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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Ninety-Six Percent of Arkansas Kids Now Have Health Insurance, But Other Areas Need Improvement

July 2, 2018

Note: This blog is fourth in a series of posts covering the findings in the 2018 Annie E. Casey Foundation Kids Count Data Book. To read the introductory blog post, click here; the second, on economic security, here; and the third, on education, here. ...

Education Progress is Stalling, Leaving an Uncertain Future for Kids and Our State

June 28, 2018

Note: This blog is third in a series of posts covering the findings in the 2018 Annie E. Casey Foundation Kids Count Data Book. To read the introductory blog post, click here. Read the second, on economic security, here. Every year,...

Arkansas Child Poverty Rate Sees Improvement; Investments Needed to Maintain Gains

June 27, 2018

Note: This blog is second in a series of posts covering the findings in the 2018 Annie E. Casey Foundation Kids Count Data Book. To read the first blog post, click here. The economy is still moving along following...

AR Poverty Rate Improving, According to Latest National Rankings

June 27, 2018

The number of Arkansas children in poverty has decreased by 28,000 since 2010, according to data in the 2018 KIDS COUNT® Data Book released today by the Annie E. Casey Foundation. Despite this progress, 24 percent of the state’s...

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Infographic: A How-To for Reporting Work Activities and Exemptions in Arkansas Works

July 10, 2018

In June 2018, Arkansas became the first state to officially implement a requirement to work in a Medicaid expansion program – known here in Arkansas as Arkansas Works. Some Arkansas Works enrollees began reporting work activities or exemptions in June....

Breaking Down the Barriers for Arkansas’s Black Men and Boys: Part II (health)

June 13, 2018

Across the board, our black men and boys 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....

Steps to Health and Wealth (infographic)

June 4, 2018

The foundation for health and wealth starts at birth and influences success at every stage of life. Learn more in our latest infographic or in its parent publication “Health and Wealth in Arkansas.”

Health and Wealth in Arkansas: How Public Policy Connected Them and What We Can Do About It

June 4, 2018

Poverty has long been known to impact health outcomes. People with greater wealth tend to live longer. They also live in safer homes and cleaner neighborhoods. They have access to healthier foods and better health care. Generally, they can...

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