Before age 3, 85 percent of a child’s core brain structure is formed. This “wiring” shapes infants and toddlers’ ability to learn to read and think critically. Early learning experiences also influence health, social, and economic outcomes. The Arkansas...
The year 2017 was an eventful one for AACF! We celebrated 40 years of working to improve the lives of Arkansas kids and families. AACF observed the occasion in October with our first ever gala, held at Little Rock’s...
Governor Asa Hutchinson kicked off the 2018 fiscal session of the Arkansas General Assembly today with a review of his administration’s major accomplishments while outlining his priorities for the upcoming session. While there was good news to be found...
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...
Are you or someone you know interested in tackling domestic policy challenges in areas like health care, taxes, anti-poverty policy, education, and criminal justice? Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families (AACF) would like to share information with you about the State...
Health coverage is one of the most important resources that children need to thrive and grow into healthy adults. Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) ensure that nearly half of Arkansas children — over 400,000 — have...
Following Senate passage of the Republican tax bill, Rich Huddleston, Executive Director of Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families, released the following statement: Both the Senate and House tax bills are costly new giveaways to the very wealthy and...
Attacks on our state’s highly successful Medicaid program are coming from many directions. After several unsuccessful attempts to dismantle the health care system by repealing the Affordable Care Act, new rules announced today by the White House would allow...
Things aren’t always as simple – or as good — as they seem. Today’s headline, that the U.S. House of Representatives voted to reauthorize the Children’s Health Insurance Program, seems worthy of celebration. And certainly, we applaud this move...
Looking back at four decades of progress…and ahead to the future At our 40th Anniversary Gala, we released a very special video. In it, we hear from AACF founders, Executive Directors past and present, policymakers, and partners about how...