The Division of Behavioral Health Services is one of eleven major divisions within the Arkansas Department of Human Services.  It is responsible for the licensing and administrative oversight of a comprehensive system of public prevention and treatment for mental health and substance use disorders.

The Division is responsible for the operation of the Arkansas State Hospital, a psychiatric inpatient treatment facility for those with mental or emotional disorders.  The hospital provides acute care services for adults, forensic psychiatric services, adolescent services and adolescent sex offender services.

The Division also oversees and operates the Arkansas Health Center, a long-term care psychiatric nursing facility which serves the needs of elderly Arkansans with disabilities that require specialized services and programs not generally available through community nursing homes.

The Division provides regulatory oversight for mental health treatment services throughout the State by contracting with 13 community mental health centers.  Each center provides emergency, inpatient and outpatient services to residents of a defined geographical area.

Similarly, the Division provides oversight and contracts for substance use disorder treatment services with 26 providers throughout the state.  Services span a continuum that includes detoxification, residential treatment, outpatient treatment and education.  Specialized programs include those for methadone maintenance and treatment for women with children.  The Division provides oversight of the state Drug and Alcohol Safety Education Program and administers comprehensive community-based tobacco and drug abuse prevention programs. 

Finally, the Division encourages efforts to continuously improve the quality of services utilizing the best practices available by providing support for research and training efforts.