4 Politics
THE POLK COUNTY
Pulse
November 1, 2023
From the
State House of Representatives
than $50,000. This week, the House Aging, Members of the committee were Children and Youth, Legislaalso given some alarming statistics tive and Military Affairs Commitregarding Arkansans experiencing tee convened with the Senate early warning signs. In Arkansas, Children and Youth Committee. 11.5% of those aged 45 and over Members were presented with report they experience confusion the Alzheimer’s and Dementia or memory loss that is happening Advisory Council Annual Report. more often or getting worse. These findings shed light on the For those with worsening memalarming statistics surrounding John Maddox ory, 60% say it has created funcAlzheimer’s disease in the state, revealing both present challenges and fu- tional difficulties that have caused them to give up day-to-day activities or interfere ture hurdles facing our state. In 2021, the 93rd General Assembly with work or social activities. While there is currently no cure for Alzinitiated Act 391 which established a permanent Alzheimer’s and Dementia Advi- heimer’s, research is showing that people sory Council. This move demonstrated the can reduce their risks by making key lifestate’s commitment to addressing the issue style changes including maintaining good head-on. Alzheimer’s disease is a debili- heart health. In recognizing the pressing need to adtating condition that not only affects those living with it but also places a significant dress Alzheimer’s, the 94th General Assembly strengthened with Advisory Council burden on their families and caregivers. The statistics are sobering. In 2020, it with Act 102. This act adds two members was estimated that 58,000 Arkansans aged from underrepresented healthcare provid65 and over are living with Alzheimer’s. This ers. They include a representative from Arnumber is expected to rise to approximate- kansas Home-based Services Association ly 67,000 by 2025. This number highlights and the Arkansas Residential Assisted Living Association. the urgent need to confront this disease. The 94th General Assembly also passed Another heart-wrenching aspect of Alzheimer’s is the toll it takes on caregivers. Act 682 which establishes the position of Arkansas currently has around 154,000 Dementia Coordinator within the Division of unpaid caregivers who provide support and Aging at the Department of Human Services. We will continue to review the informacare for their loved ones with Alzheimer’s. The impact of these dedicated individuals tion and recommendations coming from the cannot be overstated. They face immense Advisory Council. The Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia emotional, physical, and financial challenges while caring for their afflicted family Advisory Council meets again on Monday, members. Most Arkansas caregivers are October 30 at 12:30 p.m. in the State Capover the age of 50 and 41% of caregivers itol, room 151. The meeting will be livehave an annual household income of less streamed at arkansashouse.org.
From the
State Senate
The state will continue erment. to accept applications from “Act 237” also raises minfamilies who want to fund imum teacher salaries to their children’s tuition with $50,000. Teachers who alEducation Freedom Acready make more than the counts, and perhaps as early minimum got a $2,000 raise. as February the state will beFull-time teachers can get 12 gin accepting applications for weeks of paid maternity leave. Terry Rice next school year. The act increases the The governor proposed and the amount that teachers can receive for legislature created the funding mech- student loan repayment, from $3,000 anism during the regular session ear- to $6,000 for teachers who pledge to lier this year. About 5,000 students stay in Arkansas. have been approved and their famiIt repeals the teacher fair dismissal lies are receiving $6,672 to help pay law. for the cost of private or parochial The act emphasizes several methschools. However, students who had ods to improve literacy in the early been in the Succeed Scholarship pro- grades. The state will hire 120 literagram qualify for $7,413. cy coaches who will concentrate on There is funding for about 1,500 schools that scored a D or an F on additional students this year. Next school report cares. Families of chilschool year, and estimated 13,000 dren struggling with literacy can get students will be able to apply, accord- a $500 stipend to pay for a tutor. The ing to the assistant commissioner for standard in literacy for advancing to school choice in the state Division of third grade will be higher. Elementary and Secondary EducaToo many Arkansas children do tion. He spoke to parents and inter- not read at grade level, so under the ested people during a digital hearing “LEARNS Act” the state will provide on the Internet. high quality material so that all classIn school year 2025-2026, the fam- rooms can use methods based on the ilies of all Arkansas students may ap- science of reading. A goal of the act ply for funding from Education Free- is to ensure that all elementary school dom Accounts. teachers have been trained in the sciThe accounts are a component of ence of reading. “Act 237” of 2023, also known as the The “LEARNS Act” requires high “LEARNS Act.” That is an acronym school students to complete 75 hours for literacy, empowerment, account- of community service in order to ability, readiness, networking and graduate. safety. It allows high school students to Under the act, private schools may choose a curriculum focused on techapply to qualify for the accounts, and nical and vocational subjects that will so far 94 schools, or about 70 percent further their path toward a well-paid of all the private schools in Arkansas, job. If high school students don’t behave been approved. lieve they are suited for higher educaEarlier in October a national or- tion, they won’t be limited to the conganization, the American Legislative ventional core of academic subjects. Exchange Council, ranked ArkanThe act directs the state will comsas second in the country for pa- mit to more school safety measures, rental empowerment, thanks to the continuing the push to provide “LEARNS Act.” Arkansas was one of high speed Internet in all Arkansas only three states to earn an “A” from schools. the organization for parental empow-
