LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders along with the Arkansas Dept. of Human Services announced the state will use $30 million in American Rescue Plan Act funds to improve mental health and substance abuse services.
Sanders initially approved the plan earlier in February and it was approved the use of the funding on Feb. 13 by an Arkansas Legislative Council subcommittee and awaits final approval by the full committee.
The funding will allow for a statewide "crisis response system" that includes a 24-hour call center that allows first responders to connect people in crisis with clinicians. Mobile crisis teams will be created and new training will be available for first responders on telehealth and patient evaluation.
“The mental health and substance abuse crises in this country are layered. If we’re going to tackle them, our efforts will have to be layered too,” Sanders said. “I’m proud to announce Arkansas’ plan to address these issues head-on, including a statewide coordinated crisis response system. This will help us fill the gaps in our current efforts and ensure struggling Arkansans get the help they need."
The plan would also include the creation or "enhancement" of the following:
- Therapeutic community beds for adults with co-occurring mental illness and intellectual/development disabilities
- Community re-integration programs for children
- Youth and adult substance abuse residential treatment programs
- Supportive housing for adults with mental illness to help prevent homelessness, incarceration, and institutionalization
- Supportive housing to prevent homelessness, incarceration, and institutionalization for youth and young adults leaving state custody from foster care or the juvenile justice system
“It’s critical that resources are available to support Arkansans who are struggling with substance use disorders or mental illness, especially in times of crisis,” said Arkansas Department of Human Services Secretary Kristi Putnam. “This plan invests in areas that can help prevent situations from escalating to crisis level, and also builds more of a continuum of care where we currently have gaps in support. We are grateful for the priority Gov. Sanders and the Legislature have placed on this need and look forward to engaging community partners and stakeholders as we deploy these funds.”
This use of ARPA funding is "one element of a broader plan" the administration is working on to address health care gaps in the state, according to the governor's press release.