Early Care and Education Is an Essential Component of the Foster Care System: A View From Arkansas

Abstract

The Arkansas Office of Early Childhood is collaborating with SRI International, the National Center for Children in Poverty, and the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences to learn about the supply, quality, and stability of early care and education (ECE) for children in foster care, as well as factors that promote or reduce access to high-quality ECE.

This brief presents key findings from a recent survey of Arkansas foster parents about their experiences searching for and accessing ECE for young children in foster care from birth through 5 years old.

Key findings from this brief include:

• Many foster parents reported declining requests to place children in their homes because of concerns about finding ECE.
• Nearly all foster families reported needing ECE so that adults in their foster households could work outside the home.
• Foster families reported facing significant challenges to finding ECE programs that had immediate openings, accepted child care vouchers, or provided high-quality care.
• Most foster families reported experiencing some form of hardship, such as missed work and financial strain, due to the time needed to secure ECE.

We also share recommendations for state leaders seeking to improve access to ECE for young children in foster care.