# Ark. Code Ann. § 20-78-702: Creation - Duties and powers

> Arkansas · Statutes · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_AR_T20_C78_S7_S20-78-702

## Section

- **Citation:** Ark. Code Ann. § 20-78-702
- **Heading:** Creation - Duties and powers
- **Jurisdiction:** Arkansas
- **Kind:** Statutes
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** AR Code / Title 20 / Chapter 78 / Subchapter 7 / Section 20-78-702

## Text

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

(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.

(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.

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

## Nearby sections

- [Ark. Code Ann. § 20-78-701 Legislative declaration](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_AR_T20_C78_S7_S20-78-701.md)
- [Ark. Code Ann. § 20-78-702 Creation - Duties and powers](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_AR_T20_C78_S7_S20-78-702.md)
- [Ark. Code Ann. § 20-78-703 Rita Rowell Hale Prenatal and Early Childhood Nurse Home Visitation Program Advisory Council](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_AR_T20_C78_S7_S20-78-703.md)
- [Ark. Code Ann. § 20-78-704 Freedom of Information Act - Exemption](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_AR_T20_C78_S7_S20-78-704.md)
- [Ark. Code Ann. § 20-78-705 Patient records](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_AR_T20_C78_S7_S20-78-705.md)
- [Ark. Code Ann. § 20-78-706 Limitation](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_AR_T20_C78_S7_S20-78-706.md)
- [Ark. Code Ann. § 20-78-707 Referrals - Findings](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_AR_T20_C78_S7_S20-78-707.md)
- [Ark. Code Ann. § 20-78-708 Funding](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_AR_T20_C78_S7_S20-78-708.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_AR_T20_C78_S7_S20-78-702. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.