Children and families in Cleburne County will soon have access to specialized child advocacy services without traveling outside their community.
The Child Safety Center has announced plans to open a new office inside Heber Springs City Hall this fall. The expansion is designed to improve access to trauma-informed care while strengthening the local response to allegations of child abuse.
The new office will provide forensic interviews, family advocacy, trauma-focused mental health therapy, sexual assault medical examinations and multidisciplinary team coordination.
Child Safety Center services are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Families and partner agencies can call 501-268-4748 for assistance.
[INSERT CHILD SAFETY CENTER HEBER SPRINGS OFFICE PHOTO HERE]
During the previous year, the Child Safety Center served 50 children from Cleburne County. Each child and family had to travel to the organization’s main office in Searcy, requiring a round trip of approximately 65 miles.
Child Safety Center leaders said reducing travel will remove an additional barrier for families already experiencing an extremely difficult and traumatic situation.
The Heber Springs location will also make it easier for law enforcement, the Arkansas Department of Human Services, medical providers, prosecutors and Child Safety Center staff to coordinate their response.
The new location was made possible through a leadership gift from First Arkansas Bank & Trust. The bank previously donated its former Heber Springs branch to the city, where the building became Heber Springs City Hall.
First Arkansas Bank & Trust President and CEO Keith Collard said the bank believes in investing in the communities it serves and is honored to help provide critical services closer to home.
Ali Sugg, who serves on the boards of both the Child Safety Center and First Arkansas Bank & Trust, said the partnership is focused on putting children first and ensuring local families have access to compassionate care when they need it most.
Child Safety Center Executive Director Darby Gaines said the expansion is about more than opening another office. She said no family should have to drive an hour to receive specialized care following allegations that a child has experienced abuse.
The City of Heber Springs is providing space inside City Hall for the office.
Heber Springs Mayor Kasey Griffin said the partnership demonstrates what can be accomplished when a community works together to protect children. Griffin said the city is proud to welcome the Child Safety Center and help make critical services available to Cleburne County families.
Drew Smith, prosecuting attorney for the 16th Judicial District, said having the services in Heber Springs will allow the local multidisciplinary team to respond more quickly and coordinate more effectively on behalf of child victims.
Individual rooms within the new office were underwritten by ARcare, Baptist Hospital, New Life Church in Heber Springs, Renew Church, First Security Bank, the Miller family and the Gaines family.
The Child Safety Center also thanked the families, businesses, churches and community organizations whose contributions helped make the expansion possible.
A ribbon-cutting ceremony will be held following the completion of construction. Additional information about the ceremony will be announced later.
The new office will be located inside Heber Springs City Hall at 808 West Main Street.
For assistance or additional information, call the Child Safety Center at 501-268-4748 or visit www.childsafetycenter.org.
ABOUT THE CHILD SAFETY CENTER
The Child Safety Center provides a child-friendly, multidisciplinary response to allegations of child abuse throughout White, Cleburne, Jackson and Woodruff counties.
Services include forensic interviews, family advocacy, trauma-focused mental health services, medical coordination, prevention education and partnerships with law enforcement, prosecutors, medical providers and other community agencies.
The organization works to empower children, protect families, restore hope and pursue justice for child victims.
OFFICE INFORMATION
Heber Springs Office:
808 West Main Street
Heber Springs, Arkansas 72543
Opening: Fall 2026
Main Office:
414 Rodgers Drive
Searcy, Arkansas 72143
Telephone: 501-268-4748
Website: www.childsafetycenter.org
Services: Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
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