Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families recently held their annual Kids Count Day at the Capitol, where 10-year-old Olivia Stallings shared her thoughts on state government. Olivia emphasized the importance of knowing what’s going on in politics even though children can’t vote. She highlighted a speech made by Sen. Jamie Scott regarding affirmative action, pointing out its potential impact on working people and African Americans in Arkansas.
The organization is opposed to a bill that would prohibit discrimination or preferential treatment, as they believe it could have negative consequences for minority populations. The debate over Senate Bill 3 has been ongoing, with concerns raised about its implications for diversity and inclusion in various industries. The bill’s amendment is set to be discussed at a committee meeting.
During the event, various speakers addressed different issues affecting children in Arkansas, such as food insecurity, high rates of child poverty, and the need for increased teacher wages. The organization also discussed ongoing legislation, including a bill to offer free breakfast to public school students, and the “Healthy Moms, Healthy Babies Act” aimed at improving maternal health.
While AACF supports the free breakfast bill, they have concerns about the maternal health bill as it doesn’t expand Medicaid coverage for postpartum mothers. The organization is also neutral on a bill to ban cell phone usage in schools, advocating for a comprehensive approach to addressing mental and behavioral health issues in children. They are pushing for more investments in early childhood education and after-school programs to prevent children from entering the juvenile justice system.
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