The Arkansas Department of Education (ADE) office of School Health Services provides guidance and technical assistant for the development of best practice school-based mental health programs within Arkansas public school districts. The ADE encourages schools to implement the following best practice principles to ensure quality school-based mental health services for students:

•  An emphasis on early identification
•  Full integration with the community and its resources
•  Placing students and their families at the center of service decisions
•  Providing services that are culturally competent
•  A focus on promoting school attendance and academic success
•  Services and supports validated by research and evidence-based practices
•  The use of technology, including telecommunications