The Center for Exceptional Families

Bridge & Bloom Summer Day Camp
2025-06-28 13:00 - 16:00, 2025-07-05 13:00 - 16:00, 2025-07-12 13:00 - 16:00, 2025-07-19 13:00 - 16:00, 2025-07-26 13:00 - 15:30, 2025-07-31 17:00 - 19:00, 2025-08-01 06:00 - 20:00 (America/Chicago)
Come join us for a free day camp for adults (18+) with intellectual disabilities. The camp will be providing a fun and supportive environment to explore new hobbies and activities. Every week activities will be offered that explore something new including arts, music, sports, cooking, and more!
Every Saturday starting June 28th through July 26th from 1-4 pm
then Thursday July 31st from 5-7 pm
and Friday August 1st from 6-8 pm

Sensory Cinema
2025-07-19 09:30 - 11:30 | Malco Towne Cinema, 2407 E Parker Rd, Jonesboro, AR, 72401, United States
Join TCFEF for Sensory Cinema for Smurfs or Superman! Tickets are $8.68 each cash including tax and can be paid upon arrival. Ticket prices do not include concession, but concession can be purchased separately. Adults with disabilities living in community or group homes are FREE! Thank you to our amazing sponsors KidSPOT, Cynergy, Myers-Davis, and Miracle Kids!

Sensory Cinema
2025-07-19 09:30 - 11:30 | Malco Cinema Fort Smith, 1200 S. Waldron Suite 140, Fort Smith, AR, 72903, United States
Join TCFEF for Fort Smith’s first Sensory Cinema for Smurfs or Superman! Tickets are $8.00 each cash including tax and can be paid upon arrival. Ticket prices do not include concession, but concession can be purchased separately. Adults with disabilities living in community or group homes are FREE! Thank you to our amazing sponsors KidSPOT, Cynergy, Myers-Davis, and Miracle Kids!

West Memphis Area Alumnae Chapter’s Annual Back to School event
2025-07-19 10:00 - 14:30 | ASU Mid-South, 2000 W. Broadway, West Memphis, AR, 72301, United States
Come visit our TCFEF booth at the West Memphis Annual Back to School event! If you student is present with you they can receive a free backpack while supplies last. There will be bounce houses, food, health resources, and school supplies offered along with many other resources! You don’t want to miss out!!!

Arkansas School Behavior Conference
2025-07-23 07:30 - 15:30 | Benton Civic Center, 17322 I-30, North Benton, AR, 72019, United States
Come visit our exhibit table and say hello to Parent Mentor Karen Lutrick. We will have information about the supports that TCFEF offers families along with Independent Futures That Works (IFTW) for your students that are starting to plan for after high school graduation.

Community Fest 2025
2025-07-26 10:00 - 14:00 | Harmony Gardens, 4517 E Parker Rd, Jonesboro, AR, 72404, United States
Come join us at the Ag for Autism Community Fest!! They will be awarding grants, connecting families with tons of local resources, and much more! Vendor Booths will be set up, Bounce houses and food truck will also be available. This event is FREE!!

Webinar Wednesday
2025-07-30 18:00 - 19:00 | Online, AR, United States
Come join Parent Mentor Karen Lutrick to learn an overview about Independent Futures That Works – state and national resources for individuals with a disability transitioning to independent living, working and learning.

TCFEF Board Meeting
2025-07-31 16:00 - 17:00, 2025-08-28 16:00 - 17:00, 2025-09-25 16:00 - 17:00 | Online, AR, United States

TCFEF Staff Training
2025-08-07 08:00 - 16:00 | Central Baptist Church, 3707 Harrisburg Rd, Jonesboro, AR, 72404, United States
Staff from across the state will be coming together for one day of trainings, and meetings.

Teen Hangout
2025-08-11 19:00 - 20:00, 2025-09-08 19:00 - 20:00 | Online, AR, United States
Come join TCFEF as we host a virtual hangout for teens and young adults with disabilities on Discord. This virtual hangout will be moderated by a parent mentor from our team, and a young adult with a disability. There will be games, a gift card drawing, and information about transitioning to adulthood each month.

Webinar Wednesday
2025-08-27 18:00 - 19:00 | Online, AR, United States
Come join Parent Mentor Karen Lutrick to learn all about Youth Transition Assessments .

AIM Fest
2025-09-06 10:00 - 13:00 | Grace Point Church, 1201 Mccollum Dr, Bentonville, AR, 72712, United States
Come join us at AIM Fest and stop by our table to visit with Tiffany Slone, our NWA Parent Mentor!
Autism Involves Me is proud to host our annual AIM Fest. This special day is filled with fun for all ages, featuring live entertainment, interactive games, a community resource fair, and delicious eats from local food trucks. With plenty of sensory-friendly experiences, AIM Fest creates an inclusive and welcoming environment where families can connect, children can play, and our community can come together in support and celebration.

Lunch and Learn
2025-09-12 11:00 - 13:00
Parent Mentor Teresa Hendrix will be hosting a Lunch and Learn with Empower in Jonesboro.

Learn about TCFEF
2025-09-15 08:00 - 17:00 | William Baptist College, 60 W Fulbright St, Walnut Ridge, 72476, United States
Our team including Shelby Knight, director, and Teresa Hendrix, parent mentor, will be presenting at Williams Baptist College. They will be presenting our TCFEF Presentation explaining everything our organization does and what it takes for us to help families throughout the state of Arkansas.

Webinar Wednesday
2025-09-24 18:00 - 19:00 | Online, AR, United States
Come join Parent Mentor Karen Lutrick to learn all about Self Advocacy.

Sensory Cinema
2025-09-27 09:30 - 11:00
***SHOWING IN JONESBORO & VAN BUREN***
Our Sensory Cinema movie of the month will be Gabby’s Dollhouse ! Bring the whole family for a fun morning with The Center For Exceptional Families.

Cost: $8.00 plus tax—CASH ONLY

LEA Academy 2025
2025-10-02 08:30 - 2025-10-03 12:00 | Hot Springs Convention Center, 134 Convention Blvd, Hot Springs, AR, 71901, United States
Come find and stop by the TCFEF table. You will have the opportunity to meet and talk with Parent Mentors Teresa Hendrix, Karen Lutrick, and Keith Watson, along with our Director Shelby Knight. You will have the opportunity to pick up handouts to take back to your schools to share with staff and families, along with learning how our organization can help support your school and the parents that attend.

October 2-3, 2025
Hot Springs Convention Center

Thursday 8:30 am-3:45 pm

Friday 8:30 am–noon

Teen Hangout
2025-10-07 18:00 - 19:00 | Online, AR, United States
Come join TCFEF as we host a virtual hangout for teens and young adults with disabilities. This virtual hangout will be moderated by a parent mentor from our team, and a young adult with a disability.

What is the hangout? A fun space to connect, learn, and build real-life skills for transitioning into adulthood with a disability.

What We Do

Short skill sessions on real-life topics that help transition to adulthood.

Time to meet new friends, participate in activities, and share experiences.

$15 Amazon Gift Card giveaway at every meeting!

When: Every other Tuesday at 6:00 PM (Central)
First Meeting: Tuesday, October 7, 2025

Join Here: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89099134976…

(Meeting ID: 890 9913 4976 | Passcode: [REDACTED]

Step Up for Down Syndrome 2025
2025-10-11 13:00 - 16:00 | The Jones Center, 922 E. Emma Ave, Springdale, AR, 72764, United States
Come spend your Saturday afternoon with us at the Step Up For Down Syndrome Fundraiser! There is tons of fun to be had for the whole family with an Art Show, Inflatables, Characters to visit with, a DJ and Dancing, long with great snacks and games to be played.
500 drawstring backpacks with goodies and handouts will be handed out at check in while supplies last.
Tickets: Pre-Purchase at www.dscnwa.org/stepup or Purchase tickets at the door.
Pricing:
Ages 13+: $15
Ages 2-12: $10
Under 2: Free

Sensory Cinema
2025-10-14 00:00
Join us for Sensory Cinema on November 29th at 9:30 at the Malco Towne Theater in Jonesboro and The Malco in Van Buren! Tickets are $8.68 cash only when you arrive, and concessions are available for sale. Adults with disabilities living in group or residential homes get FREE admission!
November’s movie will be: Zootopia 2!
Show starts at 9:30 we skip the previews and jump right into the movieCash Only upon entry. Concessions are available to purchase Showing at The Jonesboro Malco on Parker Rd & The Malco in Van Buren

TCFEF Parent Toolkit Training
2025-10-16 10:00 - 11:30 | Forrest City Public Libary, 421 S. Washington St, Forrest City, AR, 72335, United States
📣 Join Parent Mentor Keith Watson for a special TCFEF Training!Keith will introduce the Parent Toolkit, an exciting initiative created by the The Center For Exceptional Families (TCFEF) and funded through generous grants and donors.
The Parent Toolkit was designed to help parents and caregivers of students with disabilities stay organized and confident during IEP and 504 meetings. Each FREE toolkit includes a 3-ring binder, page dividers, labels, IEP/504 information, and more—everything you need to keep important documents and resources at your fingertips.
Learn how this toolkit is empowering families across Arkansas to better advocate for their children and access the support they deserve!
Target Audience: Parents and Community Groups
Age range covered: 0-26 years old
