Formation 2010 Purpose Public Charity | Founded at Rogers, Arkansas Headquarters Jonesboro, Arkansas | |
Founder Michael Patterson & Nelson Walter Legal status 501(c)(3) Nonprofit Corporation | ||
Arkansas Early Learning, Inc. headquartered in Jonesboro, Arkansas, is a nonprofit organization as classified under Internal Revenue Code 501(c)(3) that provides federal and community funded Head Start and Early Head Start services to almost 1,200 families throughout Arkansas annually. Arkansas Early Learning is classified as a public charitable organization (PC) under IRS and Arkansas classifications. Arkansas Early Learning's stated mission is to build a stronger community by empowering children and families with skills essential to their success. The company's main areas of focus are early childhood education, health, mental health, disabilities, family engagement, and nutrition.
History
Arkansas Early Learning was founded in Rogers, Arkansas on December 10, 2010 by Michael Patterson and Nelson Walter as a sole proprietorship. The two founders incorporated in Arkansas on May 16, 2011 and received IRS 501(c)(3) Public Charity designation status on December 5, 2011. Arkansas Early Learning receives three federal grants annually.
The company was awarded its first federal Head Start grant on June 1, 2013. This grant established Head Start services in six Northeast Arkansas Counties: Craighead, Crittenden, Cross, Green, Jackson, and Poinsett. On July 1, 2014, the company was awarded a second grant. This Early Head Start grant established services in two Central Arkansas Counties: Garland and Pulaski.
A third grant was awarded on May 1, 2015 establishing new Early Head Start services in Northwest Arkansas, Benton County, and Central Arkansas, Saline County. This grant also expanded services in two Northeast Arkansas Counties: Cross and Crittenden. The third grant was part of the Early Head Start - Child Care Partnership initiative.