The Arkansas Department of Human Services (DHS) has launched an educational campaign to raise public awareness about the availability of home and community-based services (HCBS) for Medicaid beneficiaries in Arkansas.

At the center of this campaign, a new website – ar.gov/HCBS – offers information about the specific HCBS programs and services available, who they are designed to benefit, what they provide, and how to apply for them.

This one-stop shop includes fact sheets, flyers, and other materials to read and share to help spread the word about these valuable services.

“These programs provide critical services that help Arkansans across our state live full and meaningful lives in their communities,” said Melissa Weatherton, DHS Director of Medicaid Specialty Populations. “This new website offers easy-to-understand overviews of how each program works and who can use them. The campaign aims to empower stakeholders, including beneficiaries and their families, providers, and internal DHS staff with foundational Medicaid and HCBS information.”

Home and community-based services provide opportunities for Medicaid beneficiaries, across specialty populations (people with intellectual or developmental disabilities, physical disabilities, aging needs, and mental health concerns) to receive services in their own home or community rather than long-term care facilities, hospitals, or intermediate care facilities institutions or other settings. These services enable individuals to have more independence in their community.

For more information, visit ar.gov/HCBS. To apply for any of these programs, visit Access Arkansas at access.arkansas.gov.