LITTLE ROCK -  A University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) program that helps women with substance abuse problems and their children has won a national award for its efforts to meet the needs of the impoverished.

Arkansas CARES (Center for Addictions, Research, Education & Services) won the Jim Wright Vulnerable Populations Award given by the National Association of Public Hospitals and Health Systems (NAPH). Skip Moskey, assistant vice president for communications for NAPH, said the UAMS program was chosen because it best follows the example set forth by Jim Wright, whose mission was to help the underserved populations who use safety net institutions.

Arkansas CARES is a nonprofit program offered by the UAMS Department of Psychiatry that provides residential treatment for mothers with substance abuse – alcohol, crack cocaine, methamphetamine or other drugs – and their children. With locations in Little Rock and North Little Rock, the program targets low-income, pregnant and/or parenting women suffering from addictions and mental health disorders.  

Cynthia Crone, R.N., executive director of Arkansas CARES and instructor in the UAMS Colleges of Medicine and Public Health, said substance abuse is the nation’s No. 1 health problem.

“The Arkansas Department of Health and the Gallup Organization estimated that 29 percent of Arkansas mothers with children under age 19 need treatment for substance abuse,” Crone said. “Treatment works, and thanks to multiple partners we are making a real difference in the lives of hundreds of families and future generations. We are honored that the NAPH chose to recognize UAMS and Arkansas CARES for our important work to decrease maternal substance abuse, improve children’s health and break the costly cycles of poverty, abuse and dependency.”

Crone explained that women in the 12-year-old program learn not only how to overcome their addictions and stay sober, but they also learn parenting, relationship, family, communication and job skills. The program has served more than 1,200 families, she said.