program
STAR Program
Speakers Bureau / Community Education / Child Abuse Awareness

The Ranch has a 5-campus,112-bed, therapeutic residential program serving homeless, abused, neglected or abandoned children and Families in Need of Services cases. Children in the long-term program can remain at the Ranch from age 6 through post-secondary education and/or job training. Throughout its history, the Ranch has provided a home for more than 750 children who live in cottages as a family unit. Houseparents are trained in the Teaching Family Model. Our facilities are handicap accessible.

The program provides services to families needing resources that they are unable to locate on their own. The services may include residential treatment, counseling or education. The program serves approximately 150 families per month, in addition to ongoing services provided to former Ranch residents.

The Arkansas Sheriffs' Youth Ranches is a sponsoring agency for Court Appointed Special Advocate Programs. CASA of the 16th Judicial District serves Independence, Cleburne, Fulton, Izard and Stone counties in North Central Arkansas. CASA of the Third Judicial District services Sharp, Lawrence, Jackson and Randolph counties in North Central/Northeast Arkansas. These programs provide trained volunteers who serve as advocates for abused or neglected children in juvenile court proceedings. All volunteers receive 30-hours of training and undergo criminal background checks and Child Abuse registry checks before being assigned to cases.

If you are interested in learning more about helping abused and neglected children in these areas, contact the CASA administrative office at 501-362-4609.

Sheriffs' Ranches Therapeutic Activities and Recreation is a wilderness-based therapeutic recreation program designed to help children and adults develop creative problem-solving skills, which can be applied to a variety of settings. The program places participants in an environment they can't manipulate and provides a natural setting for learning basic life skills. Elements of the program include self-assessment, team building, organizational skills, artful alignment of people and leadership skills.

This program provides speakers and professional training on a statewide basis. Ranch staff sponsor workshops around the state for community professionals and law enforcement officers who work with children. For more information contact Judi Dahlquist.