Arkansas Administrative Code Agency 016 - DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES
Arkansas Administrative Code – Agency 016: Department of Human Services (DHS)
The Arkansas Department of Human Services (DHS), designated as Agency 016 in the Arkansas Administrative Code, is the state agency responsible for administering public assistance programs, protecting children and vulnerable adults, supporting individuals with disabilities, and managing behavioral health and public health services.
Overview of DHS Responsibilities:
Agency 016 oversees numerous divisions and offices, each with distinct responsibilities. These divisions are reflected in separate rule chapters within the administrative code.
Major Divisions and Their Functions:
Division of County Operations (DCO)
Administers Medicaid eligibility, SNAP (food assistance), TEA (cash assistance), and child care subsidies
Oversees county offices across Arkansas
Division of Children and Family Services (DCFS)
Responsible for child welfare, foster care, adoption, and protective services
Ensures the safety of children through investigations and intervention
Division of Developmental Disabilities Services (DDS)
Provides services and supports to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities
Manages community-based and institutional programs
Division of Aging, Adult, and Behavioral Health Services (DAABHS)
Combines services for older adults, individuals with mental illness, and those needing substance use treatment
Includes state psychiatric hospitals and community mental health support
Division of Medical Services (DMS)
Administers Arkansas Medicaid
Develops Medicaid policy and oversees provider enrollment and payments
Division of Provider Services and Quality Assurance (DPSQA)
Regulates and licenses health care and long-term care providers
Oversees quality assurance, nursing homes, and residential facilities
Office of Rules Promulgation and Administrative Procedures
Manages the rulemaking process for DHS
Coordinates compliance with administrative procedures
Common Topics Covered in Agency 016 Rules:
Medicaid eligibility and benefits
Licensing requirements for child care and health facilities
Foster care and adoption processes
Mental health and substance abuse treatment regulations
Adult protective services protocols
Home and community-based services (HCBS) waivers
Legal Authority:
The DHS rules under Agency 016 are authorized by various statutes in the Arkansas Code Annotated (A.C.A.), particularly Titles 9, 20, and 23.
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