The Central Arkansas Workforce Development Board works with many valuable partners throughout Central Arkansas. We could not accomplish our goal in employing Arkansans at a higher wage employment and enhancing individual’s quality of life without their help.
The Central Arkansas Development Council (CADC) is a non-profit community action agency in Arkansas that has been in operation since 1965. Their mission is to alleviate the causes and conditions of poverty, to help vulnerable populations achieve their potential, and to build strong communities in Arkansas through community action.
Currently CADC covers 19 Arkansas counties and has continuously supported the Central Arkansas Workforce Development Area. They strive to help low income individuals and families improve their lives by becoming more self-sufficient and believes all individuals and families should have the opportunity to flourish.
CADC promotes self-help for individuals and families by developing and delivering programs and services that meet the needs of hard-working low-income families and rural communities, which are divided into nine areas of service and are listed below.
Free Tax Service: VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program) is free tax preparation and electronic filing by certified, trained volunteers. This is a program for income qualified individuals and families. CADC's VITA Program ensures that individuals and families receive all tax benefits for which they are eligible. The EITC is a refundable tax credit for low and moderate working taxpayers.
Head Start: The Head Start program provides educational resources, as well as health and dental services, nutrition and social services to children from low-income families. The program ensures three and four year old children are ready to learn when transitioning to kindergarten. Head Start offers parents training and resources to support their child’s educational achievement.
Financial Literacy: The Financial Literacy program is designed to help people become more financially self-sufficient.
Home Energy Assistance: The Low-Income Program (LIHEAP) provides families with short-term fuel assistance. Persons receiving LIHEAP are connected to family development resources, which provide a link to long-term resources to help families become self-reliant. CADC’s Family Development Program offers Assurance 16, which provides (on a limited basis) a financial incentive to persons completing economic literacy workshops.
Senior Activity Centers: Senior Activity Centers give persons 60 and older the chance to enjoy meals and social activities with other senior citizens who have a common interest. Activities offered at the SACs include exercise, transportation, recreational event, book clubs, computer training, motivational speakers, nutrition, guided tours, and more. SACS offer opportunities for persons to participate in health fairs, legislative events, and explore new areas of Arkansas.
Single Parent Scholarship Fund: The SPSF program provides financial assistance to single parents. The scholarship can be used to cover emergencies – barriers that often keep single parents from attending school or may cause them to drop out of school. Each participant is provided counseling and referrals in the program as they continue their college education.
Public Transportation: The South Central Arkansas Transit (SCAT) and Greyhound programs keep individuals and families connected to safe, reliable transportation services. Through SCAT, public transportation is available at a reduced rate to any person, regardless of income. The service supports a person’s efforts to better their lives. SCAT also provides non-emergency medical transportation. CADC serves as a ticket agent for Greyhound, a service designed to connect rural communities with urban areas.
USDA Commodities: CADC participates in the USDA Commodity Food program distributing canned and packaged foods to eligible households. The program enhances the nutritional status of children, seniors, and communities, ensuring a better quality of life in the 19-county service area. In the Summer Food Service Program, low-income children and youth have access to well-balanced diets all through the year. In this program, CADC partners with community based youth mentoring programs to provide nutritious meals to children during the summer months.
Weatherization: The Weatherization program is designed to make homes more energy efficient and safe. The program is a proven method of reducing high-energy costs and conserving energy in the home. Households can receive attic and wall insulation, weather-stripping of doors and windows, caulking and sealing cracks and holes, storm window installation, furnace retrofitting, and other measures to reduce the energy consumption in the home.
