Every other year, after the regular session of the Arkansas General Assembly, the Arkansas Kids Count Coalition presents the Champion for Children Awards to highlight the power of advocacy; celebrate the great work of organizations, individuals, and legislators; and inspire the future advocacy of our network. This year the Coalition was honored to award many great advocates for children from across the state working on a wide range of issues from child welfare to health care. You can see a full list of winners below.
Kwami Abdul-Bey for fighting to preserve the right to direct democracy
Arkansas Hunger Relief Alliance for their continuous advocacy for hungry and food-insecure Arkansans and pushing for the passage of Act 123, which secured universal free school breakfasts, and support of HB 1915 to increase SNAP asset limits
Arkansas Justice Reform Coalition for lifting up the voices of children in the juvenile justice system and their families and for working to eliminate juvenile fines and fees through SB 340
Rep. Howard Beaty, Jr for working to ensure every Arkansan counts in the 2030 Census and sponsoring Act 449
Gail Choate for advocating to preserve the right to direct democracy
Rep. Nicole Clowney for speaking up for the rights of marginalized Arkansans, including transgender, immigrant, and Black community members
Rep. Andrew Collins for sponsoring legislation that would significantly improve the lives of kids and families in Arkansas despite the current lack of popularity of the policies
Sen. Breanne Davis for her unwavering advocacy for the health and well-being of postpartum women by sponsoring HB1004 to expand Medicaid coverage to 12 months postpartum
Tisha Deen for advocating for the rights of LGBTQIA+ Arkansans
Sen. Jonathan Dismang for his continuous advocacy for hungry and food-insecure Arkansans; for sponsorship of Act 123, which secured universal free school breakfasts; and for sponsorship of HB1915 to increase SNAP asset limits
Doula Alliance of Arkansas for their dedication to improving outcomes for pregnant and postpartum women in Arkansas by advocating successfully for the passage of Act 965 to create a state doula certification and Act 627, which requires insurers to cover breastfeeding and lactation consultations
Rep. Denise Ennett for speaking up for the rights of marginalized Arkansans including trans, immigrant, disabled, and Black Arkansans
Syard Evans for advocating for investments in our communities and against tax cuts that would hinder the state’s ability to make those needed investments
Excel by 8 for their dedication to improving outcomes for pregnant and postpartum women in Arkansas and advocating successfully for the passage of Act 965 to create a state doula certification and Act 627 to require insurers to cover breastfeeding and lactation consultations
Mackenzi Foreman for her unwavering advocacy for the health and well-being of postpartum women and advocating for HB1004 to expand Medicaid coverage to 12 months postpartum
Rep. Denise Garner for trying to protect the state budget and for reinforcing the stated purpose of the Educational Savings Account program, by advocating to restrict the use of private school vouchers to low-income families
Stephanie Garner for her unwavering advocacy for the health and well-being of postpartum women and advocating for HB1004 to expand Medicaid coverage to 12 months postpartum
Rep. Zach Gramlich for sponsoring Act 123, which secured universal free school breakfasts; ensuring the passage of Act 952, The Children and Teens Online Privacy Act, to protect children’s data from big tech companies; and filing an interim study on how schools can ensure children are aware of child labor laws
Zenobia Harris for her unwavering advocacy for the health and well-being of postpartum women and advocating for HB 1004 to expand Medicaid coverage to 12 months postpartum
Rep. Ashley Hudson for speaking up for the rights of marginalized Arkansans including trans, immigrant, and Black community members and sponsoring Act 627 to require insurers to cover breastfeeding and lactation consultations
Maria Jones for dedicating her life to advocating for the well-being of children and families in Arkansas
Sen. Greg Leding for dedicating his career at the Capitol to advocating for the well-being of children and families in our state
Rep. Tippi McCullough for speaking up for the rights of marginalized Arkansans including trans, immigrant, and Black community members
Latoya Morgan for her unwavering advocacy for the health and well-being of postpartum women and advocating for HB 1004 to expand Medicaid coverage to 12 months postpartum
OMNI Center in NWA for advocating for young workers by drafting SB 585 to require that paystubs be provided to workers younger than 18
Rep. Aaron Pilkington for his unwavering advocacy for the health and well-being of postpartum women by sponsoring HB1004 to expand Medicaid coverage to 12 months postpartum
Rep. Jamie Scott for her dedication to improving outcomes for pregnant and postpartum women in Arkansas and sponsoring Act 627 to require insurers to cover breastfeeding and lactation consultations
Kristin Stewart for fighting to preserve the right to direct democracy
JP Tribell for fighting to preserve the right to direct democracy and speaking up for the rights of LGBTQIA+ Arkansans
Sen. Clarke Tucker for speaking up for the rights of marginalized Arkansans including trans, immigrant, and Black community members and for working to ensure every Arkansan counts in the 2030 Census by sponsoring Act 449
Ujima Maternity Network for their dedication to improving outcomes for pregnant and postpartum women in Arkansas and advocating successfully for the passage of Act 965 to create a state doula certification and Act 627 to require insurers to cover breastfeeding and lactation consultations
Rep. DeAnn Vaught for advocating for the safety of children in their workplaces
Kathy Webb for her continuous advocacy for hungry and food insecure Arkansans and pushing for the passage of Act 123, which secured universal free school breakfasts
Candace Williams for advocating for investments in our communities and against tax cuts that would hinder the state’s ability to make those needed investments
Rep. Jim Wooten for advocating for the adequate funding of critical state programs such as public education
Danielle Wright and her children for their unwavering advocacy for the health and well-being of postpartum women and advocating for HB1004 to expand Medicaid coverage to 12 months postpartum