Seamless Transition for ARkansas

05/11/2026

✨Grant Partner Spotlight: Arkansas Rehabilitation Services✨

Arkansas Rehabilitation Services (ARS) is a division of the Arkansas Department of Commerce that provides vocational rehabilitation services to Arkansans with disabilities. ARS supports individuals in preparing for, obtaining, and maintaining employment through career counseling, training services, work-based learning support, and individualized employment planning.

Through partnership and alignment with ARS priorities, STAR-supported initiatives are positioned within broader statewide efforts related to:

• Vocational rehabilitation and employment services
• Career counseling and individualized planning
• Work-based learning and job training supports
• Competitive integrated employment outcomes

Collaboration with ARS helps ensure that transition-focused efforts are coordinated between schools and vocational rehabilitation services, supporting continuity from secondary education into the workforce.

05/08/2026

Have you heard of Smart 911? Smart 911 allows you to create profiles for people in your household and provides 911 operators and first responders with important information about those living in your home. Check them out!

This service helps 9-1-1 protect your family by providing more information to first responders. You should sign up too, it is free!

05/07/2026

If you are a driver in Arkansas and have a disability that impedes your ability to communicate, you can apply for a Communication Impediment Decal to be displayed on your vehicle. This can improve the way a driver with communication differences interacts with law enforcement officials. Click the link below to review the form.

05/06/2026

Are you a driver in Arkansas who has Autism or a mental illness? If so, then you should check out the Blue Envelope or Green Envelope program. The Blue Envelope program is designed to improve interactions between people with Autism and law enforcement during vehicle-related interactions. The Green Envelope program is designed to improve interactions between people with mental illnesses and law enforcement during vehicle-related interactions. Both of these programs are FREE! You can click the link below to learn more information or request your envelope. You can also obtain your envelope from your local DMV office.

04/30/2026

🎉 You’re Invited! 🎉
Pine Bluff Career Council Transition Fair
Cinco de Mayo Celebration

Join us for a fun and informative evening designed to connect students, parents, and families with valuable resources in our community!

📅 Date: Tuesday, May 5, 2026
🕠 Time: 5:30 PM
📍 Location: Arkansas River Education Service Cooperative

✨ What to Expect:

Meet local organizations that provide support for families and youth

Access resources for education, employment, healthcare, and daily living

Learn about services for students with disabilities and transition support

Discover programs for housing, food assistance, transportation, and more

Enjoy a festive Cinco de Mayo-themed atmosphere with refreshments and door prizes!

🎯 Who Should Attend?

Students (all grade levels)

Parents and guardians

Families looking for community support and resources

04/30/2026

Mena High School students are having a blast at Film Camp!

04/28/2026

✨Grant Partner Spotlight: Arkansas Transition Services✨

Arkansas Transition Services supports schools and educators in strengthening transition planning for students with disabilities. ATS focuses on improving systems, practices, and collaboration that prepare students for life after high school and to reach their goals.

Through partnership and alignment with statewide transition priorities, STAR-supported initiatives connect with broader efforts related to:

• Individualized transition planning
• Postsecondary readiness
• Work-based learning access
• Interagency collaboration

Regular coordination with transition-focused initiatives helps ensure that students are able to participate in consistent planning, receive structured supports, and build clear pathways from secondary education into postsecondary education, training, employment and community participation.

04/06/2026

Don’t miss this amazing opportunity!

🎬 𝐋𝐀𝐒𝐓 𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐍𝐂𝐄 𝐓𝐎 𝐀𝐏𝐏𝐋𝐘! 🎬
Don’t miss your opportunity to join our Film Camp!

🎥 Hands‑on camera work
📝 Scriptwriting
🎤 Real interviews
💻 Editing
✨ Career exploration in the film industry

Spots are filling up fast so apply now at: tinyurl.com/2026atsfilmcamp

04/02/2026

🌟 Shooting Star Alert: Alma High School! 🌟

Alma students are putting Pathful—an interactive career exploration platform that helps students discover career pathways and build real-world skills—to work! 💡

📊 Check out these numbers:
• 729 videos watched
• 114 lessons completed
• 705 employability videos
• 65+ hours on the platform

This dedication to career exploration and skill-building is what creates real opportunities for students. We love seeing this momentum! 🔥

03/16/2026

Now is your chance to apply to Project SEARCH! Applications are being accepted through March 30th.

🚨SECOND CHANCE ALERT: Project SEARCH Arkansas Applications Now Open Again Through March 30!

If you know an individual who would benefit from this program but missed the first deadline, this is their opportunity to submit their application for the 2026-2027 program year. Project SEARCH helps young adults gain real-world job skills, build confidence, grow independence, and discover their purpose through meaningful workplace experience.

All second-round applications will be considered for remaining openings after the first-round selection process is complete, as well as alternate placements that may become available throughout the program year.

Second-round applications are open for most Project SEARCH Arkansas: ACCESS Initiative sites*, including:
📍University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (Little Rock)
📍 Arkansas Children's Hospital Project SEARCH (Little Rock)
📍 CHI St. Vincent Project SEARCH (Hot Springs)
📍Ouachita County Medical Center Project SEARCH (Camden)
📍Mercy Fort Smith Project SEARCH (Fort Smith)
📍University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff Project SEARCH (Pine Bluff)
📍Arkansas Children's Northwest Project SEARCH (Springdale)

*St. Bernards Project SEARCH in Jonesboro will NOT be accepting a second round of applications for the 2026-2027 program year.

Apply Today: https://projectsearcharkansas.org/