LITTLE ROCK — A bipartisan group in Arkansas's Legislature has formed a caucus focusing on early childhood well-being. The caucus will work with early childhood advocates to inform legislators and create an agenda for the Arkansas General Assembly.
According to Brooke Edwards, communications director for Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families, there are more than 190,000 children in Arkansas under age 5.
"The youngest Arkansans face unique issues compared to their older neighbors, and targeted policy solutions are needed, both inside the classroom and out," Edwards said.
The Arkansas Early Childhood Well-Being Caucus is chaired by Sen. Trent Garner of El Dorado and Rep. Denise Garner of Fayetteville. Members from the Senate and the House, of both parties, have joined.
"During my career as a nurse practitioner and advocate for behavioral sciences and education, I've learned the importance of early intervention to insure the best outcome," Rep. Denise Garner said. "As around 80% of a child's brain is developed by age 3 and 90% by age 5, it's imperative to make certain our children are receiving everything they need to thrive and that we have policies in place to help make that happen."
The new caucus will provide the opportunity to learn more about the developing brain during these critical years, the importance of positive, nurturing environments, and the impacts of social determinants of health outcomes. Members will hear from experts about the latest data and newest innovative interventions so that lawmakers make informed decisions regarding policy and practice in the state.
"As a son of a kindergarten teacher, I saw firsthand the importance of early childhood development," said Sen. Trent Garner. "I'm excited to be part of this group of bipartisan legislators who are working together to move Arkansas in a new and better direction for our children."
The caucus held its first meeting Thursday, with 16 legislators in attendance. The meeting featured a presentation on "Brain Development" by Dr. Nikki Edge, professor in the Department of Family and Preventative Medicine at UAMS and a presentation on "Prenatal to Age 3" by Jamie Morrison Ward, president of the Arkansas Association for Infant Mental Health.
"We are thrilled with the opportunity to raise awareness and educate Arkansans on the critical developmental period of prenatal to age 3," Ward said. "The formation of the Early Childhood Well-Being caucus is a testament to the importance of the early years, and we are very fortunate to have a legislature that is interested in learning how to positively impact the health and education of our state's youngest citizens and their families."
The caucus plans to meet every month or every other month. For more information, visit fb.me/ARECCaucus.