E.I.T.C. Spells LOVE for Kids and Families in Arkansas

Many people in our state work at low-paying jobs. Arkansans who work hard for little money pay a much higher share of their income to state and local taxes compared to the wealthiest. That’s not the way it should be. Fortunately, there is a great option for Arkansas (just ask the 29 other states that are already […]

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Winning the Race to Coverage: Two Decades of Progress on Kids’ Health in Arkansas

The annual Finish Line report provides a look at the status of health coverage for Arkansas children and their families. The report unveils key data on the progress we’ve made over the years and recommends additional solutions to ensure every child in Arkansas has a healthy start. This past year marked a significant milestone in children’s health […]

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2018 Voters’ Guide

This November, Arkansas voters will elect candidates to important public offices, including seats in the U.S. Congress and the Arkansas General Assembly. The winners of these elections will be in a unique position to make public policy that will impact the future well-being and success of Arkansas’s children and families. Making children our top priority […]

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What Do Our Littlest Learners Need to Be School-Ready?

When do children begin to learn? Believe it or not, school readiness begins in the womb. Decades of research show the first few years of life, including the prenatal months, are the most important for healthy brain development and success in school. Unfortunately, too many of our kids aren’t getting the boost they need for […]

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Unemployment Insurance Pays Off

The Arkansas legislature has repeatedly reduced the amount of unemployment insurance available to Arkansas workers, lowering both the duration of coverage and the dollar amount of benefits. This puts us well below national averages for unemployment benefits, and puts families and our economy at risk. This might not seem like a big problem given our current […]

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Watch this video to find out more about AACF

Find out more about Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families by watching this brief video. In it, we talk about our history, our work, and what has made Advocates what it is today.

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The Good and The Bad: Tax Task Force Narrows Down Policies for Consideration

May 25, 2018

The Tax Reform and Relief Task force continued to pare down the long list of potential tax changes this week. These changes will ultimately comprise their final recommendations, due in September of this year. Some good ideas made it...

New Reports Say Medicaid Eligibility Restrictions are Complex, Costly

May 23, 2018

Today, the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities (CBPP) released two important reports about the Medicaid program. One report highlights how the Affordable Care Act helped to reduce uncompensated care (services provided that are not paid by an insurer or...

A Test of Our Own Prejudice

May 9, 2018

A misguided drug testing program aimed at curbing drug abuse is leaving low-income families caught in the middle. Arkansas began drug screening and testing TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) applicants in 2015, and expanded the program and made...

AACF Co-Presents “The Raising of America” Documentary

May 7, 2018

One thing business leaders, philanthropists, parents, child advocates – and even Hollywood – can agree on: The critical importance of quality early childhood education to our nation’s future. At the Bentonville Film Festival on Friday night, Arkansas Advocates for...

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Breaking Down the Barriers for Arkansas’s Black Men and Boys: Part I

May 17, 2018

Across the board, black men and boys in Arkansas encounter significant barriers. They face a higher rate of infant mortality, child poverty, and incarceration than their white peers. They also have lower high-school graduation rates and family income levels. These...

Awaken the Force of Quality Early Childhood Education (infographic)

May 4, 2018

This May the Fourth, awaken the force … of quality early childhood education in Arkansas. Our little Wookiees’ earliest experiences form the foundation for all of their future learning. During a high-quality early childhood education, they learn to regulate...

Clearing Barriers to Success by Redirecting Poverty Funding

May 3, 2018

It’s no secret that the quality of public-school education is not equal across Arkansas. Similarly, all students do not experience the same types of challenges. This is especially true for students living in poverty. They often face more obstacles...

Grow Bright Futures: Using State Poverty Dollars to Strengthen Student Success (infographic)

May 3, 2018

Arkansas needs to focus its state poverty (NSL) funding where it belongs: in education programs that are proven to remove barriers for kids living in low-income families. The way to do this is by investing in the “Golden Three:”...

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