Who do I call first for disability services in Madison 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 Madison County.

Is help available in Spanish in Madison County?

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

What should I do in a disability-related crisis in Madison 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 Madison County, Arkansas

A free, plain-language guide to disability services in Madison 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 Madison 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 Madison County

Madison County, Arkansas DDS Intake & Referral (your front door) — Your front door for developmental-disability services in Madison 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 — Center for Independent Living serving Madison County: independent-living skills, peer support, benefits and housing advocacy, assistive technology, and youth t… Contact: 479-442-5600 · www.arsources.org.
Area Agency on Aging of Northwest Arkansas (Region I) — Madison County's Area Agency on Aging: information and assistance, care coordination, Medicaid/ARChoices waiver help, family-caregiver support, Medicare counse… Contact: 870-741-1144.
Arkansas 988 Crisis Lifeline, Madison County (24/7) — Free, confidential 24/7 mental-health, substance-use, and suicide crisis support for Madison County residents through the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, with A… Contact: 988 · text 988 · 24/7.
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.
Arkansas 2-1-1 — Free, confidential information and referral to local health and human services across Arkansas, DDS, First Connections, Arkansas Medicaid, aging services, and … Contact: Dial 2-1-1 · arkansas211.org.

These listings are a navigation aid, not endorsements — always call first to confirm current details. The full interactive Madison County directory on this page lists 10 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.