Arkansas
Policy Strategies & Innovations Link copied!
Innovation Name | Innovation Type | Innovation Subtype | Features at a Glance | Strategy Summary |
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Arkansas Early Childhood Asset Map (AECAM) | Infrastructure Systems | Data Systems | 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 |
Arkansas Better Chance Program | Expansion | Targeted Pre-K Policy (3-Year-Olds) Targeted Pre-K Policy (4-Year-Olds) |
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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 ProgramSources: |
Demographics Link copied!
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 age 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
3.7% Source U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, December 2022
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
Political Landscape Link copied!
Year | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 |
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Governor | R | R | R | R | R |
House | R | R | R | R | R |
Senate | R | R | R | R | R |
Early Childhood Education Programs Link copied!
Public pre-K program name(s)
Arkansas Better Chance (ABC) Source: NIEER 2023
Universal or targeted pre-K policy
Targeted Pre-K Policy (3- and 4-year-olds) Source: NIEER 2023
Percent of 3-Year-Old Children Enrolled in Public Early Childhood Education Programs Source: NIEER 2023
Programs
- 3-year-old children enrolled in state-funded public pre-K (17%)
- 3-year-old children enrolled in Head Start (9%)
- Other/none (74%)
Percent of 4-Year-Old Children Enrolled in Public Early Childhood Education Programs Source: NIEER 2023
Programs
- 4-year-old children enrolled in state-funded public pre-K (29%)
- 4-year-old children enrolled in Head Start (6%)
- Other/none (65%)
Workforce Link copied!
2017–2019 Median Hourly Wages Source CSCCE 2018, 2020
Role
- Child care workers
- Preschool teachers
- Preschool or child care center directors
Funding Sources Link copied!
Funding acronyms: CCDBG: Child Care and Development Block Grant; CARES Act: Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act; CRRSE Act: Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations; ARPA: American Rescue Plan Act; CCDF: Child Care and Development Fund; MIECHV: Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting Program; IDEA: Individuals with Disabilities Education Act; TANF: Temporary Assistance for Needy Families
The COVID Funding Cliff
All federal COVID relief allocations, including funding authorized by the CARES, CRRSE, and ARPA bills, must be fully spent by September 2024. An analysis from the Century Foundation shows this loss of funds could cause more than 3 million children to lose access to child care nationwide – including more than 90,000 children in Arkansas.