Medicaid is the single largest provider of health insurance for individuals and families across the nation. Across all Medicaid programs in our state, more than 850,000 Arkansans receive services covered by Medicaid. In a deeply rural state, Medicaid plays...
The Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration recently announced a final general revenue budget surplus for Fiscal Year 2026 — the state government year that ended on June 30 — of $655 million. The debate concerning what to do...
Today’s U.S. Supreme Court decision affirming birthright citizenship is a landmark ruling for American equality, rejecting the Trump administration’s policy that would have created a segregated underclass in America. In 2023, an estimated 36,000 Arkansas children had at least...
Arkansas state law authorizes courts to assess a wide variety of fees and fines to system-involved youth and their families. Many juvenile judges actively assess fees and fines, citing their role in holding youth accountable and funding underresourced, especially...
Earlier this week the U.S. Senate Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Committee released the Farm Bill 2.0. Noticeably absent from this bill: relief for low-income families across the nation who rely on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) to help...
On June 19, Governor Sanders sent a letter to state government cabinet secretaries and department directors “outlining budget expectations” for the 2028-2030 biennial budget. In the letter, the Governor directs agency leaders to “cut costs” and “identify new savings.”...
Despite progress made, Arkansas remains 49th in the country for births to teens, 45th for Family and Community Domain According to the 2026 KIDS COUNT Data Book, Arkansas’s teen birth rate continues to decline, but we still lag behind...
Arkansas children have the best chance to thrive when they have quality education, including during their early years. Education is one of the four KIDS COUNT Data Book domains in overall child well-being and is measured by four indicators....
Arkansas Falls to 48th in Child Health in the 2026 KIDS COUNT Data Book The 2026 KIDS COUNT Data Book paints a concerning picture of children’s health in Arkansas. This year, Arkansas ranked 48th among states in the health...
Arkansas has made modest progress in the economic well-being of children but needs remain In the 2026 KIDS COUNT Data Book, which is based on the most recent 2024 data, Arkansas ranks 33rd in economic well-being of children among...