Arkansas Health Care Association

What Arkansas Health Care Association does

Arkansas Health Care Association (AHCA) is a nonprofit trade association founded in 1951 and headquartered in Little Rock, Arkansas. It represents more than 300 licensed long-term care facilities across the state, covering over 90% of Arkansas's skilled nursing and assisted living providers, and operates a sub-brand division (AALA) dedicated to assisted living. AHCA's core functions are educating, informing, and representing member facilities before government agencies, the state legislature, the Office of Long Term Care, the Arkansas Department of Human Services, and CMS. It also delivers ASBN-approved training programs, including a Medication Assistant-Certified (MA-C) program (115 hours, grant-funded through the Arkansas Office of Skills Development) and an Administrator-in-Training course preparing candidates for NAB and Arkansas state licensure exams.

AHCA's revenue is generated through facility membership dues, associate memberships for suppliers ($1,000/year), a six-tier sponsorship program for goods/service providers ($3,000 Copper through $50,000 Diamond), event registration at the annual Spring Convention & Trade Show and Fall Conference, and education program fees. Distribution is direct and event-driven: facility memberships are managed through the Director of Member Services, education programs through the Education Coordinator and Nurse Educator, and member engagement via a 7-district structure that includes district pageants and the State Queen Pageant. The organization employs a seven-person leadership team and runs its digital presence on a Squarespace-hosted website that incorporates a public facility finder, online event registration, and Google Places API integrations.

The organization's product surface spans education, advocacy, emergency preparedness resources, a public facility directory, and (as of 2026) a creative aging curriculum co-developed with Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art for member activity directors. It is closely affiliated with the Arkansas Health Care Foundation (AHCF), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit established by AHCA in 2003 to pursue public and private funding for long-term care staff education and career advancement.

Name

Arkansas Health Care Association

Legal name

Arkansas Health Care Association

Website

https://arhealthcare.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1951

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Arkansas Health Care Association is a nonprofit trade association founded in 1951 that represents more than 300 licensed long-term care facilities (over 90% of Arkansas providers), offering advocacy, ASBN-approved workforce training, and member events to skilled nursing and assisted living operators across the state.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Long-Term Care Trade Association Services

NAICS

Business Associations (813910), Nursing and Residential Care Facilities (623), Continuing Care Retirement Communities and Assisted Living Facilities for the Elderly (6233)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Services-Skilled Nursing Care Facilities (8051), Services-Nursing & Personal Care Facilities (8050)

akta.pro primary industry

Public Health & Health Equity Organizations (BPAGACAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

Assisted Living with Memory Care (Mixed Campus) (HLADABAB), Skilled Home Health (Medicare-Certified) Agencies (HLAFAEAA), Transitional Care Units (TCU) (HLAFAFAF)

Keywords

• Long-term care association
• Skilled nursing facilities
• Assisted living providers
• Healthcare workforce training
• Nursing home advocacy

Headquarters

HQ city

Little Rock

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Facility Membership Dues: Annual membership dues from skilled nursing facilities, assisted living communities, and other licensed long-term care providers. AHCA represents more than 90% of licensed long-term care facilities in Arkansas, suggesting broad membership coverage across the state.
2. Associate Membership Dues: Organizations supplying goods or services to long-term care facilities pay $1,000 per calendar year for associate membership, which must be approved by the AHCA Board of Directors and sponsored by a member facility.
3. Sponsorship Programs: Sponsorship tiers ranging from $3,000 to $50,000 per calendar year, including Associate Membership and a trade show booth. Levels include Copper ($3,000), Bronze ($5,000), Silver ($10,000), Gold ($15,000), Platinum ($25,000), and Diamond ($50,000).
4. Event Registration Fees: Revenue generated from the annual Spring Convention & Trade Show (May 12-13, 2026, Hot Springs Convention Center), Annual Fall Conference & Business Meeting, and the State Queen Pageant. Attendee and exhibitor registration fees support event operations.
5. Education and Training Program Fees: Administrator-in-Training Course costs $900 total ($100 application fee + $800 course fee). Audit option costs $500. MA-C Training Program is grant-funded through Arkansas Office of Skills Development with facilities paying student wages in lieu of tuition.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Arkansas Health Care Association is a nonprofit trade association that represents, educates, and advocates for skilled nursing facilities and assisted living providers across Arkansas. Its core deliverables include facility and associate membership services, ASBN-approved MA-C Training and Administrator-in-Training certification programs, emergency preparedness resources, a public facility finder directory, and annual events such as the Spring Convention & Trade Show and State Queen Pageant.

Product overview

The Arkansas Health Care Association (AHCA) operates as a membership organization rather than a software product company. Its service portfolio centers on representing and supporting long-term care facilities in Arkansas through advocacy, training, and member services. The organization offers two primary education programs: the MA-C Training Program (Medication Assistant-Certified, approved by Arkansas State Board of Nursing) and the Administrator-in-Training Course for future facility administrators. Supporting services include Emergency Preparedness Resources, a Find a Facility directory, and annual events including the Spring Convention & Trade Show and State Queen Pageant. The organization represents more than 300 facilities across Arkansas.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• AALA (Arkansas Assisted Living Association): Dedicated to establishing the highest standards of excellence for assisted living professionals providing housing, assisted living and related services to Arkansas seniors.

Products and services

• MA-C Training Program Medication Assistant-Certified training program approved by the Arkansas State Board of Nursing (ASBN), designed to educate qualified students to perform medication administration under licensed nurse supervision in designated long-term care facilities. Includes classroom instruction and clinical training.
• Administrator-in-Training Course Comprehensive curriculum led by industry experts that equips participants with leadership skills and regulatory knowledge necessary to navigate healthcare landscape complexities, ensure standards of care and compliance, and qualify for NAB and Arkansas state licensure exams for nursing home administration. Covers 72 hours classroom instruction plus 568 hours facility-based instruction over 16 weeks.
• Emergency Preparedness Resources Tools, guidelines, and expert advice for disaster planning and response protocols to ensure safety of residents and staff in long-term care facilities across Arkansas, including emergency preparedness resources from AHCA/NCAL and the Arkansas Health Care Coalition.
• Find a Facility Searchable online directory representing the majority of skilled nursing facilities and assisted living communities throughout Arkansas, helping families find appropriate long-term care facilities.
• AHCA Spring Convention & Trade Show Annual industry convention and trade show where long-term care professionals explore innovations, products, and services; includes networking opportunities and educational sessions.
• AHCA State Queen Pageant Annual resident engagement competition where district winners from AHCA member facilities compete at the state level, held in conjunction with the Annual Fall Conference.

Quantifiable outcome

• Arkansas ranks 4th nationally for improving dementia care in nursing homes and reducing antipsychotic medication use
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.

• Crystal Bridges Museum of American ArtcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 9 March 2026Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art and AHCA have launched a statewide partnership to expand creative aging programs to long-term care facilities across Arkansas. The initiative embeds Crystal Bridges' evidence-based creative aging curriculum into AHCA's activity director certification course, training directors to lead artmaking experiences for residents with dementia, chronic illness, disability, sensory impairment, and limited dexterity. Approximately 90 activity directors from member facilities will participate in 2026, with the first workshop scheduled March 13 in Little Rock representing 18 communities. This follows a successful pilot phase and aims to expand access particularly in rural and underserved areas.
• Arkansas Health Care Foundation (AHCF)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAHCF is a non-profit, tax-exempt charitable and educational organization established by AHCA in 2003 under IRC § 501(c)(3). Its mission is to enhance quality of long-term care in Arkansas by pursuing public and private funds for educational and career advancement opportunities for long-term care staff. AHCF co-develops and delivers AHCA's education programs including the AIT course and MA-C Training Program.
• AALA (Arkansas Assisted Living Association)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAALA is a dedicated division of AHCA focused on establishing the highest standards of excellence for assisted living professionals providing housing, assisted living, and related services to Arkansas seniors. AALA represents the assisted living segment within AHCA's broader membership.
• Arkansas Office of Skills DevelopmentsupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerThe Arkansas Office of Skills Development has provided grant funding to offset student tuition costs for AHCA's MA-C Training Program. This enables facilities to send staff for training without paying tuition directly, with facilities paying student wages during training instead.
• Arkansas State Board of Nursing (ASBN)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAHCA's MA-C Training Program has been approved by the Arkansas State Board of Nursing. ASBN establishes curriculum guidelines, scope of practice rules (Chapter Eight), and examination requirements for Medication Assistant-Certified professionals in Arkansas long-term care facilities.
• Arkansas State LegislaturecoreOthersAHCA represents member facilities before the Arkansas state legislature, advocating for policies that affect long-term care operations, quality standards, and funding.
• Arkansas Department of Human Services (DHS)coreOthersAHCA works with the Arkansas Department of Human Services, including on nursing home administrator licensing exams. DHS reviews AIT course completion and approves candidates to sit for NAB and state licensing exams.
• Arkansas Office of Long Term CarecoreOthersAHCA cooperates with the state Office of Long Term Care to improve quality of life in Arkansas nursing homes and ensure regulatory compliance.
• AHCA/NCAL (American Health Care Association / National Center for Assisted Living)supportingOthersAHCA maintains a relationship with the national AHCA/NCAL organization, which provides emergency preparedness resources, fire and life safety guidelines, and survey/regulatory support referenced on AHCA's emergency preparedness page.
• Arkansas Health Care CoalitionsupportingOthersAHCA participates in the Arkansas Health Care Coalition, a healthcare preparedness partnership. Coalition co-leader contact information and a coalition map are provided through AHCA's emergency preparedness resources.
• Arkansas State Board of Nursing (ASBN) Approved Clinical SitessupportingImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerMA-C Training clinical rotations are conducted at ASBN-approved facilities. Facilities must have a current affiliation agreement with the MA-C Program to serve as clinical training sites. Theory classes vary by location while clinicals are held regionally in designated facilities.
• National Association of Long-Term Care Administrator Boards (NAB)supportingOthersAHCA's AIT program prepares students to take the NAB exams (Core and Line of Service). Completion of the AIT course does not substitute for passing the NAB exams, which are administered through DHS and must be attempted within 6 months of AIT course completion.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• AHCA/NCAL (American Health Care Association / National Center for Assisted Living): National umbrella trade association for skilled nursing and assisted living providers. AHCA Arkansas is implicitly affiliated and represents the national counterpart offering emergency preparedness, regulatory advocacy, and federal lobbying that the state chapter relays to members.
• LeadingAge: National association representing nonprofit aging services providers including nursing homes, assisted living, and continuing care retirement communities. Comparable in its advocacy, education, and credentialing mission, serving an overlapping long-term care membership base with broader mission focus on mission-driven providers.
• Argentum: National trade association specifically for senior living and assisted living operators. Comparable as the assisted living counterpart to AHCA's AALA division, providing advocacy, education, and networking for a directly overlapping member base.

Regional players

• Florida Health Care Association: State-level trade association representing Florida's nursing home and assisted living providers. Operates the same membership, advocacy, education, and event model as AHCA but in Florida's regulatory environment and larger LTC market.
• Texas Health Care Association: Peer state trade association representing Texas long-term care facilities. Directly comparable business model with facility membership dues, advocacy before the state legislature and HHSC, education programs, and annual convention/trade show GTM.
• California Association of Health Facilities: Peer state trade association for California skilled nursing, intermediate care, and assisted living providers. Comparable organizational structure, advocacy function, and education/event portfolio serving a similar long-term care membership base.
• Georgia Health Care Association: Peer state trade association representing Georgia's nursing homes, assisted living, and personal care homes. Operates the same membership, regulatory advocacy, and convention-based GTM as AHCA in a neighboring Southern regional market.

Others

• National Association of State Veterans Homes: Association representing state-operated veterans' nursing facilities. Adjacent to AHCA's member base in long-term care skilled nursing, with comparable advocacy and education functions, but focused on a specific government-operated subset rather than private facilities.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/ahcaaala
• Xx.com/ahca_aala
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/arkansas-health-care-association

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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 Arkansas Health Care Association