BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICES PROVIDER IN ARKANSAS

Fatumata Kaba
Jul 5
4 min read

BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICES PROVIDER IN ARKANSASSUPPORTING MENTAL WELLNESS AND POSITIVE BEHAVIOR THROUGH COMMUNITY-BASED, PERSON-CENTERED INTERVENTIONS

Behavioral Health Services in Arkansas helps individuals with developmental disabilities, mental health conditions, or co-occurring behavioral challenges manage their emotional and behavioral well-being. Services are delivered under Arkansas Medicaid, including the Community and Employment Supports (CES) Waiver, and focus on promoting independence, safety, and inclusion through therapeutic and behavioral support.

1. GOVERNING AGENCIES

Agency: Arkansas Department of Human Services (DHS) – Division of Developmental Disabilities Services (DDS)

Role: Approves and monitors CES Waiver providers delivering behavioral health and support services

Agency: Arkansas Department of Human Services – Division of Aging, Adult, and Behavioral Health Services (DAABHS)

Role: Regulates mental health facilities and providers delivering outpatient behavioral health services

Agency: Arkansas Medicaid / Division of Medical Services (DMS)

Role: Handles Medicaid enrollment and payment for behavioral health services

Agency: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)

Role: Ensures services meet federal Medicaid and HCBS waiver guidelines

2. BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICE OVERVIEW

Behavioral Health Services under the CES Waiver support individuals in developing skills to manage their emotions, behaviors, and relationships. Services are customized to meet the goals outlined in each individual’s person-centered plan and may include therapy, coaching, and positive behavior interventions.

Approved providers may deliver:

Functional behavior assessments (FBAs)
Behavior support planning and implementation
Individual and group therapy (if licensed)
Crisis intervention and safety planning
Caregiver training in behavior strategies
Monitoring and documentation of progress and behavior outcomes

3. LICENSING & PROVIDER APPROVAL REQUIREMENTS

Prerequisites:

Register your business with the Arkansas Secretary of State
Obtain EIN from the IRS and NPI (Type 2)
Apply through the DDS CES Waiver Provider Application
Complete Medicaid provider enrollment
If providing therapy, obtain licensure from the Arkansas Psychology Board, Social Work Licensing Board, or Counseling Board
Hire qualified behavior analysts, therapists, or mental health professionals
Maintain general and professional liability insurance

4. PROVIDER ENROLLMENT PROCESS

Step 1: Medicaid Enrollment

Apply via the Arkansas Medicaid Provider Portal
Choose appropriate provider type (e.g., Behavioral Health Services, CES Waiver Provider)
Submit license, W-9, EFT info, and required documentation

Step 2: DDS CES Waiver Provider Application

Submit sample behavior plans, training outlines, and crisis protocols
Include staff licensure or credentials and documentation policies

Step 3: Approval and Service Coordination

Begin receiving referrals from DDS support coordinators once approved
Coordinate with families, schools, and interdisciplinary teams as needed

5. REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION

Articles of Incorporation or Business License
IRS EIN Letter
NPI confirmation
Licensure or credentialing (e.g., BCBA, LPC, LCSW, Psychologist)
Medicaid and CES Waiver provider approval
Policy & procedure manual including:
- Behavior assessment tools and planning templates
- Behavior support implementation and training guides
- Client rights, consent forms, and privacy policies
- Crisis prevention and de-escalation protocols
- Daily documentation, incident reports, and session notes
- Staff supervision, CEUs, and credential tracking
- Billing documentation and service tracking logs

6. STAFFING REQUIREMENTS

Role: Behavior Analyst / Clinical Supervisor

Requirements: Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA), Licensed Psychologist, LCSW, LPC, or LMFT with experience in developmental disability services

Role: Behavior Technician / Direct Support Staff

Requirements:

High school diploma or GED
Completion of behavior support training
CPR/First Aid and crisis management training
Background check and registry clearance

Training Requirements for All Staff:

Positive behavior support techniques
Person-centered planning and communication strategies
Documentation, HIPAA, and ethics
Annual safety and emergency response updates

7. MEDICAID WAIVER SERVICES

Behavioral Health Services are available under:

Community and Employment Supports (CES) Waiver
Regular Medicaid Behavioral Health Programs
Children’s Behavioral Health and Early Intervention Programs

Approved providers may deliver:

Behavior intervention and caregiver support
Skills training in emotion regulation and social interaction
Community-based or in-home behavior support
Crisis response and therapeutic coaching
Therapy services (if licensed and authorized)

8. TIMELINE TO LAUNCH

Phase: Business Formation

Timeline: 1–2 weeks

Phase: Medicaid Enrollment & CES Waiver Provider Application

Timeline: 45–90 days

Phase: Licensing (if applicable)Timeline: 30–60 days

Phase: Staff Hiring and Credentialing

Timeline: 30–45 days

9. CONTACT INFORMATION

Arkansas Department of Human Services – Division of Developmental Disabilities Services (DDS)

Email: ddsproviderinfo@dhs.arkansas.gov

Phone: (501) 683-5687

Website: https://humanservices.arkansas.gov/about-dhs/dms/dds

Arkansas Department of Human Services – Division of Aging, Adult, and Behavioral Health Services

Phone: (501) 686-9164

Website: https://humanservices.arkansas.gov/about-dhs/daabhs

Arkansas Medicaid Provider Enrollment Portal

Website: https://portal.mmis.arkansas.gov

WAIVER CONSULTING GROUP'S START-UP ASSISTANCE SERVICE — ARKANSAS BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICES PROVIDER

We help mental health professionals and support organizations launch Medicaid-compliant Behavioral Health Services under Arkansas’s CES Waiver and outpatient behavioral health system.

Scope of Work: