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June 5, 20250

Arrow’s Crossroads Community in Maryland proudly joined forces with community partners. Supporting the Harford County Sheriff’s Office during the Bel Air 5K Town Run on Sunday, June 1, while also lending a hand to The Humane Society of Harford County. These service opportunities marked a meaningful opportunity for the youth to connect with their community through service and support.

As proud supporters of the communities we serve— which serve us as well— Crossroads Community showed up with heart and purpose. Clients volunteered at the Humane Society, where they spent time caring for animals and offering companionship to the shelter’s furry residents.

Their service didn’t stop there.

The girls turned out in full support of their favorite local heroes, cheering on deputies from the Sheriff’s Special Response Team, including Sgt. Kevin Phillips, who completed the 5K in full tactical gear.

This unique experience gave our youth a chance to give back; while further deepening the relationships they’re building within their community. At Arrow, we believe that strong community ties help create stronger outcomes for the children and families we serve. Events like this are powerful reminders that healing and hope grow through connection, compassion and shared experiences.

We’re grateful to our Harford County partners for welcoming our youth and showing them what community support truly looks like.



June 5, 20250

Arrow is celebrating an incredible achievement by a handful of our youth. Six of our remarkable Arrow students were selected as recipients of the distinguished Michael Cardin Scholarship. The scholarship is awarded annually by the Maryland Association of Nonpublic Special Education Facilities (MANSEF). This honor recognizes students across Maryland who demonstrate exceptional dedication to their goals and significant achievement within nonpublic school settings.

The Michael Cardin Scholarship is a powerful reminder that success takes many forms. These winners exemplify what it means to persevere and thrive.

Our students will be using their scholarships to pursue enrichment opportunities including art camp, technology camp and driver’s education—each experience designed to support their continued growth and independence.

On May 29, these students had the unique honor of receiving their awards from Former U.S. Senator Ben Cardin, namesake of the scholarship and longtime champion for Maryland youth. The ceremony was more than a celebration, it was a testament to the limitless potential within each of our students and the life-changing impact of belief, opportunity and support.

We are incredibly proud of our students for this well-earned achievement and grateful to MANSEF for recognizing their hard work, resilience and bright futures.



June 5, 20250

On Thursday, May 29, Arrow Child & Family Ministries hosted a moving and thought-provoking event to celebrate the official launch of In Their Shoes, a podcast giving voice to the real experiences within the Texas foster care system. offers an unprecedented look into the journey of the children, parents, caseworkers, and officials who are part of this system. This three-episode podcast brings a deeply human perspective to an often dehumanizing system. “In Their Shoes” celebrates the selfless individuals and resilient children striving to create what no bureaucracy can — a family, a sense of belonging and a place to call home.

The evening brought together supporters, partners, advocates and community members interested in learning more—all set against the vibrant backdrop of The Grove in downtown Houston. The event marked a night of meaningful conversation, storytelling and connection. Guests enjoyed drinks, hors d’oeuvres and the kind of honest dialogue that sticks.

At the heart of the event was a dynamic panel featuring three voices with deeply personal ties to foster care and its stories. Leroy Berrones Soto shared powerful reflections on his journey through the system, speaking openly about the pain, growth and perseverance that defined his path. Neveah Jacobson offered insight into what it’s like to age out of care and navigate adulthood without a traditional support system. And Nicolas Lupo, host of In Their Shoes, brought it all together by highlighting the importance of sharing these stories to ignite change.

Arrow’s Scott Batson served as moderator, guiding the conversation with empathy and clarity as the panel explored what’s working, what’s missing and how the community can step in to support youth and families more effectively.

The result? A room full of people leaning in, listening deeply, asking hard questions and walking away inspired to think and act purposely towards filling the gap in foster care.

We’re incredibly grateful to everyone who showed up and showed heart. This launch event wasn’t just the celebration of a podcast—it was the launchpad for more meaningful conversation.

Click here to view the photos from event!



May 29, 20250

Arrow’s Associate VP of Capacity Development, Scott Batson, joined CW39’s Sharron Melton live in studio to highlight Foster Care Awareness Month. Batson emphasized the critical need for foster families in Harris County—and Texas, especially for children with disabilities, older youth, and sibling groups. The segment was an amazing spotlight and provided actionable steps for getting involved. It was a powerful moment of education and advocacy.

WATCH HERE: Arrow’s Scott Batson on CW39



May 21, 20250

Photos & Moments: Inside Arrow’s Uplifting Building Dedication Event

On Monday, May 19, Arrow Child & Family Ministries hosted a joyful and heartfelt building dedication ceremony, honoring longtime supporters George and Laura Pontikes for their unwavering commitment to our mission of Helping Kids & Strengthening Families.

The event brought together an incredible mix of community leaders, partners, and advocates, including Harris County Precinct 4 Commissioner Lesley Briones. Commissioner Briones delivered a powerful speech and presented two official proclamations: one recognizing the work of Arrow, and another celebrating the Pontikes’ remarkable contributions.

The atmosphere was full of warmth and purpose, with meaningful fellowship at the heart of the gathering. The timing of the event — during National Foster Care Awareness Month — was especially poignant, shining a light on the ongoing work to uplift and protect vulnerable children and families.

Arrow’s CEO, Scott Lundy, and members of the Board of Directors were in attendance, making the celebration even more special as leadership, partners and supporters gathered to reflect on the impact of Arrow’s work and the facility that now fully supports it.

The building’s transformation began in 2020, at a time when much of the world was uncertain. But, as Laura Pontikes shared in her remarks, the need to press forward remained clear. Thanks to the efforts of Satterfield & Pontikes, the construction firm co-founded by Laura, and their generous vendor partners, the Arrow headquarters underwent critical renovations to create a space worthy of the mission it serves.

This dedication wasn’t just a celebration of a building, it was a recognition of heart, legacy and vision.

Laura Pontikes, who serves on Arrow’s Board, is a tireless advocate for youth and families. This dedication event served as a powerful reminder of what’s possible when community comes together.

Take a look at some of the memorable moments!!

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April 21, 20250

Maryland foster children placed in hotels or left to linger in hospitals for days or weeks when no other options are available may soon see some relief.

Legislation passed by the Maryland General Assembly has child welfare advocates cautiously optimistic about efforts to increase options for children housed in hotels, office buildings, hospitals and other temporary settings when home isn’t safe.

“While it may not achieve every single thing we wanted, it’s lit a light — there’s some accountability,” said Judith Schagrin, a social worker who spent 20 years as the administrator of Baltimore County’s foster care program. “The workforce is poised to do the work that should have been done long ago, which is to look at the needs of children contrasted with our placement capacity.”

A bipartisan measure, sponsored by Sen. Pamela Beidle, Del. Joseline Peña-Melnyk and more than a dozen delegates, seeks to improve care and create a group to look at what’s needed to support the children who can’t return home. The bill passed at the end of the legislative session and now heads to Gov. Wes Moore’s desk.

The bill requires the Maryland Department of Health and the Department of Human Services to work together to ensure that people younger than 22 who are stuck waiting in hospital emergency rooms or inpatient units for more than 48 hours after being medically cleared to leave, also known as pediatric hospital overstay patients, head to the least restrictive settings possible for treatment.

Hospitals can explore placements both in Maryland and out of the state to find the least restrictive setting for these children, who can remain there for more than 48 hours after getting cleared to leave due to aggressive or sexually reactive behaviors, developmental disabilities or autism with psychiatric features or because they’re too old or young for available out-of-home placements.

Those patients, many of whom are waiting for placement in foster homes or treatment centers, face isolation, missing school and opportunities to get outdoors, according to bill testimony from the Maryland Hospital Association.

Keeping children who are medically cleared to leave in hospital beds can also prevent facilities from accepting patients who do have medical needs.

The Johns Hopkins Children’s Center in Baltimore, the only pediatric trauma center in Maryland, denied admission to 218 children in need of medical care last year due to the lack of available beds, Michael Huber, director of Maryland government affairs for Johns Hopkins University & Medicine, wrote in testimony to support the initial legislation.

Under the bill, the health and human services departments will need to have a pediatric hospital overstay coordinator to advocate for the child and their care. The coordinator is tasked with reviewing state agencies’ policies and procedures to make recommendations to improve care, as well as maintaining data on each patient.

The measure also mandates a 15-member workgroup, composed of people who have backgrounds working with children with behavioral health challenges, adverse childhood experiences and developmental disabilities, to assess and make recommendations on children in unlicensed settings and hospital overstays.

Children in unlicensed settings are those under age 21 in an out-of-home care placement who live in hotels, office buildings, shelters or other unlicensed settings that aren’t foster homes or treatment centers. It does not include people under 21 who receive self-independent living stipends or live with kin awaiting placement.

Long hospital, hotel stays drop

Housing foster children in hotels comes when no other options remain. The practice comes at a high price — DHS estimated that it costs about $1,400 per child per day for food, shelter, caregiving and more, according to figures in a Department of Legislative Services analysis of the agency’s budget.

However, one of DHS’s top priorities is working to bring the number of children living in hotels and hospitals down to zero, and the number of foster children housed in those settings has decreased.

As of April 10, there were 12 foster youth in hospitals, and as of Wednesday, there were 14 foster youth housed in hotels — figures gathered from manual calculations based on reports from hospitals and local offices, said DHS spokesperson Lillian Price. The numbers have dropped since Feb. 6, when there were 16 children in hospitals and 28 children in hotels.

“We do not believe that a hospital or hotel stay is acceptable for any child, and will continue to work on addressing this challenge,” Price said in a statement. “We are meeting with our partner state agencies and hospitals weekly and have taken steps to limit the number of youth who experience hospital overstays. This administration is committed to addressing the systemic gaps and increasing communication and collaboration.”

‘A positive direction’

Members of the Coalition to Protect Maryland’s Children, which advocates for child welfare reform, were pleased with the increased awareness of housing foster children in unlicensed settings among lawmakers this year, but are remaining realistic about what can be accomplished.

“I’m glad there’s more attention, I’m glad that there’s some movement in a positive direction,” said Robert Basler, associate vice president of Arrow Child & Family Ministries, which provides foster care and community-based services. “But we need to see what happens, because no real changes have happened yet.”

Group members, to include state secretaries or representatives from MDH, DHS and the Department of Juvenile Services, will be tasked with looking at the number, type and cost of additional beds and supportive services that are needed to place all children in hospital overstays and unlicensed settings in the least restrictive environments.

“People that aren’t in this kind of area, in this space, don’t understand how important it is to have a lot of people at the table from different areas because one group can’t solve it,” said Erica LeMon, advocacy director for children’s rights at Maryland Legal Aid.

The workgroup will also create a resource development plan to increase the number of licensed settings and end the use of pediatric overstays and unlicensed settings, as well as a data-informed implementation plan and a timeline for when placing children in unlicensed settings will end.

Jennifer Stine, executive director of Court Appointed Special Advocates of Baltimore County, said she was initially frustrated by the workgroup and had instead wanted a bill to resolve some of the longstanding issues. But having state agencies come together is also important, she said.

“I’m cautiously optimistic that at the very least, a report could say that each agency, everyone has a part in it, and that at least the next steps will include everyone doing something about it,” Stine said.

But solving the problems afflicting older foster youth is not simple.

“They are difficult, they are complex and it’s not just one solution,” LeMon said. “The solution today might not be the solution tomorrow, so it’s not an easy fix.”

Aside from foster placements, treatment and other resources, providing funding matters, too. Being able to adequately finance the foster care system, especially for children with more complex needs, is “vital” for placing them in the most suitable homes, said Basler of Arrow Child & Family Ministries.

However, the final fiscal 2026 budget passed by the General Assembly restricts $500,000 in funding for the Social Services Administration until DHS provides a report to the legislature’s budget committees with data on children in hospital and hotel stays, as well as children in out-of-home placements. The report is due Nov. 1.

Withholding that funding pending receipt of a report with data to show how widespread the problem is in Maryland is a positive outcome, and helps to hold DHS accountable, said Diana Philip, coordinator and consultant for the Coalition to Protect Maryland’s Children.

“We’re going to have to be creative in ways to meet complex kids’ needs, and as a system — and I include all of us providers to this as well — we have not been good at doing that,” Basler said. “If we’re going to solve this problem, we’re going to have to be creative, be flexible, and trust one another to make significant changes happen.”


Click Here to View Orginial Article


April 1, 20250

At Arrow Child & Family Ministries, we believe every child deserves a safe, loving home — and the Shelton family is a shining example of what that dream can look like when it becomes reality.

After opening their hearts and home through foster care, the Sheltons embraced the opportunity to care for a child in need. Their journey was one marked by patience, compassion, and unwavering commitment. And recently, that journey reached a beautiful milestone: they finalized the adoption of their child, officially creating a forever family.

Moments like this are powerful reminders of why our mission matters. Behind every placement is a child seeking love and security — and behind every success story is a family willing to say “yes.” We celebrate the Shelton family and their incredible dedication to helping a child grow, heal, and thrive in a home filled with love.

To the Sheltons and all our foster and adoptive families — thank you for making forever possible.



April 1, 20250

Tangram recently had the joy of celebrating Autism Awareness Day alongside the Towson University Men’s Basketball team, creating an unforgettable experience filled with energy, unity, and community spirit.

Students supported by Tangram were invited to attend the game, thanks to the incredible generosity of Michael K. Gathagan and the Towson Men’s Basketball team. Their thoughtful contribution made it possible for more of our families to participate, turning a great day into a truly meaningful one.

The event not only gave students a chance to enjoy a thrilling game, but also brought awareness to an important cause that touches many lives. We are proud to have been part of such a vibrant and inclusive atmosphere, and we’re grateful to Towson for making space for community and compassion on and off the court.

Together, we celebrated more than basketball—we celebrated connection, understanding, and the power of coming together in support of Autism Awareness.



April 1, 20250

Our new sign is more than just a physical marker — it’s a powerful symbol of growth, transformation, and the ongoing evolution of Arrow Child & Family Ministries. As we continue to expand our impact across the community, this sign stands as a visual reminder of who we are, what we stand for, and the hope we strive to bring to every child and family we serve.

From the initial concept to final installation, we carefully considered each detail to ensure the sign clearly represents our organization’s identity and mission. Its placement and design were strategically chosen to increase visibility, making it easier for families, partners, and community members to locate and engage with Arrow. As we move forward, this sign will play an essential role in our outreach, helping us connect more effectively with those who seek our support and services. 💙

Watch the time-lapse of the installation here!