Medicaid is a Lifeline for Arkansas Children and Families

Medicaid is critical to the health and well-being of hundreds of thousands of Arkansans, from prenatal and well-child checkups to treatment programs that families hope they never need – but sometimes do. In this new video, leaders from throughout our state are helping us highlight the importance of this vital program during April’s Medicaid Awareness […]

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We Must Count All Children

Today, April 1, marks one year until the U.S. Census starts. At Arkansas Advocates, we’re already working to ensure we have an accurate count of all people in our state, but especially young children. It’s estimated that in 2010, the Census missed one in 10 young children nationwide, making children 0 to 4 years old […]

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Judge’s ruling saves thousands more Arkansans from losing health care

Today, U.S. District Judge James E. Boasberg ruled that Arkansas’s work reporting requirement cannot continue because it violates the purpose of the Arkansas Works program. The decision puts a stop to a deeply flawed, misguided policy. For now, Arkansans can no longer lose coverage because of the requirement, which is a big victory for health […]

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Donate to AACF Now to Help Children Tomorrow and Beyond

As we head into the 2019 legislative session, we need your donations more than ever. Your gift to Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families can help give Arkansas’s littlest learners a strong start through quality early education. And ensure that all children and families have access to affordable health care. And promote afterschool and summer programs that […]

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Episode 49 (The Gender Pay Gap)

Download file | Play in new window | Duration: 59:12
Many of us are familiar with the gender pay gap. Women earn less than men with the same position or responsibilities. But we hear less about the impact this has on women, their families, and the economy as whole. Today we will talk about the gender pay gap and other financial and economic barriers […]

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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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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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2018 State of Preschool report ranks Arkansas 5th in access for 3-year-olds

April 19, 2019

Study shows all states need faster expansion and greater investment in early childhood education In The State of Preschool 2018 annual report, the National Institute for Early Education Research at Rutgers University found that Arkansas preschool state-funded enrollment increased, but funding...

Hurray for Tax (Credits) Day!

April 15, 2019

Today, April 15th, is tax day. As a society, we rely on taxes to maintain infrastructure and services we largely take for granted: public education, the roads and bridges we drive on, the water we drink, the health inspectors...

Arkansas Advocates 2019 Legislative Session Recap, Vol. 13

April 12, 2019

Though the ceremonial sine die for the 92nd General Assembly isn’t until April 24, both houses recessed this Wednesday. There are a handful of bills still waiting on the Governor’s signature, but things are much quieter now at the Capitol. This...

New proposal gives needed boost to Arkansas’s working families

April 10, 2019

Half a million Arkansas children stand to benefit United States Senators Sherrod Brown, Michael Bennet, Dick Durbin and Ron Wyden today introduced the Working Families Tax Relief Act, legislation that would begin to fix our tax laws to help...

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2018 Annual Report

March 27, 2019

The year 2018 was one of forward-thinking for AACF. A major focus for our organization was developing a new five-year strategic plan to guide our work in the future. Among the priorities in our new plan are a greater...

Losing Coverage: State Medicaid Work Reporting Requirements Stripped 18,000 Arkansans of Health Insurance in 2018

March 26, 2019

Thousands of Arkansans who aren’t required to work to be eligible for Medicaid are losing their coverage because they failed to report or report adequately their exemption.

Closing achievement gaps for low-income students by spending more wisely

February 19, 2019

We can close the educational achievement gap for low-income students by spending more wisely.

School Discipline that Works

January 31, 2019

Many Arkansas public schools still use ineffective and discriminatory school discipline policies. As a member of the state’s Task Force on School Discipline, Arkansas Advocates calls for more effective, research-based options to help improve outcomes for kids and schools.

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