Access & Support in Arkansas

This section provides resources available across Arkansas to support Black women before, during, and after pregnancy. These organizations offer a range of services, including healthcare support, community programs, doula services, and advocacy. The goal is to make it easier to find accessible, supportive, and culturally relevant care when it’s needed most.

Ujima Maternity Network

Location: Conway, Arkansas (serving communities across the state)

Ujima Maternity Network is a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving maternal health outcomes for Black women and families in Arkansas. The organization provides culturally relevant support through doula services, education, and community-based programs that assist women before, during, and after pregnancy.

Ujima also focuses on training and supporting doulas across the state, helping expand access to care and advocacy for mothers. Their work emphasizes empowerment, education, and building a strong support system for families throughout the birthing journey.

Ujima’s work helps bridge gaps in care by providing support that is both accessible and culturally aligned.

Options on Main

Options on Main is a pregnancy resource center with locations in Jonesboro, Paragould, and West Memphis, Arkansas, providing free and confidential services for women navigating pregnancy and early parenting. Services include pregnancy testing, education, parenting support, and access to material resources such as baby items and supplies.

The organization focuses on offering support in a welcoming and non-judgmental environment, helping women make informed decisions and access care throughout pregnancy and beyond.

Postpartum Support International

Postpartum Support International is a global nonprofit organization that provides support, education, and resources for individuals during pregnancy and the postpartum period. The organization offers help for those experiencing challenges before, during, or after childbirth, including access to support groups, trained professionals, and peer support programs.

Services include a free and confidential helpline, online support groups, and a provider directory that connects individuals to care in their local area, including Arkansas. Their mission focuses on increasing awareness, prevention, and access to care for families navigating the transition into parenthood.

Maternal Mental Health Leadership Alliance

Maternal Mental Health Leadership Alliance is a national nonprofit organization that works to improve maternal health outcomes by advocating for better policies, increasing access to care, and providing reliable information and resources. Their work focuses on supporting individuals during pregnancy and the postpartum period while addressing gaps in care across the United States.

MMHLA offers a wide range of tools, including resource directories, educational materials, and connections to support services for families. They also help individuals find local and virtual care options, making their resources accessible to those in Arkansas and across the country.

Arkansas Center for Health Improvement

Location: Little Rock, Arkansas

The Arkansas Center for Health Improvement (ACHI) is a nonpartisan, independent health policy organization focused on improving the overall health of Arkansans through research, data, and advocacy.

ACHI provides reports, data, and insights on issues such as maternal health, healthcare access, and disparities across the state. Their work helps inform policies and programs that impact care for women and families, especially in areas where access to healthcare is limited.

While ACHI does not provide direct services, it plays an important role in identifying gaps in care and supporting solutions that improve health outcomes across Arkansas

Stork’s Nest (Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. & March of Dimes)

Stork’s Nest is a national prenatal support program created through a partnership between Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated and the March of Dimes. The program is designed to encourage early and consistent prenatal care in order to improve birth outcomes and reduce risks such as premature birth and infant mortality.

Participants enroll in prenatal education programs and are supported throughout their pregnancy with guidance, resources, and incentives. Through healthy behaviors, such as attending medical appointments and participating in educational sessions, participants can receive essential baby items like diapers, clothing, and other supplies.

Stork’s Nest programs are offered through local Zeta Phi Beta chapters across the country, making support accessible at the community level.

Black Maternal Health Caucus

The Black Maternal Health Caucus is a group of members of the United States Congress working to address the maternal health crisis affecting Black women. Founded in 2019, the caucus focuses on raising awareness, advancing policy solutions, and improving health outcomes for mothers and families across the country.

Through initiatives like the Momnibus Act, the caucus works to address issues such as access to healthcare, maternal mortality, and systemic disparities. Their efforts help shape the policies, funding, and programs that impact care before, during, and after pregnancy.

While this is not a direct service organization, it plays a critical role in improving the systems and resources that support Black women nationwide, including those in Arkansas.

National Birth Equity Collaborative

The National Birth Equity Collaborative is a national organization focused on improving maternal and infant health outcomes for Black women and families. Founded in 2015, the organization works to address the maternal health crisis by promoting solutions that center equity, community support, and systemic change.

Through research, training, advocacy, and community-based initiatives, the organization works to reduce disparities in care and ensure that all women have access to safe and respectful childbirth experiences. Their work emphasizes the importance of addressing social and racial inequities that impact maternal health outcomes.

While this organization does not provide direct services, it offers valuable information, tools, and advocacy efforts that help improve systems of care nationwide, including those that impact women in Arkansas.