Ark. Code Ann. § 12-86-202: Legislative intent

The General Assembly finds that:

(1) Early care and education facilities at which children from birth to four (4) years of age and school-age children may spend part or all of their days may not be known to emergency preparedness agencies and thus may be overlooked in first response activities and in recovery planning following major disasters;

(2) The health and social-emotional, cognitive, and physical development of young children may be compromised by severe traumatic experiences;

(3) Teachers and caregivers of young children will improve the children's health and well being by being prepared for orderly evacuations and rapid reunification of young children with their parents during emergencies;

(4) Child care facilities are crucial to the economic redevelopment of communities following major disasters; and

(5) State child care and emergency management agencies should take steps to share data and coordinate planning, response, and recovery of child care facilities during and after major disasters.