Kerry Gambill

The meeting included reports from the Division of Behavioral Health Services (DBHS) and the Division of Youth Services (DYS). Key discussion points for DBHS included the repaving of the southeast parking lot, reroofing of Building 4, roof ice dam repairs, and the required construction of egress sidewalks. The Arkansas Health Center (AHC) report covered the City of Haskell fire station project, a freezer project, and the sale of property to UAMS. The DYS report included requests for funding to replace a damaged fence at the Arkansas Juvenile Treatment and Assessment Center (AJATC) and to replace three cottage roofs. Numerous emergency repairs and maintenance projects at various DYS facilities were also reviewed. A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to discussion and approval of a 20-year lease agreement with Arkansas Community Corrections (ACC) for Rogers Hall.

The meeting covered various topics including updates on Better Beginnings/QRIS, Health and Nutrition, AECC, Fatherhood Initiative, and Early Head Start programs. Discussions also included the Kellogg Grant, Early Head Start Child Care Partnership Grant, Universal Pre-K grant, and the 2014 Outstanding Early Childhood Professionals. A significant portion of the meeting focused on Licensing Promulgation, including proposed changes to rules and regulations, and the implications for childcare centers and families. The meeting concluded without a vote on several action items due to a lack of quorum.

The board reviewed and approved several requests for special permissions and waivers related to individuals seeking to work with children, considering factors such as past incidents and current circumstances. Discussions included the need for additional background checks, drug testing, and the appropriateness of various roles in relation to direct childcare. The board also addressed licensing updates for agencies, including changes in capacity and the addition of new units for transitional living programs. A temporary approval was granted for an individual pending further review and a plan for mandatory testing. The board approved several requests for increased capacity for transitional living programs, subject to licensing approval and adherence to safety standards.

The meeting covered various topics including updates on the nominating committee, DCCECE commissioner reports (including details on the Melinda and Bill Gates Foundation Pre-K initiative and a Team Nutrition training grant), the DCCECE Guaranteed Loan program, DCCECE staff updates, expulsion and suspension updates, Better Beginnings program updates, CPR/First Aid data and resources, and a Health and Nutrition program update. Discussions also included the Gates Foundation initiative and the MIECHV (Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood) Home Visiting Reauthorization. Action items included adding a BehaviorHelp link to the DCCECE website.

The DUR Board meeting addressed various topics, including the resignation of a board member and the introduction of new members. Discussions centered on updates to the system, implementation of edits from previous meetings, and proposed changes to criteria for hereditary angioedema therapy, oral antipsychotic agents, and several other medications (Dupixent, Daurismo, Xospata, Vitrakvi, Sympazan, Talzenna, Tegsedi, Inbrija, and Arikace). The board also reviewed reports from ProDUR and RDUR departments and approved quantity edits for Primaquine and Krintafel.