The pre-K clock is ticking
The last funding increase for pre-K in Arkansas kicked in on the first day of fiscal year 2008, which would have been July 1, 2007. For a program that’s proven to be such a powerful tool, that’s way too...
Supporting enrollment in Arkansas
Last year, more than 700 assisters were trained and licensed to help consumers enroll in coverage offered through the Affordable Care Act’s Health Insurance Marketplace and Arkansas’s Private Option. The experience of enrollment assisters provides an important perspective for...
Changes to private option could hurt families
The Private Option has helped over 211,000 adults gain access to affordable coverage. This bi-partisan measure to extend health care insurance to thousands of Arkansas allows eligible adults (19-64 years) to purchase private plans with Medicaid funds. The success...
State EITC would help working families
A state-level refundable Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) is one of the most widely accepted and successful methods of fighting poverty and encouraging workforce participation. A state-level EITC in Arkansas would promote economic opportunity and ensure that all Arkansans families...
Private Option really working out for Arkansas hospitals
The Private Option has increased payments to Arkansas Hospitals and reduced the number of uninsured patients treated. Last week, the Arkansas Hospital Association and Arkansas Chapter of the Healthcare Financial Management Association released a study that took a look...
National report notes gains for uninsured kids in Arkansas
A new report by the Georgetown University Center for Children and Families found the number of uninsured children (under 18) in Arkansas declined by 31 percent between 2008 and 2013. During this five year period over 17,000 children gained...
AACF statement on elections and moving forward
A statement from AACF Executive Director Rich Huddleston on last night’s elections in Arkansas: Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families would like to congratulate all of the Arkansas candidates on their victories last night. Now that the elections are...
Pre-K gives Arkansas kids a strong start
Here in Arkansas, many parents, educators, and business leaders agree that pre-K is a valuable and effective strategy for preparing children for the future. Students who participated in the Arkansas Better Chance program scored 11 percentage points higher in Math...
Monthly revenue report for October
Arkansas took in more tax revenue than expected last month. October general revenues came in over 8 percent (or $30 million) higher than last year, and 4.7 percent (or $18.2 million) above forecast. Two categories accounted for most of...
Wonky Word Wednesday: COLA
A COLA is more than a tasty soft drink. In policymaking and economics, COLA stands for “cost of living adjustment.” Prices of goods (like groceries, rent, healthcare, transportation, electricity, etc.) and services (like haircuts, teaching, legal services, car maintenance,...