Who do I call first for disability services in Benton County, Arkansas?

Start with early intervention (children under 3), your school district's special education office (ages 3–21), and Arkansas vocational rehabilitation for employment. This guide points to the right front door for Benton County.

Is help available in Spanish in Benton County?

Yes. This Benton County guide includes Spanish-language support, and most Arkansas agencies provide interpretation on request.

What should I do in a disability-related crisis in Benton County?

For an immediate emergency call 911. For mental health crisis support call or text 988 (the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline), available 24/7. This page also lists local crisis resources where available.

Disability Services in Benton County, Arkansas

A free, plain-language guide to disability services in Benton County, Arkansas. Find who to call first for early intervention, special education, Medicaid waivers, transition planning, employment supports, and crisis help — with Spanish-language support. Always call to confirm details, which can change.

Services covered in Benton County

Early intervention (under 3) and special education / IEPs (ages 3–21)
Medicaid waivers and home- and community-based services
Vocational rehabilitation and supported employment
Transition planning, guardianship, and benefits
Crisis support — 911 for emergencies, 988 for mental health crisis

Key contacts in Benton County

Benton County, Arkansas DDS Intake & Referral (your front door) — Your front door for developmental-disability services in Benton County is Arkansas DDS, through its statewide Intake & Referral. Contact: 501-683-5687 (DDS Intake & Referral) · humanservices.arkansas.gov.
SOURCES for Community Independent Living Services — Northwest Arkansas's Center for Independent Living (Fayetteville, serving Washington, Benton, and nearby counties): independent-living skills, peer support, be… Contact: 479-442-5600 · 888-284-7521 · arsources.org.
Arkansas Support Network — Northwest Arkansas provider for people with developmental disabilities (Springdale): supported living, employment, day programs, and family supports across Ben… Contact: 479-927-4100 · 800-748-9768 · supports.org.
Area Agency on Aging of Northwest Arkansas — The Area Agency on Aging for northwest Arkansas (Benton, Washington, and nearby counties): information and assistance, benefits and caregiver support, in-home … Contact: 479-750-8790 · aaanwar.org.
NAMI Northwest Arkansas — Local NAMI affiliate serving Benton, Washington, Madison, and Carroll counties: free mental-health education, family and peer support groups, and navigation. Contact: 501-661-1548 · namiarkansas.org.
Arkansas DDS, Intake & Referral — Your statewide front door for developmental-disability services. Contact: 501-683-5687 · humanservices.arkansas.gov/divisions-shared-services/developmental-disabilities-services.
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline — Free, confidential crisis support 24/7 for mental health and substance use crises. Contact: 988.
First Connections (Early Intervention) — Statewide early-intervention program for babies and toddlers (birth–3) with delays or disabilities: free evaluation and services. Contact: 1-800-643-8258 · firstconnectionsar.org.
Arkansas Rehabilitation Services (ARS) — Helps people with disabilities prepare for, get, and keep a job: counseling, training, assistive technology, job placement, and student transition services. Contact: 800-330-0632 · dws.arkansas.gov/ar-rehabilitation-services.
Disability Rights Arkansas (DRA) — Arkansas's federally designated protection and advocacy agency. Contact: 1-800-482-1174 · disabilityrightsar.org.

These listings are a navigation aid, not endorsements — always call first to confirm current details. The full interactive Benton County directory on this page lists 11 local and statewide resources with filters by category, age, and payer, plus registry-listed providers nearby.

See more Arkansas disability resources or browse other counties from the Arkansas portal.