Home | Association of Arkansas Counties

Counties across the country play a key role in developing a behavioral health continuum of care to support community members living with a mental health or substance use disorder or experiencing a suicidal, mental health or substance use crisis. As one element of the continuum, counties may operate a crisis hotline or “warmline” for people to call during times of distress. On July 16, counties added another tool to this part of the continuum when the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline transitioned to the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. The three digits provide an easy-to-remember number that connects callers to trained crisis counselors who can triage the call, offer mental health support and provide connections to local resources.

Two months after its founding, the Arkansas Opioid Recovery Partnership has begun distributing funds in its fight against opioid addiction in the state. As of Jan. 4, the partnership has approved almost $3.5 million in general funding and an additional $177,000 in credits for the Arkansas Naloxone Bank.

The Arkansas Board of Corrections and the Arkansas Department of Corrections issued a public notice for submissions for communities to express interest in donating land for the construction of a new maximum-security facility to house approximately 1,000 inmates within the Division of Correction.

Walmart has reached a settlement in litigation relating to the national opioid epidemic totaling $3.1 billion. The settlement will effectively resolve all opioid lawsuits by state, local and tribal governments, according to the retailer.

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs published three grant opportunities aimed at helping veterans who are experiencing or at risk of homelessness.

The first bill of the 2023 Arkansas General Assembly was filed Tuesday (Nov. 15) by Sen. Ben Gilmore, R-Crossett, and Rep. Jimmy Gazaway, R-Paragould.