Overview

• The Arkansas Department of Education announced a 30-day delay to new reimbursement rates for School Readiness Assistance providers.
• Sliding-scale co-payments began for families with incomes above 40% of the state median.
• Roughly 300 providers, parents and advocates rallied at the state Capitol to protest reduced payments and new co-pays.
• Lawmakers are considering using state funds to sustain current provider payments as federal support remains uncertain.
• Providers warn the proposed rates could force closures after less than two weeks' notice of the policy shifts.