Child care providers across Arkansas are urging state officials for help as funding shortfalls and changes to the state’s financial aid program put centers at risk.
On Tuesday, the Arkansas Early Childhood Commission voted unanimously to create an emergency working group made up of researchers, lawmakers, and providers. The goal: help the state Office of Early Childhood keep child care services running and sustainable by November 1.
The vote comes after providers warned that layoffs and closures are looming. Chris Barnes, a State Leadership Development Coach with the Department of Education, said the state only has $16.3 million in federal Child Care and Development Fund money available-enough for about five weeks of operations.
The CCDF supports the School Readiness Assistance Program, which provides financial aid to low-income families. In September, the state introduced a new reimbursement system and sliding-scale copayments. While reimbursement cuts for providers were delayed until November 1, copayments for families went into effect October 1, and some centers have already been forced to close because families cannot afford the higher costs.
Providers at Tuesday’s meeting made it clear they feel left out of key decisions. Jody Abernathy, director of the DREAM Child Care Center in Sherwood, said, “There shouldn’t have been a program that was created for low-income parents without a business model that was created with it.”
The commission heard reports that planned reimbursement cuts could cost providers $727,000 per week statewide and lead to hundreds of layoffs. Providers shared personal stories of financial strain, including unpaid staff and canceled health insurance benefits.
The working group, once formed, will develop solutions to present to Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders’ office. Commission leaders hope the group can stabilize early childhood programs and help families while keeping centers open.
Karen Marshall, who runs Tender Loving Care in Searcy, said staff retention is also a challenge. She noted that while the LEARNS Act increased K-12 teacher salaries, licensed early childhood teachers have few comparable opportunities, leading many to leave child care for public schools.
Providers stressed that quality child care is essential to families and the broader education system, and they hope the emergency working group can bring some immediate relief.
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