School Districts and Education Service Cooperatives (ESC) may be approved to seek Medicaid reimbursement as a School-Based Mental Health (SBMH) provider for services provided to students by a mental health professional who is an employee of the Local Education Agency (LEA).  The LEA must first meet the requirements in the Arkansas Department of Education (ADE) SBMH Manual and obtain ADE certification prior to beginning the Arkansas Medicaid provider application process for SBMH.

The following process is necessary for LEA SBMH providers:

1. Mental health professional must be an employee of the LEA and an approved mental health provider with Arkansas Medicaid.
2. Obtain SBMH application approval outlining the service program.
   
3. Obtain Arkansas Medicaid provider approval of the enrollment application.  See the AR Medicaid in the Schools: Direct Billing page for more details and instructions.
   

Confidentiality

Confidentiality of all client records should be maintained according to Title 42 of the Code of Federal Regulations, Part II. 

Lindsay McGhee, School-Based Mental Health Coordinator
Arkansas Department of Education
Division of Elementary & Secondary Education
Four Capitol Mall, Mail Slot #14
Little Rock, AR 72201
Phone: 501-683-3604
Fax: 501-682-4886
Email:  lindsay.mcghee@ade.arkansas.gov