First Step Arkansas

Last night, we had the privilege of celebrating our employees who have dedicated 20 or more years of service to First Step.

An incredible 67 employees were recognized, representing a combined 1,659 years of service to the individuals and families we support.

We were honored to recognize:

* Debbie Meeks for an outstanding 35 years of service, making her our longest-tenured employee.
* Beth Moix, our first client employee to reach the remarkable 20-year milestone.
* Lisa Brown and Cindy Davis for each achieving 30 years of dedicated service.

These individuals represent the heart of First Step’s mission. Their commitment, compassion, and dedication have made a lasting impact on thousands of lives across Arkansas. We are grateful for their service and proud to celebrate the difference they make every day.

Since 1958, First Step has been changing lives—and it is employees like these who make that possible. ❤️

Thank you to Simmons Bank for helping support our local initiatives and investing in the work happening in our community. We are grateful for your partnership and continued commitment to making a difference. Proud to celebrate this check presentation and the impact it will help create!

We had a great time hosting the Summit PASSE group this week to discuss and tour our programs. We appreciate the opportunity to partner together to make DD services stronger and continue creating meaningful opportunities for the individuals we serve every day. Thank you for taking the time to learn more about the work happening at First Step!

Special shout out to our friends at Cajun Boilers for the outstanding lunch and service!

How Does Therapy Work for Infants and Toddlers?

Even the youngest children benefit from early support.
Therapy for infants and toddlers is:
• Play-based and gentle
• Focused on daily routines like eating, playing, and sleeping
• Designed with parents in mind
• Proven to build strong foundations for growth

Learn what early therapy can look like:
🌐 www.firststeparkansas.com

We are proud to welcome these amazing graduates into the adult program at First Step! 💙🎓

We are honored to partner with schools across our service area to help support students with disabilities as they transition from high school into adulthood and the next phase of their journey.

High school may be ending, but their journey is just beginning. We cannot wait to watch them continue to grow, build friendships, gain independence, and thrive in this next chapter of life.

Congratulations graduates — your future is bright, and we are so excited to be part of it! ✨

🎨 How Art Therapy Can Help Children Express Themselves

When words are hard to find, creativity can open doors.
Art therapy supports children by:
• Reducing anxiety and stress
• Encouraging emotional expression
• Improving focus and fine motor skills
• Building confidence and trust

Read how it works:
🌐 www.firststeparkansas.com

Jacob’s journey is proof that the right support changes everything.

Through First Step’s special needs education program, he’s thriving in the classroom — learning, growing, and gaining confidence every day. 💙