AACF News Feed

More Arkansas kids insured, even in recession

Wed, 25 Jan 2012 08:31:59 -0600

Report outlines challenges remaining for covering kids

LITTLE ROCK - The number of uninsured children dropped in Arkansas even as families continued to feel the effects of the recent recession, according to a report today by Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families.

The report, Crossing the Finish Line: The 2011 State of Children's Health Insurance in Arkansas, provides a detailed look at how the state's uninsured children fared in recent years and what the outlook is for their future. The report shows that the uninsured rate for kids dropped in Arkansas from 9.4 percent to 7.3 percent between 2008 and 2010.

"Despite a recession and a child poverty rate that climbed over 27 percent, there are fewer Arkansas kids going without health coverage than ever before," Anna Strong, AACF Health Policy Director. "But a challenge remains. That 7.3 percent represents a significant number - 54,000 children who remain uninsured."

More of these uninsured children would be covered if Arkansas had addressed some of the challenges it faces in covering more kids.

28,000 kids fell off ARKids First in 2010 because of red tape in the enrollment process. Implementing Act 771 would help streamline this process to keep these children insured through income fluctuations and address changes.
Families just above the income level for ARKids First have the highest rate of uninsured children in any income level. Thousands would benefit from expanding ARKids First coverage to 250 percent of poverty, which was called for in 2009 legislation.
New data shows that certain groups, such as Hispanic children and school-age children, still aren't getting covered. More targeted outreach efforts and policy changes could help these children stay insured.

The majority of those still uninsured are eligible for ARKids First, and the report outlines several ways of enrolling these children. In addition to red tape reduction, the expansion to 250 percent of poverty and improved outreach listed above, the state needs to work with state leaders to develop new payment options for health care services to help control rising costs and improve quality, and implement the federal Affordable Care Act to ensure no child falls through the cracks.

"These are positive signs for uninsured kids in Arkansas," said Rich Huddleston, AACF Executive Director. "But the fact remains that tens of thousands of children are going without the medical services they need because they are not insured. Is is our hope that this report will help in the efforts of Arkansas policymakers, advocates and families to better understand the challenges facing us and work to find solutions so that we may one day cross the finish line and ensure coverage for all of Arkansas' children and families."

Click here for a full copy of the report.

More Homes for Arkansas Foster Children Available

Mon, 21 Nov 2011 16:29:18 -0600

Subsidized guardianship program allows more children to find stable, loving homes with relatives who are licensed foster parents.

LITTLE ROCK - A new state program will help find more homes for foster children while maintaining important family connections by assisting relatives who are serving as foster parents, according to a new report from Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families.

The new subsidized guardianship program offered by the Arkansas Division of Children and Family Services allows family members such as grandparents to care for a child when returning to their parents or adoption aren't possible. The financial support is similar to that given to adoptive families, but without permanently severing the legal rights of biological parents.

"Arkansas has a culture of helping children in times of need and we commend the state for looking for more homes for foster children," said Jennifer Ferguson, AACF Deputy Director and author of the report. "This new program gives children another chance at a stable home. It gives a trusted, qualified relative the ability to act as a legal guardian and receive a monthly payment to help with the cost of caring for a child."

Nearly 1,000 children were placed in relative foster homes during the 2011 state fiscal year. That is about a quarter of all children who entered the state's care that year.

A new federal law provides financial assistance to states offering subsidized guardianships. In Arkansas, a relative must undergo foster parent licensing and training. A child must be in the home for more than six months and not immediately eligible to be reunited with his or her parents or adopted. The guardian is eligible for monthly payments that are typically $410 to $500 a month. The child is able to leave the foster care system in the care of the relative. There would no longer be a caseworker assigned to the child, and the child wouldn't have any more court appearances.

"In many cases a grandparent or aunt is the most logical and loving home available for a child in the foster system," Ferguson said. "The child can stay connected with family, including the parent if appropriate. The relative gets help paying for additional costs and the biological parent doesn't have to have his or her rights reinstated if they eventually are able to fully care for the child."

Click here for a full copy of the report.

Partners in Progress: Affecting Policy and Programming

Tue, 01 Nov 2011 15:38:16 -0500

A new report from the Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation explores the challenges and lessons learned during the evolution of Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families into an anchor institution in Arkansas. It tells the story of the tough issues that ACCF has taken on in the state and the ways the organization has influenced public policy that has improved the lives of children and families in Arkansas. The foundation says the report is an opportunity to document the work of AACF and to reflect together on our ability to impact, influence, and leverage resources for positive change in Arkansas.

The report, Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families: Affecting Policy and Programming, is the second in a series of "Partners in Progress" publications, will be released in central Arkansas and northwest Arkansas as part of two events hosted by Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families in November.

Arkansas Losing $113 Million Each Year on Internet Sales

Tue, 01 Nov 2011 12:55:25 -0500

Even without federal laws, state can do more to collect online sales taxes.

LITTLE ROCK - Arkansas is losing as much as $113 million each year in sales tax revenue from Internet purchases and other sales, according to new research by Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families.

Although Arkansans are required to pay sales taxes on Internet and catalogue sales, few consumers pay these taxes because retailers are not forced to collect them at the point of sale. The lost revenue is significant as the state struggles to keep up with other declining revenue that supports public services, the report found. In addition, Arkansas-based and other local retailers are at a price disadvantage as shoppers search out the lowest prices online.

"This is a problem that is only going to get bigger as more and more commerce moves to the web," said Rich Huddleston, AACF Executive Director. "To create a level playing field for our Main Street businesses and support the public services that draw new jobs to Arkansas, the state needs to use every tool available to collect these taxes."

The report, "Add to Cart: How Arkansas Can Support Vital Services By Fully Taxing Internet Purchases" outlines several ways the state can collect lost Internet sales taxes, including:

Requiring out-of-state retailers to charge Arkansas sales tax when other businesses perform "market enhancing activities" here on their behalf, such as warranty services.
Requiring sellers to remind consumers about their sales tax obligations.
Requiring firms getting government contracts to collect sales taxes.
Encouraging taxpayers to "self-remit" sales and use taxes.
Taxing the downloading of software, music and other digital products.

Arkansas sales taxes range from 6 percent to 10 percent depending on local laws. Even though consumers owe these taxes on all products, out-of-state retailers aren't required to collect them unless they have a physical presence in the state. With consumers increasingly seeking out the best deals online, locally owned businesses are at a disadvantage to online retailers that don't add the same tax to their prices.

During the 2011 Arkansas General Assembly, legislators passed an "Amazon Law." It requires the Internet retailer Amazon.com to collect local sales taxes since it partners with Arkansas-based "affiliates." Amazon terminated affiliate programs in Arkansas and others states to avoid collecting the taxes and is fighting similar laws in other states.

Finally, Arkansas is one of 23 states that have aligned their laws with the Streamlined Sales and Use Tax Agreement. If Congress were to pass legislation such as the Main Street Fairness Act, all states already part of the agreement would have the power to tax Internet and other remote sales.

Child care losses in 37 states last year

Tue, 18 Oct 2011 10:09:26 -0500

National Women's Law Center report shows states scaling back support to families

WASHINGTON - Voices for America's Children, the nation's largest network of multi-issue child advocacy groups, today called for greater support for child care as a new report shows 37 states last year slashed their child care services. The report, released by the National Women's Law Center, forms the basis of a new infographic on child care in America by Voices.

"This new report on child care policies shows that most states are unable to keep up with demand for affordable, high-quality care rises," said Bill Bentley, president and CEO of Voices. "With waiting lists for child care growing nationwide, Congress needs to hear that workers and families need help."

Federal stimulus package dollars that expanded child care assistance are running out. With federal funding levels for the Child Care Development Block Grant remaining flat, states are being forced to make do with less support for families seeking high-quality, affordable child care so they can pursue work. State policy also plays a strong role, as states set eligibility requirements for child care assistance and determine provider reimbursement rates.

The four states profiled in the Voices infographic saw their waiting lists increase dramatically over the last year. The waiting lists for Arkansas and Colorado are reported at 14,000 and 5,205, respectively.

"Having high-quality, affordable care for children gives parents the flexibility to advance their careers," said Rich Huddleston, executive director of Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families, a Voices member organization. "With unemployment still over 8 percent in Arkansas, it's vital that we maintain investments in our children and our families and help meet their economic needs."

"With over 5,000 eligible Colorado children now on the waiting list for child care subsidies, it's clear funding for child care has not kept pace with the growing need in Colorado," said Chris Watney, president and CEO of Colorado Children's Campaign, a Voices member organization. "The number of children living in poverty in our state has more than doubled since 2000 and access to affordable, safe child care is critical in order for these families to find and keep jobs that allow them to lift themselves out of poverty. For the sake of our children and our economy, Colorado cannot afford to lose any funding for child care services."

AACF Commends Reductions in Youth Incarceration; Calls For Permanent Shift in Juvenile Corrections

Tue, 04 Oct 2011 12:59:41 -0500

New Annie E. Casey Foundation report shows most youth imprisonment ineffective; AACF announces public education campaign for rigorous rehabilitation programs.

LITTLE ROCK - Child advocates today commended Arkansas for reducing the number of non-violent youths being incarcerated, but said more needs to be done to permanently shift youth justice programs away from costly and ineffective confinement toward rigorous community-based rehabilitation.

A new report from the Annie E. Casey Foundation released today shows that America's heavy reliance on incarceration of youth is not paying off. "No Place For Kids: The Case for Reducing Juvenile Incarceration" shows that youth prisons do not effectively rehabilitate young people, expose youth to violence and abuse, and waste taxpayer money.

"Kids who commit crimes should be held accountable for their actions and serve a reasonable punishment that fits their actions," said Paul Kelly, senior policy analyst at Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families. "But the reality is that almost every young offender will return to their communities. If we want to reduce crime in our neighborhoods and protect people from repeat offenders, we need to break the cycle of crime."

Young offenders should be required to complete rigorous, mandatory rehabilitations programs such as education, counseling, job training and drug treatment so they can become productive members of their communities, Kelly said.

Gov. Mike Beebe has recently dedicated more than $3 million in federal stimulus and state money to expand such rigorous rehabilitation programs. As a result, the state has reduced the number of children committed to the Arkansas Division of Youth Services by 24 percent in the past two years. The average time spent by youth in residential programs has decreased by 32 percent in three years. There are now 30 fewer beds needed at the state's largest secure facility.

Kelly said these results are a significant shift in corrections and demonstrate that-if fully adopted-the recommendations of the Arkansas Division of Youth Service's 50-member Arkansas Task Force on Juvenile Justice Reform will improve public safety and reverse youth paths towards crime. The task force recommendations-crafted by judges, service providers, parents, advocates and other committed individuals-are available at: tinyurl.com/3p53v6u.

Despite the recent improvements, there is much more to be done, Kelly said. A significant percent of Arkansas kids are committed to DYS each year and taking up secure bed space at a cost of $44,000 to $87,000 annually. Yet many of the commitments are for misdemeanor offenses and pose low-to-moderate risks to public safety. In addition, the majority of them will return to their communities eventually and need education, counseling, addiction treatment and job training so they can become productive members of society and not repeat offenders.

AACF also today announced a public information campaign on the need to redesign youth justice programs. Working with community leaders, law enforcement, businesses, parents and the general public, the awareness campaign is supported by an 18-month grant from the Public Welfare Foundation in Washington, D.C.

Coverage of this issue:

KTHV (CBS): Pam Baccam

KUAR (NPR): Malcolm Glover

KARK (NBC): Jessica Dean

ArkansasOnline: Gavin Lesnick

Arkansas Democrat-Gazette: Spencer Willems

Stephens Media wire service (Arkansas News Bureau): Rob Moritz

October is Arkansas Advocacy and Organizing Month

Mon, 03 Oct 2011 16:26:43 -0500

October is Advocacy and Organizing Month

Calendar of Events

AACF = Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families
APPP = Arkansas Public Policy Panel
CAR = Center for Artistic Revolution
NWAWJC = Northwest Arkansas Worker's Justice Center
RCA = Rurual Communities Alliance
WRF = Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation

DATE	EVENT	SPONSORING ORGANIZATION
Throughout Month	Social Media Campaign (#AdvocacyIs)	AACF, APPP, CAR, NWAWJC, RCA, WRF
October 1	Southeast Pike County Music Fest in Delight, with presentation by RCA of recognition to South East Pike County Alliance for their grass-roots efforts over the past three years in revitalizing Delight and southeast Pike County.	RCA
October 5	AACF Fundraiser and Kick Off of Annual Giving Campaign	AACF
October 8	Dermott Fall Fest and Advocacy and Organizing Celebration, recognizing the community's work with Rural Community Alliance over the past two years in community revitalization and education organizing.	RCA
October 12	Release Party for Strengthening Democracy, Increasing Opportunities: Impacts of Advocacy, Organizing, and Civic Engagement in the Gulf/Midsouth Region in conjunction with Philanthropy Roundtable	WRF
October 19	Moving the Needle: Progress from Poverty to Prosperity Presentation from Pew on the Economic Mobility Project MTN Celebration Luncheon Alliance for Justice Training on Advocacy	WRF
October 19	AACF fundraiser at the home of Scott and Laura Draper	WRF
October 20	APPP fundraiser at of Joyce & Jay Hale home, Fayetteville	APPP
October 26	RCA Youth Lens project deadline for uploading youth-made videos for contest celebrating their rural communities, exemplary community-led projects, and best practices in their rural schools. http://www.youtube.com/user/TheNewRuralArkansas	RCA
October 27	APPP fundraiser at Barbara Miles/Hank Bates home, LR	APPP
October 28	At 1:00 in Leslie, launch event for Ozark Byways, RCA's regional revitalization project that includes 11 small rural low-wealth communities in North Central Arkansas.	RCA
October 29	Opportunity to Learn Campaign Strategic Plan Release	APPP, AACF, WRF
October 31	Clinton School Half in Ten Indicators report release and brown bag luncheon featuring Melissa Boteach, Half in Ten manager, Center for American Progress.	AACF

DHS Benefits Website To Support Families

Fri, 23 Sep 2011 12:45:20 -0500

Enrolling online provides privacy for families and reduces costs for Arkansas

LITTLE ROCK - A new processing center and the official launch of an online benefits application system will ensure Arkansans struggling though the effects of the recession will get the support they need, three non-profit advocacy organizations announced today.

The Arkansas Hunger Relief Alliance, Arkansas Interfaith Alliance and Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families applaud today's opening of a Department of Human Services data processing center in Batesville. The center will support the benefits enrollment website access.arkansas.gov, which gives Arkansans the option of applying for benefits online.

"ACCESS Arkansas will provide more eligible people access to the SNAP program, helping them purchase food for their families," said Rhonda Sanders, Executive Director of Arkansas Hunger Relief Alliance. "Thousands of Arkansas families have turned to these support systems for the first time because of a lost job or foreclosed home. Being able to apply online will help families overcome the stigma of going to the local DHS office."

In addition to the convenience and privacy of online applications, ACCESS Arkansas also will let families know about other supports for which they may be eligible, including the ARKids First health insurance program.

"This system compliments other state efforts to make it easier for families to enroll or re-enroll in ARKids First and other support systems that keep our local and state economies stable by helping families," said Elisabeth Wright Burak, Health Policy Director for Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families.

New Census Bureau data released Thursday show that poverty rates have held steady between 2009 and 2010 after jumping significantly during the recession. In 2010, 27.2 percent of Arkansas children were in families living in poverty, compared to 26.9 percent in 2009. Meanwhile, the overall poverty rate stayed at 18.8 percent between 2009 and 2010.

"We know that thousands of Arkansans are able to stay afloat during these rough times because they are able to turn to food stamps, childcare assistance and unemployment insurance benefits," said the Rev. Steve Copley, Chairman of the Arkansas Interfaith Alliance. "Making it easier for eligible families to get the help they need really does make a difference in their lives."

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The mission of the Arkansas Hunger Relief Alliance is to reduce hunger through a unified effort to provide hunger relief, education and advocacy. Online at www.arhungeralliance.org.

Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families is a statewide, non-profit child advocacy organization established in 1977. Our mission is to ensure that all children and their families have the resources and opportunities to lead healthy and productive lives and to realize their full potential. On the web at www.aradvocates.org.

The Arkansas Interfaith Alliance is dedicated to encouraging dialogue among people of different faith traditions to respond when hatred and misunderstandings divide neighbors and allow religion to heal and light the way to understanding and compassion. We stand up for the rights of the poor, the oppressed and the disenfranchised in our cities and towns. Online at www.arkinterfaith.org.

CENSUS DATA: Climb in Number of Poor Arkansans Slowing, But Levels Still High After Recession

Thu, 22 Sep 2011 12:57:14 -0500

Food Stamps, Unemployment Insurance and other supports prevented many from falling into poverty in 2010

LITTLE ROCK - The number of Arkansas children living in poverty continued to increase last year, according to new Census Bureau data released today. More than 27 percent of Arkansas kids now live in families living below the poverty line, highlighting the need for Arkansas to protect investments in support systems for working families.

Arkansas has the fifth highest child poverty rate among states and Washington, D.C. In 2010, it was 27.2 percent-up from 23.8 percent in 2006 just before the recession. The state's overall poverty level remained flat between 2009 and 2010 at 18.8 percent. However, widespread use of support services including SNAP (or food stamps) show that many Arkansans still need help as the economy slowly recovers.

With Arkansas facing budget shortfalls in coming years, state lawmakers need to protect health care, education and other key services or face worsening local and state economies, said Rich Huddleston, Executive Director of Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families.

"Businesses are drawn to communities that have invested in an educated workforce, safe neighborhoods and strong infrastructure," Huddleston said. "Protecting those investments not only keeps our state open for business, but also supports working families struggling with the effects of the recession. We know that upcoming budget shortfalls will have to be met with some cuts, but we'll also have to look at more revenue so we don't slide further behind in competition for new employers and investing in our future workforce."

The number of people living in poverty also underscores the critical role of federal assistance, including unemployment insurance, expanded food stamps and tax credits for middle- and low-income households, Huddleston said.

"As bad as poverty levels are today, Census figures from last week show that those programs kept millions more Americans from falling below the poverty line in 2010," he said.

While K-12 education money in Arkansas is largely protected from cuts during budget shortfalls, there are many other education priorities outside of the K-12 system that need protecting. Efforts to provide an opportunity to learn for minority and low-income children include quality early education classes, literacy programs, health services in schools and child health insurance coverage. These proven anti-poverty strategies help pull children out of cycles of poverty and the state should continue to invest in them, Huddleston said.

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Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families is a statewide, non-profit child advocacy organization established in 1977. Our mission is to ensure that all children and their families have the resources and opportunities to lead healthy and productive lives and to realize their full potential. On the web at www.aradvocates.org.

Arkansas 47th in National Child Well-Being Rankings

Tue, 16 Aug 2011 13:48:13 -0500

Arkansas children feel weight of the recession, despite gains in conditions for teens.

LITTLE ROCK - High child poverty in Arkansas keeps the state pinned to the bottom of national rankings in measurements of child well-being, according to the 2011 KIDS COUNT Data Book. The state moved up one position to 47^th for overall child well-being, despite substantial gains seen in the lives of Arkansas teens.

With an overall child poverty rate of 27 percent, the state is still struggling to move up in the yearly rankings. This is despite improvements in some measurements of the well-being of Arkansas teens, as well as larger drops in child well-being in other states experiencing greater economic fallout from the recession.

In addition, new data collected by the Annie E. Casey Foundation show that 22,000 children, or 2 percent of all Arkansas kids, have been affected by foreclosure since the recession began in 2007. Also, some 63,000 kids, or 10 percent of the state's child population, lived with at least one unemployed parent in 2010.

"The recession has been hard on many Arkansans, but policy makers often forget to take a special look at how it has affected kids," said Rich Huddleston, Executive Director of Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families. "We know that this generation of children will struggle to move out from under the weight of homelessness, food insecurity and unemployed parents for many years. There are many well-known solutions to this problem-if our leaders choose to put children first."

The 2011 ranking of 47 is based on data from 2008 and 2009. Arkansas has consistently maintained a ranking in the bottom five or six states since 2000.

View the Data Book at: datacenter.kidscount.org/databook. Printed copies are also available from AACF and at all our public events.

The 2011 KIDS COUNT Data Book indicators for Arkansas show:

Conditions for teens improving: The percent of teens not in school and not high school graduates (drop outs) was 7 percent in 2009, down two points from 9 percent the prior year. Likewise, the number of "idle" teens not in school and not working fell two points to 10 percent in 2008. These trends were seen nationwide and mirror significant declines in juvenile delinquency and incarceration rates.
Arkansas ranks in bottom 10 in six indicators: Arkansas ranks 49^th worst in child poverty, 46^th worst in child death rates and teen birth rates, 45^th in teen death rates, 43^rd in the number of single-parent families and 41^st in the percentage of low birth-weight babies.
Arkansas feeling later effects of the recession: Some 34 percent of Arkansas children in 2009 lived in families where no parent had full-time, year-round employment. That has worsened from 2008, when the proportion was 32 percent. However Arkansas saw its ranking in this area shoot up from 45^th place to 38^th place among states because of higher recession-related unemployment in others states.
Some data aren't yet available: New statistics on child deaths, teen deaths and infant mortality were delayed this year, so Arkansas' ranking in those areas is the same as last year. Several child-safety laws passed in recent years should have a positive impact on these indicators, however.

All the indicators in Arkansas would improve under a poverty-cutting plan released by a legislative task force last year. The 31 recommendations fall into six categories: economic and community development, education and workforce development, health, individual income supports, tax policy and system needs. Several pieces of legislation passed during the 2011 Arkansas General Assembly address a few of the recommendations. Read the full task force report and progress reports at www.aradvocates.org/poverty.

"Arkansas children need state leaders to double down on the poverty task force recommendations," Huddleston said. "We were already behind because of our high poverty rate even before the recession came along. Each year that we don't address poverty in Arkansas means another graduating class not up to the task of becoming productive members of our economy and society."

Rankings at a glance:

29: teens not in school and not graduates: (up 15 places from 44^th).
33: "idle" teens (up 17 places from 50^th).37: infant mortality (flat due to lack of new data).
38: children with at least one unemployed parent (up 7 places from 45^th).
41: Low birth-weight babies (down three places from 38^th).
43: single-parent families (no change).
45: teen deaths (flat due to lack of new data).
46: teen births (up one place from 47^th).
46: child deaths (flat due to lack of new data).
49: child poverty (down one place from 48^th).