Court Approved Programs in Arkansas: How They Compare
Arkansas courts may order participants in criminal, family, or traffic cases into approved counseling or education programs as a condition of probation, sentencing, or case resolution. Common court-approved programs include the Domestic Violence Intervention Program (DVIP), anger management, substance abuse education, theft-prevention education, and DOT Substance Abuse Professional (SAP) evaluations. Arkansas Counseling and Wellness Services provides court-approved programming statewide via in-person sessions at three offices and via secure telehealth.
Side-by-side comparison
| Program | Length | Format | Location | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anger management | 8 hours | Two 4 hour in person sections | North Little Rock | Court ordered anger management referrals; voluntary participants |
| DVIP | Variable per court order | Weekly group, in person | All three offices | Court ordered domestic violence referrals; ACADV accredited |
| Theft prevention | 6 hours | One 6 hour in person session, quarterly | North Little Rock | Court ordered theft referrals |
| Substance abuse education | 3 hours | Online, self paced | Online | First offense or lower level referrals |
| Substance abuse group | 9 hours | In person, multiple sessions | All three offices | Second offense or higher level referrals |
Best for
Bring your court order or referral paperwork to a phone call with our scheduling team. The court order will name the specific program required. Submitting the wrong program (for example, completing anger management instead of DVIP) does not satisfy the order and can result in contempt findings.
Anger management is not interchangeable with DVIP. Anger management is for general anger reactions; DVIP curriculum addresses power and control dynamics specific to intimate partner violence. Likewise, the 3 hour substance abuse education class does not satisfy a 9 hour group requirement.
Common questions
How do I know which program my court ordered?
Your court order or referral paperwork will name the specific program. Bring the paperwork to a phone call with our scheduling team and they will confirm which program satisfies your order.
Are completion certificates accepted statewide?
Yes. Completion documentation from our programs is accepted by Arkansas courts and probation officers statewide. DVIP completion specifically is backed by ACADV accreditation.
Can any of these be done online?
Only the 3 hour substance abuse education class is fully online. DVIP, anger management, theft prevention, and the 9 hour substance abuse group all require in person attendance.
How much do the programs cost?
Costs vary by program. The 3 hour substance abuse education class is $97; the 9 hour substance abuse group is $297; other programs vary. Court approved programs are typically not covered by insurance because they are not clinically indicated treatment.
How quickly can I get into a program?
Class and group cohort timing varies. Some programs have weekly rolling admission; others run on cohort schedules with set start dates. Call 501 464 2926 to discuss timing relative to your court deadline.
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Published: 2025-09-15 · Last updated: 2026-04-29 · Last clinically reviewed: 2026-04-29 by Dr. Kristy Burton, PhD, LPC-S, LADAC, AADC, MAC, CS, SAP, NCC
Sources & References
- SAMHSA, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. samhsa.gov — federal substance abuse and mental health publications.
- NIMH, National Institute of Mental Health. nimh.nih.gov — federal mental health research and clinical guidelines.
- NIDA, National Institute on Drug Abuse. nida.nih.gov — substance use research.
- 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. 988lifeline.org — federal crisis line and resources.
- U.S. Department of Transportation, Office of Drug and Alcohol Policy and Compliance. transportation.gov/odapc — DOT SAP regulations under 49 CFR Part 40.
- Arkansas Board of Examiners in Counseling. arkansasabec.org — state licensure for counselors.
Sources retrieved 2026-04-29. External resources reviewed for relevance to the topics on this page.
If you or someone you know is in crisis
- 988 — Suicide and Crisis Lifeline · call or text · 24/7 free
- Text HOME to 741741 — Crisis Text Line · 24/7 free
- 988 then press 1 — Veterans Crisis Line
- 877-565-8860 — Trans Lifeline
- 1-800-662-4357 — SAMHSA National Helpline · substance use · 24/7 free
- 877-727-1002 — Arkansas Crisis Center
- 1-888-628-9454 — Línea de Vida Suicida en Español
- 911 — for medical emergencies
More resources at our crisis page. International readers: findahelpline.com.