Arkansas department of human services

What Arkansas department of human services does

The Arkansas Department of Human Services (DHS) is the state government agency responsible for administering public assistance, healthcare, child welfare, developmental disability, behavioral health, and aging services for vulnerable Arkansans. Headquartered in Little Rock, the agency was established in 1955 and operates with a workforce of 5,001–10,000 employees, delivering services through eight divisions: Developmental Disabilities Services (DDS), Division of Youth Services (DYS), Division of Children & Family Services (DCFS), Division of Medical Services (DMS), Division of County Operations (DCO), Division of Aging, Adult, & Behavioral Health Services (DAABHS), Division of Provider Services & Quality Assurance (DPSQA), and the PASSE program. DHS serves nearly 70,000 individuals with developmental disabilities and delays, runs five state-managed Human Development Centers providing 24-hour residential care at combined capacity of approximately 1,000+ residents, and reaches all 75 Arkansas counties through physical offices, the Access Arkansas online portal, and companion mobile applications.

DHS's service portfolio spans federal-state partnership programs (Medicaid including ARKids First, ARHOME, and TEFRA; SNAP; TANF/TEA; HCBS waivers such as the CES Waiver and Autism Waiver; Children's Special Services), residential and community-based disability services, foster care and adoption, juvenile justice rehabilitation, and behavioral health. The agency's core technology stack includes the Access Arkansas self-service portal, SNAP companion mobile app, Electronic Visit Verification (EVV), the cloud-based HCBS-IMS incident management system, the DDS Intake Public Portal, and the PASSE quality rating systems mandated by Act 962 of 2025. Distribution is multi-modal: 75-county office network, online portal, mobile applications, four contracted PASSE organizations (Arkansas Total Care, CareSource, Empower, Summit), five Human Development Centers, and a network of community-based providers.

The agency's revenue model is government appropriations rather than commercial sales: services are delivered at no direct cost to beneficiaries, funded through a combination of state general fund allocations and federal matching funds (Medicaid FMAP, SNAP, TANF block grant, Title V, HRSA grants). Leadership is appointed rather than investor-driven, with Secretary Janet Mann heading the department. Recent operational moves include a SNAP companion app launch, PASSE quality rating system rollout, an Every Child Arkansas foster-recruitment coalition with approximately 30 partner organizations, and a Microsoft-cited technology modernization involving Azure OpenAI, Microsoft 365 Copilot, and Power BI. A material disruption in 2026 was Arisa Health's exit from its 55-year Community Mental Health Center contract across 41 counties following a $4.4 million annual funding reduction.

Name

Arkansas department of human services

Legal name

Arkansas Department of Human Services

Website

https://humanservices.arkansas.gov

Company type

Private

Founded year

1955

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

5,001–10,000 employees

Short description

The Arkansas Department of Human Services is a state government agency administering Medicaid, SNAP, TANF, child welfare, developmental disability, behavioral health, and aging services to eligible residents across all 75 Arkansas counties.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Government Social Services and Public Assistance

NAICS

Individual and Family Services (6241), Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (624120), Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (62412), Residential Intellectual and Developmental Disability, Mental Health, and Substance Abuse Facilities (6232), Child Care Services (6244)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Home Health Care Services (8082), Services-Health Services (8000), Services-Misc Health & Allied Services, Nec (8090)

akta.pro primary industry

State/Provincial Human Services & Benefits Administration (Welfare, Disability, Child & Family) (BPAIABAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

Healthcare-Linked Social Benefits Administration (e.g., Medicaid/Means-Tested Health Coverage) (BPAIAKAH), Specialized Assisted Living for Developmental/Intellectual Disabilities (Adult) (HLADABAJ), Affordable / Low-Income Assisted Living (Medicaid Waiver Focused) (HLADABAE), Personal Care & ADL Assistance (bathing, dressing, toileting, mobility) (HLADAGAA), Maternal, Child & Family Health Departments (HLAJAAAK), Local Public Health & Human Services Administration (BPAIACAK)

Keywords

• Public assistance programs
• Medicaid administration
• Developmental disabilities services
• Child welfare services
• Behavioral health services

Headquarters

HQ city

Little Rock

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices7 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Others

Revenue model

1. Federal and State Medicaid Funding: The agency administers Medicaid programs including ARKids, ARHOME, Traditional Medicaid, and various waiver programs funded through federal-state partnerships
2. Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP): Federal food assistance program administered at the state level providing benefits to eligible low-income individuals and families
3. Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF): Federal block grant providing cash assistance to families with children, including the Transitional Employment Assistance (TEA) program
4. Developmental Disabilities Services: Medicaid-funded programs providing services to individuals with developmental disabilities including waiver programs, human development centers, and community-based services
5. Child Welfare Services: Foster care, adoption services, and family support programs funded through federal and state allocations

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

The Arkansas Department of Human Services administers state and federally funded social services and healthcare programs for vulnerable Arkansans, including Medicaid (ARKids First, ARHOME, TEFRA, PASSE), SNAP nutrition assistance, TANF/Transitional Employment Assistance, child welfare and foster care, developmental disabilities services (CES Waiver, Autism Waiver, five Human Development Centers), behavioral health and substance abuse treatment, and aging/adult protective services. Services are delivered through county offices, the Access Arkansas online portal, mobile applications, residential facilities, and a coordinated network of contracted providers.

Product overview

The Arkansas Department of Human Services operates as a state government agency providing a comprehensive portfolio of social services and healthcare programs. The department offers a unified service delivery model through its online portal Access Arkansas, combined with a network of county offices. Key programs include SNAP nutrition assistance, Medicaid programs (ARKids First, ARHOME, TEFRA), and developmental disabilities services through the CES Waiver and five Human Development Centers. The department also manages behavioral health services, children and family services, youth services, and provider quality assurance programs. Services are delivered through the PASSE system for coordinated care, with specialized programs like the Autism Waiver and Children's Special Services for specific populations.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Access Arkansas Online Portal A comprehensive online portal allowing Arkansas residents to manage their case, report changes, upload documents, and apply for health care, SNAP, or TEA benefits 24/7. For Arkansas residents seeking to apply for and manage public assistance benefits.
• Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Federal nutrition assistance program providing benefits to eligible low-income individuals and families to purchase food. For eligible low-income Arkansas residents.
• PASSE (Provider-Led Arkansas Shared Savings Entity) A Medicaid initiative designed to serve individuals with complex behavioral health needs and intellectual or developmental disabilities, coordinating physical health, behavioral health, and specialized services through four PASSE organizations (Arkansas Total Care, CareSource, Empower, Summit). For Medicaid beneficiaries with complex behavioral health and developmental disability needs.
• CES Waiver (Community and Employment Support Waiver) A Medicaid Home and Community Based Waiver offering services to support clients with intellectual or developmental disabilities with living independently and working in the community. For individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities.
• Early Intervention Day Treatment (EIDT) A program for children and youth aged 0-20 offering diagnosis, evaluation, and therapeutic services including physical, occupational, and speech therapy in a clinic setting. For children and youth with developmental disabilities.
• Adult Developmental Day Treatment (ADDT) A program offering assessments, habilitative, supervised living, prevocational, therapeutic, and educational services for adults with developmental disabilities. For adults with developmental disabilities.
• Autism Waiver A program providing intensive one-on-one intervention services for children with autism diagnosis aged 18 months to 5 years in natural environments including home, school, and community settings. For young children with autism diagnoses.
• Children's Special Services (CSS) A Title V program providing medical supplies, adaptive equipment, respite services, vehicle modifications, and case management for children under 18 with chronic illnesses or physical disabilities. For children under 18 with chronic illnesses or physical disabilities.
• Human Development Centers Five Intermediate Care Facilities providing 24-hour residential care for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, located in Arkadelphia, Booneville, Conway, Jonesboro, and Warren. For individuals with profound intellectual and developmental disabilities requiring residential care.
• ARKids First Arkansas's Medicaid program for children providing health coverage including doctor visits, hospital care, immunizations, and other essential health services. For eligible Arkansas children.
• ARHOME Arkansas Health and Opportunity for Me program providing health coverage for adults, with initiatives like Life360 for high-risk pregnancies and maternal health. For eligible Arkansas adults.
• TEFRA A Medicaid program providing coverage for children with disabilities who require institutional-level care, allowing them to receive care at home. For children with disabilities needing institutional-level care.
• Transitional Employment Assistance (TEA) Temporary cash assistance program for families with children to help with living expenses while parents work toward self-sufficiency. For families with children seeking financial support.
• Summer EBT Summer Electronic Benefits Transfer program providing food benefits to children during the summer months when school is not in session. For eligible Arkansas children during summer months.

Quantifiable outcome

• Nearly 70,000 Arkansans with developmental disabilities and delays receive services through DDS

Named customers2 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• UAMS (University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUAMS received a nearly $4 million federal grant from HRSA to reduce maternal mortality in Ashley and Union counties through the HEART Moms program, demonstrating a collaborative partnership to address maternal healthcare gaps in rural Arkansas.
• Every Child Arkansas (approximately 30 organizations)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEvery Child Arkansas is a new partnership between nearly 30 organizations working together to bring a focused approach to recruiting and supporting foster parents across the state.
• Rainbow of ChallengesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerArkadelphia HDC partnered with Rainbow of Challenges, a community provider, to enable four residents to purchase their own homes in Caddo Valley, supporting community integration.
• Kohler CominorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSoutheast Arkansas HDC residents participate in the American manufacturing sector through a partnership with Kohler Co in Sheridan, providing vocational opportunities.
• Dennis Developmental Center (UAMS)coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerReferral partner for autism diagnostic evaluations. UAMS program specializing in team autism diagnostic evaluation consisting of multiple clinician types.
• Schmieding Developmental Center (UAMS)coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerReferral partner for autism diagnostic evaluations. UAMS program serving northwest Arkansas families with developmental center evaluations.
• CoBALT (Community-Based Autism Liaison and Treatment Project)coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerReferral partner for autism services providing community-based autism liaison and treatment services across Arkansas.
• Clark County Recycling CenterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerArkadelphia HDC partnered with Clark County Recycling Center, a private non-profit Volunteer Council-supported business providing jobs for residents.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Texas Health and Human Services Commission: State-level health and human services agency administering Medicaid, SNAP, TANF, child welfare, and behavioral health in Texas. Direct functional equivalent to Arkansas DHS with similar program portfolio (Medicaid waivers, ICF/IID, foster care, behavioral health). Larger scale but identical operating model.
• Florida Department of Children and Families: Florida's state human services agency administering child welfare, SNAP, TANF, behavioral health, and developmental disabilities services. Closely comparable organizational structure, including regional/circuit offices delivering benefits and protective services.
• Tennessee Department of Human Services: Tennessee's state DHS administers SNAP, TANF, child care, child welfare, and disability services — a near-mirror of Arkansas DHS responsibilities with comparable rural/urban population mix and managed-care delivery models.
• Mississippi Department of Human Services: Neighbor-state human services agency administering Medicaid, SNAP, TANF, child welfare, and aging services with similar rural service-delivery challenges. Highly comparable given proximity, demographics, and program mix.
• Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services: Louisiana's state agency administering SNAP, TANF, child welfare, and family support programs. Comparable regional peer with similar Deep South service population and administrative structure.
• Oklahoma Human Services: Oklahoma DHS administers child welfare, adult protective services, behavioral health, developmental disabilities, and aging services with a similar rural/semi-urban service population to Arkansas.
• Missouri Department of Social Services: Missouri's DSS administers Medicaid, SNAP, TANF, child welfare, and youth services through regional offices. Operates a comparable program portfolio and division structure to Arkansas DHS.
• Alabama Department of Human Resources: Alabama's DHR administers child welfare, SNAP/TANF eligibility, aging services, and protective services via county offices — closely mirrors the Arkansas DHS County Operations model and division structure.

Broad incumbents

• Centene Corporation: Large managed-care company that operates Medicaid health plans in Arkansas (and is a major contractor to DHS through ARHOME and PASSE-related services). Comparable as the dominant private-sector counterpart in administering Medicaid benefits for the populations DHS serves.
• CareSource: Non-profit managed care plan that is one of four PASSE contractors serving Arkansas Medicaid beneficiaries with complex behavioral health and developmental disability needs. Direct operational partner with overlapping population focus.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/ARHumanServices
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCzhmJ6BHQUCCeZIvq9grIWA
• Facebookfacebook.com/ArkansasDHS
• Instagraminstagram.com/arkansasdhs

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles13 records

Subsidiaries9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments4 records

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Frequently asked questions about Arkansas department of human services