Pulaski County
Excel by Eight in Pulaski County
The E8 coalition in Pulaski County is led by the City of Little Rock, with Dr. Jay Barth, Chief Education Officer, serving as chairperson. E8 is one of four committees on Mayor Frank Scott’s Lifelong Learning Cabinet, the city’s broader effort to support children and youth from birth to career.
In Pulaski County, E8 is narrower in scope, focusing mostly on the capital city. The effort launched in March 2020 by implementing the Early Development Instrument (EDI) in the Little Rock School District. The EDI is a population measure of how children are developing based on the five domains of early childhood development: physical health and wellbeing; social competence; emotional maturity; language and cognitive skills; and communication skills and general knowledge. The steering committee is currently involved in the research phase, which is a critical first step in identifying needs and priorities that reflect local context.
Snapshot
Home to state government
Major industries are healthcare, aerospace, and banking and finance
Little Rock Central High was one of the first sites of integration following the Brown v. Board of Education ruling
Steering Committee
Dr. Jay Barth, Chair, City of Little Rock
Arisbeth Johnson, Alas/Wings
Anna Strong, Arkansas Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics
Rhonda Sanders, Arkansas Foodbank
Tyra Greenwood, Arkansas Home Visiting Network
Patty Barker, Arkansas Hunger Relief Alliance
Dionne Jackson, AR Kids Read
Lisa Donovan, Central Arkansas Library System
Ryan Davis, Children International
David Kuchinski, Centers for Youth and Families
Steve Biernacki, City Connections
Lori Ducey, World Central Kitchen
Tiffany Lepard, Foster Parent
Danita Paige, Geyer Springs United Methodist Church
Ray Scott, Health Information Technology
Mike Ramirez, Hope Credit Union
Esther Jones, Little Rock School District – Early Childhood
Jacqueline McEuen, Little Rock School District – School Health
Margo Bushmiaer, Little Rock School District – School Health
Al Richardson, Life Skills for Youth
Larry Clark, Life Skills for Youth
Diego Morales Ibarra, Mexican Consulate
Stephany Granados, Mexican Consulate
Maureen Martin, Our House
Sarah Argue, Pulaski County Imagination Library
LeCole White, SafeCare
Wendy Ward, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
Read more about E8 Communities
Realizing the EDI’s Full Impact
Building a strong foundation for children’s success starts with taking a look at where they are now. Enter the Early Development Instrument (EDI), which offers a comprehensive view of how children are developing in neighborhoods and census tracts across...
Uncovering the Impact of the Early Development Instrument
When building a house it is best to start with a strong foundation. This applies to early brain development as well. The brain develops faster in a child’s first three years than any other time in life, laying the bricks and mortar of future learning and success. A...
An E8 Community Convo: Michelle Puckett in Independence County
As Michelle Puckett, Batesville Preschool director, has witnessed firsthand, early care and education set the stage for children’s long-term cognitive development, school achievement, and overall success. Today, she combines this real-world knowledge and decade of...