OVERVIEW-ANNUAL REPORT

 

 

 

 

 

Governor Mike Huckabee noted in his challenge to establish a “Corporate Champions for Children” taskforce that “A critical component in the advancement and opportunity of many has been the care of their children while the parents are at work.  Into this void, government programs have been created that have not been able to sustain themselves for the long term.  A new perspective must be gained to alleviate problems resulting from a one-size fits all approach for parents while assuring the public that quality child care does not mean substandard conditions by those who provide such services. Governments are not parents, and as such they must always remember their roll as servants for those who look to them for counsel”.

 

The Division of Child Care and Early Childhood Education, in its effort to support working families, educate parents and ensure parents confidence in their child’s safety and development during their early years, met with all of its staff and Early Childhood Commissioners in order to develop a Strategic Plan for the Division. 

 

Highlights of that plan and accomplishments of the Division are as follows:

 

·         A report to the Governor from the Arkansas Corporate Champions for Children Initiative was issued – August 2000.

 

·         Quality Initiative request for proposals (RFP) were developed and issued resulting in contracts for the professional development of child-care providers, training and increasing the quality of care for children.

 

·         An accountable tracking system was developed and implemented that assisted the Division in provider accountability.

 

·         A group of twenty (20) early childhood professional partnered together over an eighteen-month

      period to design, develop and write curriculum for the Early Literacy Learning in Arkansas (Pre K ELLA)

      initiative.  This initiative enhances the Arkansas Early Childhood Framework, which aligns with the K-3

      frameworks to positively affect school readiness in Arkansas.

 

In addition, during the Legislative Session two noted actions occurred.  First, Governor Huckabee allocated 1 million dollars to the Division to expand subsidized child care to low-income working families.  Secondly, child advocates working with the Legislature passed an excise tax on beer sales, which allow for the evaluation and improvement of the Arkansas Better Chance (ABC) program.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Source:  Division of Child Care and Early Childhood Education

 

AR DHS Statistical Report SFY 2001

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