Thursday, November 12, 2026
9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Networking breakfast will open at 8:30 a.m.
Hilton Garden Inn West Little Rock
10914 Kanis Road
Little Rock, Arkansas
Registration is open for the fifth annual Excel by Eight Foundations Collaborative Summit. This in-person event will bring together partners and communities across the Excel by Eight network to hear updates on past and future legislation, learn about initiatives that can inform our work, and begin planning for Excel by Eight’s 2028–2030 policy agenda.
Here’s what to expect:
This year’s program includes sessions on early childhood education, maternal and child health, and the experiences of Arkansas families. Here’s a preview of this year’s program. The full agenda will be shared soon.
Family Perspectives
Parent leaders from our Family Advisor Council will open the Summit by sharing their perspectives and expertise on early childhood health and education.
Early Childhood Education: Increasing Access, Affordability and Quality
This session will explore current efforts to strengthen Arkansas’s early childhood education system, including implementation of Arkansas Teacher Retirement System access for eligible child care professionals, the Forward Arkansas Center for Early Learning Solutions’ work to strengthen the early childhood sector, and a Business Coalition legislative proposal.
- Jamie Ward, Curricula Concepts (Moderator)
- Jamie Rayford, Forward Arkansas Center for Early Learning Solutions
- Paul Lazenby, Arkansas Early Childhood Association
- Alison Williams, Excel by Eight
Improving Health Outcomes for Infants and Toddlers and Their Mothers
This session will highlight efforts to improve maternal and child health outcomes, including the next phase of HealthySteps, Medicaid developments affecting mothers and young children, infant mental health, and implementation of Medicaid coverage for doula services.
- Anna Strong, Arkansas Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics (Moderator)
- Sarah Moore, UAMS
- Elizabeth Pitman, Arkansas Department of Human Services
- Amy Stephenson, Arkansas Children’s Care Network
- Sarita Hendrix, Doula Alliance of Arkansas
Help us begin planning for 2028–2030
The Summit will also mark the beginning of our next planning process to determine Excel by Eight’s policy agenda for 2028–2030. When you register, you’ll be asked which workgroup you would most like to join as we begin that process.
Registration
Register today and be part of the work to strengthen early childhood in Arkansas. We look forward to seeing you at the Summit!
