SPRINGDALE - The first priority of the new Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families satellite office in Northwest Arkansas is to hear from families in the area, the agency announced Thursday.

The 30-year-old AACF opened its first office outside Central Arkansas Thursday with plans to develop and deepen relationships in Northwest Arkansas. The first director, Laura Kellams, will begin with a listening tour of the region, gathering insights from child advocates, policy makers and families. The office will help the non-profit's mission of helping all children reach their full potential.

"I'm thrilled to welcome Arkansas Advocates to Northwest Arkansas. We've needed this kind of voice for children and families in our region for so long," said state Sen. Sue Madison of Fayetteville, vice-chairman of the Senate Children and Youth Committee.

Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families was instrumental in creating the state child health insurance program, ARKids First, and championed the recent expansion of high-quality preschool programs. It has also led reforms in juvenile justice, child welfare and education.

Opening an office in Northwest Arkansas has been an AACF goal for several years, said Rich Huddleston, executive director.
"There are thousands of children and families in Northwest Arkansas who are struggling to get by, despite the tremendous economic growth in the area," Huddleston said. "We'll help increase healthcare coverage for children and fight to create a more fair tax system for working families."

Kellams will work with staff in the Little Rock office on AACF's goals. Kellams has lived in Northwest Arkansas for 20 years and is a graduate of the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville. She previously worked as a reporter for the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette covering politics, government and regional affairs for more than 11 years. Prior to that, she worked as a reporter for The Morning News for four years.

Kellams also will support the Arkansas Finish Line Coalition's goal of getting all Arkansas children health insurance. The three-year project is a major AACF focus and includes enrolling eligible uninsured children and expanding coverage to more low-income families.

"I've long admired Arkansas Advocates for pushing others in the state to make children and families a top policy priority," Kellams said. "I'm so happy to join them in that effort in Northwest Arkansas, because I know the people of this region share that goal."

The event is hosted by Northwest Arkansas AACF board members Lynn Donald-Carver, the Rev. Lowell Grisham, Dr. Diana Gonzales Worthen and The Harvey and Bernice Jones Charitable Trust.

The office is in the Jones Family Resource Center, Suite 127, 614 E. Emma Ave., Springdale.