(LITTLE ROCK, Ark.) — The Arkansas Department of Human Services (DHS) Division of Children and Family Services (DCFS) honored 12 families – one from each of its service areas and two others who received special awards – at its annual Foster Parents of the Year gala on Thursday, and one family was also named the overall statewide winner.
The families were selected for their unwavering support and commitment to children and families in Arkansas as foster parents. During the event, which was hosted at the Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts, each family’s profile was shared, and they were honored with a letter of recognition from Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders and a beautiful award. At the end of the night, Lisa Stockdale of Bentonville was announced the overall Foster Parent of the Year for 2024.
Stockdale began her foster care journey nine years ago when she was recruited and trained by The CALL. Over that time, she has provided a safe, stable home for 37 children, from medically fragile infants like her current placement to 17-year-olds – some for as short a time as two days, while others have stayed for as long as two years. Lisa is a nurse and has worked both as a nursing instructor and as a nurse in a juvenile detention facility.
“I know so many foster families and single parents and all these different groups, and they are so wonderful, and they’ve done so much that sometimes I don’t think I compare to them,” Stockdale said. “But it’s been an honor to, one, be nominated and, two, to win. To win the whole thing is a dream come true – it really is.”
Stockdale says those who are considering fostering should just do it.
“I feel like if it’s a calling — if you feel God is putting this on your heart to foster, I don’t think you should wait,” she said. “I think that it can change your life.”
“Arkansas’ foster families are heroes,” Governor Sarah Sanders says. “As Governor, I’ve been proud to work on improving our foster care system. But more important than anyone in government are our foster families. I’m thrilled to be a part of honoring these foster parents and their generosity.”
“Lisa Stockdale is a shining example of a partner who lives out the mission of DCFS,” DCFS Director Tiffany Wright added. “We are so grateful for her partnership, and for the partnership of all foster parents across the state.”
The other families honored as Arkansas Foster Parents of the year for their respective areas were:
- Dale and Rebecca Comstock of Fort Smith
- Jerry and Tonya Ross of Hot Springs
- Cassie Thomas of Texarkana
- Mark and Jessica McNair of Conway
- Will and Emma McGrath of Little Rock
- Darran and Casie Williams of White Hall
- John and Angela Briggs of Pocahontas
- Joshua and Shianna Cowell of Searcy
- Renella Lee of Helena
Additionally, two other families were recognized with special awards.
Ron and Wanda Day of Conway were honored as the Early Promise Award winners. The Early Promise Award is presented to new foster families who have already made an impact on the foster care system in Arkansas.
Blake and Bryanna Irvin of Wynne were honored as the Perseverance Award winners. The Perseverance Award was inspired by their commitment to continuing to foster after their home was damaged in the March 31, 2023, tornado outbreak in Arkansas.
DCFS is responsible for the safety of children in the state and has approximately 3,600 children in foster care, most of whom are placed in home settings with foster families. The state is divided into 10 service areas, and nominations for outstanding foster families were submitted from each area by family service workers, other foster parents, and child advocates.
To learn more about each of this year’s winners, visit ar.gov/FPOY. For more information about the foster care system in Arkansas or to begin the application process to become a foster family, visit Every Child Arkansas at everychildarkansas.org.
