David Terrell earned his bachelor’s degree in politics from the prestigious University of the South in Sewanee, Tennessee, before returning home to Arkansas to bring his heart’s passion to help children through his work. David has immersed himself in the research and practices of poverty, its causes, multigenerational impacts, and the chronic stresses that impact the whole child. While at Arkansas’ Division of Children and Family Services (DCFS), he provided hands-on support to families in the Child Welfare System. Now at DESE’s Engagement Unit, he serves as Foster Care Liaison and Program Advisor to the regions in Arkansas through coaching, support, and programming strategies for family and community engagement. Through the unit, he publishes a quarterly newsletter that provides success stories, topics, resources, and news to district and school personnel involved in family and community engagement in Arkansas.