The ARKGroup (Adults Relating to Kids)

Since its inception in 1992, the ARK (Adults Relating to Kids) Group has been on a mission to improve relationships and build healthy environments through the understanding and application of unconditional love. ARK is a 501(c)(3) non-profit that offers a variety of programs for a diverse list of demographic groups with its flagship programs being ARK for Parents and ARK for Teachers.

ARK programs, which also include curriculums for teens, college students and other groups, are research-based, stemming from a study conducted in partnership with the University of Texas School of Public Health. This ground-breaking study revealed a new paradigm for building the self-concept of a child. Rather than being a product of performance, healthy self-esteem is primarily generated by a child receiving unconditional love from an adult (parent, teacher, counselor, etc.) who is central in the child's life. ARK programs were founded and designed based on this principle. Our 3 most popular programs in the DFW area are:

ARK FOR PARENTS & CAREGIVERS: This ARK program (available in English and Spanish) empowers parents and other adult caregivers to develop "love-based" rather than "fear-based" relationships within their families. The program provides a parenting skill-set that allows families to break the cycle of uninformed (and, in some cases, abusive) parenting and enables children to acquire a positive self-concept. Parents learn how to discipline behavior while still affirming the worth of the child.

FREE ARK TRAINING FOR FOSTER CARE PROVIDERS and DFPS Case Workers: 

The Texas Health and Human Services report indicates there were 22,738 licensed foster home beds and 3,150 RTC (Residential Treatment Center) beds in the state on the last day of February 2022. That number equates to around 26,000 foster children in Texas. The average age is eight years old. Because we care deeply about the outcomes of these precious children, The ARKGroup is offering to raise the necessary funds to pay for the pro bono implementation of ARK for Parents and Caregivers among foster care providers and DFPS case workers. On behalf of the children, thank you for your generous support of this life-changing foster care initiative!

 The outcomes for foster children is not good. Twenty percent of our federal prison population are foster kids. Almost half of them do not finish high school. They are four times more likely to develop drug and alcohol problems as are other children. Foster care provider training is needed to prepare these children emotionally for entry into the outside world.

 At present, the training for foster care providers in Texas does not include a parenting course. The ARKGroup is working with TDFP officials in Dallas and Houston, offering our “ARK for Parents and Caregivers” parenting course  pro bono to all child care providers in the two regions.  We have signed MOU's with Region 6 as well as Our Community Our Kids in Region 3 and are in the process of finalizing an MOU with Empower also in Region 3.  The initiative has been incredibly successful thus far and is gaining momentum every day. Please see the "Evaluations" tab in this section next to "About".  Our research- based course has won the “Texas Governor’s Award for Program Excellence” and helps adults nurture the emotional health of their children.

 

Our Needs

Because we care deeply about the outcomes of these precious children, The ARKGroup is offering to raise the necessary funds to pay for the pro bono implementation of ARK for Parents and Caregivers among foster care providers. On behalf of the children, thank you for your generous support of this life-changing foster care an unification initiative!