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Legislators press DHS on Care Solace school referral contract, request details on vendor role and costs
Summary
Lawmakers questioned a DHS renewal to provide Care Solace referral services for Arkansas schools — a $1 million annual contract proposed as a seven‑year renewal — pressing DHS on vendor presence in-state, whether Arkansas providers bid, and how referrals are assigned. The committee agreed to follow up and bring additional information to JBC.
Lawmakers on the peer subcommittee pressed the Department of Human Services about a proposed renewal of a contract with Care Solace, a mental‑health referral service that DHS has offered to Arkansas schools.
Representative Mayberry and Senator Irvin asked whether the service provides direct care or only referral navigation, whether Arkansas providers bid, and how the vendor matches students to providers. A DHS representative said Care Solace is a concierge referral service that helps districts find telehealth or in‑person providers and follows up to ensure appointments occur. “We're offering it to all schools … Care Solace helps find that person, whether it be, telehealth or in person,” the DHS representative said.
Committee members pressed for details of scope, the vendor's presence in Arkansas, scheduling during school hours, and whether the contract establishes a fair referral process rather than “picking winners and losers.” DHS said Care Solace works with Arkansas‑based providers and that the parent or school district is involved in provider selection. DHS said the contract authority is $1,000,000 per year and that the contract term could project to $7,000,000 across seven years.
Why it matters: Lawmakers said mental‑health services in schools are a high priority and want assurance that a third‑party referral service serves districts equitably, does not displace Arkansas providers, and includes transparent procurement and oversight.
What happens next: Committee members requested procurement and bid documentation, a breakdown of how much goes to administrative overhead versus direct services, details on whether Arkansas providers bid and how referrals are assigned, and asked DHS to provide that information for follow‑up at the next JBC meeting.
