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April 10, 20250

The Power of Adoption: A Heartwarming Arrow Family Story

In March 2025, the inspiring journey of one incredible Arrow family was shared with the Houston community on KHOU 11. Their story is a beautiful reminder of the power of love, family, and the life-changing impact of adoption.

Licensed through Arrow Child & Family Ministries, this amazing family opened their hearts and home to twin sisters, Malaina and Alaina. What began as a foster placement soon became a forever bond, and in August 2021, they officially became a family.

At Arrow, we believe every child deserves stability, love, and a place to call home. Stories like this highlight the importance of dedicated foster and adoptive families, and we are honored to play a role in helping children transition into safe, loving environments.

Watch their full story here: KHOU 11 Feature

💙 Interested in making a difference? Visit the Get Involved section on the Arrow website!



April 10, 20250

At Arrow, our mission has always been clear: “Helping Kids & Strengthening Families.” Arrow has served children and families in Maryland since 1997 through critical services, including special education, community-based services, treatment foster care, and residential intervention. With more than 300 employees and outreach spanning all 24 Maryland jurisdictions, our work impacts the lives of approximately 500 children and families.

Recently, a dedicated team from Arrow—including Robert Basler, Susan McLendon, Adrienne, and Jennifer McGlothlin-Renault—traveled to Annapolis to meet with legislators. They advocated for essential services that directly impact the children and families we serve.

The Issues: 

  • Access to Special Education Services: Proposed changes to the Nonpublic School Funding Formula would shift more financial responsibility onto local school systems. This could make it harder for families to access specialized educational placements for their children.
  • Staffing Shortages in Education & Social Work: Maryland struggles to attract and retain teachers and social workers, especially for high-need populations.
  • Limited Foster Care Resources: Funding foster parent stipends and social worker salaries has not kept pace with the rising costs of caring for youth with complex needs, delaying placements for children in need of stable homes.
  • Youth Staying in Hotels: A shortage of foster homes and residential care options has led to youth in the Department of Human Services being housed in hotels, a temporary and inadequate solution.

Arrow’s Legislative Push: 

  • Support Teacher & Social Worker License Mobility (HB118 & HB345,SB174) These bills provide details on interstate mobility of teacher and social worker licenses, respectively. This can help to attract more qualified professionals to Maryland, strengthening the workforce serving vulnerable youth. 
  • Support Legislation that Helps Foster Youth Success Bills such as HB1057 & SB0833 aim to provide childcare stipends for foster families. Also, HB1121 & SB0687 childcare scholarships for youth transitioning out of foster care.
  • Preserve the 70/30% Nonpublic School Funding Formula to ensure families can continue accessing specialized education for their children without additional burdens on local schools.
  • Fully Fund Treatment Foster Care Programs through the Quality Services Reform Initiative to increase foster parent stipends and social worker salaries, improving placement rates for children in need.
  • Invest in Solutions for Youth in Hotels by supporting Governor Moore’s SSA budget, which promotes collaboration between child welfare, behavioral health, and service providers to find better housing and care options.

Continuing the Fight for Maryland’s Children 

Arrow’s trip to Annapolis reinforced the power of advocacy. Their visit came at a pivotal time, as budget discussions and policy changes threaten to create new challenges for vulnerable populations.

By standing together and speaking out for the needs of children and families, we can drive real change. Involvement in meetings like these, will continue to shape policies that support the well-being of Maryland’s most vulnerable youth.

We thank our team for their dedication and our legislative partners for their support!



April 10, 20250

Excitement filled the Arrow Crossroads Community as Barakat and Maxx proudly earned their driver’s license—a meaningful step toward independence and opportunity. After months of hard work and preparation, they passed their driving test and received the keys to their very first car. This achievement marks the beginning of a new journey, filled with freedom, growth, and endless possibilities.



April 10, 20250

We were recently featured on KSBJ to share how Arrow is making a difference in the lives of children and families. It was a great opportunity to highlight our mission, impact, and the heart behind what we do.

 

🎧 Listen to the full segment here: https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://pds.cdnstream1.com/p/HMG/ksbj-community-beat-for-fd3e70/arrow-child-family-minis-9c79d7/audio.mp3__;!!BUv7mtNoFXxd!C9xPx8Y7pLbv8gOYw5mdr8fPnFw2GZXunR2aWQ340yFjAsE1khrnb1bErmaygbhlQTGLG7CNAfnPmA$



April 10, 20250

Arrow’s Crossroads Community recently participated in a powerful and uplifting Expressive Therapy Group session that left a lasting impact on everyone involved. This unique experience provided participants with the opportunity to explore their emotions and connect with one another through creative expression. The session incorporated a blend of music, casual conversation, and arts & crafts—each element designed to promote self-awareness, emotional healing, and a sense of community.

Music played a central role in the session, setting a soothing and welcoming tone that encouraged participants to relax and open up. Whether through singing along, tapping rhythms, or simply listening, the group was able to use music as a tool for emotional release and shared experience. Casual small talk also helped foster deeper connections among group members, creating a safe space where individuals felt comfortable expressing themselves without fear of judgment.

The arts & crafts portion of the session was particularly impactful. Participants were given the chance to explore different materials and techniques, resulting in personal and meaningful creations. These creative projects provided a non-verbal outlet for emotions that might be difficult to articulate, allowing individuals to reflect on their feelings in a hands-on and therapeutic way. For some, this was a moment of calm; for others, it was a step toward healing.

Throughout the session, the emphasis remained on self-expression, connection, and creative freedom. It was a reminder that healing can come in many forms, and sometimes the most meaningful breakthroughs happen not through words, but through the act of creating. Arrow’s Crossroads Community continues to prioritize these kinds of holistic and engaging experiences, knowing that expressive therapy not only nurtures emotional well-being but also strengthens bonds and fosters a deeper sense of belonging.