The Lantern Law strengthens Arkansas Code §§ 12-18-601 and 12-18-602 by requiring a mandatory in-person safety check within 24 hours whenever two or more hotline reports are made on the same child or household within a 12-month period. In simple terms, when a clear pattern of concern shows up, the system must respond quickly and visibly instead of treating each report in isolation. Repeated reports signal elevated risk, and this amendment ensures those warning signs trigger timely, documented action that protects children and supports families. The cost impact is minimal, as it relies on existing DCFS processes rather than creating new infrastructure.

TBRI Integration Amendment strengthens Arkansas Code § 9-28-403 and the state’s Minimum Licensing Standards for child welfare agencies by making Trust-Based Relational Intervention (TBRI) the core, statewide approach for both pre-service and ongoing foster parent training. In plain terms, it ensures that everyone caring for foster children is trained in the same trauma-informed framework, rather than a patchwork of methods. TBRI is evidence-based, aligns with Arkansas’s family-centered philosophy, and has been shown to reduce placement disruptions. This amendment uses a phased rollout within existing training systems and partnerships, keeping costs controlled while improving outcomes for children and families.

The Never Age Out Alone Partnership Amendment strengthens Arkansas Code §§ 9-28-114 and 9-28-301 by improving extended foster care and transition services for older youth. It simplifies the re-entry process for young adults who leave care early, requires clear and proactive communication about extended-care eligibility, and establishes public-private partnerships with faith-based organizations, community nonprofits, and transitional housing providers. The amendment also coordinates a statewide volunteer mentorship network through existing older-youth programs. In simple terms, it ensures young people do not fall through the cracks simply because they turned eighteen, while leveraging Arkansas’s strong community and faith networks instead of creating new government programs, keeping costs low and outcomes stronger.

Foster Family Transparency Amendment strengthens Arkansas Code § 9-28-402(12) and aligns with the existing DHS Foster Parent Bill of Rights by requiring DCFS and private placement agencies to provide full, written, up-front, and ongoing disclosure to foster parents about a child’s medical needs, medication history, behavioral concerns and triggers, prior placement disruptions, and any known safety risks. In plain terms, foster families should not be asked to say yes without knowing what they are walking into. Clear, consistent information protects children, keeps homes safe, and reduces unnecessary placement disruptions, while improving long-term stability and permanency—all without creating new systems or added infrastructure.

The Foster Family Support Unit Integration Amendment strengthens Arkansas Code §§ 9-28-108 and 9-28-801 by establishing a dedicated Foster Family Support Unit within DCFS—not as a new department, but as an integrated function using reallocated staff, cross-training, and existing administrative capacity. This unit would handle high-volume, time-sensitive tasks such as school enrollment, medical and Medicaid setup, medication transfer coordination, early placement logistics, transportation support, and communication coordination for new foster families. In simple terms, it takes the heavy administrative load off caseworkers so they can focus on safety and case oversight. By integrating this support within the current system, the amendment improves early placement stability while keeping costs minimal and avoiding new infrastructure or major appropriations.

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