What Ozark Guidance does

Ozark Guidance Center, Inc. is a private, CARF-accredited nonprofit community behavioral health center founded in 1970 and headquartered in Springdale, Arkansas. The organization provides mental health, substance abuse, psychiatric, primary care, and pharmacy services to children, adolescents, and adults across eight counties in Northwest Arkansas (Washington, Benton, Madison, Carroll, Baxter, Boone, Marion, and Newton), with embedded counselor and case manager presence in 150+ schools across 16 school districts. Service delivery runs through 10 clinical office locations plus home-, community-, and school-based channels, and since COVID-19 has included telehealth/virtual visits. The clinical model is multi-disciplinary — psychiatrists, psychologists, counselors, nurses, social workers, and mental health paraprofessionals — and the organization holds CMHC and CCBHC designations from SAMHSA, alongside CARF and Arkansas DHS DAABHS certification.

The core product platform organizes around three service pillars: Adult Services (outpatient therapy, substance abuse treatment, Adult Intensive Services / AIS day treatment, psychiatric medication management, and primary care); Child Services (Early Childhood Program, School-Based Services, Therapeutic Day Treatment, Kids Helping Kids peer education, C.R.E.A.T.E. Change peer leadership, and outpatient treatment); and Medical Services plus ancillary Pharmacy Services via a Genoa Healthcare on-site pharmacy and participation in the SHARE state health information exchange. Recent additions include a Primary Care Clinic, Assertive Community Treatment under CCBHC, and crisis stabilization units. Since February 2020, Ozark Guidance has operated as an affiliate of Arisa Health, Inc., a four-organization nonprofit integrated behavioral health system covering 41 Arkansas counties; Ozark Guidance's CEO Dr. Laura H. Tyler serves as CEO of the parent entity.

Revenue is generated through insurance billing (Medicaid, ARKids First, Medicare, and private insurance), a sliding fee scale for self-pay patients, SAMHSA and foundation grants (notably $5M CMHC and $4M CCBHC in 2021; $300K Walton Family Foundation grant in 2020), and philanthropic donations through the Ozark Guidance Center Foundation 501(c)(3). With nearly 500 employees and tens of thousands of clients served cumulatively, the organization is one of the largest community mental health providers in Arkansas and a recognized "model" school-based mental health program per the Arkansas Department of Education.

Name

Ozark Guidance

Legal name

Ozark Guidance Center, Inc.

Website

https://ozarkguidance.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1970

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1,001–5,000 employees

Short description

Ozark Guidance is a 1970-founded nonprofit behavioral health center providing mental health, substance abuse, psychiatric, primary care, and pharmacy services across eight Northwest Arkansas counties, with embedded counselors in 150+ schools.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Behavioral Health Services

NAICS

Outpatient Mental Health and Substance Abuse Centers (62142), Offices of Mental Health Practitioners (except Physicians) (621330), Offices of Physicians, Mental Health Specialists (621112)

SIC

Services-Specialty Outpatient Facilities, Nec (8093), Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Community Mental Health Centers (CMHCs) & Public Behavioral Health Providers (HLAFACAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

Outpatient Mental Health Clinics & Counseling Centers (HLAFACAA), Outpatient Mental Health & Counseling Clinics (HLAFABAC)

Keywords

• Behavioral health services
• Mental health counseling
• Community mental health center
• Psychiatric services
• Substance abuse treatment

Headquarters

HQ city

Springdale

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices10 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Insurance Billing: Ozark Guidance bills private insurance, Medicaid, ARKids First, and Medicare for services rendered. This constitutes the primary revenue stream for the nonprofit behavioral health center.
2. SAMHSA Grants: Federal grant funding from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), including a $5 million Community Mental Health Center (CMHC) grant (2021) and a $4 million Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) expansion grant.
3. Foundation and Community Grants: Grants from community foundations including Arkansas Community Foundation ($25,000 for COVID-19 services, $25,000 for COVID-19 technology), Arvest Foundation ($10,000 for interactive whiteboards), and Walton Family Foundation ($300,000 for behavioral health services support).
4. Sliding Scale Self-Pay: For clients without adequate insurance or other means to pay, Ozark Guidance offers a sliding fee scale based on income and number of dependents, ensuring access to behavioral health services regardless of ability to pay.
5. Donations and Philanthropy: The Ozark Guidance Center Foundation (501(c)(3)) accepts donations through annual gifts, President's Circle memberships ($1,000+), life memberships ($10,000 cumulative), endowment gifts, memorial and tribute gifts, and matching gifts. Major fundraising events include the annual Walk a Mile in My Shoes event.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Ozark Guidance is a nonprofit behavioral health center providing comprehensive mental health, substance abuse, psychiatric, primary care, and pharmacy services to children, adults, and families across Northwest Arkansas. Services are delivered through outpatient clinics, school-based programs in 16 districts, telehealth, and home/community-based settings, funded by insurance billing, federal SAMHSA grants, and philanthropic donations.

Product overview

Ozark Guidance operates as a nonprofit behavioral health center providing comprehensive mental health and substance use services across eight counties in Northwest Arkansas. The organization offers a unified platform of behavioral health services organized around three core pillars: Adult Services, Child Services, and Medical Services. Adult Services include outpatient treatment, Adult Intensive Services (AIS), and substance abuse recovery programs. Child Services encompass Early Childhood intervention, School-Based Services, Therapeutic Day Treatment, and youth peer programs (Kids Helping Kids, C.R.E.A.T.E. Change). Medical Services include psychiatric assessment and medication management provided by a multi-disciplinary team. Additional services include on-site pharmacy (via Genoa Healthcare partnership), Primary Care Clinic, Summer Programs, and Crisis Stabilization Services. The organization also delivers SAMHSA-funded Community Mental Health Center (CMHC) and Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) programs targeting underserved populations. Ozark Guidance is an affiliate of Arisa Health following a 2020 affiliation with three other Arkansas behavioral health providers.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Adult Services Comprehensive behavioral health services for adults including individual and group therapy, psychiatric assessment, medication management, marriage and family counseling, substance abuse treatment, and pain management. Specialties include depression, anxiety, chronic pain, bipolar disorder, and borderline personality disorder. Targets adults dealing with mental health issues ranging from everyday stress to serious persistent mental illness.
• Child Services Mental health services for children and adolescents including Early Childhood Program, School-Based Services, Kids Helping Kids peer education program, C.R.E.A.T.E. Change peer leadership program, Therapeutic Day Treatment, and Outpatient Treatment. Addresses emotional, behavioral, and developmental challenges for ages 3-18.
• Medical Services Psychiatric medical services provided by psychiatric physicians and nurses including psychiatric assessment, medication management, and consultation services. Psychiatrists hold medical degrees with residencies in general psychiatry and fellowships in child and adolescent psychiatry, addiction psychiatry, and pediatrics.
• Substance Abuse and Recovery Services Assessments, treatment, and psycho-educational programs for individuals with substance abuse, anger, and domestic violence issues. Includes the Drug and Alcohol Safety Education Program (DASEP) and Victim Impact Panel.
• School-Based Services Mental health counseling provided inside school systems for students in kindergarten through high school. Includes individual, group, and family therapy, support services, and behavioral assistance to reduce barriers to learning. Cited as the 'model' for such programs by the Arkansas Department of Education.
• Pharmacy Services Full-service pharmacy on the Springdale campus partnered with Genoa Healthcare, providing prescription filling, pre-filled pill organizers, delivery services, and medication consultation dedicated to Ozark Guidance clients.
• Primary Care Clinic Primary care services for Ozark Guidance clients in Washington and Benton County regions, providing acute illness treatment, preventative care, chronic condition management (diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol), smoking cessation, and dietary/lifestyle education integrated with mental health services.
• Adult Intensive Services (AIS) Day treatment services for individuals with persistent, chronic mental illness using a Rehabilitative Day Services model. Available Monday through Friday at Springdale, Bentonville, Harrison, and Mountain Home campuses, focusing on active engagement, symptom education, coping strategies, and community participation.
• Therapeutic Day Treatment (TDT) A comprehensive integration of academic and clinical programs serving children and adolescents ages 5-18. The program stabilizes behavior in a structured environment to help children remain with families and return to school able to succeed academically and emotionally. CARF accredited.
• Summer Programs Summer Professional Development Series for school administrators, teachers, and counselors offering continuing education units in areas including Youth Mental Health First Aid, Social & Emotional Learning, Trauma Sensitive Schools, and Suicide Prevention.
• Early Childhood Program Early intervention program for families with children 3-5 years old needing therapeutic help. Includes outpatient, community-based, and day treatment services with a focus on play therapy as the primary communication method.
• Crisis Stabilization Services Crisis response services and crisis stabilization units providing support during mental health emergencies. The Northwest Arkansas Regional Crisis Stabilization Unit operates 24/7, and free tele-health support groups were offered during COVID-19 for residents who tested positive for the virus.
• Community Mental Health Center (CMHC) Services SAMHSA-funded Community Mental Health Center program focusing on individuals with serious mental illness (SMI), children and adolescents with serious emotional disturbance (SED), and individuals with co-occurring mental illness and substance use disorders (COD). Includes expansion of staff capacity, increased access, and technology-enhanced training.
• Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) Program SAMHSA-funded CCBHC program providing outreach and new service availability to underserved communities including Latinx and Marshallese populations in Northwest Arkansas. Includes evidence-based specialized services such as Assertive Community Treatment.
• Telehealth Services Virtual therapy sessions delivered via phone and video technology for both new and existing clients, providing access to behavioral health services for individuals who cannot visit offices in person. Ozark Guidance transitioned to telehealth during COVID-19 and continues to offer virtual appointments as a service option.

Quantifiable outcome

• Since 1970, helped tens of thousands of children, adults, and families in 8 Northwest Arkansas counties.
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration2 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• Arisa HealthflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 28 February 2020Four of Arkansas' leading behavioral health providers—Counseling Associates, Mid-South Health Systems, Ozark Guidance, and Professional Counseling Associates—finalized their affiliation on February 28, 2020 to create Arisa Health, Inc., a nonprofit organization. The affiliation operates under a member-affiliate model where each organization retains individual operations as affiliates of Arisa Health. Ozark Guidance CEO Dr. Laura H. Tyler was selected to lead the new organization. Arisa Health provides services in 41 counties throughout the northern half of Arkansas.
• Genoa HealthcarecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOzark Guidance partnered with Genoa Healthcare to provide a full-service pharmacy on the Springdale campus. The pharmacy is dedicated to serving all pharmaceutical needs of Ozark Guidance clients, offering pre-filled pill organizers, delivery services, and medication management support.
• State Health Alliance for Records Exchange (SHARE)coreTechnology or IntegrationOzark Guidance participates in SHARE (State Health Alliance for Records Exchange), part of the Arkansas Health Information Exchange. As a participating facility, client health information is made available to participating healthcare providers unless the client opts out, enabling coordinated care across the health system.
• Siloam Springs School DistrictcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOzark Guidance maintains a strong presence within the Siloam Springs School District, with counselors and case managers embedded at all schools. The district provides office space and telephone services on campus. Services are paid through third-party reimbursement including private insurance, federal programs, or family payment.
• UAMS (University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCEO Dr. Laura H. Tyler previously worked at UAMS where she was Chief Integration Officer and Associate Vice Chancellor, and worked with the leadership team that launched the Psychiatric Research Institute. Ozark Guidance maintains professional connections to UAMS for referral pathways and medical education.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Centerstone: Centerstone is one of the largest U.S. nonprofit behavioral health providers, operating across Tennessee, Indiana, Kentucky, and Florida with CMHC heritage, school-based programs, and CCBHC grants. It is comparable at a broader scale and represents a benchmark nonprofit behavioral health operating model.
• Acadia Healthcare: Acadia Healthcare is a publicly traded behavioral health operator running inpatient psychiatric hospitals, residential treatment, and outpatient programs across the U.S. It overlaps with Ozark on the outpatient behavioral health front but operates at much larger scale and in a very different (for-profit, inpatient-heavy) model.
• BrightSpring Health Services: BrightSpring is a publicly traded provider of home and community-based behavioral health, pharmacy, and human services. Its Genoa Healthcare subsidiary is Ozark's on-site pharmacy partner, and the behavioral health segment overlaps conceptually with Ozark's community-based service mix.
• Sevita Health: Sevita Health (formerly The Mentor Network) is a large national provider of home and community-based mental health, behavioral health, and intellectual/developmental disability services. Comparable on community-based mental health delivery and Medicaid contracting, though operating across many states at much broader scale.

Direct peers

• Arisa Health: Arisa Health is the parent nonprofit formed in February 2020 through affiliation of Counseling Associates, Mid-South Health Systems, Ozark Guidance, and Professional Counseling Associates. It operates 41 counties across northern Arkansas and is the most direct structural peer given the member-affiliate relationship.
• Professional Counseling Associates: Professional Counseling Associates is a Little Rock-area community mental health center and Arisa affiliate providing outpatient, school-based, and substance abuse services. It is a direct operational peer within the same parent system.
• Wellstone Behavioral Health: Wellstone is a Huntsville, Alabama-based nonprofit community mental health center providing outpatient, school-based, and crisis services across north Alabama with similar CMHC funding and population focus, making it a closely comparable community-mental-health peer.
• Mid-South Health Systems: Mid-South Health Systems is a Paragould, Arkansas-based community mental health center and Arisa Health affiliate serving Northeast Arkansas. It runs similar outpatient, 24-hour crisis, and CCBHC-style services, making it a direct regional peer under the same parent.
• Counseling Associates: Counseling Associates is a Conway, Arkansas-based nonprofit community mental health center and fellow Arisa Health affiliate. It offers overlapping outpatient, substance abuse, and school-based services, making it a near-direct operational peer within the same parent system.

Regional players

• Centers for Youth and Families: Centers for Youth and Families is a Little Rock, Arkansas-based nonprofit providing outpatient counseling, school-based, and family services. It is a regional peer serving overlapping populations (children and families) in Arkansas with a similar mission-driven, community-funded model.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/OzarkGuidanceAR
• Facebookfacebook.com/OzarkGuidance

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles20 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Ozark Guidance