Narrative: III. b. 3. A.

Arkansas Division of Workforce Services administers nine of the thirteen programs represented in this plan. The agency goal is to provide quality workforce services that support the development of a well-trained workforce that meets employer needs. The Division provides many services that support both jobseekers and employers and helps people succeed throughout their working lives. We support workers during times of unemployment, track and analyze labor market trends, and link businesses and jobseekers to a diverse range of employment services provided by the state’s workforce system. Through DWS’ local offices, the needs of employers and job-seeking individuals are facilitated by matching qualified workers with an employer’s specific employment needs.

DWS avidly supports Arkansas’s employer community and is cognizant of their needs. DWS offers many services to Arkansas jobseekers and residents including: referral to suitable employment opportunities; job training assistance to economically disadvantaged individuals and those dislocated due to business closings, layoffs, and natural disasters; case management for disabled veterans; assessment of an individual’s needs and referral to supportive agencies and programs.

The agency director is appointed by the Governor and is a member of the Governor’s Workforce Cabinet. The agency has approximately 1,000 employees and has eight divisions which include: Unemployment Insurance, Employment Assistance, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, Legal Services, Financial Management and Administrative Services, New Hire Registry and Career Readiness Certification, and Field Operations.

Below is a list of programs administered by the Division.

• • • Wagner-Peyser Employment Services
    • Local Veterans Employment Representatives
    • Disabled Veterans Outreach Program
    • WIOA Youth Program
    • WIOA Adult Program
    • WIOA Dislocated Worker Program
    • Rapid Response and Layoff Aversion
    • Trade Adjustment Assistance
    • Alien Labor Certification
    • Workforce Opportunity Tax Credit
    • Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)
    • Transitional Employment Assistance
    • Arkansas Work Pays Program
    • Labor Market Information
    • Unemployment Insurance
    • Trade Readjustment Allowance
    • New Hire Registry
    • Career Readiness Certification
    • Discretionary Grants

Note: Effective July 1, 2019, the Division added the Adult Education Section and Arkansas Rehabilitation Services under the Governor’s Transformation.

The Arkansas Division of Workforce Services also serves as the Governor’s Administrative Entity for WIOA Title I funding, provides staffing support for the Arkansas Workforce Development Board, provides technical assistance to local workforce development boards, and monitors their activities. The agency operates the above listed programs through a budget of just over $1 billion annually and awards funding for WIOA Title services to ten local workforce development boards for delivery of services locally in addition to numerous sub grantees for delivery of services through the TANF program and discretionary grants awarded to the agency from multiple sources.

The Office of Skills Development (OSD) is under the authority and leadership of the Career Education and Workforce Development Board. The State Board is appointed by the Governor and is charged with the responsibility for overseeing and directing the work of OSD. The Director for the agency is appointed by the Governor. Their mission is to provide leadership and contribute resources to serve the diverse and changing career educational needs of Arkansas youth, adults, and persons with disabilities.

Please note that under the Governor’s Transformation Plan, the yet to be appointed Secretary of Commerce will have transitional authority regarding the Boards and organizations falling under the Department of Commerce. This transitional authority may impact the staffing of the Career Education and Workforce Development Board.

Adult Education Section Division (AES) funds 36 local adult education programs and literacy councils and the Arkansas Adult Learning Resource Center (AALRC), the adult education’s professional development training center. The adult education programs are supported with $5.2 million received under Tittle II of the Workforce Innovation Opportunity Act and $19 million in state funding. 

Arkansas Rehabilitation Services (ARS) is the General Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) agency in Arkansas.  Consistent with Title I of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, states must appoint a state director and establish a State Rehabilitation Council (SRC) in order to receive federal vocational rehabilitation funds.

In Arkansas, the ARS Commissioner is the state director of the vocational rehabilitation program. SRC members are Governor appointed. The ARS Commissioner and senior management provide leadership to the agency’s major components including, Field Services, the Arkansas Career Training Institute (ACTI), Access and Accommodations, and Business Engagement.

Field Services personnel provide access for clients in need of vocational rehabilitation services.  Services provided fall in three primary categories including pre-employment transition, transition, and general vocational rehabilitation services. The VR counselor has primary responsibility for determining eligibility, individualized plan for employment development, case management, vocational rehabilitation counseling, and related job readiness services with a goal of assisting clients in obtaining or maintaining competitive integrated employment. ACTI, ARS’ internal training unit, provides vocational training programs with a focus on industry recognized credentials as well as providing an array of supportive services. Access and Accommodations is organized to address a client’s assistive technology needs at school and at work. The Business Engagement unit is ARS’ primary link to employers providing information regarding services and supports available to businesses. 

The Department of Human Services (DHS) is Arkansas’s largest state agency, with more than 7,500 employees working to ensure citizens are healthy, safe and enjoying a high quality of life. The agency’s skilled and passionate staff cares for Arkansans of all ages. People needing support will find at least one local DHS office in each of the state’s 75 counties. Arkansans may apply for a vast array of services at their local county office as well as online. Services include ARKids First health insurance for children, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly known as food stamps), Transitional Employment Assistance (TEA) and Medicaid. Through a blend of federal and state Medicaid funds, DHS pays for 64 percent of the babies born in Arkansas each year and for the care of 69 percent of the state’s nursing home patients. Additionally, DHS protects children and the elderly who have been abused or neglected; finds adoptive homes for foster children; funds congregate and home-delivered meals for the elderly; regulates nursing homes and childcare facilities; supports high-quality early childhood education; treats and serves youth in the juvenile justice system; oversees services for blind Arkansans; runs residential facilities for people with developmental disabilities; manages the Arkansas State Hospital and Arkansas Health Center for those with acute behavioral health issues; and supports nonprofit, community and faith-based organizations that depend on volunteers to continue programs vital to our communities. The agency also works with a system of community mental health care centers to provide mental health services to nearly 74,000 people each year. In all, DHS serves more than 1.2 million Arkansans every year. To manage these services and programs efficiently, DHS has ten divisions and five support offices headquartered in Little Rock in addition to the 85 county offices.

Two of DHS’ programs were represented in this plan including Vocational Rehabilitation Services provided through the Division of Services for the Blind and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Employment & Training Program.

The Division of Services for the Blind is the designated State Agency to provide services for rehabilitation and social services to blind and severely visually impaired persons age 14 and above in Arkansas. The agency has a director appointed by the Governor, but federal regulations stipulate the vocational rehabilitation designated state unit must utilize a commissioner. The DSB Director and the senior leadership of DSB provide oversight and coordination within the constraints of state and federal laws to fulfill its mission through the following goals:

• Employment - To assist Arkansans who are blind or visually impaired to secure or maintain employment and consistent with their skills, abilities, and interests.
   
• Rehabilitation - To assist Arkansans who are blind or visually impaired to live as independently as possible through the development of skills, accommodations, or adaptations that are necessary to perform all activities of daily living.
   
• Prevention of Blindness - To assist in preventing blindness stabilizing vision, and, where possible, restoring vision.
   
• Field Services personnel provide the local level coordination and facilitation of all general vocational rehabilitation services for individuals with blind or visual impairment issues. This includes, but is not limited to, vocational rehabilitation counseling, vocational case management, eligibility determination, individual employment plan development, transition services, and job placement.
   
• Business and Technology personnel provide assistance to educate consumers to develop management and business ownership within the Vending Facility Program (VFP). The Vending Facility Program Services are available to eligible blind persons who are interested in and have the necessary skills to manage snack bars

Beginning July 1, 2019, consistent with the Governor’s Transformation Plan, all core partner programs will be in the Arkansas Division of Workforce Services (ADWS). Please note that under the Governor’s Transformation Plan, the yet to be appointed Secretary of Commerce will have transitional authority regarding Boards and Organizations falling under the newly-created Department of Commerce. This transitional authority may impact the titles of program administrators. Changes to all Organizational Charts will be provided once they are approved by the Secretary of Commerce or Governor.