Arkansas directs federal grant money to DHS-run behavioral health crisis stabilization units

Arkansas’ four Crisis Stabilization Units (CSUs) will receive a one-time federal grant to help “enhance services and achieve financial sustainability,” the state Department of Human Services announced in a press release.

By: Tess Vrbin
Arkansas Advocate

Arkansas’ four Crisis Stabilization Units (CSUs) will receive a one-time federal grant to help “enhance services and achieve financial sustainability,” the state Department of Human Services announced in a Tuesday press release.

The CSUs in Little Rock, Fort Smith, Fayetteville and Jonesboro are “alternatives to jails and emergency rooms for people in crisis who encounter law enforcement,” according to the DHS website. Each unit has 16 beds, is open 24/7 and is staffed with nurses and mental health professionals.

Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders signed a law this year directing $3 million annually to CSUs. In addition, the units will each receive $1 million from the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) that will be usable until June 30 of next year.

The state is asking the CSUs to find ways to use the funds to expand their services and submit to DHS a plan to maintain those services after the money runs out, according to the press release.

Read more here.