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Plan: Arkansas PYs 2020-2023
Combined Plan C

Section: WIOA State Plan Common Elements

Narrative: III. b. 3. B.

Published
Located in:
  • III. Operational Planning Elements

    The Unified or Combined State Plan must include an Operational Planning Elements section that supports the State’s strategy and the system-wide vision described in Section II(c) above.  Unless otherwise noted, all Operational Planning Elements apply to Combined State Plan partner programs included in the plan as well as to core programs.  This section must include—

III. b. 3. B. State Board

Provide a description of the State Board, including—

View corresponding narrative from PYs 2018-2019

Current Narrative:

The Arkansas Workforce Development Board was created by Arkansas Act 907 of 2015 and serves as the policymaking and oversight body for the State’s workforce development system. The Arkansas Workforce Development Board is a 32-member private sector led board. Of the 32 members, 17 members are private sector business leaders from various industries from throughout Arkansas. Also represented on the board are representatives from organized labor, Registered Apprenticeship, chief elected officials, community-based organizations, and the directors of the state agencies responsible for workforce services, career education, economic development, vocational rehabilitation, education, and higher education.

The membership roster for the Arkansas Workforce Development Board can be found online at http://dws.arkansas.gov/workforce-innovation/ and includes the membership category of representation as well as their professional affiliation.

The board meets on a quarterly basis and has a standard agenda layout to ensure that all of the activities of the board are being reported consistently and that the Executive Committee is able to monitor those activities. The order of business includes:

• Roll call

• Action on the minutes of the preceding meeting(s)

• Report of the Chairperson

• Report of the staff director

• Report of the Executive Committee

• Report of the standing committees

• Report of any ad hoc committees

• Other specified agenda items

• Communications, petitions and miscellaneous

• Adjournment

STATE BOARD MEMBERSHIP ROSTER

The Arkansas Workforce Development Board Membership Roster, as of January 1, 2020 is:

    1. Mr. Thomas Anderson (Chair) Business Representative
    2. Mr. Len Blaylock Business Representative
    3. Mr. Scott Bull (Vice-Chair) Business Representative
    4. Mr. Mike Rogers Business Representative
    5. Ms. Melissa Hanesworth Business Representative
    6. Dr. Julie Roberson Business Representative
    7. Mr. George Nunnally Business Representative
    8. Ms. Abby Houseworth Business Representative
    9. Mr. Randy Finegan Business Representative
    10. Ms. Rebecca Ives Business Representative
    11. Ms. Holley Little Business Representative
    12. Mr. Paul Riveria Business Representative
    13. Ms. Chanda Chacon Business Representative
    14. Mr. Robert Thorne Business Representative
    15. Mr. Jeff Griffin Business Representative
    16. Mr. Randy Henderson Business Representative
    17. Dr. Diana Wright Business Representative
    18. Mr. Kelley Sharp Labor & Apprenticeship
    19. Mr. Lindsay Brown Org. Labor
    20. Mr. Alan Hughes Organized Labor
    21. Ms. Karen Breashears Labor & Apprenticeship
    22. Mr. Brian Marsh Community-Based Org.
    23. Dr. Maria Markham Train. or Educ. of Eligible Youth
    24. Mr. Johnny Key Train. or Educ of Eligible Youth
    25. Dr. Trenia Miles State Agency Dirctor
    26. Dr. Charisse Childers State Agency Director
    27. Mr. Alan McClain State Agency Director
    28. Ms. Cassondra Williams-Stokes State Agency Director
    29. Sec. Mike Preston Economic Development
    30. James Sanders City Mayor
    31. Brandon Ellison County Judge
    32. Asa Hutchinson Governor

i. Membership roster

Provide a membership roster for the State Board, including members’ organizational affiliations.

SEE ABOVE

ii. Board Activities

Provide a description of the activities that will assist State Board members and staff in carrying out State Board functions effectively.

Every new member is provided a thorough orientation that includes information on the following:

• Introduction to the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act

• Introduction to the Arkansas Workforce System to include the purpose, guiding principles, employer-driven focus, importance of business relationships, and services to employers and jobseekers

• Information regarding the Arkansas Workforce Centers including the hallmarks of excellence, goal of workforce centers, accessing services, operational and functional requirements for a workforce center, partner programs, more detailed info on employer and jobseekers services, employment resources, assessments, job coaching, and building toward excellence

• Information on the workforce board including the board vision, mission, role of the board, strategic planning, using labor market information, oversight responsibilities, evaluation, innovation, collaboration, attracting and involving employers, and targeted industries in the State

• Information regarding how to be a successful board member including areas of responsibility, the appointment process, key characteristics of a successful workforce board member, networking, conflict of interest, Arkansas Freedom of Information Act, and board staff roles

Since its formation in June 2015, newly appointed and experienced members receive annual training regarding their roles and responsibility as a board member.  Additionally, the full board and its Strategic Planning, Program and Performance Evaluation, and TANF Oversight Committees conduct quarterly meetings.