Arkansas Maternal Coalition is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to providing FREE and accessible virtual support, resources, and community to women navigating pregnancy, miscarriage, infant loss, infertility, postpartum period, and motherhood. Our mission is to improve maternal health outcomes in Arkansas by eliminating barriers to evidence-based information and empowering individuals through expressive art, personal narratives, and diverse media resources.

Meet the Team

  • Smiling woman sitting, wearing a beige long-sleeve top and blue jeans, against a neutral background.

    Kaitlyn Gardner LPC, PMH-C

    FOUNDER & PRESIDENT

  • Woman with long dark hair wearing a white sweater and jeans, sitting on a chair, smiling.

    Isabella Martin

    COMMUNICATION & ENGAGEMENT SPECIALIST

  • Person with tattoos sitting on a chair, wearing a black shirt and jeans, with red ribbons in hair, smiling at the camera.

    Emily Roberts

    GRANTS COORDINATOR

  • Nicole Stancil PhD

    Nicole Stancil PhD

    DIRECTOR OF RESEARCH & MEDIA

  • Woman with long brown hair smiling, wearing a black shirt and light knit cardigan against a plain background.

    Kristan Williams LPC

    MENTAL HEALTH ADVISOR

  • Hannah Entrekin

    Hannah Entrekin

    FOUNDING MEMBER

Arkansas is in critical need of accessible, clear, and reliable maternal health information. One of the primary barriers women face is the lack of easily accessible resources and education about their health during infertility, miscarriage, stillbirth, pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period.

  • Maternal Mortality Rate: Arkansas has a maternal mortality rate of approximately 47.3 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2020.

  • Disparities in Maternal Mortality: Black women in Arkansas are 3 to 4 times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes compared to white women.

  • Infant Mortality Rate: Arkansas has an infant mortality rate of 7.3 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2021, which is higher than the national average of 5.4 per 1,000.

  • Preterm Birth Rate: Approximately 11.1% of all births in Arkansas are preterm, which is higher than the national average of around 10%.

  • Medicaid Coverage: Around 45% of births in Arkansas are covered by Medicaid, reflecting the importance of Medicaid in providing essential maternal health services to low-income women.

  • Postpartum Depression: Nationally, it’s estimated that 1 in 7 women experience postpartum depression, a condition that often goes unrecognized and untreated.

  • Teen Birth Rate: Arkansas has a teen birth rate (ages 15-19) of approximately 24.5 births per 1,000 females, which is higher than the national average of 16.1 births per 1,000 females.

  • Postpartum Visits: Only 60% of women in Arkansas receive a postpartum visit within the recommended 6-12 weeks after childbirth, leaving many without the critical follow-up care needed to monitor their health and recovery.