Arkansas

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Strategy Name Strategy Type(s) Year Funding Amount Funding Source Features at a Glance
Arkansas Better Chance Program
Created in 1991, the Arkansas Better Chance Program (ABC) provides targeted, high-quality care for children from birth to age five who exhibit developmental and/or socioeconomic risk factors. In 2003, this initiative expanded to include the Arkansas Better Chance for School Success (ABCSS), which folded in a set of legislation aiming to support 3- and 4-year-old children in households experiencing poverty (up to 200% of the federal poverty level.) ABC/ABCSS includes center-based programs, home visiting programs, and family child care programs. As of 2022, the program serves 29% of the state’s 4-year-olds and 17% of the state’s 3-year-olds. Learn More: arkansas Better CHance Program Sources:Arkansas Better Beginnings. (n.d.). Arkansas Better Chance.National Institute for Early Education Research. (2023). Arkansas.Arkansas Division of Elementary and Secondary Education. (n.d.). Arkansas Better Chance Program.
  • Expansion
    • Public Pre-K
      • Targeted Pre-K Policy (3-Year-Olds)
        • Targeted Pre-K Policy (4-Year-Olds)
      		 1991
      State-Funded Pre-K
      • Percentage of 4-year-olds enrolled: 29%
      • Percentage of 3-year-olds enrolled: 17%
      • Hours of operation: 7 hrs/day; 5 days/wk
      Created in 1991, the Arkansas Better Chance Program (ABC) provides targeted, high-quality care for children from birth to age five who exhibit developmental and/or socioeconomic risk factors. In 2003, this initiative expanded to include the Arkansas Better Chance for School Success (ABCSS), which folded in a set of legislation aiming to support 3- and 4-year-old children in households experiencing poverty (up to 200% of the federal poverty level.) ABC/ABCSS includes center-based programs, home visiting programs, and family child care programs. As of 2022, the program serves 29% of the state’s 4-year-olds and 17% of the state’s 3-year-olds. Learn More: arkansas Better CHance Program Sources:Arkansas Better Beginnings. (n.d.). Arkansas Better Chance.National Institute for Early Education Research. (2023). Arkansas.Arkansas Division of Elementary and Secondary Education. (n.d.). Arkansas Better Chance Program.
      Arkansas Early Childhood Asset Map (AECAM)
      The Arkansas Early Childhood Asset Map, launched in 2020 by the Arkansas Department of Human Services (DHS), Division of Child Care and Early Childhood Education, is a data visualization tool. It provides program information for public use on early childhood services as captured in the state’s annual “Getting Ready for School” publication. The map includes information on special nutrition programs, Arkansas Better Chance programs, Head Start programs, child care vouchers, and Better Beginnings programs. Supported by a state-university partnership, the map is housed at the Arkansas Economic Development Institute at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock and funded by the DHS. Learn more: Arkansas Early Childhood Asset Map
      • Infrastructure to Support Early Childhood Systems
        • Data Systems
        		 2020
        Arkansas Department of Human Services
        State-university partnership data visualization tool
        The Arkansas Early Childhood Asset Map, launched in 2020 by the Arkansas Department of Human Services (DHS), Division of Child Care and Early Childhood Education, is a data visualization tool. It provides program information for public use on early childhood services as captured in the state’s annual “Getting Ready for School” publication. The map includes information on special nutrition programs, Arkansas Better Chance programs, Head Start programs, child care vouchers, and Better Beginnings programs. Supported by a state-university partnership, the map is housed at the Arkansas Economic Development Institute at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock and funded by the DHS. Learn more: Arkansas Early Childhood Asset Map
        Child Care Assistance for Child Care Providers 
        In January 2024, the Arkansas Department of Education (ADE)’s Office of Early Childhood began allowing child care workers employed in a licensed or registered child care or early childhood facility to qualify for the state's Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP), regardless of their income. The department also expanded CCAP eligibility to foster parents who become adoptive parents.   The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services—which administers more than $100 million each year in CCDBG funding to support child care assistance for low-income Arkansas families who work—had to approve ADE’s request for a waiver to allow the two groups to participate in the state’s CCAP.  To be eligible, child care workers must work for one of 1,400 programs that participate in the Child Care Assistance Program.   learn more: child care assistance for child care providers Sources: Arkansas Advocates for Children & Families. (2024). Administrative Win for the Child Care Workforce. Arkansas Department of Education. (2024). Arkansas Expands Child Care Assistance Program to Early Child Care Employees, Adoptive Parents.
        • Workforce
          • Benefits
          		 2024
          Arkansas Department of Education (ADE)’s Office of Early Childhood began allowing child care workers employed in a licensed or registered child care or early childhood facility to qualify for the state’s Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP), regardless of their income
          In January 2024, the Arkansas Department of Education (ADE)’s Office of Early Childhood began allowing child care workers employed in a licensed or registered child care or early childhood facility to qualify for the state's Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP), regardless of their income. The department also expanded CCAP eligibility to foster parents who become adoptive parents.   The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services—which administers more than $100 million each year in CCDBG funding to support child care assistance for low-income Arkansas families who work—had to approve ADE’s request for a waiver to allow the two groups to participate in the state’s CCAP.  To be eligible, child care workers must work for one of 1,400 programs that participate in the Child Care Assistance Program.   learn more: child care assistance for child care providers Sources: Arkansas Advocates for Children & Families. (2024). Administrative Win for the Child Care Workforce. Arkansas Department of Education. (2024). Arkansas Expands Child Care Assistance Program to Early Child Care Employees, Adoptive Parents.
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          Demographics Link copied!

          Demographics Data Scorecard

          State population

          3,045,637 Source U.S. Census, 2022

          Rural %

          44.5% Source U.S. Census, 2020

          Urban %

          55.5% Source U.S. Census, 2020

          Number of children 0–4

          181,560 Source KIDS COUNT, 2021

          Poverty levels - children 0—8 below 200% poverty

          53% Source KIDS COUNT, 2021

          Median family income among households with children

          $63,700.00 Source KIDS COUNT, 2021

          Unemployment rate

          3.3% Source U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, June 2024

          Unemployment rate of parents

          4% Source KIDS COUNT, 2021

          Children under age 6 with all available parents in the labor force

          67% Source KIDS COUNT, 2021

          Children living in households with a high housing cost burden

          25% Source KIDS COUNT, 2021

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          Child Population by Race and Ethnicity Source KIDS COUNT, 2021

          Race and Ethnicity

          • American Indian and Alaska Native (1%)
          • Asian (2%)
          • Black or African American (18%)
          • Hispanic or Latino (13%)
          • Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander (1%)
          • Two or more races (4%)
          • White, not Hispanic or Latino (62%)
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          Year 2023 2022 2021 2020 2019
          Governor R R R R R
          State House R R R R R
          State Senate R R R R R
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          Early Childhood Education Programs Link copied!

          Early Childhood Education Programs

          Program Name Program Length* Universal or Targeted Pre-K Policy State Spending Per Child
          Arkansas Better Chance (ABC) Source: NIEER 2023 Targeted Pre-K Policy (3- and 4-year-olds) Source: NIEER 2023
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          3-Year-Olds Enrolled in Early Childhood Education Programs NIEER 2023

          Programs

          • Percent of 3-Year-Old Children Enrolled in Public Pre-K
          • Percent of 3-Year-Old Children Enrolled in Head Start
          • Percent of 3-Year-Old Children Enrolled in Special Education
          • Percent of 3-Year-Old Children Enrolled in Other/None
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          4-Year-Olds Enrolled in Early Childhood Education Programs NIEER 2023

          Programs

          • Percent of 4-Year-Old Children Enrolled in Public Pre-K
          • Percent of 4-Year-Old Children Enrolled in Head Start
          • Percent of 4-Year-Old Children Enrolled in Special Education
          • Percent of 4-Year-Old Children Enrolled in Other/None
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          Workforce Link copied!

          2017–2019 Median Hourly Wages Source CSCCE 2018,2020

          Role

          • Child Care Workers
            $9.75 (2017, adjusted)
            $9.80 (2019)
          • Preschool Teachers
            $14.91 (2017, adjusted)
            $14.34 (2019)
          • Preschool or Child Care Center Directors
            $20.86 (2017, adjusted)
            $18.52 (2019)
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          Funding Sources Link copied!

          Federal and State Early Childhood Education Funding (in Millions) Source First Five Years Fund, 2024

          Funding Source

          • Head Start and Early Head Start Funding ($109.2)
          • CCDBG & Mandatory Funds ($135.1)
          • CCDBG State Match ($7.9)
          • State-Funded Pre-K ($159.4)
          • MIECHV ($8.6)
          • IDEA Part C ($4.8)
          • IDEA Part B, Sec 619 ($5.9)
          • TANF Early Learning and Care ($37.9)
          • Preschool Development Grant Birth ($12)
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