STATE

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Arkansas third on a list of states with the highest infant death rates.

Only Mississippi, with a death rate of 9.11, and South Dakota, with a death rate of 7.77, had higher infant mortality rates than Arkansas. The state with the lowest infant death rate — 3.32 per 1,000 live births — was Massachusetts.

“I said we’ve got to first look at the moms,” Manning said. “There are many moms that either due to health issues, lack of resources or stressors that are not in the best place to take care of their babies and families.”

Manning, director of the UAMS project, said she determined that the best way to get essential health care information directly into the hands of as many mothers and families is to equip every labor and delivery facility in the state with informational packets and resources for after delivery, as well as tangibles, such as infant sleep sacks, car seats or diapers. UAMS will provide each birthing center with those resources to pass on to each newly postpartum mother or couple, whether the child is the first or a subsequent birth.

Sleep sacks are wearable blankets that help newborns stay warm and fall asleep, while keeping them on their backs. They eliminate the need for loose bedding in the crib that can pose a risk of suffocation or sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).

The second part of the project will be what Manning calls “a reverse call center,” in which trained workers will reach out directly to postpartum parents to see how they’re doing and if they need any help.

“This way, we’re not placing the burden on the families to call us,” Manning said.

“We’re going to do this for everyone, regardless of their socioeconomic status or potential needs,” she said. “This is a touchpoint to check on a family and make sure they’re doing well. Some may need a home visit. Some may need a nurse for home care. Some may need help with lactation.

If they don’t need anything, that’s fine. If they do, we can team them up with resources.”

She said the specific information to be included in the packet is in development, as are the best ways of locating and contacting all postpartum parents. She said one idea is to create custom silicone bracelets with quick-read (QR) codes that new mothers can scan to obtain links to helpful information, and that will also identify them as newly postpartum, an especially vulnerable time, should health care concerns arise. Manning said new parents will also be directed to helpful postpartum information created by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, and the American Academy of Pediatrics.

The funds, released July 26, were included in six final fiscal year 2024 appropriation bills approved by Congress in March.

The legislative package funded health and education priorities, national security and government oversight and community investment projects.

The title of the federal award is Community Project Funding/Congressionally Directed Spending – Non-construction. It is Award No. 1 GE1HS53302-01-00.

UAMS is the state’s only health sciences university, with colleges of Medicine, Nursing, Pharmacy, Health Professions and Public Health; a graduate school; a hospital; a main campus in Little Rock; a Northwest Arkansas regional campus in Fayetteville; a statewide network of regional campuses; and eight institutes: the Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute, Jackson T. Stephens Spine & Neurosciences Institute, Harvey & Bernice Jones Eye Institute, Psychiatric Research Institute, Donald W. Reynolds Institute on Aging, Translational Re-

See STATE, page A10 STATE

From page A3

search Institute, Institute for Digital Health & Innovation and the Institute for Community Health Innovation.

UAMS includes UAMS Health, a statewide health system that encompasses all of UAMS’ clinical enterprise.

UAMS is the only adult Level 1 trauma center in the state.

UAMS has 3,275 students, 890 medical residents and fellows, and five dental residents. It is the state’s largest public employer with more than 12,000 employees, including 1,200 physicians who provide care to patients at UAMS, its regional campuses, Arkansas Children’s, the VA Medical Center and Baptist Health. Visit www.uams.edu or www.uamshealth.com. Find us on Facebook, X, YouTube or Instagram.

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Teen arrested in sexual assault case

PARAGOULD — A $25,000 cash-only bond was set this week for a Greene County man arrested on suspicion of sexual assault, sexual grooming of a child and sexual indecency with a child.

Matthew Whitley, 18, of-Paragould was arrested Sept. 9 after an investigation by Paragould police.

According to a probable cause affidavit, Paragould police interviewed Whitley about the case.

“A report was made to the Paragould Police Department in reference to the potential defendant (Whitley) having an ongoing inappropriate relationship with a juvenile female,” Paragould police said.

“Detectives reviewed the evidence and had Whitley detained for interview. During the interview, and after waiving his rights under Miranda, Whitley made several incriminating statements that would violate the Arkansas State Statutes contained in this affidavit.”

Whitley was being held Wednesday in the Greene County jail, awaiting a court date.

WHITLEY