What are the opening hours?

Monday 8:30am - 5pm Tuesday 8:30am - 5pm Wednesday 8:30am - 5pm Thursday 8:30am - 5pm Friday 8:30am - 5pm

Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families

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Little Rock, AR
Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families

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Our work includes:

Protecting Children. In 1983, our research into juvenile court hearings led to a major overhaul of the state's juvenile justice system.

Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families' mission is to ensure that all children and their families have the resources and opportunities they need to lead healthy and productive lives and to realize their full potential. Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families was founded in 1977 by a group of prominent Arkansans who believed that children needed an "independent force to provide information and education to parents and citizens about our state's policies toward children and families." For more than 30 years, AACF has provided leadership, research and advocacy to promote wide-ranging reforms that have improved the lives of Arkansas children, and we have never been afraid to lead the way when the need arose. Through the years, AACF has played a major role in challenging Arkansas's juvenile justice and child welfare systems to perform better. Today we are part of several coalitions working on long-range reforms in both systems. Improving Children's Health. We led the effort to create ARKids First, which provides children's health insurance to working families. Since 1997, the rate of uninsured children in Arkansas has fallen from 21 percent to 9 percent. Now we're driving the state to cross the finish line to covering all kids by enrolling all eligible children and extending more options to families who can't afford private insurance. Fighting for Early Education and Out-of-School Opportunities. We have been a leader in the fight to make quality preschool available to at-risk 3- and 4-year-olds in the state. Beginning in 2003, AACF and others convinced the legislature to expand annual funding for pre-k by $100 million. As a result, the state can serve every at-risk 3- and 4-year-old. Now we're working expanding pre-k to more low-income children and we're leading a coalition fighting for high-quality afterschool and summer programs for children of all ages throughout the state. Promoting Economic Security. AACF is a champion for the economic well-being of Arkansas families. We have led efforts to make our tax and budget system more balanced, including recent victories of exempting most low-income families from the state income tax and closing down predatory payday lenders. Now we're working on securing a state earned income tax credit to help balance our regressive tax system. AACF will continue being a voice for Arkansas kids when it comes to these issues and others. Only when improvements are made in these areas can Arkansas's children truly realize their full potential. And until that day arrives, AACF will continue fighting on their behalf.

10/30/2026

Early voting continues this week. Take these steps for maximum participation in democracy:

1. Visit the link in the comments below to confirm your voter registration, view a sample ballot, find your voting locations, and identify early voting opportunities.

2. Offer a ride to someone who may need a ride to the polls. Encourage others to do the same. Make a plan!

3. Spread the word.

10/30/2026

Did you know that new federal restrictions that took effect October 1, 2026, now make it harder for many legally present immigrants to get the healthcare they need? Learn more on our blog (link in comments).

10/30/2026

Whether you have children or not, the well-being of our state’s kids is critical to everyone’s future. As advocates, it’s up to us to make sure voters and candidates are aware of the issues that matter most. Election years are an excellent time to call attention to the ways we can make Arkansas a better state to be and raise a child. Check out our 2026 Voters' Guide using the link in the comments.

10/29/2026

Today we released a report, "Paid Family and Medical Leave for Arkansas: An Investment in Workers, Families, Communities, and the Economy." AACF staff spoke to 35 Arkansans about their views, perspectives, and experiences with Paid Family and Medical Leave.

Across all groups, participants described leave as essential for childbirth, caregiving, illness, recovery, and family stability. However, participants consistently described limited or nonexistent access to paid leave.

Read the full report at the link in the comments.

10/29/2026

Updates to ARHOME and SNAP are rolling out in 2026. Some adults ages 19-64 enrolled in ARHOME may be subject to a 20hr/week work, school, or volunteer requirement. Make sure your contact information is up to date and sign up for alerts to stay informed.

10/29/2026

Mark your calendar! November 4th Corky's Arkansas is hosting a Give Back Night from 4-7 PM. 10% of sales will benefit Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families.

10/29/2026

Arkansas has the second highest teen birth rate in the country, but little discussion is had on how we can improve our ranking and the lives of the young people behind the numbers. Join us for a 40-minute screening of the Arkansas-based documentary baby/girls and hear the stories of two young moms navigating the impacts of a lack of sexual health education, generational trauma, and poverty. The screening will be followed by a facilitated discussion with attendees about how Arkansans can work together to improve the outcomes for teens in our state. Events are taking place across the state.

Fayetteville, November 10
Fort Smith, November 17
Jonesboro, December 7

Visit https://bit.ly/34aqOqe to register for the screening nearest you.

10/28/2026

Northwest Arkansas: Are you ready to advocate for kids in the 2027 Arkansas legislative session? Join us for Stand up for Kids to learn about AACF's Children's Agenda, meet fellow advocates, and decide what you need to be prepared!
Fayetteville, November 10
Register at the link in the comments.

10/27/2026

Thank you to Arkansas Democrat-Gazette / ArkansasOnline.com for featuring photographs from our 2026 Friends of Children Annual Luncheon! Check them out here: https://bit.ly/48iI3VS

Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families hosted its annual Friends of Children Luncheon on Oct. 7 at the DoubleTree Hotel. Fitz Hill and Tonya Williams were honored during the luncheon for their work on behalf of Arkansas children.

10/27/2026

Interesting in Voting Rights? Join us Oct. 29 via Zoom at 1:00 P.M. to hear from Kathy Webb with Get Loud Arkansas as she discusses critical national and state voting rights laws. To register visit https://bit.ly/4x0UOiM

Address

1400 W Markham Street, Ste 306
Little Rock, AR
72201

Opening Hours

Monday	8:30am - 5pm
Tuesday	8:30am - 5pm
Wednesday	8:30am - 5pm
Thursday	8:30am - 5pm
Friday	8:30am - 5pm

Telephone

+15013719678

Website

https://www.aradvocates.org/

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