I've been in this field for over 30 years. I hold a doctorate in education with a focus on organizational leadership. I've served on the board for the Central Arkansas Affiliate of the Arkansas Early Childhood Association for several years and am now the president. I've contributed to multiple advisory boards. I know this industry. I've dedicated my life to nurturing children, empowering teachers, and supporting families through community partnerships.

And I am angry. Angry that providers like me--who have given everything--are the ones being pushed to the edge. We are the backbone of early childhood education. We already carry an enormous weight. These changes threaten to make that burden unbearable.

Our program currently serves between 120 and 140 voucher-supported children each year. Under the new rate structure recently announced, we are facing a projected financial loss of $6,625.30 per week, amounting to $344,515.60 annually. We have just two weeks to determine how we can possibly adjust our budget to absorb this level of loss.

Right now, the goal is clear: to ensure that as many........

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