Arkansas Department of Health

The board reviewed licensure statistics, noting the number of physical therapists (PTs) and physical therapist assistants (PTAs) licensed by exam and reciprocity since the last meeting. The financial report, showing total assets of $1,127,002.06, and revenue reconciliations for August, September, and October were approved. New business included a presentation from EBAS regarding ethics assessment services, a determination that performing assessments for urinary tract infection is outside the scope of physical therapist practice for one inquiry, and directing follow-up on inquiries regarding onboarding new therapists and dry needling/PTA supervision. The Board reviewed consent orders previously signed by two individuals. The complaint committee report was accepted, detailing findings that consent orders would be offered in two cases involving improper billing/labor falsification, while two other complaints regarding professional boundaries and HIPAA/fraud allegations were found to lack evidence of Practice Act violations. A report on the FSBPT Annual Education Meeting was also given.

Key discussions during the meeting included the dissemination of Child Health Advisory Committee (CHAC) appointment letters for new and re-appointed members, with seven schools selected for the 2025-2026 Student Wellness Advocacy Group (SWAG) focusing on areas like physical activity and suicide prevention. The Mental Health Subcommittee discussed action items related to two recommendations. The Coordinated School Health Quarterly meeting topics included tobacco prevention programs, road safety education, mental health anti-stigma resources, and statewide school nurse survey results. Old Business noted that FY 23 & FY 24 recommendations are pending approval for presentation to the Arkansas Department of Education Board. New Business featured a presentation on federal funded nutrition programs, noting the cessation of the Local Foods for School program and changes affecting the Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP) and Community Eligibility Provision (CEP). Updates confirmed that several Child Nutrition Unit implementations will continue under the Arkansas Department of Agriculture transition. Committee members were also reminded to review a webinar on reducing ultra-processed meals and to note details about the upcoming SHAPE Arkansas FALL CONFERENCE.

The regular meeting addressed several hearings where applicants, including Kenneth Harper, Ron Jumper, Robert Williams Jr., and Victor Almendares, waived their right to a hearing and accepted proposed administrative penalties via consent orders for plumbing licensing law violations. The Committee reviewed and approved applications for Master Plumber, Journeyman Plumber, Water and Sewer Service Line Installer, and Lifetime Plumber licenses, and also reviewed applications for disapproval across these categories. Additionally, the Committee approved six license waiver applications for Apprentice, Journeyman, and Governmental Maintenance categories, and approved the Stipends and Expenses for the 2026 calendar year. Committee members were also instructed to complete and return Statement of Financial Forms.

This document, prepared by The Arkansas Health Services Permit Agency, assesses the need for health care facilities and services for State Fiscal Year 2026. It provides detailed county-level data for various healthcare services, including Assisted Living Facilities, Residential Care Facilities, Home Health Agencies, Hospice Patients, and Hospice Facilities. The report outlines existing licensed and approved capacities, alongside projected needs and patient counts, to inform the Arkansas Health Services Permit Commission on current and future requirements.

The Commission reviewed and approved the Agency Application Decisions Report for the September Review Cycle. Legal counsel provided updates on multiple pending judicial reviews and appeals in the Circuit Court of Pulaski County concerning the granting or denial of Home Health services applications for entities including Step by Step, Inc., Collage Home and Community, and 1st Choice Home Care. The Commission addressed several extension requests for completing facility foundations for Grand Oaks Assisted Living, Mitchell's Nursing Home, and Mission Ridge, granting extensions ranging from six to ten periods. Additionally, the Commission approved the movement of healthcare facility beds, including a transfer of twelve beds from Mulberry Lodge RCF to Sebastian County Retirement Center and Greenwood Retirement Center, and the movement of twenty-five beds to Brooken Hill Health and Rehab from several closed facilities. An intra-county transfer of twenty-three beds for Rogers Health and Rehabilitation Center was also approved.