JobReady November 2018

November


2018


A Publication of the Arkansas Department of Career Education






































































ACTI Earns Award for Its Farm


to School Initiative

Our Mission: To prepare a job-ready, career-bound
workforce to meet the needs of Arkansas employers.



On the cover Table of Contents


The Arkansas Career Training
Institute (ACTI) was celebrated for its Around the State
Farm to School initiative. ARCareerEd Assists Check out what the

More information about ACTI's Farm 4 in Arkansas' 5 Department of Career
to School program on Page 6. Largest STEM Fest Education has been up

to around the state.



Students
8 Arkansas Launches 9 Apply for College
Encouraged to

ABLE Accounts
During College
November 2018 Application Month

A public information publication
of the Arkansas Department of
Career Education.
Director
Charisse Childers, Ph.D. Upcoming Events

Communications Department
Chip McAfee,
Director of Communications November 8, 2018 November 12, 2018
Susan King El Dorado Job Fair Veterans Day (Observed)
Ellice Scales El Dorado Conference Center
Caty Young 311 South West Ave. All state offices will be closed.

[email protected] 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.
Arkansas Department of November 13, 2018 November 15, 2018
Career Education Career Education and District III

Three Capitol Mall Workforce Development (West Memphis and Helena)
Little Rock, Arkansas 72201 Board Meeting Transition Fair
501-682-1500 525 W. Capitol Ave. Arkansas Northeastern
501-682-1509 fax Little Rock, AR 72201 College
1:30 p.m. 2501 South Division St.
ARCareerEd.org
Blytheville, AR 72315
9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
November 22 & November 30, 2018
November 23, 2018 Hot Springs Transition Fair

Thanksgiving ACTI Gymnasium
Adult Education 105 Reserve St.
Arkansas Rehabilitation Services All state offices will be closed. Hot Springs, AR 71901
Career & Technical Education 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Office of Skills Development

State Perkins V Planning Team Attends Regional Implementation Meeting in Atlanta

he Perkins V State Team met in
Atlanta for the Regional Perkins V
TImplementation meeting. The goals
were to gain a deeper understanding
of Perkins V by learning from national
experts about the law and the leadership
levels within it, engage with peers from
other states to share promising practices
and brainstorm strategies around data
and accountability, programs of study,
state-to-local implementation, advancing
equity in CTE, use of a data-driven
strategy, and timeline and process for
developing a new Perkins V State Plan
that advances the statewide vision for
CTE.
The State Team will collaborate
with an initial group of stakeholders in
the development of and guidance for
the Perkins V Transition plan before it
is submitted in the spring of 2019 and
then will begin a statewide stakeholder
engagement accompanied with local The Arkansas Perkins V Planning Team attend an implementation meeting in Atlanta.
needs assessments for the 4 year Pictured (l-r) bottom row: Maria Swicegood and Janeene Lynch. Top row: Cheryl
Perkins V State Plan to be submitted in Wiedmaier, Ph.D., Angela Kremers, Ed.D., Monieca West, Suzanne Jones, Mike
spring of 2020. Mertens, and Charisse Childers, Ph.D.



Program Spotlight: Workforce Alliance for Growth in the Economy (WAGE™)

orkforce Alliance for Growth basic computer (including 20 communication and computer
in the Economy, or WAGE™, words per minute typing) and skills, use of office machines,
Wis a job-readiness and job digital literacy training. plus 50 numbers per minute
retention training program to improve • Industrial- includes 10-key speed.
the basic skills of the unemployed Employability plus additional • Customer Service I- includes
labor pool and under-skilled requirements including Employability plus additional
workforce. The WAGE™ program manual dexterity, spatial requirements including
helps students who have a goal of relations and mechanical communication and computer
obtaining or retaining a job, improving aptitude assessments, and skills, and use of office
their skill level to gain improved computer training. machines.
employment, or entering next-level • Office Technology- includes • Customer Service
workplace training. There are six Employability plus additional II- includes Customer
WAGE™ certificates that can be requirements including Service I plus an additional
earned. The Employability certificate communication skills and requirement of an essay on
is the core. Additional certificates in office tasks, use of word Customer Service.
specific areas may be earned and processing, spreadsheet
stacked on top of the Employability and presentation programs, For more information about
certificate. use of office machines, plus WAGE™ and to find where the
The six WAGE™ certificates are: 35 words per minute typing WAGE™ program is located near
• Employability-includes soft speed. you, visit ARCareerEd.org/services/
skills, job-readiness and job- • Bank Teller- includes adult-eduation or call 501-682-1977.
retention training, academic Employability plus additional
assessment and training, and requirements including


3

ARCareerEd Assists in Arkansas's Largest STEM Fest


areer and Technical Education’s
Office of Science, Technology,
CEngineering, Mathematics
(STEM) Education partnered with the
Arkansas Department of Education
and the Little Rock Air Force Base
(LRAFB) to host Arkansas’s largest
STEM Festival, Thunder Over the
Rock Air and Space Show STEM
Festival.
The Thunder Over the Rock
STEM Fest highlighted the innovations
made in aviation history and informed A pilot shares with students his
students on STEM education and experiences of flying aircraft.
career opportunities.
The festival was open to students
K-12 on Friday, October 26. The
LRAFB welcomed over 13,000
students to the base. This gave the
students the opportunity to enjoy
the festival before it was open to the Students gather around the North West
public on October 27-28. Arkansas 3D Printing (NWA3D) booth
Several organizations participated where they were able to create a custom
in the festival to provide information item on laptops provided by the company
to then print their item on the 3D printers
to students including the National also provided by the company for use at
Weather Service and MultiGP Drone Rhyann Bridges, a pre-K student from the Thunder Over the Rock STEM Fest.
Company. Vilonia, poses for a picture as an astronaut
The next Thunder Over the Rock at the NASA “Journey to Tomorrow” display
Air and Space Show STEM Fest is set where she spoke to NASA staffer’s about
for 2020. her interests in the moon.






National Apprenticeship Week Starts November 12


ov. Asa Hutchinson along
with leaders of Registered
GApprenticeship, Department
of Labor, Department of Workforce
Services, and Department of Career
Education to proclaim Nov. 12-16
Apprenticeship Week in Arkansas.
The week-long event highlights
the benefits of apprenticeship
in preparing a highly-skilled
workforce to meet the talent needs
of employers across diverse
industries.



4

Fayetteville Monticello
















The ARS Field Services District I
(Fayetteville and Harrison) hosted three
separate Family Nights throughout October
to introduce parents of high school The Monticello and Pine Bluff Field
students with disabilities to ARS. Offices hosted a transition fair on Oct. 10
to help prepare students with disabilities
Booneville for life after high school.
Jonesboro


Little Rock













The Booneville Field Office held an
Open House on Oct. 2 to welcome the
community. People toured the facility and
learned about all the services ARS has to Students attend a breakout session at the
offer. Jonesboro Field Office's Transition Fair at The Little Rock Field Office hosted a
the Pocahontas Community Center on Oct. transition fair on Oct. 5 for students with
16. disabilities to provide career-building
tips. Tynesha Ivory, Brittine Watson, and
Hot Springs El Dorado Valencia Butler provided information on
ARS programs during the event.



Little Rock












Educators from across the state were
The El Dorado Field Office hosted a Fall recognized as this year's Outstanding Staff
Arkansas Career Training Institute (ACTI) Fest on Oct. 25 to invite the community to at Two Year Colleges during the Arkansas
held its 192 Commencement Ceremony learn more about Arkansas Rehabilitation Community Colleges Conference on Oct.
nd
on Oct. 12. Over 70 students graduated. Services and partnering organizations. 15.

5

ACTI Earns Award for Its Farm to School Initiative


ctober was National Farm to
School Month in the United
OStates which promotes the use
of healthy, local ingredients in school
lunches. At the Arkansas Career
Training Institute in Hot Springs, they
are making the trip from farm to table
much shorter by growing their own
fruits, vegetables, and herbs right on
campus.
The Master Gardners of Garland
County partnered with ACTI by
providing plants and seeds that soon
began to thrive in their own garden
and greenhouse. Jane Campbell,
Director of Dietary Services at ACTI,
oversees the project and also the
'Green Team' of students who help
take care of the garden. Campbell
and the Green Team grew cherry
tomatoes, Roma tomatoes, assorted
peppers, spaghetti squash and crook- Green Team members plant seeds and water them in the ACTI greenhouse.
neck squash that helped to bolster
the cafeteria’s salad bar and side
dishes. with the Arkansas Department of
“This entire project is a wonderful Human Services. “When Farm to
way for the community and the School was first encouraged in 2016,
students to work together for the Jane informed me that she was
betterment of the nutrition and already participating. It was then
overall health of the students and that I realized Jane and ACTI were
staff at ACTI who eat their meals a step ahead of the rest. I was so
in the cafeteria. We always post intrigued by her dedication and all the
signs indicating which vegetables awesome things being done at ACTI.”
were grown in the student garden,” A special ceremony to recognize
Campbell said. the school was held at the school’s
This dedication to providing both greenhouse followed by a lunch that
a learning experience and fresh featured vegetables and herbs grown
produce for the school garnered by the Green Team. This project
the attention of the National School has gained not only the attention
Lunch Program and the Arkansas of the state but, more importantly,
Department of Human Services who the school’s students. “A lot of our
recently honored Campbell and her students grew up going through the
students for their hard work. drive-through, and now I’ve noticed a
“Jane and ACTI were selected out big move to our salad bar,” Campbell
of 36 Providers because of their effort said. “I think it’s increasing their
to go above and beyond. The work knowledge of nutrition.”
being done at ACTI is an example You can watch the Department
of what it means to reach for the of Human Services’ video on ACTI’s Calvin Lollis, Green Team Captain,
stars,” said Mariska Jordan, National garden and greenhouse here: https:// shows off peppers grown in the ACTI
School Lunch Program Manager youtu.be/-sit8gpMTvU. garden.



6

Arkansas State Fair Offers Learning Opportunity for CTE Students

areer and Technical
Education (CTE)
Cstudents were given the
opportunity to learn from the
organizers of the 2018 Arkansas
State Fair during a special day
dedicated to Career & Technical
Student Organizations (CTSO).
The Arkansas State Fair
brings in thousands of people
from all over the state every
year. It takes the effort of many
people in a variety of fields to
host the event. Students in
CTSOs listened to discussions
from the leaders of the fair.
These leaders represented Three-thousand students attend the second annual Career & Technical Student
the different career fields the Organizations (CTSO) Leadership Day at the Arkansas State Fair.
students have chosen, such
as the Livestock Administrator were FBLA, DECA, HOSA, FFA,
representing Agriculture FCCLA, TSA, and SkillsUSA.
Science or the Midway Director Lucas Anderson, Agriculture
representing STEM. Listening to Instructor and FFA Advisor with
each leader speak about their White County Central High
work not only gave the students School, said that the CTSO
insight in what they could do in Leadership Day at the Arkansas The Sylvan Hills High School SkillsUSA
their chosen career field, but it State Fair is a great opportunity organization attend the CTSO Leadership
also showed them how each for his students. “Most of them Day at the Arkansas State Fair. Pictured
(l-r): Karri Semelka, Ryann Russell, Trienty
field works together towards a have never been to Little Rock,” Thompson, Kieya Stanton, MacKenzie
common goal. Anderson said. “It’s their first Patton (State Secretary), Heaven Woods,
Students also attended time seeing Little Rock and and Taelor Washington.
breakout sessions to learn more coming to the Arkansas State
in-depth about their chosen Fair.”
career field. Additionally, they Anderson said his
participated in a team-building agriculture class had grown so
scavenger hunt. much over the last couple of
The Career & Technical years and students really want
Student Organization (CTSO) to be involved. They make sure
Leadership Day at the that their grades are kept up in
Arkansas State Fair took place order to participate in events, FBLA State Officers Kayedon Lyvers
of Bauxite High School, District IV State
on October 18. Over 3,000 such as the CTSO Leadership Vice President, and Shelby Williams
students attended this year’s Day at the Arkansas State Fair. of Mountain Home High School, State
event. The CTSOs represented “It’s a great motivator,” he said. Treasurer, offer guidance during the Media/
Marketing Breakout Session.


7

Arkansas Launches ABLE Accounts




uring October, the Arkansas
Treasurer’s office launched
Dthe Arkansas ABLE
program. ABLE, which stands for
Achieving a Better Life Experience,
is a program that allows tax-
advantaged investment accounts
that help qualified individuals with
disabilities and their families save
for disability-related expenses.
Thousands of individuals
with disabilities in Arkansas and
their families depend on a wide
variety of public benefits for
income, health care, food, and
housing, but in the past, these
individuals could not save more
than $2000 in order to remain
eligible for this assistance. With
the ABLE account, individuals with
disabilities are able to save up Katy Mayberry is the first person in Arkansas to enroll in the ABLE program.
to $14,000 in any given tax year
without it affecting their eligibility help pay for the extra expenses
for federally-funded benefits. that are related to living with a
As the legislation was being disability. This is a wonderful
proposed, leadership from program that will benefit many
Arkansas Rehabilitation Services Arkansans,” Baxter said.
(ARS), including Chief of Field At a press conference,
Services Carl Daughtery, provided Treasurer of State Dennis Milligan
information to the General launched the ABLE program for
Assembly and to the Office of Arkansas and presented two high
the Governor, that explained how school students who will be able Arkansas Treasurer of State Dennis
having access to ABLE accounts to benefit from this new program. Milligan speaks at the ABLE Program
could benefit individuals with Katy Mayberry, daughter of State Launch Press Conference.
disabilities as they worked and Representative Julie Mayberry,
could save money. who was integral in getting this
ARS Deputy Commissioner legislation passed, and Kobe Roy,
Joe Baxter was a member of the a North Little Rock student spoke
committee and provided valuable about what this means to them
input as they developed guidelines and their future. Katy Mayberry
for the program and selected was the first person in Arkansas to
an administrator. “We are very apply for an ABLE account.
excited for Arkansas Rehabilitation For more information on the
Services to have been a part of ABLE program, visit https://www.
this process that will help people artreasury.gov/able.html. Kobe Roy, N. Little Rock High School
across the state save money to Junior, speaks about how the ABLE
program will help him achieve his goals.

8

Students Encouraged to Apply for College

During College Application Month



ctober is College Application
Month across the nation
Owhere high-school students
are encouraged to apply to college.
In Arkansas, Governor Asa
Hutchinson proclaimed October
as College Application Month in
the state with the hope to increase
the number of students applying
to college in their senior year,
with a focus on first-generation
college-going students, low-income
students, students from rural
communities, and minority students
who may not otherwise apply to
college.
As part of the month, numerous
events were held at high schools
across the state where students
could apply for colleges with the
goal of every graduating senior
submitting at least one college Seniors at Rivercrest High School filled out 138 college applications.
application. Sonja Wright-
McMurray oversees the Career
Coaches Program that organized
these events across the state. “We
provide opportunities throughout
the entire month for them to learn
more about their options, how they
can apply to college and how they
can pay for it,” Wright-McMurray
said. “We also have specific times
during the school day where they
can come in to apply and have
someone there to help them with
the process.”
There were more than 100
events at high schools around
the state during October to help
students apply. To learn more
about the Arkansas College
Application Campaign, check out
Sonja Wright-McMurray on KATV’s
Good Afternoon Arkansas: https:// Sonja Wright-McMurray talks about the Arkansas College Application Campaign on
goo.gl/CJ1RqE. KATV’s Good Afternoon Arkansas.


9

Empowering All Through Inclusion,


Business Summit Shines in Little Rock



rkansas employers and abled' people. I’m excited to see how
industry leaders convened that affects Regions in a positive
Ain Little Rock for the Fourth way.”
Annual Arkansas Business Regions Banks was among the
Employment Summit, “Empowering employers who received awards
All Through Inclusion.” for demonstrating best inclusion
The summit, held at the Capital practices. As an Emerging Partner,
Hotel, was timed to coincide with Regions was recognized for their
October’s National Disability commitment to fostering a work
Employment Awareness Month. environment to advance opportunities
The event is held in partnership with for Arkansans with disabilities. Project Search representatives accept
Arkansas Rehabilitation Services, Summit sponsors and employers a Distinguished Partnership award for
Disability: IN Arkansas (formerly who have demonstrated best providing internship programs to young
the Arkansas Business Leadership inclusion practices were recognized adults with disabilities.
Network), and the Governor’s Council during a luncheon that featured
on Developmental Disabilities keynote speaker Charles Stewart,
(GCDD). The employment summit chairman of the Black Hall of
brings together influencers of Fame and the Black Hall of Fame
Arkansas’ business community to Foundation. As an entrepreneur and
discuss the business case to hire parent of a child who utilized ARS
people with disabilities and to share services, Stewart spoke passionately
best inclusion practices. about the value of providing
Donna Terrell of Fox 16 News opportunities for each individual to
emceed the event, which included reach their potential.
panel discussions, multimedia visuals Jon Taylor of TJMaxx accepted
and keynote speakers. the Distinguished Leadership Award
Attorney General Leslie Rutledge for superior leadership and service.
addressed the need for employer Taylor is vigilant in promoting and
partnerships to modify skills-based advocating the inclusion of Arkansans ARS Commissioner Alan McClain
learning based on skills employers with disabilities into the workplace presents the Distinguished Leader Award
say they need. “Business has a and community. to Jon Taylor of TJ Maxx.
voice in determining what training is In addition, representatives
relevant and will be necessary for our from the Governor’s Council on
vocational programs,” she said. “As Developmental Disabilities (GCDD)
we make this transition, there will be accepted an award for Distinguished
even more opportunities for disability Community Service, in appreciation
inclusion in our evolving workforce.” for the council’s work to improve
Representatives from ARS, TJ Maxx, the independence and productivity
JBHunt, and Regions Banks led of Arkansans with disabilities by
the conversation about successfully ensuring their integration and
integrating people with disabilities inclusion. Other award recipients
into the company culture. included Murphy Oil as an Emerging
“Our associates should reflect Partner and Project SEARCH for
our community,” VP of Regions providing internship opportunities for Arkansas Attorney General Leslie
Bank. “We have hired a Diversity young adults with disabilities who are Rutledge addressed summit attendees
Inclusion Manager who will focus on seeking sustainable employment. on collaboration with business to promote
what positions will support 'differently inclusion.



10

Career Education and Workforce
Development Board

Hugh McDonald, Chairman, Little
Senior Management Team Rock
Gina Radke, Vice Chairman,
Sherwood
Charisse Childers, Ph.D., Director
Don Bellcock, Internal Auditor Adam Arroyos, Ph.D., Fayetteville
Lorna Claudio, Chief Financial Officer D. Alan McClain, Commissioner Jerry Cash, Ed.D., Harrison
Otis Dixon, Chief Information Officer Joseph Baxter, Deputy Commissioner Scott Copas, Little Rock
Chip McAfee, Director of Communications Jonathan Bibb, Administrator/Associate Michael Garner, Hensley
Kelly Hunt Lyon, Ed.D., Strategic Planning Commissioner, Arkansas Career Training Stacy Gunderman, Batesville
and Development Manager Institute Troy Keeping, Marion
DeCarlia Smith, Human Resources Rodney Chandler, Director of Business Steve Percival, Little Rock
Administrator Engagement Jenifer Price, Springdale
Lisa A. Thompson, Personnel Manager Carl Daughtery, Chief of Field Services/ Jeff Standridge, Ed.D., Conway
Associate Commissioner Keith Vire, Ph.D., Fayetteville
Lynn Franquemont, Director of Burton Weis, Fort Smith
Community Service Programs Ex-Officio Members
Charles Lyford, General Counsel Richard Abernathy, Ed.D.,
James McCune, Chief Financial Officer Executive Director, AR Association
Trenia Miles, Ed.D., Deputy Director Judy Smith, Transition Director of Special of Educational Administrators
Daryl Bassett, Director, AR
Bridget Bullard Criner, Associate Director Projects
Robert Treviño, Associate Commissioner Department of Workforce Services
for Program, Planning Development & Johnny Key, Commissioner, AR
Evaluation Department of Education
Nathan Winter, Associate Commissioner Maria Markham, Ph.D., Director,
for Access & Accommodations AR Department of Higher Education
Mike Preston, Director,
Angela Kremers, Ed.D., Deputy Director AR Economic Development
Cheryl Wiedmaier, Ph.D., Associate Commission
Director Bill Stovall, Executive Director, AR
Sonja Wright-McMurray, Associate Cody Waits, Deputy Director Community Colleges
Director for Special Programs Stephanie Isaacs, Associate Director




ADULT EDUCATION Lonoke Small Business Program
501-683-2341 501-676-4490 501-683-3582
GED ® Monticello Stay At Work/ Return To Work
501-682-1980 870-367-9669 501-683-6052
ARKANSAS REHABILITATION North Little Rock Services for the
SERVICES 501-833-1490 Deaf & Hard of Hearing (SDHH)
Arkansas Career Training Institute Pine Bluff 501-686-2800
501-624-4411 870-534-2404 TAP (Telecommunications Access
Field Services Offices Russellville Program)
Batesville 479-890-5751 800-981-4463
870-793-4153 Searcy Transition Services
Benton 501-268-4542 501-682-5634
501-317-1390 Texarkana CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION
Booneville 870-773-2807 501-682-1040
479-675-3835 West Memphis Occupational Programs
Conway 870-735-4725 Agricultural Science and Technology
501-730-9725 Alternative Finance Program 501-682-2561
El Dorado 501-296-1663 Business/Marketing Technology
870-862-5451 Arkansas Governor's Commission on 501-682-1768
Fayetteville People with Disabilities Family & Consumer Sciences Education
479-582-1286 501-682-5317 501-682-1115
Fort Smith Arkansas Kidney Disease Commission Office of School Improvement
479-755-3300 (AKDC) 501-682-1616
Harrison 501-686-2807 Skilled and Technical Sciences
870-741-7153 Assistive Technology at Work (AT@ 501-682-1271
Helena Work) State Approving Agency for Veterans
870-338-2753 501-683-3009 Training and Education
Hot Springs Business Engagement 501-324-9473
501-623-4479 501-296-1659 OFFICE OF SKILLS DEVELOPMENT
Jonesboro Increasing Capabilities Access 501-683-1152
870-972-0025 Network (ICAN) Apprenticeship
Little Rock 501-666-8868 501-682-1360
501-686-2800

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