Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families on Wednesday called on the state’s education department to delay changes to the School Readiness Assistance Program, arguing the revisions could reduce access for families in need.
The Arkansas Department of Education announced Sept. 19 that a new sliding-scale reimbursement system would take effect Oct. 1, aiming to “prioritize access for working families and manage program demand responsibly.” The program provides financial assistance for child care to low-income families while parents work or attend school and currently serves more than 16,000 children.
AACF said the changes could make child care less affordable for eligible families, create barriers for providers, and jeopardize program quality. “It is disheartening that these changes were made without transparency and blindsided families and the early childhood care and education community,” the nonprofit said.
Under the new system, families above the poverty line will pay a copayment scaled to income and child age, while families at or below the poverty level will pay nothing for children before kindergarten. Provider reimbursement rates will shift to a flat statewide market rate, with exceptions for Northwest Arkansas, reversing previous incentives based on quality ratings.
The nonprofit warned that the changes could lead to job losses, reduced program quality, and limited access for families unable to afford the new copayments.
ADE spokesperson Rachel Starks said the changes are intended to ensure program sustainability and reflect current market rates. “We recognize that implementing these changes on a short timeline can create challenges for providers as they plan budgets and communicate with families,” she said, adding the department will provide guidance and technical support.
Education Secretary Jacob Oliva said the updates prioritize funding for the youngest children and support working families.
For the original reporting from Arkansas Advocate, click here.
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