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About Us
Our Mission
To build a stronger community by empowering children and families with skills essential to their success...we believe everyone deserves the opportunity for a better life. It's our mission to provide transformational learning programs to help children and families develop the skills essential to their social competency.
Our Vision
Bring a greater degree of social competence in children and low-income families.
AEL participates in the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) which is a sub-part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA.
Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g. Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.), should contact the Agency (State or local) where they applied for benefits. Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.
AEL also prohibits discrimination on the basis of breastfeeding. It is important for you to be aware of this and if you have any concerns about discrimination related to the food program please addrees those with us first. To file a program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, (AD-3027) found online at: How to File a Complaint, and at any USDA office, or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by:
1. Mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture Office of the Assistant Secretary for
Civil Rights
1400 Independence Avenue, SW
Washington, D.C. 20250-9410;
2. Fax: (202) 690-7442; or
3. Email: program.intake@usda.gov.
This institution is an equal opportunity provider.
Who We Are:
Arkansas Early Learning (AEL) is now the largest Head Start program in Arkansas. AEL was established to serve the most vulnerable children ages birth to five and their families throughout the State of Arkansas. AEL provides a variety of comprehensive services that address individual needs, promote school readiness and future success, beginning with programs for pregnant mothers that continue through the child(ren)s transition into Kindergarten. This is accomplished through parent involvement and parent partnerships to support the development of their child(ren).
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Who We Serve:
Arkansas Early Learning serves children ages 0 to 5 years old in a family-friendly childcare setting. AEL currently operates 41 centers, which include 9 partner sites, 32 AEL operated sites, 3 central offices, 1 warehouse, and 1 central kitchen for a total of 46 locations. These quality Head Start and Early Head Start programs are located in Alexander, Arkadelphia, Bentonville, Bryant, Clarksville, Coal Hill, Danville, Gentry, Glenwood, Harrisburg, Haskell, Hector, Hot Springs, Jacksonville, Jonesboro, Malvern, Marked Tree, Mena, Morrilton, Mt. Ida, Newport, North Little Rock, Paragould, Paris, Perry, Rogers, Russellville, Springdale, West Memphis, and Wynne, Arkansas.
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Arkansas Early Learning is a quality early education childcare program and is inclusive of children with disabilities and is licensed under the "Child Care Facility Licensing Act" through the Arkansas Department of Human Services, Division of Child Care, and Early Childhood Education.
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To be eligible for HS/EHS, an applicant must be determined age and income or categorically eligible as per the following:
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Age Eligibility:
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Pregnant women (any age)
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Birth to under 3 years old (EHS)
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Child must be 3 years old by the program entrance date (HS)
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Income Eligibility:
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To qualify, a family's gross annual income must be at or below the mandated Poverty Guidelines.
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Categorical Eligibility:
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A family is eligible in any of the following categories, regardless of total gross income:
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An applicant is placed in 24-hour out-of-home Foster Care
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Applicant or family member living with and supported by the child's parent(s) or guardian(s) and is receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
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Family is experiencing homelessness as defined by the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act
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Region II
Northeast Regional Office
1901 Woodsprings Rd.
Jonesboro, AR 72401
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Region III
Central Regional Office
2707 H Street
Russellville, AR 72802
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Region I
Northwest Regional Office
2308 SE 28th Street
Bentonville, AR 72712
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