The Division of Elementary and
Secondary Education (DESE) is pleased to announce the availability of grant
funds for Arkansas public school districts to implement school-based health
centers in partnership with community physical health and mental health
providers. The Arkansas School-Based Health Center (SBHC) Initiative is a
competitive funding opportunity for districts to implement on-campus medical
and mental health service partnerships. The Arkansas School-Based Health Center
program is intended to promote health, wellness, and academic achievement in
Arkansas public schools.
School-based health centers provide
access to basic physical, mental, dental, or other services, as needed. The
health center provides services beyond the scope of the school nurse practice
and, therefore, is not intended to replace the school nurse. The intent of the
center is to act as a resource for wellness and prevention for public school
students and staff.
All Arkansas public school districts
intending to establish, expand, or enhance access to provider services are
eligible to apply for grant funding up to $150,000. Grant recipients will be
eligible to receive an annual distribution of funds for a three-year funding
period. One SBHC per district may be funded by the DESE during a current 3-year
funding cycle. Annual renewal is based on a review of implementation progress
and appropriation of state funding. The applying school district must act as
the lead grantee and the fiscal agent for the grant funds awarded.
To be eligible for the 2026-2027 SBHC
funding cycle, districts must have a representative attend the in-person SBHC
Grant Writing Technical Assistance Training scheduled on Tuesday, January 20,
2026, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at the EAST Initiative located at 6215
Ranch Drive, Little Rock, AR. Use the following link to register in
advance: Grant Writing Technical Assistance
Registration Link (NOTE: Registration is required). Once registered,
participants will receive a confirmation email. Attending this event will act
as a notice of intent to apply and deem the district eligible to continue the
application process. In the event the inclement weather policy is
implemented for the Little Rock area on Tuesday, January 20, 2026, the event
will occur on the alternate date of Tuesday, January 27, 2026.
Districts should submit applications
as a single PDF file attachment to ade.schoolhealthservices@ade.arkansas.gov. The email subject line should
reference the “2026-2027 SBHC Grant Application”. Applications will be accepted
through Tuesday, March 31, 2026.
For questions regarding the
School-Based Health Center program or other school health programming, please
contact the DESE School Health Services Office at 501-683-3600.