This legislative session, like many others before it, had its ups and downs. The children and families of Arkansas won some, but suffered some major losses as well. The Private Option, Arkansas’s version of Medicaid expansion, will continue to provide health...
JUVENILE JUSTICE: SB982, “An Act to Improve the Effectiveness of the Juvenile Justice System,” passed both chambers and is off to the governor’s desk. This critical piece of legislation seeks to stop the ineffective and costly practice of incarcerating...
There was a flurry of activity at the State Capitol this week as the session nears its end. Next week, perhaps the final one of the session, promises to be busy as well. EDUCATION: Earlier this week, the senate...
When Keith A. Nitta, then of the University of Arkansas Clinton School of Public Service, and I developed our 2008 study “Arkansas Education in the Post-Lake View Era: What Is Arkansas Doing to Close the Achievement Gap?,” Arkansas was...
With the Private Option and the Governor’s tax cut package out of the way, the legislature is moving on to other business. It was a busy week at the Capitol. EDUCATION: This week Gov. Hutchinson announced the formation of...
HEALTH: The Private Option reauthorization overcame its final hurdle yesterday. After passing the Senate last week, lawmakers in the House of Representatives approved continuing the Private Option by a wide margin. AACF applauds the legislature for backing Governor Hutchinson’s...
It was a short week at the State Capitol but that doesn’t mean it was uneventful. Here’s what you need to know: HEALTH: Gov. Asa Hutchinson asked lawmakers on Thursday to go along with a plan that would continue...
The 90th session of the Arkansas General Assembly is upon us. The legislature convened this week to swear in new members, hold the first round of committee hearings, and file a few pieces of legislation. Lawmakers are on recess...
This report is the third annual update of the Arkansas Child Welfare System by Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families (AACF). It examines the Division of Children and Family Services’ (DCFS) performance data from January 2000 through March 2007. The data shows that...