Birch Tree Communities, Inc. is a community-based, behavioral health program that offers supportive housing and comprehensive day rehabilitation services for adults (18+) diagnosed with serious mental illness. We primarily admit adults diagnosed with:
- Schizophrenia
- Bipolar Disorder
- Schizoaffective Disorder
Birch Tree Communities is not an emergency, crisis, or acute care facility. If you or a loved one needs immediate help, please call 911, 988, or visit your nearest emergency department.
Who can refer someone to Birch Tree Communities?
Anyone can refer an individual to be considered for admission to Birch Tree Communities. This includes behavioral health inpatient units, community mental health providers, family, guardians, or yourself.
What criteria is needed for the individual to be considered for admission to Birch Tree Communities?
The individual should be 18 years of age or older and:
- Be a US resident
- Be a resident of Arkansas
- Have a primary diagnosis of schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and/or schizoaffective disorder
- Have a current behavioral health provider
- Have an Optum Behavioral Health Independent Assessment
- Have insurance benefits through Medicaid (PASSE) or Medicare
- Have disability benefits in place
- Consistently taking medication as prescribed
- Not a current danger to self or others
- Interested in receiving treatment from Birch Tree Communities
What do I need to begin the referral or admissions process?
To be considered for admission to Birch Tree Communities, please collect the following information:
- Name
- Social Security Number
- Date of birth
- Proof of US Citizenship
- Property ownership (which affects housing eligibility)
- Bank account information (which affects housing eligibility)
- PASSE and Tier Assignment (individual should be assigned to Tier 2 or Tier 3 to be eligible for admission)
Once all the information is gathered, please complete and submit the initial referral form to the admissions department.
What are the next steps in the admission process?
Upon submission of the initial referral form, the admissions department will request additional documentation, which may include, but is not limited to, a current medication list, psychiatric evaluations, treatment history and progress notes, laboratory results, a history and physical examination, and any applicable court orders.
Once all the required information has been received and thoroughly reviewed, the individual will be scheduled for an interview with the admissions department. Based on this interview and a comprehensive assessment, a determination will be made as to whether the individual could benefit from the services offered by Birch Tree Communities.
If the individual is deemed appropriate for our services, the referral will be presented to the admissions committee, which includes the medical director, chief clinical officers, and psychiatric nurse practitioners. The admissions committee will then make the final decision regarding admission and the appropriate placement of the individual within our programs.
What would disqualify an individual from admission to Birch Tree Communities?
- Applicants who are unable to independently perform activities of daily living or who require skilled nursing care.
- Applicants requiring waiver services.
- Applicants requiring sex offender registration.
Who do I contact with further questions?
Sarah Testa, LCSW
Director of Admissions
Birch Tree Communities, Inc.
PO Box 1589
Benton, AR 72018
Phone: (501) 303-3109
Fax: (501) 631-3794
Initial Referral Form
The first step in the referral process is to complete and submit the initial referral form and required documentation to the admissions department. Click the button below to download the forms.
Submit completed forms to
If the referral packet is accepted by the admissions director, an additional packet will be sent to be completed in full by the current acting psychiatrist prior to admission.
