Marking Mental Health Action Day
The COVID-19 pandemic has affected everyone in one way or another. We have been tested as a nation, as communities, as a workforce and as parents. A 2021 study by the American Psychological Association (APA) looked at the mental and physical health of Americans one...
Seeking Communications Director
Excel by Eight (E8) envisions a state where all children have access to quality health care and education that maximizes their full potential, regardless of gender, income, race/ethnicity, disability, or geography. We are committed to increasing children’s health and...
Seeking Early Childhood Education Campaign Director
Excel by Eight (E8) envisions a state where all children have access to quality health care and education that maximizes their full potential, regardless of gender, income, race/ethnicity, disability, or geography. We are committed to increasing children’s health and...
Child Care Challenges in Rural Arkansas
Children begin learning before they are even born. The brain development that takes place during the early part of a child’s life is the foundation of learning, behavior, and health. Quality educational settings and early child care are key to maximizing brain...
Breaking Down Brain Development
Dr. Nikki Edge A child's brain undergoes an impressive amount of change between birth and age three. In fact, by age three, the brain has reached 80 percent of its adult volume. Because a child's developing brain is most flexible during the earliest months and years...
State of Child Care in Arkansas
It is every parent's dream for their children to be happy and healthy. But many Arkansas parents are forced to choose between working to ensure their families’ financial stability or providing quality child care. Unfortunately, without access to quality child care...
Healthier Smiles = Healthier Children
Oral health is a key indicator of children’s success. When kids experience cavities, it affects their abilities to eat, speak, play, and learn. Left untreated, tooth decay can lead to chronic absences, lower grades, and scores of adverse health and education outcomes....
An Economic Threat: Arkansas’s Lack of Child Care
The lack of affordable, quality child care isn’t only a challenge for parents. It’s a threat to our economic future. A recent poll showed 34% of U.S. families with young children are facing serious problems finding options when adults need to work. In Arkansas alone,...
American Rescue Plan Provides $464 Million for Child Care in Arkansas
The child care industry is critical to our economy’s success. It helps parents enter and remain in the workforce. And it supports caregivers who decide to seek additional education or job training. Even before COVID-19, early care and education providers were...
Tackling Food Insecurity, Improving Outcomes
Patty Barker, Arkansas No Kid Hungry Campaign Director Access to healthy food isn’t a luxury for Arkansas families. It’s a necessity for children’s long-term success. Studies show students who struggle with persistent hunger report lower math scores as well as higher...