Narrative: d. 2. O. i.

• The agency will host or participate in business conferences including Chamber of Commerce events, Society of Human Resource Managers annual statewide meetings, and Industry Liaison Group business symposiums to promote the hiring of people with disabilities. These conferences will provide information and education on the value added services offered by ARS and will provide opportunities to establish relationships that result in hiring of consumers. • ARS will enhance relationships with businesses whose corporate offices are headquartered in Arkansas, and will build partnerships with senior corporate officers and managers to gain support for hiring consumers. • ARS will implement a marketing plan to increase awareness of ARS VR services to private citizens, service providers, and business and industry, and that will more clearly identify underserved communities and transition and pre-employment transition consumers as recommended in the Statewide Comprehensive Needs Assessment. • ARS will work with other interested parties and organizations to educate employers and businesses regarding disability issues and to provide outreach to increase opportunities for consumers to attain competitive employment. As part of this effort, Access and Accommodations will target business related conferences including Arkansas Workers’ Compensation Educational Conference, Arkansas Self-insurers Association Conference, etc., to provide information and training as it relates to accommodating employees with disabilities in the workplace. • Because of the potential for improved services to ARS clients in their local communities, and the high cost of serving these individuals in a 24-hour, residential facility, the Arkansas Career Training Institute (“ACTI”) is in the process of conversion to a non-residential model. The conversion plan was communicated to ACTI staff on May 28, 2019, with the stated expectation that while ACTI would offer non-residential training (as well as provide related services throughout the State), some programs and services would be discontinued.

• Beginning on or before October 1, 2019, the non-residential model at ACTI will support a number of services for ARS clients as they progress toward competitive, integrated employment. ACTI anticipates offering programs such as welding, Medical Administrative Assistant and Certified Nursing Assistant instruction, automotive service technology and collision repair, culinary arts, business and marketing, construction technology, and short-term programming in talent development. This programming is expected to be offered at ACTI’s Armory facility at 200 Reserve Street in Hot Springs, which is also anticipated to serve as the base for “hub-and-spoke” services to CRP’s throughout the state. CRP services will include outreach under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunities Act connected to transition services, vocational rehabilitation, and career counseling services. Certain action items established for ACTI as the result of an internal review, completed in December 2017, will apply equally after conversion to the non-residential model: • ACTI will facilitate Rehabilitation Initial Diagnosis and Assessment for Clients (RIDAC) and Learning and Evaluation Center (LEC) services. • ACTI will implement short-term programs focused on in demand occupations. • ACTI will disseminate information and outreach about short-term programs that provide training for skills that are in demand to increase referrals and opportunities for consumers. • ACTI will increase the number of consumers completing short-term (eight week and under) programs that lead to credentials for jobs in Arkansas. • ACTI will increase the number of consumers that complete joint training/education programs with ACTI’s partners (Including but not limited to: National Apprenticeship Training Foundation, Arkansas Apprenticeship Coalition, National Park College, and College of the Ouachitas). • ACTI will focus greater emphasis on job placement to include initial contact with Business Relations Representatives at the time of staffing at ACTI and referrals to vendors to assist with job placement. • ACTI will evaluate current staffing processes and streamline service provision to maximize services while limiting the amount of time needed for program completion. • ACTI will increase the number of consumers referred for services at ACTI by offering training and services that support occupations that are in demand. • ACTI will review current expenditure levels and find ways to decrease the expenditures. • ACTI will optimize the number of clients served using current resources. • ACTI will streamline the enrollment/referral process. • All ACTI Vocational Programs will increase their visibility and opportunities for community/employee engagement through internships and partnerships with community organizations/industry supporters. • ACTI will increase number of program participants who are in unsubsidized employment during the second and fourth quarters after program exit by improving vocational rehabilitation counseling and evaluation services during program attendance. • ACTI will provide Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS) to students with disabilities leading to measurable skill gains that can be applied toward an eventual post-secondary credential or employment.