Overview
The Division of Child Care and Early Childhood Education (DCCECE) offers a variety of financial programs and resources to help providers offer quality early child care and education to the children they care for.
Child Care Assistance Program (Vouchers)
Child Care providers who are licensed or registered by DCCECE and meet the requirements set by the State of Arkansas may participate in the CCDF Child Care Assistance Program. This program allows providers to accept voucher funds from parents who are wishing to place their children in quality child care facilities.
To apply:
- Step One: Complete the CCDF Child Care Participant Agreement Training and Exam
- Step Two: Complete and mail or fax the forms you are provided following the exam
Additional Information:
Nutrition Programs
The Arkansas Special Nutrition Programs include: Child & Adult Food Program, the Summer Food Service Program for Children, Special Milk, and National School Lunch. These programs are funded by the U. S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and administered by the state. Use the link below to learn more.
Behavior Help Program and Resources
BehaviorHelp services are available to assist child care centers virtually by providing support in managing challenging classroom behaviors, as well as the social-emotional well-being of your children, families, and staff during the COVID-19 pandemic. Learn more about virtual BehaviorHelp or click here to submit a request for support.
- www.behaviorhelponline.org
- Behavior Help Annual Reports: 2018-19
- Suspension and Expulsion Frequently Asked Questions
Trainings:
Resources:
- Sample Child Care Center Policy on Promoting Social-Emotional Skills
- Preventing Suspension and Expulsion – Keeping Kids on a Healthy Path
- Expulsion Prevention Teacher Checklist
Arkansas Market Rate Review
DCCECE seeks to increase the quality of care provided throughout the state without harming the financial well-being of child care businesses. On their behalf, independent evaluators at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) prepared a series of cost models to identify impacts of potential regulatory and policy changes.
- 2019 Arkansas Child Care Market Price Study
- 2019 QRIS Making Quality Ends Meet
- 2015 Arkansas Child Care Market Price Study
- 2014 QRIS Making Quality Ends Meet – Highlights
Arkansas Quality Incentive Rates
In 2014, DCCECE implemented a Quality Incentive Rate based on geographic location. Use these links to see the reimbursement rate for each service type and age type combination. Arkansas Urban counties are limited to Benton, Cleveland, Craighead, Crawford, Crittenden, Faulkner, Garland, Grant, Jefferson, Lincoln, Little River, Lonoke, Madison, Miller, Perry, Poinsett, Pulaski, Saline, Sebastian, & Washington. All other counties are designated as Rural.
