School Health Services

The Arkansas School Health Services work is a partnership between the Arkansas Department of Health (ADH), the Arkansas Department of Education -Division of Elementary & Secondary Education (DESE), and other statewide partners. By working together, we are able to help schools start and keep health and wellness activities that build a safe and healthy school setting so students can learn and be at their best. The health and education model we use is the Whole School, Whole Community, Whole Child model (WSCC). This model puts the student at the center and stresses the importance of communities supporting schools. The Office of School Health Services at ADH provides professional development, technical

General Information The Arkansas Department of Health (ADH), Family Health Branch is responsible for carrying out the Title V Maternal & Child Health (MCH) Block Grant functions. As a recipient of the federal block grant, Arkansas is required to solicit public comments and to convene a public hearing to share information among MCH stakeholders and/or interested statewide parties (parents, faith-based, etc.). The Public Hearing’s agenda for the 2026 Title V Maternal and Child Health (MCH) Services Block Grant Application will include: Overview The Arkansas Department of Health (ADH) is committed to improving the health of women of childbearing age, adolescents, children, infants, and children with special health care needs. Located

Linking Communities of Faith to Public Health Who We Are The Arkansas Department of Health (ADH) understands the important role that faith plays in helping people have better health outcomes. Faith leaders have trusted messengers within their communities and are on the front lines of fighting many of the health issues that are affecting our communities. The Arkansas Department of Health respects the diversity of religious beliefs and practices of all people. We believe that all communities of faith and public health can work well together to promote the common goal of improving the health and well-being of people, families, and communities. What We Do The Office of Faith-based Outreach

Keeping Your Hometown Healthy Preventing disease and disability has been a major concern of the Arkansas Department of Health for a long time. In fact, the roots of public health can be traced back to 1832, when Little Rock’s town council created the first city board of health in the Arkansas Territory. Relatively few Arkansans died when yellow fever ravaged the Mississippi Valley in 1878, yet the epidemic’s effects proved to be the catalyst to organize the first official state board of health in 1881 – which died due to lack of funds. When the Legislature moved out of the Old State House to the current capitol building for its