Arkansas DHS Reforms Under Kristi Putnam: A Sustainable Development Goals Perspective

Introduction

This report outlines the key reforms implemented by the Arkansas Department of Human Services (DHS) under the leadership of Kristi Putnam, who concluded her tenure in July 2023. The initiatives are analyzed through the framework of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), highlighting the department’s contributions to global and local sustainability targets.

Alignment with SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

A primary focus of the reforms was to enhance public health outcomes, directly contributing to SDG 3, which aims to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages.

• Mental and Behavioral Health (Target 3.4): Significant efforts were made to strengthen the state’s mental health infrastructure.
  1. Development of a centralized crisis hub and network center to provide a single point of contact for individuals experiencing a mental health crisis.
  2. Implementation of early intervention programs within schools to identify and support children’s mental health needs before they escalate, connecting them with DHS-approved providers.
• Maternal Health (Target 3.1): New strategies were launched to improve maternal health outcomes.
  1. Enhanced support systems and services were introduced for mothers during and after childbirth to ensure a healthy start for both mother and child upon returning home.

Alignment with SDG 2: Zero Hunger

Reforms also addressed food security and nutrition, aligning with SDG 2, which seeks to end hunger and ensure access to safe and nutritious food.

• Nutritional Support (Target 2.1): The department spearheaded reforms to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
  1. Rules were revised with the stated goal of promoting better nutritional outcomes for beneficiaries.

Alignment with SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

Efforts to reform the child welfare system correspond with SDG 16, which aims to promote peaceful and inclusive societies and protect children from all forms of violence (Target 16.2).

• Child Welfare: A key objective was to improve the foster care system.
  1. Initiatives were implemented to reduce the number of children in state custody, emphasizing family preservation and community-based support.

Strategic Approach and Leadership Transition

The overarching strategy under Ms. Putnam’s leadership emphasized policy, partnerships, and prevention, a model that supports SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals. This collaborative approach involved multiple stakeholders to achieve departmental objectives. Following Ms. Putnam’s departure, DHS Deputy Secretary and State Medicaid Director Janet Mann has been appointed to lead the department, ensuring continuity of services and ongoing reforms.

SDGs Addressed in the Article

SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

• The article extensively discusses efforts to improve health outcomes in Arkansas. This includes a focus on mental and behavioral health through the creation of a “crisis hub and a network center” and implementing “early mental health intervention, especially for children.” Furthermore, the article highlights a focus on maternal health, with new strategies to “support moms both during and after childbirth” to ensure “mom and baby have a good start.”

SDG 2: Zero Hunger

• The article mentions reforms related to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), a key program for food security. The stated goal of “tightening SNAP rules to promote better nutrition” directly connects to the goal of ending hunger and ensuring access to nutritious food.

SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

• The article touches upon child welfare by mentioning reforms aimed at “reducing the number of children in state custody.” This relates to protecting children and strengthening family units, which is a component of building peaceful and just societies where the rights of vulnerable populations, like children, are protected.

Specific Targets Identified

Under SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

1. Target 3.4: By 2030, reduce by one third premature mortality from non-communicable diseases through prevention and treatment and promote mental health and well-being.
   • The article’s emphasis on building a “crisis hub” for mental health crises and identifying “issues that children are having with mental health sooner in the classroom” directly supports the promotion of mental health and well-being.
2. Target 3.1: By 2030, reduce the global maternal mortality ratio to less than 70 per 100,000 live births.
   • The focus on maternal health, specifically launching “new strategies to support moms both during and after childbirth,” is a direct action toward improving maternal health outcomes and reducing mortality.

Under SDG 2: Zero Hunger

1. Target 2.1: By 2030, end hunger and ensure access by all people, in particular the poor and people in vulnerable situations, including infants, to safe, nutritious and sufficient food all year round.
   • The discussion of reforming SNAP rules to “promote better nutrition” is directly linked to ensuring that food assistance programs provide access to nutritious food for vulnerable populations.

Under SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

1. Target 16.2: End abuse, exploitation, trafficking and all forms of violence against and torture of children.
   • The initiative of “reducing the number of children in state custody” is a strategy aimed at improving the child welfare system. Keeping children safely with their families is a primary way to protect them from potential harm and instability associated with the foster care system, thus contributing to this target.

Implied Indicators for Measuring Progress

Under SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

• Indicator for Target 3.4: The establishment and operational capacity of the state’s “crisis hub and a network center” for mental health. Another indicator is the rate of children connected to mental health services through school-based identification programs.
• Indicator for Target 3.1: The number and scope of “new strategies” and support services implemented for maternal health. The article implies progress is measured by the successful launch and provision of these supports.

Under SDG 2: Zero Hunger

• Indicator for Target 2.1: The implementation of reformed SNAP rules. Progress would be measured by the successful policy change intended to “promote better nutrition.”

Under SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

• Indicator for Target 16.2: The change in the “number of children in state custody.” The article explicitly mentions this reduction as a key reform, making it a direct indicator of progress.

Summary of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: katv.com