July 19, 2024

The privacy and security of the personal information we maintain is of the utmost importance to Arisa Health Incorporated (“Arisa Health”). Please note, Arisa Health has multiple subsidiaries, including Counseling Associates, Inc., Northeast Arkansas Community Mental Health Center d/b/a Mid-South Health Systems, Ozark Guidance Center, Inc., and Professional Counseling Associates. Inc. We are writing with important information regarding a data security incident.

On or about March 18, 2024, Arisa Health experienced a cybersecurity incident that impacted connectivity to our network. Upon learning of this issue, we immediately commenced a prompt and thorough investigation.  As part of our investigation, we have been working very closely with external cybersecurity professionals experienced in handling these types of incidents.

After an extensive forensic investigation and manual review, on May 20, 2024 Arisa Health confirmed that between March 1, 2024 and March 18, 2024, certain impacted files containing personal information may have been subject to unauthorized access or acquisition. The potentially impacted information includes full name, address, date of birth, email address, Social Security number, medical record number, health insurance number or member ID, certification of substance abuse program completion, medical history and diagnosis, and driver’s license number.

We have no evidence that any personal information has been or will be misused for identity theft or medical/financial fraud as a direct result of this incident. However, out of abundance of caution, commencing on July 19, 2024. Arisa Health notified individuals whose information may have been included in the impacted files. Notified individuals have been provided with best practices to protect their information, and individuals whose Social Security numbers were contained in the impacted files have been offered complimentary credit monitoring. Notified individuals should also review the preventive measures outlined in the “Other Important Information” section.

We are committed to maintaining the privacy of personal information in its possession and has taken many precautions to safeguard it. Arisa Health continually evaluates and modifies its practices to enhance the security and privacy of the personal information it maintains,

We have also established a call center to address questions from impacted individuals. Representatives are available between the hours of 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday, excluding major U.S. holidays at 833-566-1326.

– OTHER IMPORTANT INFORMATION –

1. Obtain and Monitor Your Credit Report

Under federal law, you are entitled to one free credit report every 12 months from each of the three major nationwide credit reporting companies. You can obtain a free copy of your credit report by calling 1-877-322-8228, visiting www.annualcreditreport.com, or by completing an Annual Credit Report Request Form and mailing it to Annual Credit Report Request Service, P.O. Box 105281, Atlanta, GA 30348.  You can access the request form at https://www.annualcreditreport.com/index.action. Alternatively, you can elect to purchase a copy of your credit report by contacting one of the three national credit reporting agencies. The three nationwide credit reporting agencies' contact information are provided below.

Once you receive your credit reports, review them for discrepancies. Identify any accounts you did not open or inquiries from creditors that you did not authorize.  Verify all information is correct.  If you have questions or notice incorrect information, contact the credit reporting company.

2. Placing a Fraud Alert on Your Credit File.

You can place an initial 1-year “fraud alert” on your credit files, at no charge.  An initial fraud alert is free and will stay on your credit file for at least twelve months. The alert informs creditors of possible fraudulent activity within your report and requests that the creditor contact you before establishing any accounts in your name. To place a fraud alert, call any one of the three major credit bureaus at the numbers listed below.  As soon as one credit bureau confirms your fraud alert, they will notify the others. Additional information is available at https://www.equifax.com/personal/credit-report-services/credit-fraud-alerts/.

3. Placing a Security Freeze on Your Credit File.

Following is general information about how to request a security freeze from the three credit reporting agencies at no charge. While we believe this information is accurate, you should contact each agency for the most accurate and up-to-date information. A security freeze prohibits a credit reporting agency from releasing any information from a consumer’s credit report without written authorization.  However, please be aware that placing a security freeze on your credit report may delay, interfere with, or prevent the timely approval of any requests you make for new loans, credit, mortgages, employment, housing, or other services. There might be additional information required, and as such, to find out more information, please contact the three nationwide credit reporting agencies (contact information provided below). You may place a security freeze on your credit report by contacting all three nationwide credit reporting companies at the numbers below and following the stated directions or by sending a request in writing, by mail, to all three credit reporting companies:

In order to place the security freeze, you will need to supply your name, address, date of birth, Social Security number and other personal information. After receiving your freeze request, each credit reporting company will send you a confirmation letter containing a unique PIN (personal identification number) or password. Keep the PIN or password in a safe place. You will need it if you choose to lift the freeze.

If your personal information has been used to file a false tax return, to open an account or to attempt to open an account in your name or to commit fraud or other crimes against you, you may file a police report in the City in which you currently reside.

4. Protecting Your Medical Information.

We have no evidence that your medical information involved in this incident was or will be used for any unintended purposes. However, the following practices can provide additional safeguards to protect against medical identity theft.

• Only share your health insurance cards with your health care providers and other family members who are covered under your insurance plan or who help you with your medical care.
• Review your “explanation of benefits statement” which you receive from your health insurance company. Follow up with your insurance company or care provider for any items you do not recognize. If necessary, contact the care provider on the explanation of benefits statement and ask for copies of medical records from the date of the potential access (noted above) to current date.
• Ask your insurance company for a current year-to-date report of all services paid for you as a beneficiary. Follow up with your insurance company or the care provider for any items you do not recognize.

5. Additional Helpful Resources.

Even if you do not find any suspicious activity on your initial credit reports, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) recommends that you check your credit reports periodically.  Checking your credit report periodically can help you spot problems and address them quickly.

If you find suspicious activity on your credit reports or have reason to believe your information is being misused, call your local law enforcement agency and file a police report.  Be sure to obtain a copy of the police report, as many creditors will want the information it contains to absolve you of the fraudulent debts.  You may also file a complaint with the FTC by contacting them on the web at www.ftc.gov/idtheft, by phone at 1-877-IDTHEFT (1-877-438-4338), or by mail at Federal Trade Commission, Consumer Response Center, 600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20580.  Your complaint will be added to the FTC’s Identity Theft Data Clearinghouse, where it will be accessible to law enforcement for their investigations.  In addition, you may obtain information from the FTC about fraud alerts and security freezes.

Massachusetts Residents: Under Massachusetts law, you have the right to obtain any police report filed regarding this incident. If you or the above-named individual are the victim of identity theft, you also have the right to file a police report and get the report

Iowa Residents: You may contact law enforcement or the Iowa Attorney General’s Office to report suspected incidents of identity Theft:  Office of the Attorney General of Iowa, Consumer Protection Division, Hoover State Office Building, 1305 East Walnut Street, Des Moines, IA 50319, www.iowaattorneygeneral.gov, Telephone: 515-281-5164.

New York Residents: You may obtain information about preventing identity theft from the New York Attorney General’s Office: Office of the Attorney General, The Capitol, Albany, NY 12224-0341; https://ag.ny.gov/consumer-frauds-bureau/identity-theft; Telephone: 800-771-7755.

North Carolina Residents: You may obtain information about preventing identity theft from the North Carolina Attorney General’s Office: Office of the Attorney General of North Carolina, Consumer Protection Division, 9001 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-9001, www.ncdoj.gov/, Telephone: 877-566-7226 (Toll-free within North Carolina), 919-716-6000.

Maryland Residents: You may obtain information about avoiding identity theft from the Maryland Attorney General’s Office: Office of the Attorney General of Maryland, Consumer Protection Division, 200 St. Paul Place, Baltimore, MD 21202, https://www.marylandattorneygeneral.gov/, Telephone: 888-743-0023.

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has awarded Counseling Associates, an affiliate of Arisa Health, a $4,000,000 expansion grant to develop a Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) program over the next two years.

The funds will be used for outreach and new service availability for underserved areas including Faulkner, Conway, Pope, Johnson and Van Buren Counties to specifically bring to these communities integrated behavioral and physical healthcare to treat the whole person. Additionally, the grant will support new evidence-based specialized services such as trauma-informed care and Assertive Community Treatment.

Counseling Associates Vice President of Clinical Services, Lee Koone, LCSW said of the grant, “We are thankful for the opportunity to bring to our communities a comprehensive care system to provide early detection, expanded access to care, coordination of services between providers and improved outcomes through collaborative efforts with our stakeholders.  We know that traumatic childhood experiences have a significant lifelong impact on both health and quality of life; individuals with severe mental illness have an increased risk of chronic medical problems and in our communities we have seen an increase in the need for emergency services.  This grant will enable us to develop the infrastructure to support these additional levels of care for those we serve”.

Counseling Associates CEO Brian Davis added, “Counseling Associates has served Arkansans with mental health and/or substance use disorders for almost 50 years and we are excited about this new opportunity to build upon that foundation by expanding our continuum of care with evidence-based approaches that nurture health and well-being for all and transform our communities one life at a time”.

Springdale, Arkansas (March 2, 2021) -- Arisa Health has announced that Counseling Associates, Inc. CEO Brian Davis will assume the responsibilities of CEO at Professional Counseling Associates in addition to remaining as CEO of Counseling Associates. 

Brian Davis is a Licensed Certified Social Worker and has been the Chief Executive Officer at Counseling Associates in Conway since 2017. Previously, he served as CEO at WellStone Behavioral Health in Huntsville, Alabama from 2005-2017 and was employed at Ozark Guidance Center in Springdale from 1985-2005. Brian is the current Board Vice-President for the Mental Health Council of Arkansas and is a past-President of the Alabama Council of Community Mental Health Boards.

Regarding his expanded responsibilities, Brian says, “I am excited to join the team at Professional Counseling Associates and look forward to working with the Board and serving the people of Pulaski, Lonoke, and Prairie counties. Our affiliation with Arisa Health gives us access to resources that will support and enhance the outstanding work of our dedicated and caring staff. We look forward to helping transform our communities one life at a time.”

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has awarded Ozark Guidance, an affiliate of Arisa Health, a $4,000,000 expansion grant to develop a Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) program over the next two years.

The funds will be used for outreach and new service availability for underserved communities such as the Latinx and Marshallese populations in Northwest Arkansas. Additionally, the grant will support new evidence-based specialized services such as Assertive Community Treatment.

Ozark Guidance Vice President Dr. Jared Sparks said of the grant, “We have data from several recent community needs assessments that underscore the importance of recognizing and addressing health disparities in Northwest Arkansas. Our collective experience with COVID further informs the need for targeted outreach programs that will improve access to care. The CCBHC grant will do just that by creating a new and accessible space for the underserved to receive expert care”.

Arisa Health CEO Dr. Laura Tyler added, “We are grateful for this opportunity to enhance behavioral health services in the area and look forward to working in collaboration with others to bring integrated care to individuals with the ultimate goal of a holistic focus on improved health for all.”

Springdale-based nonprofit Arisa Health has finalized a deal to purchase the Wilbur D. Mills Treatment Center in Searcy. Arisa Health announced the acquisition Wednesday (Oct. 7). Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.