Arkansas DHS Takes Over Management Of 7 Secure Juvenile Justice Facilities
On January 1, 2017, the Arkansas Department of Human Services (DHS) will take over operations of seven secure juvenile justice facilities due to a contracting problem. The facilities, which house 250 youth, have been operated by South Arkansas Youth Services and Consolidated Youth Services. DHS has not yet decided if it will put the facility management services out to bid again.
In February 2016, DHS put the $160 million contract out to bid. It received three proposals by the April 12, 2016 deadline, from South Arkansas Youth Services, Consolidated Youth Services, and Youth Opportunity Investments LLC. In August 2016, DHS . . .