ARKANSAS, USA — The Arkansas Department of Education said new reimbursement rates for childcare providers will be implemented.

At an Education Legislative Committee meeting on Nov. 3, Education Secretary Jacob Oliva told lawmakers that the state Education Department will no longer use the proposed flat rate plan. Some providers said that would be catastrophic.

Instead, the new plan will keep the tiered system, which provides funding to providers who provide more quality care.

The decision was made following recommendations from an emergency task force meeting last week.

"They reviewed the budget, they reviewed the proposed plans, and made a commitment to seek some of the stakeholders' feedback to say, 'Maybe they have some better ideas, maybe they have different strategies,'" Oliva sai

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