Children + Families
What’s IUI? What’s IVF? A look at the fertility treatments the Walz family is talking about
The broader scope of fertility treatments entered the spotlight last week after Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and his wife Gwen shared that they had children through a less commonly known procedure. Since Vice President Kamala Harris selected Gov. Walz as her running mate, he has discussed his family’s fertility journey during speeches in Pennsylvania, Nebraska […]
A steady job doesn’t guarantee food on the table for many Arkansans
This story is part of a series about Arkansans who work hard but struggle to survive, people who are part of the asset limited, income constrained and employed (ALICE) population. Today’s story deals with issues of food access. Previous stories in this series can be found here, here and here. As a Fayetteville food […]
Four Arkansas organizations receive grant funding to combat food deserts
Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders, alongside leadership from the state health department on Wednesday, announced four organizations would receive up to $10,000 each as part of an inaugural “food desert elimination grant.” All 75 counties in Arkansas have at least one food desert, which means residents have to travel more than one mile to obtain fresh, […]
Arkansas teachers feel financial burden of back-to-school season, regardless of raises
As Arkansas educators prepare their classrooms for students’ return this month, many will spend hundreds of dollars on materials that supplement supplies parents purchase for their children. The Arkansas LEARNS Act, a major education overhaul championed by Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders, raised the base pay for teachers to $50,000. But teachers say the pay increase […]
Inaugural food assistance program offers grocery relief to Arkansas families
Fruits, fresh vegetables, ground beef and yogurt were among the first things Nedra Gaines bought when she received her three childrens’ Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer cards at the end of June. A new federal food assistance program, Summer EBT, provides eligible children with $120 on a pre-loaded card to purchase groceries during a critical time […]
In rare bipartisan vote, U.S. Senate passes package aimed at protecting kids online
This story mentions suicide. If you or a loved one are experiencing a mental health crisis or thoughts of suicide, please dial 988 or chat with a live counselor at 988lifeline.org. WASHINGTON — Legislation aimed at protecting children online sailed through the U.S. Senate Tuesday, marking what could be the first update since the late […]
Plan or penalty: The next step in Arkansas city’s path to better water infrastructure
Members of the Arkansas State Board of Health on Thursday approved formal orders requiring improvements for three municipal water systems, two of them in Helena-West Helena where failing infrastructure has left residents with poor drinking water and occasionally dry pipes. The Mississippi River towns of Helena and West Helena, with about 8,000 people combined, consolidated […]
Teens, families focus of $200,000 opioid settlement funds for Arkansas nonprofit
Amber Govan often can be found inside an unassuming building off 12th Street in Little Rock working with students during after-school programs or consulting federal agencies on community violence intervention through her nonprofit, Carter’s Crew. Carter’s Crew helps teens in Central Arkansas who have been in the justice system or live in crime-heavy neighborhoods; it […]
Arkansas education department reduces work requirement for child care assistance program
Arkansas education officials on Monday announced recently implemented changes to a child care subsidy program, including reducing the required work hours and removing a lifetime limit on benefits. The Child Care Assistance Program, which provides financial assistance to low-income families for quality childcare, is supported through the Child Care Development Fund (CCDF), which is administered […]
Advocates recommend policies to improve sex education, reduce teen pregnancy in Arkansas
Arkansas needs a more robust sexual health education landscape in order to reduce the state’s high rates of teenage pregnancy and births, a coalition of advocates for children’s health and wellbeing asserted in a report published Wednesday. The report from Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families includes several policy recommendations to “move Arkansas into an […]
Food program won’t benefit eligible Arkansas children until midsummer
By July 10, most children in Arkansas will be well into their second month of summer break with five weeks of sunny, schoolless days under their belts, but some children will have spent those weeks without a reliable source of food. Arkansas has one of the highest food insecurity rates in the nation and is […]
Florida governor signs bill compensating victims of abuse while children in state custody
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has approved a measure that will finally provide reparations for hundreds of men who as children were beaten and raped for decades while in the custody of the state. The law (HB 21) signed by the governor on Friday morning will divide $20 million in compensation between those who attended the Arthur […]