Now that the U.S. Supreme Court has overturned Roe v. Wade and abortion in Arkansas is prohibited in most circumstances, the state is expanding services for pregnant women and families.
Last week the State Senate announced that Arkansas has begun expanding services that should be available to thousands of women by the beginning of next year, pending approval from the federal government.
Earlier this month Governor Asa Hutchinson held a press conference where he outlined ongoing plans that would provide resources to women who otherwise might be at risk for abortion.
This latest announcement from the Arkansas Senate seems to be part of those ongoing plans.
Among other things, the Senate announcement noted that the state also has created a call line that will notify women about resources in their area, writing,
The state Health Department is implementing a service called the Pregnancy and Parenting Resource Call Line. People can call 1-855-ARK-MOMS to get information about the availability of resources in their area that benefit pregnant women.
That’s also 1-855-275-6667.
The call line will provide information about health care services, prenatal and post natal care, adoption and foster care, child care assistance, mental health care, how to apply for a job, how to get treatment for addictions, how to sign up for welfare and food stamps and how to get tested for sexually transmitted diseases.
The State of Arkansas also is in the process of awarding grants to pregnancy help organizations that assist pregnant women. The state is set to provide up to $1 million to these organizations in the coming months.
Now that abortion is illegal in Arkansas except to save the life of the mother, we need to work to make it unthinkable. One way we can do that is by providing options and resources to women who otherwise might be at risk for abortion. It’s good to see that the State of Arkansas is taking steps to do just that.
Family Council plans to continue supporting this important, pro-life work in the months to come.
