Клиника психического здоровья в Штутгарте переходит под управление Arcare после 62 лет работы

STUTTGART — Arcare plans to assume operations of Southeast Arkansas Behavioral Healthcare System’s Stuttgart behavioral health clinic as SABHS prepares to dissolve after 62 years of operation. The transition is expected to take effect Sept. 28. Arcare will also assume operations of the SABHS clinic in Pine Bluff, while Mainline Health Systems will take over the organization’s Star City and Sheridan locations. According to information released Tuesday, the transition is not a traditional acquisition or purchase. As SABHS dissolves as a nonprofit organization, certain assets, including the Stuttgart and Pine Bluff clinics, will become part of ARcare. SABHS was founded more than six decades ago as Arkansas’ first community mental health center and has provided behavioral health services to children and adults in southeast Arkansas. The organization cited changes in the healthcare landscape that have made it increasingly difficult to continue operating independently. “For our Board of Directors, this decision has always been about protecting our patients, our employees, and the mission we’ve served for the past 62 years,” SABHS CEO Sherrie James said. Arcare said the Stuttgart clinic will remain at its current location and continue providing behavioral health services for children and adults. The organization said it expects patient care to continue without interruption during the transition. Pending final employment agreements, many of the clinic’s current clinical and support employees are also expected to remain. Arcare said its goal is for patients to continue seeing their existing providers and care teams whenever possible. Initially, the Stuttgart and Pine Bluff locations will continue operating as behavioral health clinics. Arcare plans to add primary care services at the locations within the next 12 months. The transition does not include SABHS’ state-funded crisis, forensic, or correctional behavioral health contracts. Those services will be assumed by Counseling Clinic Inc. of Benton under a separate agreement. SABHS’ decision divides its four clinic locations among Arcare and Mainline Health Systems rather than transferring the entire organization to a single provider. Arcare CEO Dr. Steven Collier said the organization plans to continue the behavioral health services SABHS has provided in the communities. “For more than 60 years, Southeast Arkansas Behavioral Healthcare has changed countless lives and helped shape behavioral healthcare in Arkansas,” Collier said. The transition is expected to be completed Sept. 28.