Word went out Sept. 19 that the state would be slashing reimbursement rates for the School Readiness Assistance program, which is paid for by the federal Child Care Development Block Grant. Those cuts were supposed to take full effect today, Oct. 1, but uproar over the short notice convinced the Arkansas Department of Education and state lawmakers to press pause for 30 days. The new co-pays are now in effect, but the pay cut to providers who accept School Readiness Assistance vouchers is on hold for another 30 days. The cuts to the federally funded School Readiness Assistance program are being driven by an anticipated $80 million shortfall, Arkansas Department of Education Secretary Jacob Oliva told lawmakers. The education department announced the cuts less than two weeks before their planned Oct. 1 implementation date.