Carol Burns Smelley founded Youth Home in 1966 with $8,000 and a dream to help low income youth with mental illness who had been given up by their families. She housed these youth in family homes all across Little Rock where each client received treatment and connection.

The organization's revenue quickly grew to over $2 million as Smelley worked to teach our Little Rock neighbors about the ramifications of mental health and the unique needs the youth in her care had. The program eventually developed into a medical model in the 80s, when Youth Home became a behavioral health care facility. Carol opened Youth Home's first building on Colonel Glenn road to serve boys and girls ages 12-17 in need of intensive treatment.

Youth Home's highly trained and compassionate treatment team are dedicated to helping each patient improve their quality of life and offer hope to families.

Our continuum of care includes a Qualified Residential Treatment Program (QRTP) for youth in DCFS custody, and an Intensive Residential Treatment (IRT) Program for Arkansas Medicaid youth and TRICARE® Military youth from across the nation. This program includes an award-winning Recreational Therapy Program and on-site educational program that is approved through and meets the requirements of the Arkansas Department of Education.

Youth Home also has an Outpatient Clinic called Behavioral Health Services of Arkansas that serves families, parents, couples and individuals of all ages. This clinic also offers a school-based therapy program to help children whose behavioral, emotional, and social problems are affecting their academic performance.

Our mission is to equip and empower youth, adults, and families to become healthier contributing members of the community by providing compassionate emotional and behavioral health care. Youth Home, Inc. is accredited by The Joint Commission.

Executives

Peggy Kelly, LPC, 
Chief Executive Officer

Larry Betz,
Chief Operations Officer

PSYCHIATRISTS & MEDICAL DOCTORS

Dr. Angie Shy,
Chief Medical Officer/Psychiatrist

Cody Horn, APRN, PMHNP,
Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

Nicky Williams, APRN, PMHNP, Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

Management

Erin Lytle, LCSW,

BHSA Director

Cassie Montgomery, LPE-I,

Residential Services Director

Samantha Henry, EdS,

Educational Services Director

Kara Brooks, RN,

Director of Nursing

Maureen Martin,
Development Director

Justin Scott,

Network & Information Systems Director

Jennifer Wheeler,

Finance Director

Courtney Argo,

Marketing Director

Shelly Zellner, CTRS,

Recreation Director

Teena Johnson, LAC, Training Director

Adria Riley,

Utilization Review & Records Compliance Director

Caitlin Henthorne,
Interventions Manager

Jon Pulliam,
Unit Director

Scealita Drennon,
Unit Manager

Anthony Mask,
Unit Manager

Anthony White,
Unit Manager

Renetta Cheathem,
HR Director

Officers

Karen Yezzi,
President

Toney Franklin,
Vice President

Brad Seagraves,

Treasurer

Mark Rowe,
Secretary

Ken Estes,
Immediate Past President

Members

Sam K. Alley,
Life Board Member

Christie Bardwell,
Life Board Member

Beth Gladden Coulson,
Life Board Member

Tad Krug,
Life Board Member

Carl S. Rosenbaum
Life Board Member

Natalie Baber

Tom Bartole

Josh Bishop

Anthony Brooks

Matthew Brown

Jena Compton

Philip Mayeux

Phil Thomas

Brett Taylor

Matt Vandiver