CHESS Health Partners with Arkansas to Deliver Statewide 24/7 Digital Recovery Support
Evidence-based eRecovery platform extends reach of peer specialists, removes barriers to SUD recovery support.
CHESS Health recently launched its statewide digital recovery platform at Arkansas’s annual Peer Recovery Conference in Benton, marking the official rollout of free access to recovery support tools for all state residents. The launch, in partnership with the Arkansas Department of Human Services (DHS) Office of Substance Abuse and Mental Health (OSAMH), addresses a critical treatment gap, as Arkansas’s 2024 State Opioid Response Needs Assessment found that while 20% of residents needed SUD treatment in the past year, fewer than 6% received it.
Through funding from a State Opioid Response grant, Arkansas residents now have no-cost access to CHESS Health’s Connections recovery support app and Companion family support app – delivering 24/7 peer assistance when traditional care isn’t available.
“This launch at the Peer Recovery Conference was the perfect setting to introduce Connections and Companion directly to Arkansas’s peer specialists,” said Hans Morefield, CHESS Health CEO. “Our technology doesn’t replace their work but extends their reach around the clock, ensuring support is available during those critical moments between appointments.” DHS has made this free digital tool available to eligible behavioral health providers and Recovery Community Organizations (RCOs) to help Arkansans in recovery.
Unlike standalone digital tools that operate in isolation, CHESS Health’s platform integrates directly into existing treatment frameworks. Arkansas providers and peer specialists can incorporate app activities, such as digital CBT modules, therapeutic worksheets, daily check-ins, and community engagement, into individualized treatment plans. When someone using the app shows signs of distress through their activity or self-reporting, CHESS Health’s Peer Specialists immediately engage the individual, and when warranted, communicate directly with the appropriate local peers and/or providers at Arkansas’s Recovery Community Organizations. This creates a seamless, connected care experience rather than disconnected, siloed interactions.
Bridging Rural Access Gaps
The partnership offers a unique approach to supporting underserved populations, including rural communities where SUD resources are limited. The Connections app provides moderated peer forums, crisis response, virtual support meetings, and daily check-ins, while the Companion app offers family, friends, and caregivers their own supportive community and educational resources.
“Arkansas is taking a comprehensive approach that recognizes families as critical partners in recovery,” Morefield added. “This statewide deployment creates a model for how states can leverage digital tools to ensure no one faces addiction alone.”
Access to Arkansas’ Digital Recovery Tools
Behavioral health providers and Recovery Community Organizations can access the recovery support tools, training, and support materials at the Arkansas Department of Human Services’ website. Individuals with SUD are encouraged to access Connections for 24/7 access to peer-backed recovery support and coping tools. Families, friends, and caregivers of individuals with SUD are encouraged to access the Companion app, which offers a dedicated space providing practical guidance, community support, and a wealth of resources to support themselves and their loved ones’ recovery journey effectively.
About Arkansas OSAMH The Office of Substance Abuse and Mental Health within the Arkansas Department of Human Services oversees prevention, treatment, and recovery-focused programs helping Arkansas residents access appropriate care for substance use disorders and mental health conditions.
