| Focus Area: |
Education |
| Project: |
The Career Pathways Project |
| Commitment By: |
Arkansas Department of Higher Education, The Arkansas Association of Two-year Colleges |
| Partner: |
The Good Faith Fund |
| Value: |
$8 million |
| Required Funding: |
$8 million to cover the costs of the second year of the project |
Objective: To help people transition off of welfare and into the workforce through a sequential process of education and support.
Commitment: The Career Pathways Project will secure federal dollars to train and support the project’s participants and to help participants transition off of welfare and into well paying jobs. Working with the Department of Human Services, The Career Pathways Project will identify people in the poorest areas of the state and will direct funding toward area colleges on a highest-need basis. Funding will be used to restructure curricula, to provide support services and tuition scholarships, and to help secure child care and transportation to enable people to enter into career pathways. Some participants may seek further study or a GED, while others will enter workforce readiness training. The project will encourage participants to enter career pathways in incremental stages and will offer classes on nights and on weekends. Some participants will seek internships and almost all will benefit from the help of a coalition of community based organizations and governmental entities coordinated by the College. Phase one will involve 5 two-year colleges, phase 2 will add 6 more two-year colleges, and phase 3 could involve 11 more two-year colleges.
Background: The project originated from a National Association of Governors grant awarded to the state of Arkansas.
| Point of Contact: |
Dr. Edward L. Franklin, Executive Director
Arkansas Association of Two-Year Colleges |
| Geographic Scope: |
Rural Arkansas, predominantly the Delta |
| Anticipated Launch Date: |
Phase One: September 2005
Phase Two: January 2006. |
| Anticipated Duration: |
At least 2 years. With additional funds, the project will expand to include 11 additional colleges. |
Update:
April 2006:
The $8 million secured to develop programs are being used to develop programs and provide tuition and support services for persons who are eligible for welfare, have children, and are living at or below the poverty level. The 11 colleges participating in the project represent the poorest counties in the state.
There are nearly 2000 people participating in the project thanks to an intensive media campaign and letters to all Arkansas Transitional Employment Assistance (TEA) eligible persons in the service areas of 11 colleges.
Current activities include: 1. Applying to the TEA Board for an additional $8 million required in funding, 2. Developing curriculum, 3. Reaching out to business and industry leaders to create internships, and 4. Extending the community network to mobilize additional resources and begin making student referrals. Additionally, the Arkansas Association of Two-Year Colleges has convened four workshops on best practices, integrating suggestions from leaders of Career Pathways programs in other states