ARcare, a leading provider of comprehensive healthcare, and Arkansas’ largest Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC), has been awarded a grant from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) to support justice-involved individuals transitioning back into the community. The funding is part of a $52 million national initiative to improve healthcare access and outcomes for people reentering society after incarceration. ARcare is the only organization in Arkansas to receive this award.
The grant, part of HRSA’s Quality Improvement Fund – Transitions in Care for Justice-Involved Populations (QIF-TJI), will allow ARcare to lead a collaborative effort in White County. The Justice-Involved Reentry Program will partner with the White County Sheriff’s Office, Restore Hope-100 Families Program, and the Literacy Council of White County to provide comprehensive healthcare and social support services for individuals in their final 90 days of incarceration.
The program will address critical areas such as chronic disease management, mental health, substance use disorder treatment, reducing the risk of overdose, infectious disease prevention and care, plus social support services to help individuals meet their goals of recovery, family reunification, and steady employment.
ARcare CEO, Dr. Steven Collier, emphasized the importance of this initiative in improving health equity and community well-being.
“This funding represents an opportunity to break the cycle of recidivism by addressing health and social barriers that justice-involved individuals face. By providing care and support before their release, we can ensure a smoother transition back into the community, reducing risks and fostering healthier outcomes. ARcare is committed to building partnerships that create lasting change for individuals and families in White County,” said Dr. Collier.
White County Sheriff Phillip Miller expressed his enthusiasm for the program’s potential to enhance public safety and support successful reentry.
“This partnership with ARcare, 100 Families, and the Literacy Council allows us to provide essential health and support services that continue after release, giving individuals the tools they need to succeed and stay out of jail. A safer detention facility and reduced inmate population ultimately benefit everyone in our community,” Sheriff Miller stated.
The Justice-Involved Reentry Program will play a vital role in addressing the elevated health risks faced by individuals leaving incarceration. Studies show that people reentering society are up to 10 times more likely to experience opioid overdoses and face disproportionately high rates of chronic conditions such as diabetes, hepatitis, and hypertension.
ARcare’s program will run from December 1, 2024, through November 30, 2026, and aims to pilot innovative approaches that reconnect justice-involved individuals to high-quality, community-based healthcare.
For more information on ARcare visit www.arcare.net or contact winston.collier@arcare.net.
Founded in 1981, ARcare is a medical network striving to fulfill its “Health for All” mission by specializing in primary care, behavioral health, chronic disease care, pharmaceutical care, and insurance. As a Federally Qualified Healthcare Center (FQHC), ARcare is able to care for every patient regardless of their insurance status or ability to pay.