Dr. Laura H. Tyler
Four of Arkansas’ behavioral health providers announced Wednesday that they have signed a letter of intent to form an integrated behavioral health system in Arkansas.
The system will be called Arisa Health, and it will be a nonprofit. The merger of Counseling Associates, Mid-South Health Systems, Ozark Guidance and Professional Counseling Associates is expected to be finalized in early 2020.
In total, Arisa Health will have locations in 41 counties throughout the northern half of the state.
Dr. Laura H. Tyler, CEO of Ozark Guidance, has been selected to lead the new organization.
“This merging of missions will ensure better outcomes for clients, families and the communities we serve and allow for greater efficiency in the delivery of behavioral health services,” Tyler said in a news release. “Our core commitment is to utilize innovative approaches in the provision of comprehensive, integrated behavioral health care services. … We will offer a safe and secure professional environment where clients are offered individualized care and services.””
The governing boards of the four organizations approved the letter because they share a similar mission and because of the benefits that combining resources brings, she said. Those benefits include ensuring access to community-based comprehensive behavioral health care services, the sharing of ideas and innovative best practices, economies of scale and a financially stronger and increasingly sustainable organization.
She also said employees will enjoy greater collaboration with a larger pool of peers across the network, and the leadership teams at all of the organizations are working hard to ensure a seamless transfer of operations and integration of the workforce.
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