The Arkansas Department of Health is cutting 30 staff members and shuttering its Office of Health Disparities Elimination, which was focused on health education and disease prevention for marginalized groups, including non-English speakers. The closure is set to take full effect Nov. 1.

The firings are part of a “broader restructuring effort to better align our resources with the agency’s budget priorities and long-term goals,” Meg Mirivel, a health department spokesperson, told the Arkansas Times . The department notified affected employees Aug. 5. Those employees will work through Nov. 1.

The 30 layoffs include:

Thirteen from Hometown Health Support Services, which supports positive health outcomes in local communities by administering grants and through education and outreach

Eigh

See Full Page