Arkansas Career Pathways Initiative Creates State Partnerships for Student Success

1. Arkansas Career Pathways Initiative Creates State Partnerships for Student Success National Council on Student Development Conference October 25, 2010 Peabody Hotel Little Rock, AR. Arkansas Department of Higher Education Dr. Karon J. Rosa

2. Arkansas Career Pathways Initiative Implemented by the Arkansas Department of Higher Education (ADHE), in conjunction with Arkansas Department of Workforce Services (DWS) in 2005, and became part of a legislative mandate (Act 1705/Act514) that requires ADHE, DWS and state Workforce Investment Board (WIB) work jointly to plan for the Career Pathways Initiative (CPI). All funds are part of the Arkansas TANF block grant.

3. The Arkansas Career Pathways Initiative (CPI) is a comprehensive project designed to improve the earnings and post-secondary education attainment of Arkansas's low-income Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)-eligible adults.  The initiative provides funding for two-year colleges to develop career pathways programs that assist TANF-eligible adults to earn a marketable educational credential for immediate entry into a high demand occupation.  The Career Pathways Initiative emphasizes such program components as job readiness skills, basic academic skills preparation, remediation, and post-secondary credentials tied to high wage, high demand occupations. Intensive student services are provided for students in the program. CPI fosters strong connections among two-year colleges, students, community-based organizations, state agencies, and employers.  The primary purpose of the initiative is to address the “education gap” as a vehicle through which the “economic gap” can be closed. Overview

4. Provide an educational, work-based program that will assist low-income people to gain skills that lead to self-sufficiency. Encourage upward educationaland career mobilityfor the target group of low-skilled, low-wage workers. Purpose

5. Improve work participation rates Enhance basic skills Increase attainment of college-level certificates and associate degrees Improve job retention, advancement and wage progression Reduce welfare recidivism Increase self-sufficiency Key Objectives

6. 49th in per capita income (AR $38,820/US 52,029). Arkansas’s economy directly related to level of education of citizens. Only 29% of 18-24 year-old Arkansans are enrolled in college. Low-income young adults—twice as likely not to attend college. Why Career Pathways Initiative in Arkansas?

7. Arkansas Per Capita Personal Income as a Percent of U.S. Average 1960-2005 Source: Regional Economic Information System, Bureau of Economic Analysis, U.S. Department of Commerce

8. Randolph Baxter Carroll Benton Fulton Clay Boone Marion Izard Sharp Greene Lawrence Madison Washington Newton Searcy Mississippi Independence Stone Craighead Franklin Van Buren Poinsett Johnson Cleburne Crawford Jackson Pope Conway Cross White Logan Crittenden Sebastian Faulkner Woodruff Yell St. Francis Prairie Perry Scott Pulaski Lonoke Lee Monroe Garland Saline Phillips Montgomery Polk 24,990 to 35,264 Grant Arkansas Hot Spring 23,141 to 24,990 Jefferson Pike 22,221 to 23,141 Sevier Clark Dallas 20,851 to 22,221 Cleveland Howard Lincoln Desha 17,618 to 20,851 Hempstead Little River Ouachita Drew Nevada Calhoun Miller Bradley Columbia Ashley Chicot Union Lafayette Per Capita Personal Income Source: Bureau of Economic Analysis, 2004

9. Median Earnings by Degree Level Note: Data represent persons age 25-64 with positive earnings working 35+ hours per week. Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2005 PUMS

10. 80.3% 84.9% 6.2% 20.3% 6.5% Arkansas Educational Attainment and Rank (Percent) Among States Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2005 American Community Survey (ACS)

11. Eligibility… • Initiative serves current and former Transitional Employment Assistance (TEA) recipients, (W to W $$$) or TANF eligible students, currently or newly enrolled at one of the participating public two-year colleges in Arkansas or in a program administered by participating two-year colleges. • An adult caretaker, parent or relative of a child living in the home under the age of 21 deemed financially needy because they are/have: • A former or current recipient of TEA cash assistance; or • A current recipient of Food Stamps, ARKids or Medicaid; or • Earnings are at the 250% of the FPL or less

12. Working adults do not fit into traditional higher education models. Few Arkansas programs are developed for low-income working adults. Benefits accrue to everyone in state. Why Focus on Low-Income Adults?

13. Arkansas Career Pathways Initiative Funded by $50 million in TANF Funds • ADHE received $8 million in TANF funds July 1, 2005 – June 30, 2006. • $8 million in TANF funds July 1, 2006 – June 30, 2007. • $12 million in TANF from July 1, 2007 – June 30, 2008. • $12 million in TANF from July 1, 2008 – June 30, 2009. • FY10=$12 million in TANF. • FY11=$13 million in TANF • Twenty-five community colleges and technical institutes provide “in-kind”.

14. Arkansas Department of Higher Education determines which two-year colleges receive grant awards that range from $175,000-$700,000 in FY10. Grants are based on: • Institutional Performance in Prior Year • Institutional Spending in Prior Year • Goals and Objectives for Upcoming Year • Students Enrolled TANF funds may be utilized for the following purposes: • Portion of salary and fringe benefits that can be documented as supporting TANF eligible students. • Portion of maintenance and operating costs that can be documented as supporting TANF eligible students. • Expenditures consistent with the scope and activities as defined for the Career Pathways Initiative (tuition, transportation, childcare). Grant Awards to 25 Sites

15. Institutional and instructional transformation. Over 300 pathways have been mapped for local high-wage, high-demand job categories. Supports and tools to help students succeed such as tutoring, intrusive advising, and community outreach. Partnerships and Employer Involvement for student support and employment. Features…

17. Manufacturing Health care and social assistance Transportation and warehousing Professional and technical services Management of companies and enterprises Arkansas Targeted Job Categories

18. Active partnerships for student support Economic Development strategy Employer validation of educational pathways Employer involvement Employers support for graduates Partnerships and Employer Involvement

19. Student Advising and Career Planning Internships College and Workforce Readiness and Prep Case Management Career Support Services Enhanced Student Support

20. Student success rate 16 points higher when compared to other community college students (Students completed or retained from Fall to Fall) Over 18,000 adults enrolled. Over 14,000 certificate and degrees awarded. Entered Employment goal met when matched to Unemployment Insurance Data. Program Successes

21. Success with a “W”Women Welders and Workforce Center at MSCC SAU-Tech- The TANF grant project kicked off this summer with the enrollment of several women along with men in the welding course. The female students pictured, ChasiaStaten,left, and Jacqueline Cotton, joined the class, ready to learn the techniques of welding. Theyalso participated in learning how to operate a fork lift.

22. MSCC Presents Diesel, Machining Tools to Career Pathways Students

23. Student SuccessEmerging Scholars Emerging Scholars CPI Students “I always thought I wasn’t smart enough to go to college,” Kelly Treadwell said as she was presented with an honor certificate and $100 check denoting her selection as an Emerging Scholar.  “Now I know I am,” she said as she wiped away a tear.  A single mom at 40, Kelly moved from California to Harrison and began attending college at Northark.  Alice Switzer of Marshall said she had been a stay at home mother and decided to go back to work.  When she began looking for a job she had a choice to either work at a factory or a gas station.  She chose to attend college and become a teacher. _________________________________________ Dr. Gwen Gresham, vice president of learning at Northark said, While listening to the four stories, I am thinking you are exactly what North Arkansas College is all about.  You are here to make your families lives better and each of you represents the best of what we are doing at this college.”  Emerging Scholars shown left to right are Loretta Bryan of Harrison, Alice Switzer of Marshall, Kelly Treadwell and Christopher Flippo of Harrison. Instructors at the college nominated students as Emerging Scholars based on their academic performance, ability to meet their educational goals and exemplary character.  Candidates were then voted upon by faculty members to reach final selections. 

24. CPI is a National Model Seattle Jobs Initiative is pleased to announce the publication of a new report, “Charting a Path: An Exploration of the Statewide Career Pathway Efforts in Arkansas, Kentucky, Oregon, Washington and Wisconsin.” Supported by the Working Poor Families Project as well as the City of Seattle Office of Economic Development, this report examines the role the state can play in instituting the career pathways framework, which can be a key strategy for linking low-income, low-skilled adults to education and training that leads to family supporting jobs.  The report documents the strategies, challenges, and lessons learned from these states in implementing this approach and should serve as a resource for other states that are interested in utilizing a career pathways framework.

25. Arkansas Career Pathways Initiative Arkansas Department of Higher Education 2010