Press Release
For Immediate Release
Arkansas Behavioral Health Integration Network Awarded Federal Grant to Launch Youth Behavioral Health Career Pathways Program in North Arkansas
Eureka Springs, Arkansas – October 17, 2025
Eureka Springs, AR, October 17, 2025 – The Arkansas Behavioral Health Integration Network (ABHIN) has been awarded a new federal grant from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) to strengthen the behavioral health workforce in rural North Arkansas through the Arkansas Rural Opioid Use Team Education Pathways (AROUTE-P) program.
The three-year program will introduce middle and high school students to behavioral health careers, empower youth to lead peer-driven initiatives, and create sustainable career pipelines to address the region’s critical mental health workforce shortage.
“This program not only supports students in envisioning futures in behavioral health, but also helps build a homegrown workforce that will serve our rural communities for years to come,” said Kim Shuler, LCSW, CEO of ABHIN and Co-Project Director of AROUTE-P.
Arkansas has some of the highest behavioral health professional shortage areas in the nation, with 72 of 75 counties lacking enough providers. Residents in these rural counties face especially high barriers to behavioral health care. By exposing students early to behavioral health careers and supporting their transition into training programs, AROUTE-P aims to create a lasting workforce pipeline that meets local needs for years to come.
“This award represents a significant opportunity for middle and high school students in North Arkansas to explore and pursue careers in behavioral health. By participating in this initiative, students will gain valuable training and skills, while also making a meaningful contribution to addressing the shortage of mental health professionals in the region,” said Dr. Lindsay Ruhr, PhD, LCSW, Associate Professor at the UALR School of Social Work and Co-Project Director of AROUTE-P.
Dr. Ruhr continued, “Cultivating a new generation of behavioral health practitioners is vital for ensuring that Arkansas communities have an adequate behavioral health workforce to meet the growing demand for care.”
AROUTE-P is a collaboration among schools, healthcare providers, colleges, and community organizations across six rural counties. The project kicked off in September 2025 and will continue through August 2028.
Founded in 2019, the Arkansas Behavioral Health Integration Network (ABHIN) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to meeting the challenges of integrating behavioral healthcare by building relationships, sharing resources, and providing education, training, and advocacy. ABHIN has led multiple HRSA-funded initiatives to expand prevention, treatment, recovery, and workforce capacity in rural Arkansas.
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Contact:
Kim Shuler, LCSW
Chief Executive Officer, ABHIN
Email: kim.shuler@abhinetwork.org
Phone: (479) 871-3611
About ABHIN
ABHIN is a nonprofit organization founded in 2019 with the mission of integrating behavioral healthcare into the healthcare continuum to improve accessibility, especially in underserved rural areas. Through partnerships, education, and innovative programming, ABHIN is leading the charge to create healthier communities across Arkansas.
