04/22/2026
IMPORTANT: To anyone with a loved one on the CES waitlist and anyone else who wants to rally on behalf of our kiddos that will need services for lifetime. For the second fiscal year in a row no money has been put into the budget to fund new CES waiver spots. The money allocated by former governor Hutchinson has been used up. So that means that there will be no new spots released and the only movement on the list will be if someone currently on waiver dies or moves out of state or into a facility. So it's time to RALLY!!!! Please call or send a letter to your state representative, your state senator and the governor telling them that your child is on the waitlist and that you would like them to add money to the upcoming fiscal budget to fund new slots. Tell them about your child and why the CES waiver spot would be beneficial to your family. I would stay away from mentioning being a paid caregiver however and just say "in home help/staff". Including a picture of your loved one too is helpful. THIS IS TIME SENSITIVE!!! They are in fiscal session now so don't delay. Don't worry about not being a good writer or any other excuse.....speak up, tell your story. Below is a sample of what you can say. I am including 3 links for you to easily look up your rep, senator and the governor's contact info. https://governor.arkansas.gov/interact/contact-the-governor/
https://senate.arkansas.gov/senators/senator-search/
https://ziplook.house.gov/htbin/findrep_house
Simple phone or email script: (calls get more attention bc they count them by issue)
My name is ________ and I am one of your constituents from (town). I am calling today to ask for funding to be added to this fiscal year's budget for the Community and Employment Services waiver. For the second year in a row, no money has been allocated for this program. My child is ___ years old and has a diagnosis of ____. He/She is currently number ____ on the waitlist. If funding is not added to address the current waitlist only 100-150 slots may open up this year due to death or moves out of state or into facilities. At that rate it will take my child ____ years to get his/her spot (Divide your current number by 150 to get number of years) Having CES waiver services is important to my family because (share your story....think do you need supportive living, supportive employment, modifications to your home, respite) Thank you for understanding the importance of this program and how it serves those living with disabilities in Arkansas. I urge you to please do what is right and encourage funding to be added to the budget for this program.
