The Arkansas Charitable Clinics Program provides funding to assist a network of nonprofit healthcare providers dedicated to delivering free or low-cost medical, dental, optometry, pharmaceutical, and behavioral health services to uninsured and underinsured individuals across the state. These clinics operate as safety nets for populations with limited access to care, offering services such as primary care, preventive screenings, chronic disease management, and mental health support. Many clinics also provide dental care and prescription assistance, often utilizing volunteer healthcare professionals to extend their reach. By addressing gaps in the healthcare system, Arkansas Charitable Clinics play a crucial role in improving health access and reducing the burden on emergency departments by offering accessible, community-based care.
To Be Eligible
- Must be a volunteer-based, safety-net health care organization in Arkansas offering medical, dental, optometry, pharmacy, and/or behavioral health services to predominantly uninsured, economically disadvantaged individuals.
- Must belong to the National Association of Free Clinics or the Arkansas Association of Charitable Clinics.
- Must be a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization or affiliated with one.
- A mandatory 25% funding match (in-kind) is required, which can be met through volunteer hours, depreciation, rent, etc., and includes federal, county, foundation, and private contributions.
- Must be in good standing with the Arkansas Department of Health (ADH) and fully operational at application (not planning grants).
Notice of Funding, Application Review, and Award
- Notice of Funding Opportunities is issued annually.
- Grant award funding amounts may vary annually and can be adjusted during the year based on the availability of appropriated funds.
- ADH collects all emailed applications and accepts all applications that meet the requirements. The order of receipt of applications will be determined by the State’s email system.
- ADH reviews each application packet to verify its requirements. Applications that do not meet the requirements will be automatically disqualified.
- ADH reviews each application packet to verify its requirements. Applications that do not meet the requirements will be automatically disqualified.
Reimbursement of Funds
- This grant is a reimbursable subgrant. Clinics must pay for approved expenses prior to requesting reimbursement.
- No reimbursement will be made for any expenses that do not include proof of payment.
- No reimbursement will be made for the purchase of equipment or services made prior to the grant award.
- No state grant funds shall be used to provide goods or services to out-of-state residents.
- The Arkansas Department of Health will have the final decision on allowable expenditures.
- Examples of approved reimbursement scope for this grant include:
- Patient care services, including referred services (e.g., lab work, prescriptions, eyeglasses, specialist referrals, counseling, clinical staff salaries)
- Clinical equipment/tools/supplies (e.g., X-ray equipment, dental equipment, exam room tables, medical charts, stethoscopes)
- Patient-specific medications/supplies (e.g., prescriptions, diabetic supplies, eyeglasses)
- Operational and patient care supplies (e.g., exam table paper, PPE, swabs, testing supplies, office supplies)
- Health information technology (e.g., computers, EMR software, internet service)
- Staff training
- Patient-focused health education materials and assistance (e.g., insurance application assistance, translation services, transportation to medical appointments)
- Maintenance and operations of clinical equipment and spaces.
- Specific funding restrictions include:
- Professional services such as legal or financial consultants.
- Indirect and administrative costs and fees such as, but not limited to, membership fees/dues to professional organizations, country clubs, etc., financial audits, subscription fees, and license renewals.
- Payment to any state agency for professional registrations, fees, and licenses.
- Real property, construction, or renovation costs. Materials promoting the health center name or logo, i.e., clothing, pens, cups, bags, etc. This does not include educational materials.
Required Performance Standards
- State law requires that all contracts for services include Performance Standards for measuring the overall quality of services provided.
- The State may be open to negotiations of Performance Standards before contract award, before the commencement of services, or at times throughout the contract duration.
- The State shall have the right to modify, add to, or remove Performance Standards throughout the term of the contract if it determines that doing so is in its best interest. Any changes or additions to performance standards will be made in good faith, following accepted industry standards, and may include vendor input to establish standards that are reasonably achievable.
- All changes made to the Performance Standards will become an official part of the contract.
- Performance Standards will continue throughout the term of the contract.
- Failure to meet the minimum Performance Standards as specified will result in the assessment of damages.
- Failure to meet the minimum Performance Standards as specified will result in the assessment of damages.
- If a Performance Standard is not met, the vendor will have the opportunity to defend or respond to the insufficiency. The State will have the right to waive damages if it determines there were extenuating factors beyond the vendor’s control that hindered the performance of services. In these cases, the State will have the final determination of performance acceptability.
- If any compensation is owed to the agency due to the assessment of damages, the vendor will follow the agency’s direction regarding the required compensation process.
Contact Us
Rural Health & Primary Care
4815 W. Markham St., Slot 76
Little Rock, AR 72205
Phone: 501-280-4529
Fax: 501-280-4706
[email protected]
