Press Releases

Washington, DC—April 30, 2020….Congressman Steve Womack (AR-3) and U.S. Senator John Boozman (R-AR) today announced $4,000,000 in federal funds for the Western Arkansas Counseling and Guidance Center based in Fort Smith. The grant investment, which was allocated through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), will allow for expanded services to help Arkansans suffering from mental health and substance abuse disorders, further support at-risk youth, and improve treatment resources in underserved areas.

Congressman Womack said, “Services to help those suffering from mental health and substance abuse disorders save lives. This investment will support our on-the-ground health experts and enhance access to patient-centered, integrated care throughout the Third District.”

“As more Arkansans are faced with increased financial and emotional challenges as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, access to mental health and substance abuse treatment is crucial. These resources will provide additional critical services so we can continue to support the needs of Arkansans,” Senator Boozman said.

Rusti Holwick, CEO of the Western Arkansas Counseling and Guidance Center, said, “Our work is centered on connecting people with the treatment they need to change their lives. This grant will make it possible to provide much needed services to individuals who would otherwise be compromised and go without. We are grateful for the support and advocacy from Congressman Womack, Senator Boozman, and the Arkansas delegation in these efforts.”

The Western Arkansas Counseling Guidance Center provides health services in 6 counties across the state, including Sebastian, Crawford, Franklin, Logan, Scott, and Polk. With these additional resources, they will be able to reach more people in need and incorporate additional treatment tools, including mobile behavioral health teams and juvenile detention center care support, to provide fully integrated services, fill service gaps in underserved areas, and improve health outcomes.

This HHS grant is distributed by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration and aids efforts to increase access and improve the quality of community mental and substance use disorder treatment services through the expansion of Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics (CCBHC) program.  The funding is supported by both annual appropriations allocations and emergency COVID-19 funds through the CARES Act.

Congressman Steve Womack (AR-3) has represented Arkansas’s Third Congressional District since 2011. He serves as the Ranking Member of the House Committee on the Budget and is a member of the House Appropriations defense and transportation, housing and urban development subcommittees.

womack.house.gov

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