State Resources

Find help and understand the next step

Describe your situation to find legal help, forms, procedures and source documents. Use the guided tools below or ask Scout to help you understand the results.

Resources, forms and procedures1428 entries · 210 indexed files · 67 report sections · 73 case-law and standards entries

Quick startChoose a topic, find next steps and search matching resources

Common needs

Choose from all 15 topics

Organizations, programs, courts and other resource categories

County contacts and service routes

Services across all 75 Arkansas counties

Find help in your county

Browse 1309 published contacts and service routes across 23 service areas.

Browse the county directory →

CPS & DCFS case resources: guidance and county routing →

Food assistance: pantry referrals, SNAP, WIC, school meals and senior nutrition →

Find Arkansas grants and funding: applicant eligibility, sponsors, advice and applications →

Find housing in Arkansas: shelter referrals, county apartment directories, vouchers and utility help →

Find legal assistance: civil aid, defense counsel, affordable lawyers and specialist help →

Starting a business: advisors, registration, taxes, permits and financing →

Returning home after prison or jail: practical help and county referrals →

Choose a county for its local and regional contacts. The preview below shows statewide and federal routes.

Preview: 6 routes

Benefits, food and cash assistanceStatewide route

Access Arkansas benefits portal

Apply for or manage available Arkansas public-assistance benefits.

Statewide or federal access route; local availability must be checked.

An application is not approval. Keep confirmations and read every request and decision notice. Statewide or federal navigation route; local availability is not established.

Open provider or official route ↗View source record

Source, date and limits

Service-directory information, not legal authority or a promise of eligibility, representation, funding or an open appointment. Confirm details with the provider.

Editorial source extraction; no professional legal review.

Source retrieved 2026-10-12 UTC. Retrieval date is not the source’s publication date or a confirmation of current availability.

Access Arkansas benefits portal · Source ↗

Source SHA-256: 567107713a4ab80be47e88e51767b54136fe8f47029d013c8b394c0a9d4fc108

Benefits, food and cash assistanceStatewide route

Arkansas DHS county offices

Locate county offices for public-assistance questions.

Statewide or federal access route; local availability must be checked.

Confirm current instructions, eligibility, jurisdiction and availability directly. Statewide or federal navigation route; local availability is not established.

Open provider or official route ↗View source record

Source, date and limits

Service-directory information, not legal authority or a promise of eligibility, representation, funding or an open appointment. Confirm details with the provider.

Editorial source extraction; no professional legal review.

Source retrieved 2026-10-12 UTC. Retrieval date is not the source’s publication date or a confirmation of current availability.

Arkansas DHS county offices · Source ↗

Source SHA-256: 11a46c40d6114956d54e9144dd8d42d54ea9aa04ac248c420c50852e64704cb6

Benefits, food and cash assistanceStatewide route

Arkansas DHS — community grant-funded services

Understand how community-action agencies provide household services supported by CSBG.

Funding or help type: Services through funded agencies

Applicant routes: Individuals and households; Nonprofits and institutions; Local governments and community projects

Intake: Program-specific; current acceptance and remaining funds require confirmation

Statewide or federal access route; local availability must be checked.

CSBG funds flow to eligible agencies. Households seek services from the appropriate provider; they do not become direct federal block-grant applicants. Program eligibility and available help require confirmation.

Open provider or official route ↗View source record

Source, date and limits

Service-directory information, not legal authority or a promise of eligibility, representation, funding or an open appointment. Confirm details with the provider.

Editorial funding navigation; no professional grant, financial or legal review.

Source retrieved 2026-10-12 UTC. Retrieval date is not the source’s publication date or a confirmation of current availability.

Arkansas DHS — community grant-funded services · Source ↗

Source SHA-256: 7179368ceec26b09ca20692469c4829f2ff444bc82d16bea514481443ad7dd41

Benefits, food and cash assistanceStatewide route

DHS appeals and hearings

Find DHS administrative appeal information.

Statewide or federal access route; local availability must be checked.

Read your program-specific notice for the appeal deadline, submission method and any continuation-of-benefits requirements. Statewide or federal navigation route; local availability is not established.

Open provider or official route ↗View source record

Source, date and limits

Service-directory information, not legal authority or a promise of eligibility, representation, funding or an open appointment. Confirm details with the provider.

Editorial source extraction; no professional legal review.

Source retrieved 2026-10-12 UTC. Retrieval date is not the source’s publication date or a confirmation of current availability.

DHS appeals and hearings · Source ↗

Source SHA-256: 0919d947ddcc5b2a83aa14503a66389b5b0c6378410d1790df5df5ec228ce511

Benefits, food and cash assistanceFederal route

Medicare official help

Official Medicare coverage, enrollment and appeal information; confirm deadlines in the actual notice.

Statewide or federal access route; local availability must be checked.

This is a navigation or referral route, not a verified local provider in each county.

Open provider or official route ↗View source record

Source, date and limits

Service-directory information, not legal authority or a promise of eligibility, representation, funding or an open appointment. Confirm details with the provider.

Editorial source extraction; no professional legal review.

Source retrieved 2026-10-12 UTC. Retrieval date is not the source’s publication date or a confirmation of current availability.

Medicare official help · Source ↗

Source SHA-256: 641032a4cd0999cb8719ac32f254d9679077b5f58dff919d5055143741d893b4

Benefits, food and cash assistanceFederal route

USA.gov benefits finder

Find government benefit programs and the agency responsible for applications; program rules and eligibility vary.

Statewide or federal access route; local availability must be checked.

This is a navigation or referral route, not a verified local provider in each county.

Open provider or official route ↗View source record

Source, date and limits

Service-directory information, not legal authority or a promise of eligibility, representation, funding or an open appointment. Confirm details with the provider.

Editorial source extraction; no professional legal review.

Source retrieved 2026-10-12 UTC. Retrieval date is not the source’s publication date or a confirmation of current availability.

USA.gov benefits finder · Source ↗

Source SHA-256: 10aebf448cf7d68231abebcac37514cc1c0b01db00653ba2d5a705a5bac96733

Published contact coverage is not a guarantee of local service, legal accuracy, appointment capacity, funding, eligibility or complete research. Sources are retained with retrieval dates and hashes. No professional legal review has been completed.

See all services and county coverage →Download directory, coverage and source receipts (JSON)Situation guides and checklists →

Search

Category Entry type County coverage Search mode Match strategy

Actionable resources only Official sources only

Try:

Find source material

Browse Arkansas Code — all titles, chapters and subchapters (historical 2020 edition)

Explore guided recommendations on a separate page →

More statewide and county resources

Resource directories, topic guides and filing paths share this search. Confirm current instructions, service area and source status.

My child needs a Section 504 plan or school accommodation

School & Education. My child needs a Section 504 plan or school accommodation Next steps: Identify the access need and responsible school or district contact. Request the district’s evaluation or accommodation process in writing. Keep relevant records and the school’s response. Review available district and federal civil-rights routes if unresolved. Documents: School records; Written request; Existing plans; School response; A school-services, removal-day and written-request log An IEP and a Section 504 plan have distinct standards and processes. This guide does not determine eligibility.

statewide · editorial_navigation_not_professionally_reviewed

Section 504: disability and school access criteria

Section 504: disability and school access criteria Qualifications and requirements: Section 504 protects qualified students with a physical or mental impairment substantially limiting one or more major life activities, based on an individualized inquiry. Public districts must provide appropriate education to qualified students in their jurisdiction and evaluate suspected disability-related service needs. Documents to prepare (confirm what is required): Written access concerns; School performance and attendance information; Available disability information; Existing evaluations or plans Exceptions and checks: Learning is not the only major life activity considered. A student who does not qualify under IDEA may still need a Section 504 evaluation. Questions to ask: Which major life activity or access need is affected?; Has the district considered Section 504 separately from IDEA? Next steps: Contact the district Section 504 coordinator.; Request an individualized evaluation and ask what information is needed.; Ask for the decision and safeguards in writing. Limits: This does not guarantee a plan or a particular accommodation. Responsible public districts serve Arkansas communities statewide. Prepare documents privately; actual evaluation requirements come from the district.

statewide · editorial_navigation_not_professionally_reviewed

Submit a school discrimination or Section 504 complaint to OCR

Submit a school discrimination or Section 504 complaint to OCR Next steps: Identify the covered education entity, discriminatory action, dates and protected basis. Use OCR's electronic complaint assessment or current signed complaint form and required consent. Submit to the U.S. Department of Education OCR, keeping confirmation and any requests for information. Ask for a waiver explanation if outside the ordinary period; local complaints have separate rules. Form: OCR electronic complaint or Discrimination Complaint Form (required). Report qualifying discrimination or retaliation. Timing: Generally 180 calendar days. Trigger: Date of the alleged discrimination. Action: File with Education OCR promptly; include any requested explanation for a late filing. Exceptions: OCR may grant a waiver under its procedures; other agency, IDEA and lawsuit requirements are separate. Authority: Education OCR complaint-processing guidance; applicable civil-rights regulations. Receiving office: U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights Method: Official OCR electronic complaint system or signed complaint through channels listed on the current complaint page. Venue: Federal administrative civil-rights jurisdiction; school location and coverage matter, not an Arkansas county court filing. Local check: Available to residents of all 75 Arkansas counties. Confirm the responsible court, agency or provider and accepted delivery method. County selection identifies referrals; it does not establish venue, a local office or an available appointment. Limits: OCR jurisdiction and the requested remedy require assessment; a complaint does not guarantee investigation. Editorial filing navigation, not professionally reviewed. No calculator or outcome guarantee.

statewide · editorial_navigation_not_professionally_reviewed

My child needs school breakfast or lunch assistance

Government & Benefits. My child needs school breakfast or lunch assistance Next steps: Contact the child’s actual school or district nutrition office for this school year’s process. Ask whether the school uses direct certification, a community eligibility option or an individual meal application. Complete the correct family application or requested verification and retain confirmation; do not use a provider reimbursement login. Ask about breakfast, unpaid-meal concerns and medically necessary meal accommodations, and obtain the district’s response. Documents: Current school and district contact; Family meal-application confirmation if required; Requested income or benefit verification; Dietary-accommodation request if needed School programs and requirements vary. Enrollment, a benefit application or county residence alone does not establish free-meal eligibility at every school.

statewide · editorial_navigation_not_professionally_reviewed

My child may need IEP services beyond the regular school year

School & Education. My child may need IEP services beyond the regular school year Next steps: List the skills or needs that may require services beyond the ordinary school calendar. Gather progress records and observations from breaks and returns to school. Ask the IEP team to discuss extended-school-year need using current Arkansas rules. Request the team's written explanation if services are refused or limited. Ask the team to specify approved goals, service dates, setting and necessary access arrangements. Track whether the agreed services occur and document missed sessions. Bring the progress evidence and disputed plan to a reconvened meeting or the appropriate dispute route. Documents: Current IEP; Progress and regression observations; School-break timeline; ESY request and written response; Approved calendar and service schedule; Attendance or missed-service log Extended-school-year services are an individual IEP question, not a guaranteed summer placement.

statewide · editorial_navigation_not_professionally_reviewed

My child attends private school and I need to understand special-education responsibility

School & Education. My child attends private school and I need to understand special-education responsibility Next steps: Identify whether the parent chose private school or a public agency placed the child there. Gather evaluations and note both the home district and private school's location. Ask the appropriate district who handles child-find, evaluation and any equitable-services inquiry. Keep written responses and separate a services-plan issue from a public-placement or reimbursement dispute. Before changing placement or seeking reimbursement, obtain advice about notice and dispute requirements. Ask the responsible team what services, setting and transportation arrangements are actually being offered. Organize placement history and requested relief for the relevant meeting or hearing. Documents: Enrollment and placement records; Home and school location details; Evaluation and prior IEP or services plan; Written district requests and responses; Tuition or service cost records if relevant; Placement notices and meeting papers Parent-chosen private placement, public placement and reimbursement have different rules; this guide does not decide responsibility.

statewide · editorial_navigation_not_professionally_reviewed

I cannot understand school notices or participate because I need language assistance

School & Education. I cannot understand school notices or participate because I need language assistance Next steps: Identify the language and communication format needed for notices and meetings. List important information or decisions you could not understand. Ask the district in writing for qualified interpretation or translated information appropriate to the communication. Keep any refusal or incomplete translation and identify a pending decision that needs explanation. Ask the meeting organizer to confirm the language arrangement before the meeting. Use the district's complaint route or ask OCR about a possible civil-rights concern if access remains unresolved. Bring the request history and missing information to the meeting or complaint review. Documents: Preferred-language request; School notices needing explanation; Meeting invitations; Dated access requests and responses; Relevant student plan or service decisions; Complaint or resolution correspondence Language access and student program eligibility are separate; current OCR scope and complaint instructions require confirmation.

statewide · editorial_navigation_not_professionally_reviewed

The school is not following the IEP or we disagree

School & Education. The school is not following the IEP or we disagree Next steps: Compare the current IEP with the services actually provided. Ask for a meeting and preserve a factual service log. Review mediation, state complaint and hearing options; confirm their distinct requirements and deadlines. Prepare to ask: Which district, campus and special education or Section 504 coordinator are responsible? Compare the written IEP requirement with the actual service or placement issue and document the difference. Distinguish a failure to implement from a dispute about what the IEP should provide. Check whether an IEP meeting, state complaint, mediation or due-process hearing can address the requested remedy. Documents: Current IEP; Service log; Meeting notices and school responses; A school-services, removal-day and written-request log; IEP-to-delivery comparison and service log; Dated request for correction and district response Voluntary mediation does not automatically extend a complaint or hearing deadline.

statewide · editorial_navigation_not_professionally_reviewed

Showing 24 of 371 entries Open a resource to review its source and related information.

Searching for: 504 plan school accommodation.

Process Stage Needs live check

Review the IEP or 504 plan

Compare services, goals, placement, accommodations, progress data, and parent concerns.

Navigation Tools

Legal Rights Guide Official Reviewed baseline

Special education, IEPs, and 504 plans

Request records and evaluation in writing, compare promised and delivered services, obtain prior written notice, and track progress and discipline.

Navigation Tools

Open source

Case Pathway Needs review

Special education or school dispute situation pathway

A general Arkansas navigation sequence. It is not a prediction of the case and may omit specialized steps.

Situation Intelligence

Legal Process Needs live check

Special education or school dispute pathway

A general Arkansas navigation sequence. It is not a prediction of the case and may omit specialized steps.

Navigation Tools

Legal Issue Navigator Needs live check

Special education or school dispute

A student may not be receiving required evaluation, services, or accommodations.

Navigation Tools

Case Pathway Needs review

Disability rights, accommodations, or services situation pathway

A general Arkansas navigation sequence. It is not a prediction of the case and may omit specialized steps.

Situation Intelligence

Legal Process Needs live check

Disability rights, accommodations, or services pathway

A general Arkansas navigation sequence. It is not a prediction of the case and may omit specialized steps.

Navigation Tools

Policy & Procedure Manual Needs live check

1 indexed file

Arkansas Correctional School Policies and Procedures Manual (2024–2025)

Searchable Arkansas Correctional School policy manual containing board policies, administrative regulations, and operational references for education delivered within the state correctional system. The source database contains 1 indexed record in PDF format; the original file binary is not bundled, so confirm the current official version before relying on it.

Correctional EducationCorrectionsEducation Policy

Arkansas Indexed Legal Documents Database

Criminal & Corrections

Court Administration Document Needs live check

1 indexed file

Court Continuity of Operations Plan Template

Searchable indexed text and metadata for the Arkansas court administration document “Court Continuity of Operations Plan Template.” The uploaded source database contains 1 record in PDF format. The original document file is not bundled, so verify the current version and any filing requirements with the responsible court or publisher.

Arkansas JudiciaryCourt AdministrationCourt Forms

Arkansas Indexed Legal Documents Database

Courts & Forms

Legal Issue Navigator Needs live check

Disability rights, accommodations, or services

I need an accommodation or help challenging denial of disability-related services.

Navigation Tools

Legal Remedy Needs review

Disability accommodation / reasonable modification request

Child Welfare & CPS

Legal Rights Guide Official Reviewed baseline

Disability rights and reasonable accommodations

Make requests in writing, identify the barrier and effective accommodation, document alternatives and delays, and use the correct program-specific appeal route.

Navigation Tools

Open source

Process Stage Needs live check

Request accommodation in writing

Describe the limitation and requested change without oversharing unnecessary medical detail.

Navigation Tools

Research Section Needs live check

Public School Finance and Foundation Funding

Public School Fund appropriations, per-pupil foundation amounts, categorical funding, teacher salary equalization, and school mandates.

EducationMedicaidState Finance

Comprehensive Analysis of Financial Resources and Fiscal Policy in the State of Arkansas · p. 6

Research & Analysis

Research Section Needs live check

Arkansas Law School Clinical Programs

Bowen and Fayetteville clinics providing supervised representation in family, veterans, tax, civil, criminal, immigration, trafficking, and enterprise matters.

BenefitsCourtsCriminal Defense

The Landscape of Civil and Criminal Legal Resources for Low-Income Residents in Arkansas · p. 6–8

Research & Analysis

Legal Clinic Reviewed baseline

University of Arkansas School of Law Legal Clinics

Fayetteville law-school clinical program providing supervised services in civil litigation, criminal practice, immigration, human trafficking, and rural enterprise development.

Criminal DefenseLaw SchoolLegal Clinic

The Landscape of Civil and Criminal Legal Resources for Low-Income Residents in Arkansas · p. 7–8

Legal Help

Open source

Court Rule Needs review

Arkansas Judiciary Administrative Plans — Circuit-court administrative plans

Administrative plans identify division assignments and local court administration. Each circuit plan requires separate extraction for local dependency practice.

Child Welfare & CPS

Court Administration Document Needs live check

1 indexed file

AOC Court Security Plan Template

Searchable indexed text and metadata for the Arkansas court administration document “AOC Court Security Plan Template.” The uploaded source database contains 1 record in PDF format. The original document file is not bundled, so verify the current version and any filing requirements with the responsible court or publisher.

Arkansas JudiciaryCourt AdministrationCourt Forms

Arkansas Indexed Legal Documents Database

Financial & Government

Policy & Procedure Manual Needs review

Family Case Plans and concurrent permanency plans

DCFS develops, signs, distributes, files, and reviews the Family Case Plan, including concurrent planning for children in foster care.

Child Welfare & CPS

Legal Rights Guide Needs review

Meaningful participation in case planning

Child Welfare & CPS

Procedural Requirement Needs review

File and distribute Family Case Plan

The plan must become a shared, filed case document—not an internal worksheet hidden in a desk drawer.

Child Welfare & CPS

Procedural Requirement Needs review

Develop Family Case Plan

The case plan should say what needs to change, who must do what, what services support the change, and how progress will be measured.

Child Welfare & CPS

Procedural Requirement Needs review

Create and file Family Case Plan

Child Welfare & CPS

Legal Reference & Guide Official Needs review

Circuit Court Administrative Plans

Official plan repository for circuit-specific assignments and administration.

Research & Analysis

Open source

Database entries summarize source material and point toward next steps. External sites control their content. Verify current statutes, court rules, forms, eligibility, deadlines, personnel, and program availability with the responsible authority.

Understand my situation

Describe the issue, explore possible next steps, and identify questions and records to check.

Find courts, assistance and next steps

Use guided tools for court contacts, benefits, records requests, appeals and procedural questions.

Forms, documents and preparation

Search forms and source documents above. Prepare a PDF in the Legal Workbench, or use a draft builder below.

Forms and document preparation

Turn a tangled story into an organized draft.

Build timelines, records requests, demand letters, repair notices, declarations, and motion outlines. Your entries are processed for the download and are not saved by this website.

Check official Arkansas court forms first

Document type

Draft preview

Select a document, complete the fields, and choose “Preview draft.” Your draft will appear here.

State Resources

Common needs

Find help in your county

Access Arkansas benefits portal

Arkansas DHS county offices

Arkansas DHS — community grant-funded services

DHS appeals and hearings

Medicare official help

USA.gov benefits finder

Next steps for your topic

Review the IEP or 504 plan

Special education, IEPs, and 504 plans

Special education or school dispute situation pathway

Special education or school dispute pathway

Special education or school dispute

Disability rights, accommodations, or services situation pathway

Disability rights, accommodations, or services pathway

Arkansas Correctional School Policies and Procedures Manual (2024–2025)

Court Continuity of Operations Plan Template

Disability rights, accommodations, or services

Disability accommodation / reasonable modification request

Disability rights and reasonable accommodations

Request accommodation in writing

Public School Finance and Foundation Funding

Arkansas Law School Clinical Programs

University of Arkansas School of Law Legal Clinics

Arkansas Judiciary Administrative Plans — Circuit-court administrative plans

AOC Court Security Plan Template

Family Case Plans and concurrent permanency plans

Meaningful participation in case planning

File and distribute Family Case Plan

Develop Family Case Plan

Create and file Family Case Plan

Circuit Court Administrative Plans

No matching trail found

Turn a tangled story into an organized draft.

Loading resource details…