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Quick Facts:
Fort Smith
At Short Mountain Lodge in Paris, Arkansas, residents are gaining new confidence and independence through an innovative program that combines life skills training, health care support and community involvement — all with the help of Mercy’s Dr. Jason Richey and his wife, Tracy.
The program, developed by the Arkansas Department of Human Services, serves adults with intellectual and mental health challenges who are considered high functioning and ready to work toward greater independence. Each resident receives coordinated primary care including regular visits with Dr. Richey and the team at Mercy Family Medicine — Paris, as well a psychiatrist.
Residents participate in the program for six months to two years, during which they receive comprehensive care and practical training to help them transition to living on their own or semi-independently.
In addition to health care support, Short Mountain Lodge provides hands-on training in essential life skills such as cooking, shopping and laundry — all designed to help residents develop confidence and self-sufficiency.
“They teach them how to wash their clothes, shop and prepare their food,” Dr. Richey said. “We’re all part of this — me and the nurse practitioners in Paris. We’ll come out here and do a couple of classes with them.”
Already, the impact is evident. Although the facility has only been open for about five months, several residents have successfully transitioned to living on their own or with family nearby. “We’ve already had some people go out of the facility who have done well,” Dr. Richey said. “That’s exactly what the program is designed for.”
Connecting Through Technology
One of the most unique and components of the program involves a partnership between Short Mountain Lodge and Paris High School students, coordinated by Dr. Richey. Wanting to help residents connect with others and navigate technology safely, Dr. Richey purchased six computers for the facility, with the high school donating three more.
“I recruited nine students out of the high school to come here and teach the residents social media skills,” he said. “They’ve taught them how to do email and Facebook, and even how to recognize online scams and protect their personal information.”
The high school students involved in the project are part of Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA), an organization that promotes leadership, technology and community service. With support from their adviser, Sarah Freeman, and project leader Abby Yarnell, the students visit Short Mountain Lodge every few weeks to work directly with residents on digital skills and communication.
“The students are much better than I am with computers,” Dr. Richey said with a laugh. “And the residents enjoy seeing someone different and interacting with younger people. It’s been great for both groups.”
The results have been profound for Short Mountain residents, said Misty Bryant, who owns the facility along with her husband, Claude.
“It’s absolutely been amazing,” she said. “Dr. Richey contacted us and said he had a group of students he was working with who were interested in coming in and teaching residents about social media. The group here said, ‘Absolutely!’”
The residents enjoy interacting with the high school students, and the students are enjoying the classes as well, she added.
Dr. Richey shared the story of one resident who had not seen or spoken to his family in 10 years. “As soon as we got him on the internet, his personality completely changed,” Richey said. “We helped him create a Facebook profile, and that same day he got a friend request back from a family member who hadn’t seen him in a decade. Now they talk on the phone and plan to visit. That’s exactly how the program was designed — to help people reconnect and build relationships.”
For the FBLA students, the project is more than just a learning experience; it’s a chance to make a lasting impact. “They’re helping these adults build connections and confidence,” Dr. Richey said. “That kind of compassion and service is something I hope they carry with them for the rest of their lives.”
A Growing Model for Care
Short Mountain Lodge was one of the first facilities of its kind in Arkansas, but the model is quickly expanding. The Bryants opened the facility in May and are planning to open a second location in the coming months. The goal is to reduce long-term hospitalizations and costs while helping residents lead more fulfilling, independent lives.
“If we can get them fine-tuned and help them understand the importance of their medicine and their life skills, then they can live a good, productive life instead of being in and out of acute care all the time,” Richey said. “That benefits them and the entire health care system.”
Dr. Richey’s involvement doesn’t end with medical care. He and Tracy are deeply invested in supporting residents emotionally and socially. From organizing holiday events to collecting warm clothes and gifts for those in need, their outreach reflects Mercy’s mission to bring compassion and dignity to every person they serve.
“The Post Office called me the other day because I had a whole truck full of gloves, socks and candy I was delivering for residents,” Dr. Richey said, smiling. “We just want to make sure they feel remembered and cared for.”
As more facilities open and the program continues to grow, Dr. Richey hopes it will change the way people view mental health and intellectual disabilities. “I want people to see that mental health struggles aren’t a bad thing,” he said. “They’re great people, and they just need opportunities.”
