Sanders, DHS Announce $15 Million to Support Arkansans with Substance Use Disorder, Mental Illness, and Intellectual Disabilities

LITTLE ROCK, AR - On August 23, 2024, Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders and the Arkansas Department of Human Services (DHS) announced $15 million in grants to fund infrastructure improvements that support individuals with substance use disorders, mental illnesses, or intellectual disabilities. Recipient organizations offer Medicaid treatment in community-based settings for specialty populations around the state.

“Vulnerable Arkansans need help - and they deserve to receive that help in modern, well-functioning facilities,” said Governor Sanders.“As my administration supports our most at-risk citizens, these grants will build a continuity of care that helps Arkansans through every step of their lives.”

“The funding awards announced today will create an array of additional services that support an improved continuum of care for both young people and adults who are struggling with substance use disorders, mental illness, or intellectual disabilities,” said DHS Secretary Kristi Putnam. “We are excited to see these investments turn into services that fill gaps in coverage and ultimately make a positive difference in the lives of Arkansans who need this support.” 

This program will award grants to support Youth Substance Abuse Residential Treatment and Supported Housing Units for Young Adults later this summer. 

The different grant types and recipient groups are below:

The Community Reintegration for Children grant funds new buildings that will function as family home environments for children to provide step-down support from high-cost, restrictive settings. Recipients are:

- Western Arkansas Counseling and Guidance Center, Fort Smith - $4 million

- United Methodist Children’s Home, Little Rock - $1 million

The Adult Substance Abuse Residential Treatment Facilities grant funds improvements to existing facilities that offer 30- to 60-day treatment programs for adults struggling with substance abuse disorders. Recipients are:

- Harbor House, Fort Smith - $1,842,004

- ARVAC Lake Point Recovery and Wellness, Russellville - $2,157,996

The Supported Housing Units for Young Adults grant funds the construction of an apartment complex that will house youth struggling with behavioral health who have aged out of group homes or other services provided by the Division of Children and Family Services or the Division of Youth Services. The recipient is:

- Rainbow of Challenges, Inc., Hope - $3 million

The Therapeutic Communities for Adults with IDD grantfunds the creation of a 16-bed therapeutic community that will provide step-down support from high-cost, in-patient psychiatric care for adults with intellectual or developmental disabilities and a co-occurring behavioral health diagnosis. The recipient is: 

- ARISA Health, Jonesboro - $3 million