Social Justice

Children's Healthcare in Little Rock, Arkansas

Arkansas Children's Hospital (ACH) is one of the largest children's hospitals in the nation, but operating in a state faced with daunting statistics.

• Arkansas is nationally ranked in overall children's health
• 4 in 10 children ages 2 to 17 lack sufficient access to medical or dental care
• 35,000 children without health insurance

(Data from ACH)

As the only hospital in the state with children as their main focus, ACH uses these numbers to motivate and drive them forwards in fulfilling their mission, "working to deliver care to reach more of the 710,000 children in Arkansas where they live, learn and play". Their efforts revolve around helping families bypass geographical and economical barriers to equitable healthcare for their children.

Fighting the Statistics and Improving Children's Health

Through expansion plans, community outreach programming, and transport options, ACH continuously strives to reach and help more children. With the main hospital centrally located in Little Rock, ACH has invested in expansion projects to provide convenient care in the far corners of the state. Locations outside of the main hospital now include Arkansas Children's Northwest and 4 clinics. ACH programming includes dental care through a school clinic, mobile dental clinics, and a traveling sealant program--all geared towards reaching patients whose access is limited due to medical, economic, or distance difficulties. In addition to providing far-reaching care, community education and engagement programs are in place to promote healthy lifestyles across the state.

A unique and life saving feature of ACH is their Mobile ECMO Program, called Angel One. Angel One consists of 4 ground ambulances and 2 helicopters, allowing them to provide transport for patients within a 250 mile radius of Little Rock. They are one of three programs within the US capable of transporting patients on an Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) circuit.

http://www.archildrens.org/default.aspx

Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP)

Although not a hospital program, CHIP is vital in making healthcare more accessible to all children in Arkansas, especially at ACH where 64% of patient payment comes from medicaid programs. It provides coverage to families who are unable to afford private healthcare coverage, but whose incomes fall above the range to be qualified for Medicaid.

https://www.benefits.gov/benefits/benefit-details/1090

Stats about Education in Arkansas:

• The State of Arkansas is ranked 35th in education in the nation
• 51% of young children are not in school
• 68% of 4th graders are below proficiency in reading
• 75% of 8th graders are not proficient in math
• 15 % of high school students do not graduate on time

Data collected from National KIDS COUNT and Arkansas Advocates for Children & Families

What is being done about this?

Arkansas has always been an advocate for children's education. As a result of the Brown v. Board of Education (1954) Arkansas had nine African American students, known as the Little Rock Nine, to first integrate the formally all white high school, Central High School. By taking this first step many children now have the access to better education.

Arkansas's passion for youth education did not end with Little Rock Nine. The first location we visited, Children's International (CI), has education as one of the four focuses they use to reach their goal: "break the cycle of poverty." CI says on their website "going to school - and not dropping out - is absolutely essential to building a future free from poverty." They support education in many ways. Through donations, CI is able to provide the materials needed for school and give scholarships to families, so their children can go to school. CI also provides tutoring services and locations to study. Understanding that parents need to know the importance of education for their children, CI also provides classes for parents. These classes show parents how to register their children for school and how to create a supportive environment. CI also acknowledges transitioning from high school to college to the job market is difficult, so they have added another program supporting and educating young adults ages 18 - 24. CI helps them navigate the struggles of college life, prepare for interviews, and become employed after they graduate college.

https://www.children.org/

The second organization we worked with, Our House, has similar views on education and how it leads to a life free from poverty. Because of their commitment to better education, Our House provides information to adults on how to get into the job market. Our House also understands the importance of starting early, so they work with Little Learners Child Development Center to provide children with the opportunities to develop necessary skills. These skill include making healthy choices, working in groups, and practicing small and large motor skills. Our House also has an Our Club Youth Program for children in school. This program not only provides tutoring, but it also incorporates other skills that will help children as they grow into adults. These skills include health and fitness, life skills, and the arts.

http://ourhouseshelter.org/

Arkansas Advocates for Children & Families

http://www.aradvocates.org/

Arkansas Advocates for Children & Families (AACF) is an independent group of citizens in Arkansas whose mission is to inform and educate parents and families about the state's policies and reforms to improve the lives of Arkansas children through leadership, research, and advocacy. AACF have been working for over 40 years to protect children, improve children's health, fight for early education and out-of-school opportunities, and promote economic security by being a voice for Arkansas children.

AACF is currently working on seven campaigns to improve the opportunities for children to learn and be in school, to expand the quality of education and experiences for children in and outside of school, and to ensure health and education coverages for children and families. AACF also provides advocates, legislators, and public officials with policy recommendations, reliable data through Kids Count Data Center, and resources required to move forward plausible policies for the well-being of children and families.

Women & Children First

https://www.wcfarkansas.org/

Women & Children First (WCF) has been providing crisis intervention, safe shelter, advocacy, and support for the past 40 years for those that have been affected by domestic violence. WCF provides many education and support services, including an advocacy program for in-house and outreach clients by offering crisis intervention, support groups, and classes to teach life skills, conflict resolution, healthy relationships, employment preparation, and much more. WCF's advocacy program also offers legal assistance, such as filing for orders of protection and referrals, with a full-time court advocate on staff. The advocacy program has a community outreach aspect as well, known as the P.R.I.D.E. Program, or Promoting Respect In Dating Environments. The P.R.I.D.E. Program's main focuses are to educate, inform, and build awareness on the effects of domestic violence on people, children, and the community to prevent domestic violence. WCF also has a children's program that not only provides education, recreational activities, and emotional support, but the children's program also assist parents in fostering education for their children. This includes helping in the enrollment process in new schools, arranging for counseling and tutoring, and enriching learning by organizing activities outside of school.

Photo Credits

Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families

Little Rock Children's International