Arkansas to Expand Disability Care Access

Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders and the Arkansas Department of Human Services (DHS) have announced a new initiative to expand care for residents with intellectual or developmental disabilities. The plan focuses on providing "supportive living services" to individuals currently on the Community and Employment Support (CES) waiver waitlist.

The CES waiver is a vital program designed to help Arkansans manage daily activities, live independently, and find employment. While the program currently supports 8,233 people, approximately 2,464 individuals remain on the waitlist. Until now, those waiting for enrollment could access most of the program's services, but supportive living - which provides essential funding for in-home care - was one of the few services unavailable to them.

To address this gap, DHS will collaborate with the Provider-Led Arkansas Shared Savings Entity (PASSE) system. Because all individuals on the CES waitlist are automatically enrolled in a PASSE, this partnership will allow eligible residents to access the in-home support necessary to remain in their own homes.

Governor Sanders noted that supportive living services were the most frequently requested resource from families. To make this a reality, the state estimates a cost of approximately $17 million. The administration is currently discussing short-term and long-term funding options with the Arkansas Legislature to sustain the program.

The state expects PASSEs to begin providing these services to those on the waitlist by January 2027. Additionally, DHS plans to include this expansion in the CES waiver resubmission this February, with the goal of establishing the services on a permanent basis by August 2027. This move represents a significant step in increasing community participation and quality of life for Arkansans with developmental disabilities.

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