Community Programs

Mission & Vision Statement
The Workforce Development Office works to build individual self-efficacy and provide employers with a quality workforce through the provision of assessment, supportive services and employability skills training to eligible residents of the Greater Little Rock Metropolitan Area.

The staff, service providers, council members and city officials defined the office's mission - to affirm guiding principles for effectiveness and to establish key result areas. They determined that the following principles must co-exist:

• Teamwork
  
• Respect
  
• Trust
  
• Empowered Environment
  
• Accountability and Customer Focus
  

To achieve maximum effectiveness in providing services the workforce development office must be monitor the following hey result areas continuously:

• Internal/External Customer Satisfaction
  
• Attainment of Performance Standards
  
• Participant Completion of Training
  
• Staff Training
  
• Developed Linkages/Networking
  

Workforce Investment Board
The duties of the Workforce Investment Board are to make recommendations regarding job training and provide for continuing analysis of needs for employment, training and related services in such areas. Members are approved by the mayor from Private Industry Council nominations. The Board is composed of the following:

• 11 private sector representatives
  
• 10 public sector representatives consisting of:
  
  • 2 community-based organization representatives
    
  • 2 organized labor representatives
    
  • 1 rehabilitation representative
    
  • 1 economic development representative
    
  • 1 public employment representative
    
  • 2 education representatives
    
  • 1 public assistance representative.
    The Workforce Investment Board meets quarterly and meetings are usually held in the Board of Directors Chamber at City Hall.

Service Delivery Method
The Workforce Development Office coordinates activities within the labor market area with other programs and service providers which serve JTPA eligible clientele. Through the use of a referral resource guide, staff are identify programs and service providers. Cooperative agreements are developed to ensure maximum access to program information.

The Workforce Development staff continually review labor market information data which depicts the employment and unemployment levels within the service areas. Localized Annual Planning Information prepared by the Arkansas Employment Security Department is used to identify the potentially eligible population, significant segments by age and ethnic origin, and the projected numbers of targeted groups within the eligible population. Additionally, the Private Industry Council through coordination with other boards and/or planning groups, provide information on employment and training needs in the Labor Market Area. The compilation of this information is used for program planning.

Two Service Delivery Areas (SDA) exist in the same labor market area: Little Rock and Central Arkansas. The procedures ensure that individuals residing in the two SDA's have access to skills training and employment opportunities throughout the entire labor market as outlined in the Central Arkansas/Little Rock SDA cooperative agreement.

Training occurs within those occupations identified as being in demand or having growth potential. (A Demand Occupations List is available for review in the Workforce Development Office at City Hall.) Training may be provided for a period of up to three years. Training may also be provided for eligible individuals desiring to complete four-year degree programs, if such individuals have attained the status of Junior classification with a minimum of sixty (60) credit hours. Prospective vendors with the capacity to train in areas for which a substantiated need can be verified are sought. Those occupations considered reflect the following: increasing wage potential, long-term employment and an opportunity for upward mobility.

Participant placement is ensured through the use of on-the-job training contracts, which by their concept require employers to hire participants upon completion of training. Based on participant needs or program objectives, current worksites in demand with positive evaluations will continue to be used. New worksites will be developed through program staff visits, marketing efforts and coordination with other agencies.

Additionally, procedures to ensure placement retention of participants in unsubsidized jobs resulting in increased earnings and reduced welfare payments are implemented through contractual agreements which have placement as an element of performance. Service providers have the primary responsibility for placement and retention of participants.

Application Process
Although there is a desire to assist any citizen requesting assistance through this office, eligibility is limited by funding and federal program guidelines. Therefore, priority is limited to the following groups:

• economically disadvantaged
  
• pregnant/parenting youth
  
• TANF recipients
  
• SSI (Supplemental Security Income) recipients
  
• Food Stamp recipients
  
• dropouts
  
• ex-offenders
  
• disabled individuals (including learning disabled)
  
• those who have been terminated or laid off and are receiving unemployment benefits
  
• single parents/displaced homemakers
  
• homeless or runaways
  
• educational attainment one or more grade levels below the grade level
• appropriate to the individual's age
  

The first steps in applying for assistance are to sign in on an applicant logbook and complete a Self-Assessment Form. These forms are available in the Department of Community Programs Office, Room 220W at City Hall (500 West Markham). Once this form has been completed and returned to this office, staff review the information on the form and determine eligibility. After this process has been completed the application is forwarded to one of the Workforce Development Specialists who then contsct the applicant within two (2) weeks of the application date.

The City of Little Rock and JTPA are Equal Opportunity Employers. Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities.