The Arkansas Better Chance program is funded through an appropriation in the Arkansas Department of Education (ADE) Public School Fund budget. ADE contracts with the DHS Division of Child Care and Early Childhood Education to administer the program. The Division is responsible for all operational duties associated with ABC. 

The legislature in a Special Session on Education Reform passed Act 49 of the Second Extraordinary Session of 2003 which includes priorities for funding for three and four year olds up to 200% of the FPL. Districts that have 75% of their children scoring below proficient in LIteracy and Math on the State Benchmark exams and those children in schools that have been designated an school improvement status will be top priority. Any willing provider may apply for funding as long as they meet the State Quality Approval and ABC Standards. This includes a P-4 certified teacher as lead teacher and CDA certified aide among other things.