Youth Mental Health Corps Launches in Arkansas
The national service initiative founded by the Schultz Family Foundation and Pinterest, now active in 16 states, has reached more than 44,000 young people and community members to date
LITTLE ROCK, AR, May 27, 2026 – Today, the Arkansas AmeriCorps State Service Commission, Engage Arkansas, announced it will be leading the launch of the Youth Mental Health Corps (YMHC) – an initiative that addresses the escalating youth mental health epidemic while cultivating the next generation of behavioral health professionals – in Arkansas starting in the 2026-2027 school year. The program, developed in partnership with Pinterest and the Schultz Family Foundation, trains and mobilizes young adults to provide near-peer mental health support to young people in schools, community organizations, and healthcare clinics.
The stakes are high: according to Surgo Health, 45% of young people report mental health challenges — including rising rates of anxiety and depression — yet 62% of those who have struggled are not getting the complete care they need. A 2024 report by Mental Health America found there is just one mental health provider for every 340 people across the nation, with only 27% of needs in mental health shortage areas being met — and rural communities and communities of color bear the heaviest burden.
“The Youth Mental Health Corps will provide vital support to young people while strengthening the pipeline of behavioral health professionals our state urgently needs,” said Dr. Ken Warden, Commissioner, Arkansas Division of Higher Education. “This work expands access to youth mental health services, reinforces our service infrastructure, and creates meaningful pathways for young people to serve their communities while gaining the skills they need to succeed in the workforce.”
Recognized by Fast Company as a “World Changing Idea,” the Youth Mental Health Corps trains 18- to 24-year-old Corps members to provide mental health and navigation support to young people, placing them in schools, community organizations, and healthcare clinics. YMHC Corps participants serve young people in their immediate communities while gaining stackable credentials and behavioral health certifications, building a pipeline of diverse, community-connected mental health professionals.
In its inaugural year in Arkansas, 40 Corps members will serve in schools and community-based organizations across two AmeriCorps programs and multiple host sites throughout the state. Youth Mental Health Corps members will receive structured foundational training, a living allowance, an education award, and clear pathways to careers in behavioral health, including certification as Community Health Workers.
“The Youth Mental Health Corps is about showing up for young people who need support right now, while also building something stronger for the future,” said Starr Crow, Executive Director of Engage Arkansas. “When we invest in young people to serve their communities, we create real opportunity and real hope for Arkansas families.”
In its first two years, nearly 1,000 YMHC Corps members have served more than 44,000 young people and community members at 440 host sites across California, Colorado, Iowa, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Oregon, Texas, Utah, and Virginia, with participating sites reporting reductions in behavioral referrals and improved student attendance. For the 2026-2027 school year, the YMHC will be active in 16 states, adding Arkansas, Kentucky, Nevada, New Jersey, and North Carolina, with plans to expand to more than half the country by 2027-2028.
“Young people across America are facing a mental health crisis, and young adults are uniquely positioned to be part of the solution,” said Sheri Schultz, co-founder and chair of the Schultz Family Foundation. “The Youth Mental Health Corps puts that idea into action, training and paying young adults to serve as near-peer mental health supporters in schools and communities while giving them credentials, experience, and a clear path into a behavioral health career. The groundbreaking results are inspiring. Governors across multiple states are joining us this year, showing exactly the kind of innovative political bipartisan leadership this moment demands.”
Organizations interested in hosting a Youth Mental Health Corps member, supporting the program financially, or hiring alumni can learn more at EngageArkansas.org/Youth-Mental-Health-Corps-Arkansas.
Arkansas Program Contact:
Starr Crow
Executive Director, Engage Arkansas
(501) 537-9722
National Media Contact:
team@storytellingforgood.com
About Engage Arkansas
Engage Arkansas (EngageAR) is the Governor’s Commission on National Service and Volunteerism, dedicated to advancing civic engagement and service across the state. Housed within the Arkansas Division of Higher Education, EngageAR partners with public, nonprofit, and community organizations to strengthen service and expand opportunities for volunteerism, workforce development, and community impact. Learn more at EngageArkansas.org.