JPS is one of many Arkansas schools partnering with Care Solace for students, families, and staff.
Jonesboro, AR – (JonesboroRightNow.com) – Jonesboro Public Schools (JPS) is prioritizing a focus on mental health in 2026, aiming to eliminate months of waitlists and connect students with professionals easily.
The school district announced on its Facebook page Jan. 6 that it is partnering with Care Solace, a service that allows students, families, and staff to connect with mental health, substance use, and social service providers quickly and confidentially.
Jonesboro is one of many Arkansas schools that are using the service, which is part of a statewide contract with the Arkansas Division of Elementary and Secondary Education.
According to a December 2025 memo from the Arkansas Department of Education, a multilingual Care Companion team is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to identify resources that fit a student’s needs and insurance requirements.
Unlike a standard referral list where a counselor hands a parent a sheet of phone numbers, Care Solace manages the entire intake process.
“We get parental consent first, then you can put that information in, and they have a case manager on their end that tries to help facilitate mental health services,” said Von McDaniel, director of student health services for JPS.
Care Solace’s FAQ page states that the company’s Care Companions verify providers for availability and insurance compatibility, including AR Kids First and private plans, before connecting them with the family.
There are two ways for families to access the system:
Parents can use the portal to search anonymously for providers using the company’s database
School counselors can contact Care Solace directly to initiate a case for a student, provided the family consents to the service
Once connected, Care Solace says it will handle the scheduling and follow up with the family if needed.
Since the service is still relatively new to JPS, McDaniel said they are still learning how much of it works. He is hopeful that it will be a resource useful for someone who wants to use services outside of a school.
In a statement sent to JRN, Misty Doyle, JPS superintendent, said supporting students’ social and emotional needs remains a key priority of the district, and having Care Solace will help with that goal.
“Care Solace provides families with a confidential avenue to seek assistance when needed. We are excited to offer this additional layer of support to our families this year,” she said.
Parents in the JPS district can access the Care Solace portal by clicking here. The portal can also be accessed by going to the JPS website under Mental Health in Departments.
While searching through the Care Solace portal is free, the company states that it is a logistics partner, not a medical provider. This means any therapy sessions booked through the service will be billed to the family’s health insurance plan, much like a traditional medical visit.
JRN also reached out to the Arkansas Department of Education for comment about the service and its specific implementation timeline, but they did not immediately respond.