programs are under-utilized by women and others who qualify for such programs. The estimated cost for this Council would be minimal.64 Both legislative taskforces and nonprofit organizations, such as Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families, have studied poverty in Arkansas and produced multiple reports on the subject. However, there is no state entity that coordinates efforts to reduce poverty in Arkansas and evaluates the progress and effectiveness of anti-poverty initiatives. The Arkansas Legislative Taskforce on Reducing Poverty recommended that a permanent advisory council for poverty reduction and economic opportunity be formed “to monitor accomplishments, make adjustments to plans when needed, assess new situations that need response, and evaluate research suggesting new solutions to existing problems.�65 According to the Center for Law and Social Policy, 19 states, the District of Columbia, and the U.S. Virgin Islands have created poverty and opportunity task forces. 66
26 | P a g e