Ouachita Children's Center (OCC) serves youth in crisis, ages 6-17. Their needs are great and they come from diverse circumstances. Some are abused or neglected, others are homeless or runaways, and others are in minor trouble in their communities. Youth are referred to OCC by the Arkansas Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS), the Arkansas Department of Youth Services (DYS), schools, community agencies, the Juvenile Courts of Garland and Clark counties, local families, and even by the youth, themselves. The average age of youth who receive OCC services is 15.

OCC offers a variety of community based services to youth and families in both Garland and Clark Counties. These services include:

• 24-hour short-term emergency shelter in Hot Springs
• Individualized case management
• Educational support groups for both youth and their families
• Therapeutic assessment and short-term counseling
• Aftercare case management for youth who have been released from incarceration
• Structured opportunities for personal growth and lifelong success