Conway County

Excel by Eight in Conway County

Through the American Rescue Plan, child care facilities across the state were able to access federal funds to help stabilize their operations in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and improve quality and availability of child care slots.

Child Care Aware of Northcentral Arkansas actively supported Conway County’s facilities to take advantage of this opportunity to elevate and expand care in their community. Successes include five facilities increasing their Arkansas Better Beginnings quality rating from Level 1 to Level 2, which allows them to continue accepting vouchers from families in 2023 and receive a higher reimbursement rate. One facility moved from Better Beginnings Level 2 to Level 3, the highest quality rating available at that time.

Additionally, one provider was awarded funding to open a new center, which will bring 89 new child care slots, including infant and toddler care, to Morrilton and the surrounding area.

In 2023, the Conway County steering committee will focus on increasing parent access to early development resources as well as engaging families directly in local community planning efforts about young children.

Snapshot

Located in the Arkansas River Valley

Major industries are manufacturing and transportation

Home to Petit Jean State Park, the first Arkansas State Park

Steering Committee

E8 Core Team

John Gibson, Chair, Conway County Community Foundation

Amber Holland, Community Service, Inc. 

Princess Johnson, Parent

Kara Jones, Conway County Center for Exceptional Children

Dr. Susan Okroglic, Community Service, Inc.

Committee Members

Robbie Belew, Curricula Concepts
Shandee Gordon, Wonderview School District
Shawn Halbrook, South Conway County School District
Lora Hendrix, South Conway County School District
Aida Kuettle, South Conway County School District
Stephanie Lipsmeyer, Morrilton Area Chamber of Commerce
Michelle Mallett, Conway County Juvenile Probation and Arkansas Coalition for Juvenile Justice

Kaila Parker, Parent
Jenifer Riley, Community Service, Inc.
Jamie Stacks, Wonderview School District
Karey Tapley, South Conway County School District
Candace Williams, Rural Community Alliance
Logan Williams, Nemo Vista School District
Sharon Wilson, South Conway County School District

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