Arkansas Lawmakers to Review Childcare Reimbursement Changes Amid Concerns from Providers
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — The Arkansas legislature is poised to evaluate significant changes to the state’s reimbursement structure for childcare providers during a meeting on Tuesday. The proposed modifications have drawn a mixed response, with advocates asserting that the adjustments will enhance financial support for families, while providers caution that the alterations may jeopardize critical funding sources.
On September 19, the Arkansas Department of Education announced updates to reimbursement rates and copays related to the School Readiness Assistance Program, with new rules scheduled to take effect Wednesday. The department claims these changes aim to streamline services, decrease waiting lists, and prioritize assistance for families facing the greatest financial hardships.
Debbie Mays, a representative for Early Educators in Arkansas, voiced alarm over the timing and potential ramifications of the new regulations. “That late notice leaves parents fumbling, trying to figure out how they’re going to adjust their budgets with just a week’s notice,” she said. Mays highlighted that childcare providers could face reductions in funding of up to 40 percent under the new framework. “For instance, I care for eight children enrolled in the school readiness program and will lose ,650 each month in subsidy alone, not including any potential copays that parents may now be obligated to pay,” she reiterated.
During a Legislative Council meeting on September 26, state Representative Jim Wooten from District 59 raised questions regarding the state’s allocation of a million extension for Education Freedom Accounts amidst substantial cuts to childcare funding. “If the state can find million elsewhere, why are we implementing such significant cuts to an essential program?” Wooten inquired, emphasizing the lack of timely communication provided to constituents regarding these changes.
In response, Courtney Salas-Ford, chief of staff at the Department of Education, clarified that the School Readiness Assistance Program relies on federal funding, making it challenging to simply supplement lost federal resources with state funds. “Infusing state dollars into a federal program can create complex issues,” she noted.
Rep. Denise Garner, chair of the House Early Education Subcommittee, emphasized that the upcoming meeting will provide a platform for stakeholders—including providers, families, and community members—to express their concerns and seek further insight into the urgency of these modifications. Education Secretary Jacob Oliva is expected to participate in the discussions.
In a show of solidarity, early educators and advocates are organizing a protest dubbed “A Day Without Childcare” scheduled for Wednesday at the state Capitol. Mays stated that the demonstration aims to raise awareness about the challenges faced by childcare providers and families, with plans to gather at the Arkansas Department of Education building before marching to the Capitol steps to share personal stories related to the impacts of the funding changes.
As the situation evolves, stakeholders across Arkansas are eager to find a balanced approach that ensures both adequate support for families and sustainable funding for childcare providers.
