CPP State Policy Feature: Arkansas
“We’re happy you’re talking about costs, because early childhood treatments are huge cost savings.”
-Arkansas CPP leader
120 Providers*
36 Agencies*
Annual CPP Learning
Collaborative
Representation
in IECMH state
working group
Recurring
line-item in
state budget
10% enhanced
reimbursement rate for CPP
Timeline
2012
First CPP training in Arkansas, funded by NCTSN grant.
September 2015
LC to train first state trainers.
September 2016
Statewide CPP trainings funded through appropriation in annual legislative budgets.
July 2018
State establishes a 10% increased reimbursement for CPP services through new IECMH certification standards.
October 2020
CPP included in grant for Zero to Three Safe Babies.
Legislative Funds for Statewide CPP Training
Resources built into annual state budget
Over $1 million* in the Arkansas state budget is allocated to care for children and families exposed to trauma. This line item covers direct training costs for CPP—including an annual learning collaborative—as well as other evidence-based practices. This stable funding, enshrined in legislation, has allowed CPP to spread across the state.
Increased CPP Reimbursement Rate
10%* higher reimbursement for qualified CPP providers
New certification standards for infant mental health care provide a 10%* enhanced Medicaid reimbursement rate for clinicians providing CPP and other evidence-based treatments. The standards were developed by a work group of administrators and providers from diverse childhood care systems, which strove to incentivize the use of dyadic, evidence-based treatments.
Enhanced Visibility
of CPP
Networking created opportunities to advance CPP
CPP leaders built relationships with policymakers by participating in IECMH task forces and work groups. By providing education, sharing data, and establishing themselves as credible partners, they have raised the profile of CPP among key stakeholders and developed opportunities to coordinate CPP with other policy initiatives.
Learn More
For a deeper dive into Arkansas’s CPP policy work and IECMH certification, check out the state’s feature in the Winter 2023 edition of the CPP Newsletter.
Key Organizations
Trauma Training Coordinator: Arkansas Building Effective Services for Trauma (ARBEST)
CPP Funders:
- Arkansas Legislature (FY 23-24 budget)
- National Child Traumatic Stress Network
Key Resources
- Arkansas IECMH Clinical Certification Standards – Learn how CPP clinicians in Arkansas can receive 10% more for their services!
*Numbers are current as of March 2024.
The content of this document is intended for informational use only. If you are interested in becoming involved with CPP policy advocacy in your state, please fill out this survey.
The CPP Dissemination Team would like to thank Kelly Hamman, Sufna John, and Karin Vanderzee for providing rich insight and context into CPP sustainability in Arkansas.