§ 20-78-702 — Creation - Duties and powers

(a) The Rita Rowell Hale Prenatal and Early Childhood Nurse Home Visitation Program is established and shall be administered by the Department of Health. (b) The department shall implement the Rita Rowell Hale Prenatal and Early Childhood Nurse Home Visitation model developed by Dr. David Olds. (c) The department shall have the power to receive and expend grants, donations, and funds from public and private sources to carry out its responsibilities under this subchapter. (d) The department shall collect data which will allow a valid and reliable evaluation of the short-term and long-term effectiveness of this intervention in improving maternal and child outcomes. The department shall collect data which at a minimum, will provide information on the effect of prenatal and infancy home visits by nurses on all of the following: (1) Preterm delivery, low birth weight, and infant morbidity and mortality; (2) Immunizations; (3) Mental development and behavioral problems; (4) Subsequent pregnancy; (5) Educational achievement; (6) Labor force participation; and (7) Use of public assistance programs. (e) The department shall coordinate with other state agencies to track childhood injuries, childhood maltreatment, and criminal activity. (f) The department shall cooperate with other state agencies and the developer of the program to create a more comprehensive evaluation of the overall impact and effectiveness of the program in Arkansas.

Legislative History

Acts 1999, No. 1115, § 2; 2001, No. 237, § 1.