Workforce Services

About

The Arkansas Division of Workforce Services is a division of the Arkansas Department of Commerce and consists of four major sections, including Workforce Services, Adult Education, Arkansas Rehabilitation Services, and Services for the Blind. Each section is responsible for the administration of multiple state and federal grants, along with the programs they fund, and the services they provide to Arkansans.

The four major agency sections have staff in local offices across the state, often within the Arkansas Workforce Centers. To view locations, click on one of the links below.

Click here to find an Arkansas Workforce Center

Click here to find an Adult Education Center

Click here to find a Rehabilitation Services office

Click here to find a Services for the Blind office

While program staff work in various office locations, most administrative staff work in one of two central office locations in Little Rock. The Workforce Services administrative office is located at #2 Capitol Mall, while Adult Education, Rehabilitation Services, and Services for the Blind administrative staff work in the Arkansas Department of Commerce building at 1 Commerce Way.

DWS is unique from other state agencies because it is mostly federally-funded. DWS does not earn a profit, and the agency’s success is measured by its ability to meet the needs of Arkansas’ employers and job seekers. The Arkansas Legislature appropriates the agency’s funds and has the authority to pass legislation affecting agency programs and services on a state level. As a result, DWS adheres to both state and federal laws and regulations. The size of the agency’s budget and staffing levels are adapted to best meet the needs of the state and its customers while balancing the requirements of stakeholders.

Agency Updates

Click the link below to view valuable information about DWS and its programs presented by DWS Director, Dr. Charisse Childers.

Agency Announcements Presentation July 2022

Administration

Charisse Childers, Ph.D., Agency Director
501-682-2121 | charisse.childers@arkansas.gov

Jay Bassett, DWS Deputy Director
501-682-3142 | jay.bassett@arkansas.gov

Courtney Traylor, DWS Deputy Director
501-682-3125 | courtney.traylor@arkansas.gov

Trenia Miles, Ed.D., Director
Adult Education – 501-683-7334 | trenia.miles@arkansas.gov

Joseph Baxter, Commissioner
Arkansas Rehabilitation Services – 501-296-1614 | joseph.baxter@arkansas.gov

Cassondra Williams-Stokes, D.M., Director
Division of Services for the Blind – 501-682-0361 | cassondra.williams@arkansas.gov

Vision:

To accelerate economic growth and individual prosperity in the state of Arkansas.

Mission:

To support and secure Arkansas’ economic vitality through a highly skilled workforce by administering programs and providing efficient services that empower employers and job seekers.

Core Values:

A: Accountability – We concern ourselves with the responsibilities we have to our customers, state, agency partners, and colleagues. Accordingly, we use good judgment when making decisions, and we take ownership of our actions.

D: Discipline – We demonstrate discipline in our thoughts and actions, always striving to improve our processes and never settling for mediocrity.

A: Agility – We are flexible and embrace innovation in order to align ourselves with our ever-changing world.

P: Passion – We are dedicated to improving the well-being of our state and show pride and enthusiasm in providing quality services to our customers.

T: Teamwork – We care about each other both professionally and personally, and we are cooperative with each other and our partners, uniting to achieve a common mission.

Strategic Plan – 2018:

ADWS Strategic Plan

White DWS Logo

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

FROM THE ARKANSAS DIVISION OF WORKFORCE SERVICES​

Looking for a job?

Visit Arkansas JobLink and set up your job-seeker account to create and post resumes, search for jobs and training opportunities, receive notifications when certain jobs are posted, and learn about upcoming hiring events!

Whether you are unemployed and searching for work, or looking to increase your skillset to further your career, we can help. Visit an Arkansas Workforce Center to meet with a career counselor, get help with job search and applications, learn about training opportunities, get certified as "work-ready", and more. We can provide services and connect you to resources that will help you achieve your employment and career goals.

New FOIA Request Portal

Now Arkansas citizens can submit FOIA requests to ADWS through an easy-to-use online portal! Click the link below to submit a request.

Submit a FOIA Request

ADWS provides interpretation and translation services, at no cost, for clients who need assistance in accessing and participating in available services and programs. To request an interpreter or translator, please contact your nearest local office. 

ADWS ej lewaj jerbal in ukok ilo jeje im kennaan, ilo ejjelok wōnāān, ñan client ro am ak ro kimij jerbal ippair im rej aikuij jipañ ñan bok kunairilo jerbal ko iim pirokiraam ko. Ñan am kajjitōk juon ri-ukok, jouij im kepaake opij eo epaake ijo kwoj pād ie.

ADWS proporciona servicios de interpretación y traducción, sin costo alguno, para clientes que necesitan asistencia accediendo y participando en servicios y programas disponibles. Para solicitar un intérprete o traductor, por favor póngase en contacto con su oficina local más cercana.

ADWS cung cấp dịch vụ thông dịch và phiên dịch miễn phí cho khách hàng cần trợ giúp trong việc tiếp cận và tham gia các dịch vụ và chương trình hiện có. Để yêu cầu thông dịch viên hoặc phiên dịch viên, yêu cầu liên lạc với văn phòng địa phương gần nhất.

ພະແນກ ADWS ຈັດຫາບໍຣິການນາຍພາສາແລະການແປເອກະສານ ໂດຍບໍ່ຄິດຄ່າບໍຣິການ ສຳລັບຄົນງານທີ່ຕ້ອງການຄວາມຊ່ວຍເຫລືອເພື່ອເຂົ້າເຖິງ ແລະເຂົ້າຮ່ວມໃນ ການຮັບບໍຣິການແລະໂຄງການຕ່າງໆທີ່ມີຢູ່ສຳລັບທ່ານ. ຂໍໃຫ້ທ່ານຈົ່ງຕິດຕໍ່ຫ້ອງການທ້ອງຖິ່ນທີ່ໃກ້ທ່ານທີ່ສຸດ ເພື່ອຂໍຮັບບໍຣິການຈາກນາຍພາສາຫລືນັກແປເອກະສານ.