Arkansas families receiving child care assistance will start paying higher copays this week, although state officials are delaying new reimbursement rates for providers for one month after concerns from parents and early childhood centers.
The Arkansas Department of Education announced in September that it would update its School Readiness Assistance program, effective October 1. The program, which serves more than 16,000 children, helps low-income families pay for child care while parents are working or attending school.
Secretary of Education Jacob Oliva told lawmakers Monday the changes were necessary after an $8 million reduction in federal funding and warnings of a possible government shutdown…