Click Here to check out our calendar and stay up to date!

Feb 1st-4th - TCFEF Silent Auction on Give Butter App. Click here!

Feb 8th - TCFEF Exhibit at Benton High School Transition Fair! Click Here

Feb 24th - TCFEF Presentation at Laman Library in Little Rock Click Here to follow the library page for more details!

Feb 28th - TCFEF Presentation at Argenta Library in Little Rock Click Here to follow the library page for more details!

Webinar Wednesdays!

Join TCFEF on Wednesdays at 12 PM for presentations and information to help you in your journey advocating for your child, client, or student!

Click Here to access our calendar for dates and topics for Webinar Wednesdays

Click Here to register for all Webinar Wednesdays and get a dedicated link so you can attend when you want!

As the curtains close on a remarkable career, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to Loreena Hegenbart, a true pillar of dedication and excellence. Throughout her (nearly) ten years with TCFEF, Loreena has consistently provided top quality advocacy services to families in North Central and Northwest Arkansas. Loreena’s commitment to her work has been nothing short of inspiring. From the early days of TCFEF to the present moment, she has shown unwavering dedication to her families, helping them to achieve monumental goals toward their child’s special education delivery. Beyond the enthusiastic work ethic, Loreena has been a team player and a source of positive energy within the parent center. She possesses a rare ability to foster collaboration, lifting the spirits of those around her on a regular basis. Always looking on the bright side of life, even when life is handing her lemons in return. Whether faced with challenges or celebrating successes, Loreena has been a steady presence, calm and assuring, always uplifting to family and TCFEF staff alike.

In addition to her professional achievements, Loreena leaves a lasting impact on the organization’s culture. She has been instrumental in mentoring and guiding newer members of the team, imparting valuable knowledge and insights as they learn their way through the parameters of parent mentorship. Loreena’s legacy extends beyond the projects completed; it lives on in the growth and development of the organization as we move forward without her.

To Loreena we express our deepest gratitude and warmest wishes for a retirement filled

with joy, relaxation and of course, new adventures with Eysiah. Thank you, Loreena, for always being a beacon of inspiration, a source of non-ending enthusiasm and a true asset to our organization. May your retirement be as fulfilling and rewarding as the legacy you leave behind.

-Shelby Knight

For parents who may be like me and don't know where to start for Early Intervention Services, I would like to share with you about First Connections. First Connections serves families with children birth to three years old with a delay or disability so they can receive developmental services at home or in the community. First Connections serves the entire state of Arkansas. You can make a referral on their website and they will connect you to an interventionist who will guide you every step of the way. You can also find a developmental checklist to help you work with your child at home and to see if they may qualify for services. The process is different If your child is over the age of three. During your next well- child visit, discuss your concerns with your primary care provider and they can refer you for further testing. Early intervention can change the path to your child’s learning. If you need more information about First Connections, visit their website at https://www.firstconnectionsar.org. 

Para los padres que no saben dónde empezar para obtener los Servicios de Intervención Temprana, me gustaría compartir con ustedes sobre First Connections. First Connections atiende a familias con niños desde el nacimiento hasta los tres años de edad con un retraso o discapacidad para que puedan recibir servicios de desarrollo en el hogar o en la comunidad. First Connections presta servicios en todo el estado de Arkansas. Usted puede solicitar una remisión en su sitio web y lo conectarán con un intervencionista que lo guiará en cada paso del camino. También puede encontrar una lista de verificación del desarrollo de su hijo que le ayudará a trabajar con su hijo en casa y ver si puede calificar para recibir servicios. El proceso es diferente si su hijo tiene más de tres años. Durante su próxima visita de niño sano, hable sobre sus inquietudes con su proveedor de atención primaria y ellos podrá derivarlo para servicios en su área. La intervención temprana puede cambiar el camino hacia el aprendizaje de su hijo. Si necesita más información sobre First Connections, visite su sitio web en https://www.firstconnectionsar.org.

--Candie Corona, Parent Mentor and Hispanic Community Outreach Coordinator, Statewide

I want to thank Loreena Hegenbart for her service ‘with a heart’ over the past years to the

families in Arkansas. I had the privilege of meeting Ms. Loreena 11 + years ago. As a new hire, at that time, with the Arkansas Parent Training and Information Center (PTI), it was intended for me to assist her with PTI training and exhibiting. I can say that I left her presence that day feeling as if I was the one who had been assisted. She is one of those rare paths crossed that remain imbedded in your soul and mind. It has for me been an opportunity of a lifetime to work beside her. I wish you much healthy living, dancing, hiking, and caretaking.

-Karen Lutrick, Southwest and Central Regions

Loreena Hegenbart will be retiring March 31st. She is drafting her parting words to share with everyone for our March newsletter. If you would like to send a personal note for her, you can do so at: PO Box 16125 Jonesboro, AR 72403. We will collect the cards and present them at her retirement event.

Additionally, if you would like to make a donation to TCFEF in Loreena’s honor, you may mail it or donate through Paypal by Clicking Here

The PACER Center is an amazing resource that provides information and support to not only parent training and information centers like TCFEF but also families and other professionals! Of course we encourage families to use information from The Center for Exceptional Families, especially Arkansas specific information, but The PACER Center has hundreds of presentations and printable resources also on many different topics.

Click Here to go to their website and explore!



-Teresa Hendrix, Northeast and Delta Regions

TCFEF would like to Introduce a new member of our team Jerrica Switzer. She will be The Center for Exceptional Families' administrative assistant and will support TCFEF staff plus professionals and families who reach out to us for assistance! Jerrica has lived in Pocahontas AR her whole life and graduated from Pocahontas High School in 2011. She has a 6 year old son who is on the Autism spectrum. She is a huge advocate for children with special needs and disabilities and is so excited to be a part of the TCFEF family. Join us in welcoming her to our team!

Join us February 1st-4th,

for our Cupid's Online Auction!

The auction will go live 10:00 a.m. on February 1st featuring amazing items of every price range including a beautiful Lago's necklace valued at $275! The TCFEF Board of Directors has worked hard to find items of every interest while representing businesses across the state. Click Here to LIKE, FOLLOW, and SHARE our Facebook page so you can get your bid in! The auction link will be live until 4:00 p.m. on February 4th. Funds raised will go to support our parent toolkit project, putting FREE resources into the hands of families across the state.