Arkansas gives more than $15 million in state grants to support mental health, baby boxes

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA) — Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders along with the Arkansas Department of Human Services approved more than $15 million in grants to support Arkansas residents and Safe Haven Baby Box implementation on August 23.

The grants will fund infrastructure improvements to support those with substance use disorders, mental illnesses or intellectual disabilities.

Western Arkansas Counseling and Guidance Center in Fort Smith is getting $4 million.

The state also announced a $250,000 grant program to implement Safe Haven Baby Boxes across the state.

The Arkansas Safe Haven law allows people to safely surrender their child who is 30 days or younger to a medical provider, law enforcement agency or fire department.

Once a child is left in a Safe Haven Baby Box, an alarm will alert the staff at these facilities and someone will immediately come to retrieve the baby.

Organizations that are eligible to receive this grant money include city and county hospitals with an emergency room, law enforcement agencies and fire departments.

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