The year 2015 was a milestone year of political change in Arkansas. Because of term limits and the changing political landscape at the state capitol, we lost many of our long-time champions of children’s issues on both sides of the political aisle. At the same time, tax cuts that leave out the poor and reducing government spending have […]
In 2013, one out of four Arkansans did not have health insurance. Arkansas faced a looming Medicaid budget shortfall, all while more than 500,000 Arkansans were without health coverage. That year, Arkansas made history by passing bipartisan legislation called the Health Care Independence Act, creating the Private Option. It’s an innovative model for expanding coverage that uses Medicaid […]
A lack of paid family leave programs in Arkansas leaves many families, particularly low-income families, in poor physical and financial health. Achieving statewide paid family leave is a great change, but a significant one. A few baby steps toward that ultimate goal could help inform a comprehensive policy that is tailored to Arkansas’s specific needs, and calm the fears that some […]
Paid leave allows employees to take time off to care for a new baby or a relative with a serious illness, without losing all of their income. Paid leave helps families stay financially and physically healthy. From an economic standpoint, offering paid leave can benefit employers, too. It can help employers save on hiring and training […]
Open enrollment for the Health Insurance Marketplace ends on January 31. The end of open enrollment provides an opportunity for lawmakers and health stakeholders to celebrate the success Arkansas has had in covering the uninsured, but it also provides time to eliminate the challenges consumers still face when enrolling in affordable health coverage. The enrollment […]
Our pre-K paint-by-numbers picture is closer to completion after this past year and a half. Let’s take the next year and a half and fill it in completely. This is within our reach. All we have to do is: provide ongoing revenue to ensure that our ABC program maintains the high quality that kids need […]
Education has been called “the great equalizer,” because it is a key tool in lifting the working poor out of poverty, decreasing crime, and improving health. Arkansas has made education a priority since statehood. The state’s constitution says the intelligence and virtue gained from education are “the safeguards of liberty and the bulwark of a […]
Parents and Guardians: you are the most important person in your young child’s life. You are already doing great things to help your child succeed. You are your child’s most valuable asset when it comes to making sure their needs are met. We want to help you find the resources you need to prepare your […]
#ARKidsNeed Download the Print Version Consistent health insurance coverage. Expanded access to health care. Moms who have quality prenatal care. Full immunization screenings. Proper dental care. Regular check-ups to catch health issues early. Mental health care from certified providers. Quality pre-K and early childhood education. Parents who teach early literacy by reading and talking. After […]
Three things you need to know about highway funding in Arkansas 1. Arkansas highways are in trouble, and major decisions about how to finance our failing highways are approaching. We need about $400 million more per year to have safe, updated roads and bridges. 2. Some “revenue neutral” funding options being proposed are treacherous, and will pay […]