DHS Receives $60 Million Pre-K Grant

The pre-kindergarten Arkansas Better Chance program will receive nearly $15 million a year over four years in federal dollars for programs in 10 counties, the state Department of Human Services’ Division of Child Care and Early Childhood Education (DCCECE) announced Wednesday (Dec. 10).

According to the release, funding will serve about 1,670 Arkansas children annually and add 2,240 new pre-kindergarten slots. The grant, which is administered by the U.S. Departments of Education and Health and Human Services, will serve Craighead, Crittenden, Jefferson, Lonoke, Miller, Pulaski, St. Francis, Searcy, Union, and Washington Counties.

The 10 counties were selected based on geography, ethnic diversity and other factors. DCCECE will hold a competitive request for proposals process to select programs to be funded.

“We are excited to be selected to receive this expansion opportunity,” said Tonya Williams, DCCECE director, in the release. “The announcement acknowledges Arkansas’ existing commitment to high quality pre-K by allowing additional 4-year-olds to be served and by making improvements to the existing program.”

Arkansas was one of 35 states and Puerto Rico competing for $226 million to serve low- and moderate-income families. Thirteen states, including Arkansas, received expansion grants, and five received development grants. According to the DHS release, Arkansas’ ABC program conformed to 10 of the 12 elements defined by the federal government as a “high-quality preschool program.”