2023 ACCESS Impact Report: Chapters of Success

Table of Contents

Our Mission

Expanding Individual Potential Through Innovative Instruction

Our Philosophy

Our 3 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 28 29 30 31

Message from ACCESS® Supporters

2023 Year in Review

ACCESS Programs Overview

ACCESS Evaluation and Resource Center

Mental Health

Therapy Services

ACCESS Early Childhood

ACCESS Academy

ACCESS Life

Project SEARCH®

CES Medicaid Waiver

A Community of Support: Volunteers

A Community of Support: Events

Your Investments at Work

Looking Ahead

Giving Back

In Gratitude

“Together, we are making a real and lasting impact, not just on the individuals ACCESS serves, but on our entire community.”

Message from ACCESS Supporters

Dear Friends,

It is our pleasure to write to you with grateful hearts for your gifts of time and resources to a nonprofit that is so dear to us. The mission and work of ACCESS is truly commendable, empowering individuals with language, learning, and developmental disabilities to lead independent lives and make meaningful contributions to their communities. ACCESS’s excellent, dedicated team and their innovative, person-centered programs are essential in providing best-in-class support for the individuals and families they serve.

For 29 years, ACCESS has made a positive impact on this community, and its growth over that time has been impressive. Since the organization’s founding in 1994, ACCESS has grown to an annual operating budget of more than $19,000,000, providing a wide array of services for over 900 children and young adults each year.

This growth and success would not be possible without the dedication of the ACCESS team of more than 400 employees who deliver unique, educational curriculum, high-quality therapy services, and vocational training experiences to help individuals with developmental disabilities reach their full potential, along with the generous philanthropic support from people such as yourself, local and national businesses and corporations, and a variety of foundations who aim to better communities across our state.

Lynn and I hope you will be inspired as you read through this publication which highlights the success stories and outcomes associated with ACCESS’s work. These successes are a testament to the organization’s commitment to its mission: Expanding Individual Potential Through Innovative Instruction. Lynn and I are very encouraged to see a community come together to build confidence, independence, and success for clients with special needs. Together, we are making a real and lasting

impact, not just on the individuals ACCESS serves, but on our entire community.

The power of this community is uplifting and extends beyond the traditional roles of service providers and recipients. ACCESS is about more than just providing a menu of services; it is about building a supportive and inclusive community. ACCESS offers hope, encouragement, and a sense of belonging to individuals and their families. Here, everyone is working together to create opportunities for success and positive change. The phrase “together, this community changes lives” summarizes the essence of what ACCESS stands for. It highlights the transformative impact of collective effort and collaboration.

In a world where individuals with developmental disabilities may face unique challenges, the presence of such a caring and dedicated community can be a beacon of hope. The ACCESS community demonstrates the power of unity and shared purpose in making a meaningful and lasting impact on the lives of those they, and you through your generous support, serve.

Lynn and I extend our appreciation to you for being a valuable part of this ACCESS community and family. Our collective efforts are truly making a difference and changing lives for the better, building brighter futures and greater independence.

With grateful hearts,

Lynn and George

Lynn and George O’Connor

Lynn and George O’Connor with their children and grandchildren

2023 ACCESS Year in Review

March 30

ACCESS hosts a hiring fair for therapy students and professionals, unveils new sensory spaces at the Kelly O’Connor Therapy Gym.

March

April 12

ACCESS is thrilled to be back at Central Arkansas Christian School (CAC) for the CAC Track Meet after a three-year hiatus. Athletes train for the Arkansas Special Olympics State Competition.

April

March 31

Tornado hits the ACCESS Stella Boyle Smith Early Childhood campus, causes significant damage and relocation of Early Childhood services to Fellowship Bible Church – Midtown.

August 14

ACCESS begins its 29th year of services.

May

May 2023

Tammy Simmons named 2023

DentaQuest Health Equity Hero.

August

October 2023

Tennis Courts at the ACCESS Academy and Young Adult campus are resurfaced to include a multi-recreational space for new social, recreational, and therapy opportunities.

September

September 2023

ACCESS Life releases new line of pressed flower art at Blue Umbrella, a unique gift shop offering handmade items by Arkansas artisans with developmental and intellectual disabilities.

October 28

ACCESS hosts Starry Starry Night: The 25th Chapter, a wonderful night for ACCESS full of impactful stories and a record level of support!

October December

October 20

Annual ACCESS Early Childhood fall fest allows students to participate in various fall activities, from hayrides to visiting farm animals and pumpkin picking, cleaning, weighing, and more.

December 7

Students at the ACCESS Academy brought their best performances to the annual ACCESS Academy Sing-off at Fellowship Bible Church – Midtown. Classes battled it out for the winning title!

ACCESS Programs Overview

Since 1994, ACCESS has been offering services to individuals with developmental delays, language and learning disorders, and other special needs. Through the years, the organization has expanded to bring new services to those we serve based on the need within the community.

ACCESS Evaluation & Resource Center

The ACCESS Evaluation and Resource Center uses a variety of services to help youth and adolescents unlock their true potential. Through comprehensive evaluations, our team of experts can discover a client’s unique patterns of strengths and weaknesses to determine underlying developmental, learning, behavioral, or mental health diagnoses. Once identified, our evaluators work with families to create a plan to help clients achieve success.

ACCESS Early Childhood

ACCESS Early Childhood is a languageintensive program that uses unique, literacy-based curriculum, team approach, and specifically-engineered classrooms to help children with developmental delays receive the early intervention they need.

ACCESS Academy

ACCESS Academy is Arkansas’s most comprehensive school for children with language and learning disabilities or developmental delays. Specialized teaching methods, a team approach, and individualized goals give school-aged children the confidence and tools they need to achieve personal success.

ACCESS Therapy

Therapy is the heart of what we do at ACCESS and the foundation upon which our organization is built. Through speech, occupational, physical, and feeding therapies, our team of experts works with clients to develop the skills needed to participate more fully within their communities.

Mental Health Counseling

The ACCESS Evaluation and Resource Center houses ACCESS’s mental health program. Our team of mental health experts offers counseling for youth and adolescents for a variety of diagnoses such as anxiety, depression, and more. With an array of strategies at their disposal, these experts can tailor a plan to each child and family to give them the tools they need to embrace their challenges and better enjoy their daily lives.

ACCESS Adult Programs

ACCESS offers two adult programs to give individuals with disabilities opportunities to achieve purpose and independence.

ACCESS Life offers a unique program that helps young adults refine daily living skills, vocational skills, self-care and more. Project SEARCH Arkansas: ACCESS Initiative in partnership with Arkansas Rehabilitation Services is a nine-month internship program for young adults with developmental disabilities providing on-the-job vocational and job readiness training along with follow along support to help them find and maintain competitive, integrated employment.

Community Integration

ACCESS offers CES Medicaid Waiver services for qualifying individuals, providing a variety of support to help clients participate in the community of their choice. ACCESS provides supportive living, supported employment, respite coordination, and professional consultation services.

ACCESS Evaluation and Resource Center

Total Evaluations: 120*

Average Diagnoses per Evaluation: 1.79**

Top Five Diagnoses from the ACCESS Evaluation and Resource Center (AERC)

1 2 3 4 5

Attention-Deficit/ Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

Specific Learning Disorder with Impairment in Reading (ie. Dyslexia)

Anxiety Disorder

Autism Spectrum Disorder

Specific Learning Disorder with Impairment

*Includes all evaluations performed on site at the AERC during the 2022-23 fiscal year. Does not include evaluations contracted through Friendship Aspire in Pine Bluff, Arkansas. **Includes new diagnoses made through evaluations at the AERC. Does not include previous diagnoses already made through prior evaluations. ***Includes new diagnoses from all evaluations performed on site at the AERC during the 2022-23 fiscal year.

Services Provided by the AERC Through Evaluations

Comprehensive Evaluations | Rule Outs Waiver Evaluations | Mental Health Evaluations

Did you know the AERC serves families from throughout Arkansas and it’s neighboring states? Contact an admissions specialist to learn more. 501.217.8600

Academic Therapy

During the 2022-23 fiscal year, the AERC provided academic therapy to 36 clients across 15 Central Arkansas schools, including treating clients onsite at 6 schools as well as at the ACCESS Academy and Young Adult campus.

Academic therapy assists clients with learning differences by using specialized teaching methods to help clients understand and use different learning strategies to achieve academic success.

“Hannah was diagnosed with dyslexia in 4th grade. She is such a hard worker but her grades were barely passing. Her teachers used to say, ‘Hannah works so hard.

It’s as if she can run around the school 100 times but still end up with barely passing grades.’ Hannah’s academic therapists at ACCESS have given her the right tools to overcome her academic difficulties. She has found better study habits than her twin, now understanding how to get the most from studying. We have since seen Hannah grow by leaps and bounds, and not just in academics. She is now able to push herself in other areas of life. Hannah likes to live by a quote from Malcolm Gladwell asking, “Would you ever wish dyslexia on a child?” The answer for Hannah is “YES”!  She was the underdog that continues to excel. She knows hard work, and with the right tools such as those learned through academic therapy, she knows she will achieve.

- Kim Crank, ACCESS Parent

Unlocking Potential: How Shakavia’s Journey Through the AERC Provided a Pathway to Success

On July 7, 2017, a beautiful little girl named Shakavia Tra’miya Highsmith entered the world, weighing 4 pounds 12.9 ounces. As she grew, her mother Nekena Litzsey and her family noticed peculiarities in her behavior. “As time went by, we started noticing little things about her,” recalled Nekena. “By the age of two, we noticed her spinning around in circles regularly, flapping her hands, putting non-food items in her mouth like ice, dirt, sticks, dust, etc., and her moods changing frequently.” At three, she developed specific routines and struggled with changes, resisting tasks outside her comfort zone.

At age four, Shakavia entered the Headstart program to prepare for kindergarten. Morning drop-offs became challenging, and she preferred solitude over interacting with peers. Her behaviors escalated at age five, drawing attention at school. “She was biting and hitting her teachers after being told what to do multiple times,” explained Nekena. “She refused to stay focused on the task that she and the rest of class were instructed to do, and she would throw temper tantrums. My oldest daughter and I often had to check her out of school due to her disruptive behaviors.” Extra measures had to be put into place to ensure Shakavia’s safety as she often ran from adults.

me right away, and we scheduled an appointment for Shakavia in a reasonable time frame,” Nekena said. When the time came for the evaluation, Nekena and Shakavia traveled to Little Rock from South Arkansas and met with an ACCESS Evaluation Expert.

The evaluation at ACCESS was the first step to the answers Nekena had been looking for. “During our appointment, the ACCESS Evaluation Expert observed Shakavia while she talked to me about everything we had been dealing with over the past several years,” remembered Nekena. “She explained to me in detail what steps she would be taking to help Shakavia.” The evaluation confirmed diagnoses of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), as well as Pica, a condition where a person compulsively swallows nonfood items. “Once we had our diagnoses, Mrs. Newton expedited the process to provide Shakavia the support she needed. After the appointment, I was provided with a list of places to contact for therapy for her diagnoses.”

Nekena and family also struggled with Shakavia’s needs at home. “The only ways to keep her in a good mood were to put on her favorite TV show, give her fidget toys, and to provide toy cars which she would always line up,” Nekena shared. “As time went by, I became more stressed,” said Nekena. “I knew I needed help.”

Nekena searched online for diagnostic evaluation options, but she found that most options had long waiting periods or questionable reviews. However, Nekena noticed that the ACCESS Evaluation and Resource Center had a high rating and excellent reviews, so she called immediately. “ACCESS reached back out to

Post-diagnosis, Shakavia commenced therapy closer to home in Fordyce, Arkansas. Her therapy focused on redirecting negative behaviors, emphasizing appropriate social interactions, and introducing coping mechanisms. The impact was significant, as Shakavia progressed to first grade with remarkable improvements: enhanced socialization, reduced aggression, improved focus, and a newfound ability to share positive daily experiences. “She excelled academically, achieving A’s and B’s throughout kindergarten and maintaining an all-A’s honor roll in first grade,” Nekena proudly shared. “Shakavia’s newfound calmness even allowed her to participate in her first play, marking a significant milestone.”

Nekena continues to echo her gratitude for Shakavia’s transformative journey. “I want to give a very special thank you to ACCESS for helping my baby get the support she needed,” she said. Shakavia’s story highlights that with the right intervention and support, children can overcome obstacles, thrive academically, and participate in their families and communities in a positive and rewarding way.

“To the parents who may be feeling exhausted trying to figure out how to help their child, please give ACCESS a call,” urged Nekena. “The experts there can help guide you every step of the way.”

Top Diagnoses Treated Through Mental Health Services During 2022-23 Fiscal Year

Positive Changes Through Therapy *Drawing created by

Types of Services

Total Mental Health Clients Served: 161

Mental Health By Age Group

104 Children Age 0-12

46 Children Age 13-17

11 Adults Age 18+

*Mental Health services only provided to adults that are participants in one of ACCESS’s adult programs.

3,358

Total Sessions:

674 GROUP SESSIONS

502 FAMILY SESSIONS

32 CRISES SESSIONS

The Power of Positive Mental Health: How Mental Health Therapy Gave the Carter Kids the Tools for Success

Story by Suzanne Carter

When our son Max’s anxiety started impacting him and our family in many hard and potentially dangerous ways, our pediatrician recommended three things –medication, comprehensive testing, and therapy. I knew immediately that the only people I would trust with something so serious was the ACCESS Evaluation and Resource Center (AERC). My children have grown up at ACCESS, and this was big and scary, but being at ACCESS made it feel like home.

Mental health therapy was the thing that made the biggest and fastest impact on Max’s life. He instantly had a “safe place” with his therapist and someone with whom he could process all of his big fears and emotions. (His therapist was and still is a household name!) Through therapy, Max learned to name his emotions, coping strategies to deal with them, and that he did not need to be fearful of his big feelings. This quickly became something that impacted our whole family. We learned strategies from Max’s therapist that helped my husband and I be better parents to Max, and to his sisters as well.

her be there as his therapist. It was like a weight lifted – I didn’t have to figure out the root cause, the strategy, the replacement behavior, the road map. I just had to reach out to his therapist, talk through the issue, and she helped us make a plan. Max no longer attends mental health therapy weekly, because he has the tools he needs for now. We know that’s a huge testimony to him and his therapist, because that was the goal all along, to get Max what he needed to cope. We know that he can and probably will return to mental health therapy throughout the years as needed, and we are grateful to have that tool available to him through ACCESS.

We also had our own personal safety net in his therapist. When you have a child who struggles with a mental health issue, it’s hard to navigate being the parent and also the safe place, the therapist, the teacher – all the things. Max’s mental health therapist helped us realize that our job was to be Max’s parents and to let

Our younger daughter, Molly Margaret, started having some academic and social struggles in the third grade. Again, we knew that the AERC was the only place to help us figure out what she needed. I knew in my mama heart that we were dealing with ADHD, but I was surprised when testing uncovered some significant learning disabilities of which we were unaware. Mental health therapy was again key for our family – we had suddenly entered this world where Molly Margaret was fragile and felt defeated, but she also felt relieved to know that her struggles had a name and that she didn’t need to try to hide them anymore. The flood gates opened, and her therapy sessions became where she could process it all and make sense of some very big emotions. Molly Margaret participates in mental health therapy weekly, along with academic therapy. She looks forward to these sessions each week. Having a team that comes alongside Molly Margaret and our whole family is life changing. She is learning coping strategies, how to navigate hard social situations, and who she is as a person. As her mom, it is a privilege to watch her grow and learn. And again, we have a safety net in her therapist and can focus on being her parents.

As a tenured special educator, I know that getting services for your child is key. But as a parent I have learned that it can feel big and scary and daunting. ACCESS, the AERC, and our mental health therapists have made that feel manageable. And they have helped our kids THRIVE.

Therapy Services

Total Therapy Hours Treated

62 , 592 . 5

Total Unique Therapy Clients

559

47. 2 %

Percentage of total therapy clients who receive physical therapy

264 Physical Therapy Clients

Did You Know?

Average Therapy Hours Per Client Per Year

111.97

Includes all therapy hours treated during the 2022-23 fiscal year. All feeding therapy hours are reflected in the speech and occupational therapy hours depending on the source of treatment.

82. 3 %

Percentage of total therapy clients who receive speech therapy

460 Speech Therapy Clients

78.

5 %

Percentage of total therapy clients who receive occupational therapy

436 Occupational Therapy Clients

ACCESS offers Feeding Therapy for children ages six weeks through school age through its specially-trained speech and occupational therapy experts. Contact us today to learn more. 501.217.8600

Potential Unlocked Through Therapy

“At 18 months of age, it was clear that our son Graham was not verbally communicating as a normal toddler his age. At the suggestion of many professionals we consulted, he began speech therapy at ACCESS with their team of speech therapists. He was welcomed in as family, and each staff member at ACCESS greeted him by name at every session. After a few months of therapy and evaluation, Graham was diagnosed with Childhood Apraxia of Speech. A challenging diagnosis to overcome, his therapists addressed his language skills strategically and thoroughly, while approaching each session with fun in mind. Now at five years old, a graduate of ACCESS, he is excelling in kindergarten, and can correctly pronounce all sounds that he once struggled to communicate. We cannot thank ACCESS enough for the bright future it has provided for Graham!”

Savanna and Trav Baxter

“Our daughter Diya attended a number of physical therapy sessions over the span of about two years with Carly at ACCESS. The end results: Diya no longer walks on her tippy-toes on a constant basis, and she actually gained a number of essential skills from the physical therapy sessions! We are forever grateful. All in all, we have so much appreciation for physical therapy, and working with Carly was incredible, as she is a kind and caring individual!”

Pratima and Dharmin Patel

“Occupational therapy has helped Finch with his hand coordination, hand strength, and ability to write for longer amounts of time. He has also improved his listening skills when following multiple directions. Finally, he has shown progress in persevering when faced with a difficult task. He loves working with Hannah and looks forward to coming to ACCESS each week. We feel so fortunate to have found a place that is helping him grow and appreciates him for who he is right now.”

and Janna Jacobs

Leigh

ACCESS Early Childhood

Who We Serve: 204 Early Childhood Clients 91

Early Childhood Diagnoses

*Includes clients enrolled in the Early Childhood program during the 2022-23 academic year. Diagnoses represent those served through all therapy and educational services and may represent multiple diagnoses per client.

of Pre-K or Kindergarten Transition students who graduated from the ACCESS Early Childhood program in 2023 transitioned to a regular academic setting the following year.

Early Intervention Matters

Pre-K graduates who began receiving early intervention services at ACCESS prior to the age of two showed toward age-level development in Pre-K 4 than students who did not begin receiving early intervention services at ACCESS until after the age of two.

33% more progress

“Research shows that a child’s vocabulary by age three is the number one indicator of academic success by third grade. Early intervention is crucial to helping children with developmental delays gain the skills they need to achieve their potential, and the earlier those intervention services can begin, the sooner a child is able to reach their full potential.”

Monika Garner-Smith, M.Ed., Director of Early Childhood

Realizing Potential Through Early Intervention: Ellie’s Journey at ACCESS

Story by Heather and Ben Honaker

We were first introduced to ACCESS when our daughter Ellie was about six weeks old. She was born with Down syndrome and a number of other complex medical conditions that kept her in the hospital. She had never been outside to breathe natural air, but the team at ACCESS was already at work, propping up her parents and formulating a plan to get her body strong enough to keep her alive through her next open-heart surgery.

People tell us all the time that they don’t know how we do it, with our medically-fragile and strong-willed child. We always say that we are JUST Ellie’s parents. She has a whole army of people behind her, some we have never even met, who keep her moving forward and are teaching her how to take over the world.

From rolling over, using her mouth to swallow instead of feeding her through a tube that ran directly to her stomach, sitting up, stacking, grabbing and playing to walking then running, jumping, balancing, using a spoon and scissors, listening, sitting at circle time and saying “Mama,” this army at ACCESS is who we have to thank.

Ellie is a detailed, kind, curious and creative child who wakes up every day with two goals: to move at full-speed and to take 100% advantage of all of the opportunities in front of her. She loves hard, she loves her teachers and friends, and, most importantly to us, she loves herself.

The teachers and therapists believe in her, so she believes too. She is given goals and is held accountable, just like any typical kid, and she relishes in the responsibility. She moves through the world like she is ten feet tall and so sure of her place at the top. Not a day goes by that she doesn’t walk out of that school to the car rider line with the swagger of a high school senior – and we have ACCESS to thank for that.

There is no doubt that the Ellie we have today would not be here if we hadn’t had the incredible staff at ACCESS five years ago. Whether they are pushing us from behind to remind us to put one foot in front of the other, holding our hand to navigate a world we don’t know anything about, or leading the way by tearing down barriers, Ellie’s success is at the heart of everything they do.

When a kid like Ellie is born, her parents hear all about the things that this child won’t do. She won’t walk or talk. She won’t be able to nurse or suck on a bottle. She won’t be able to control her head. She won’t be healthy. She won’t be able to go to typical classrooms or dance class or run and play. These won’ts take hold in parents’ fears and are all we know. She won’t have her own family. She won’t be the same as others. She won’t be accepted. She won’t be happy.

But ACCESS proves the naysayers wrong. Ellie is spinning, dancing, yelling proof of that. ACCESS completely changed the game for us and does so for families like ours every day. ACCESS’s staff, teachers, therapists, and volunteers take away what keeps us up at night and show us that it just isn’t true.

“ ”

The work that the team at ACCESS does every single day is nothing short of lifechanging. The impact that this school has on kids is immeasurable, the support they give to us parents is a gift that is impossible to repay, and all of that has a ripple effect out into our community and the world.

Because of ACCESS, so many know how to love and develop a child with special needs. The school’s compassion and ability to look beyond the limits is what gives our kids the confidence to take their due seat at the table and what gives those of us who love these kids the confidence to let them be who they are.

ACCESS Academy

% Who We Serve: 112 ACCESS Academy Students ACCESS Academy

of ACCESS Academy students require some form of financial aid to receive the services they need to reach their full potential.

New

Opportunities Through 4-H

During the 2022-23 academic year, ACCESS Academy was excited to add 4-H to its list of student opportunities. Led by Brook Linson, Horticulture, Art instructor, and 4-H leader, the program adds opportunities for real world exploration that put our students in direct contact with field experts. Passion is sparked through experiences, and we are pursuing our students’ interest and passions through 4-H. Younger students focus on exploration of their world and how to improve it while older students focus on marketable skills such as digital modeling/3D printing, competitive skill assessments through Pulaski County 4-H, and career path explorations. We continue to grow the program, offering more exposure to different opportunities so our students may explore new ways to expand their individual potential.

Realizing Potential: Kenian’s Individual Potential Shines Bright at ACCESS Academy

Story by B.D. Tiner

My daughter, Kenian Tiner, grappled with challenges in public schools from an early age. Diagnosed with ADHD at four, she later faced a severe anxiety disorder and autism spectrum disorder. As divorced parents, Kenian lived with her mom in Missouri during the week and spent weekends with me in Arkansas. Despite the geographical split, our unwavering priority was to do whatever it takes to get Kenian the help she needs.

For years, Kenian’s mom Kandice fought tirelessly to secure the appropriate help and accommodations for her struggles in public school. Unfortunately, the school system either couldn’t or wouldn’t provide what she needed. From kindergarten through eighth grade, Kenian bounced between three different schools, experiencing severe bullying at each one. Kandice even tried homeschooling for a semester, but that proved not to be a solution.

In 2019, I reconnected with an old friend, Melissa Thomas, Director of Clinical Operations at ACCESS. Recognizing what Kenian needed and understanding that public school wasn’t meeting those needs, she encouraged us to explore ACCESS. During Christmas break that year, Kenian underwent comprehensive evaluations at the ACCESS Evaluation and Resource Center (AERC).

The psychoeducational evaluation at AERC, led by Kimberly Newton, turned out to be a turning point. Reviewing Kenian’s medications, Kim helped us determine a simple change in administration time— switching from morning to evening. This seemingly small adjustment allowed Kenian to complete her school day without constant drowsiness, a breakthrough that had eluded other professionals.

and Mr. Andrew, we were immediately drawn to the Academy and what it had to offer. Despite Kandice never seeing the campus, she trusted our judgement and our shared desire to do what was best for our daughter, allowing Kenian to move to Arkansas and enroll in ACCESS.

Upon entering ACCESS, Kenian qualified for extensive therapies, receiving seven hours per week. Thanks to the integrated approach and expert therapy team, including in-class interactions, she made rapid strides. Occupational and physical therapies became unnecessary, and speech therapy reduced to two hours per week. Kenian’s mental health journey at ACCESS was equally transformative. With psychiatry support and targeted therapy, her medication needs decreased significantly.

The progress Kenian has made at ACCESS is nothing short of astonishing. Unlike traditional schools, ACCESS Academy allows students to remain in a class for multiple years, fostering a deep understanding of each student’s needs. Kenian’s success was propelled by the collaborative approach at ACCESS, where everything from academics to therapies is under one roof.

Encouraged by our experience with the AERC, Kenian and I toured the ACCESS Academy and talked extensively with Cheri Stevenson, Director of Academy, about how the school might be a fit for Kenian. Meeting Upper School educators Mr. George

The newfound confidence Kenian gained at ACCESS was evident when she became a class representative within her first month—an unthinkable feat in her previous schools. The nurturing environment and low student-to-staff ratio allowed her to transition from the shadows to the spotlight.

Beyond academics and therapy, ACCESS provided vocational training, Special Olympics, and practical life skills education. From a mere search for a supportive school, our family found a village at ACCESS—a dedicated community of educators, therapists, evaluators, and mental health experts who not only understand but genuinely love what they do.

The school’s commitment to individualized plans and its team approach, where educators, therapists, and mental health experts work seamlessly, have proven to be the key ingredients of Kenian’s success. Unlike her previous schools, ACCESS wasn’t just an educational institution; it became a beacon of hope and transformation.

In a world where education can sometimes feel like a one-size-fits-all endeavor, Kenian’s journey at ACCESS underscores the importance of recognizing and celebrating the uniqueness of each student.

ACCESS Life

Active in the Community

Members of ACCESS Life work on independence and vocational skills while giving back to the community in a variety of areas. During the 2022-23 fiscal year, ACCESS Life volunteered through the following organizations:

1331

90

Hours with Arkansas Foodbank

120 Hours with Audubon Center

Hours with Little Rock Adopt a Street Program

MAIN ST.

ACCESS Life was honored to be recognized as the 2023 Volunteer Group of the Year by the Arkansas Food Bank for their work with the nonprofit. In addition, the group was recognized as a finalist for the 2023 National Philanthropy Day awards for their work with the same organization.

Did You Know?

Members of ACCESS Life hone their vocational skills through various programs offering products to our community. Original pressed flower art, created with flowers grown through the ACCESS Gardens horticulture program are sold through the Blue Umbrella retail store.

The group also grows fresh basil through the H.O.P.E. (Herbs Offering Personal Enrichment) partnership with Taziki’s Mediterranean Café using a unique hydroponics system. Members plant, grow, maintain, harvest, and deliver the fresh herbs to local restaurants each week.

Embracing Differences, Building Friendships: Cross’s Transformation with ACCESS Life

Story by Cathy and Eric Coleman

In the heart of Little Rock, where resources for young adults with special needs were scarce, our son Cross found his place to thrive. As parents, we always believed in Cross’s ability to overcome challenges, even his speech limitations, if he felt embraced and accepted.

From a young age, Cross displayed a cleverness that both amused and challenged those around him. He became a master of nonverbal jokes, a trickster delighting in attention. Sometimes it landed him in timeout, but we cherished the glimpses of his personality shining through without spoken words, accompanied by the infectious sound of his laughter.

Our first visit to observe ACCESS Life sparked hope. We sensed that within this community, there was room for Cross’s unique personality in a young adult learning environment. We understood that Cross wasn’t (at that time) the usual profile of a member of ACCESS Life, but we trusted that the team involved would give him a chance to prove himself. And prove himself he did.

The initial years were a rollercoaster, but no one gave up – not the ACCESS staff, not Eric and me, and most certainly not Cross. He embraced the challenges, winning hearts and working diligently. Even on days when he was reluctant to showcase his capabilities, he loved every moment at ACCESS Life. Witnessing our son eagerly jumping out of bed in the morning, excited to go to “work,” is an indescribable joy.

Cross has blossomed into a responsible and mature young man. Transitioning from a video gamer and Wiggles enthusiast, he evolved from a somewhat lonely, only child to having genuine friends through ACCESS Life. These friends, like family, love and support each other, embracing differences without judgment. They celebrate birthdays, dance, and play, but they also collaborate and care for each other.

ACCESS Life has instilled in Cross the value of volunteering and helping others. His eyes light up when he works at the Arkansas Food Bank on Mondays, and he thrives sideby-side in the garden, discovering individual strengths and supporting his friends. Initially hesitant about work, he found his niche and revels in being the strong man who carries heavy garden soil, showcasing his newfound skills.

Cross’s life is now a rich tapestry of connections and learned skills. He cooks, does laundry, cares for pets, and maintains a clean room, taking pride in contributing to our little family.

As parents, our hearts swell with pride and gratitude for the support Cross has received at ACCESS. The journey has transformed him into a young man filled with confidence, surrounded by friends who appreciate him for who he is. Cross’s story is not just about overcoming challenges; it’s about discovering independence, forming genuine connections, and celebrating the richness of a life well-lived.

*Includes

Project SEARCH ® Arkansas: ACCESS Initiative is excited to announce the opening of a new program location in Northwest Arkansas! Arkansas Children’s Northwest (ACNW) will open in August 2024.

“I’m incredibly thrilled about the arrival of Project SEARCH to ACNW. This program is a beacon of opportunity, providing invaluable skills and fostering inclusivity for young adults with developmental disabilities. Its impact on our community will be profound, opening doors to meaningful employment and showcasing the diverse talents individuals of all abilities bring to the workforce.”

- David Thiessen, MBA, Director of Operations, Arkansas Children’s Northwest

Russell Haggard’s Transformative Journey: Thriving Beyond Project SEARCH

Russell Haggard’s life took a remarkable turn when he embarked on a transformative journey with Project SEARCH Arkansas: ACCESS Initiative in partnership with Arkansas Rehabilitation Services, a program designed to empower individuals with diverse abilities by providing vocational training and career opportunities. Karen and Dan Haggard, Russell’s devoted parents, recount their journey alongside Russell, navigating through challenges and ultimately finding hope and success through Project SEARCH.

Their move to Fort Smith in 2019 marked a significant transition, with Russell employed at Goodwill in Tennessee, working diligently but uncertain about future prospects following the relocation of the main Goodwill facility. Amidst uncertainties, the Haggards sought support from vocational rehabilitation services, which led them to Shannan Faulkner of Arkansas Rehabilitation Services. Shannan introduced them to Project SEARCH, a structured program offering skill development and training perfectly tailored to Russell’s needs. The Haggards were elated when Russell was accepted into the program as an intern at the Mercy Fort Smith Project SEARCH location, recognizing its potential to provide him with the tools necessary for independence and professional growth.

As he progressed through the program, Russell’s perspective shifted. “I learned how to deal with people both at the hospital and within the Project SEARCH community,” he says. “I realized the importance of interaction and communication skills, which I could apply in future employment opportunities.” Moreover, Project SEARCH exposed Russell to community volunteering, such as Christmas Honors, a heartfelt initiative honoring fallen armed forces members during the holiday season. Participating in such activities allowed Russell to give back and connect with his community in meaningful ways.

Russell’s commitment to the program was unwavering. He engaged in various internships at Mercy, each providing invaluable experiences. From outpatient surgery to patient transport and linens, Russell’s enthusiasm and dedication were evident, earning admiration from supervisors and colleagues alike.

The impact of Project SEARCH transcended professional growth. Russell exhibited positive changes in behavior, displaying increased flexibility, independence, and better self-regulation. The program not only honed his vocational skills but also equipped him with crucial life skills, fostering greater autonomy.

Russell Haggard’s path to success wasn’t always apparent. “I had initially not wanted to be in the program,” Russell reflects. “But as I grew with the program, I began to develop routines with my internships. I discovered that I could build up skills that would help me with a potential job, such as being on time and meeting expectations in employment.” These internships provided Russell with an opportunity to understand workplace dynamics, interact with diverse individuals, and cultivate essential job-related skills.

While the Haggards envisioned Russell working in a setting akin to Mercy, Kellie McDaniel, Russell’s mentor, envisioned a broader horizon. Recognizing Russell’s potential, she directed his path towards ArcBest, a company embracing neurodiversity. This shift led Russell to a role perfectly suited to his strengths – data entry, particularly focusing on Canadian postal codes. Russell’s fascination with geography blended seamlessly with his work environment at ArcBest, contributing to his enthusiasm for the job. His parents witnessed remarkable progress as Russell not only found joy in his work but also gained financial independence, proudly paying his rent. Russell’s dedication and passion for his job were duly recognized, with the CEO acknowledging his contributions and introducing him proudly to colleagues during Family Day at ArcBest.

Karen and Dan Haggard express their delight and pride in Russell’s achievements. They emphasize how Project SEARCH became the catalyst for Russell’s growth, preparing him holistically for the fulfilling career he now cherishes. Russell Haggard’s journey exemplifies the power of support, structured programs, and inclusive workplaces in empowering individuals with diverse abilities. His story serves as an inspiration, illustrating that with the right guidance and opportunities, individuals can surpass expectations and thrive in their chosen paths.

CES Medicaid Waiver

CES Medicaid Waiver By the Numbers

59 Waiver Clients

91 Employees

106% Growth for the Waiver team year over year

“Blessed sums up my relationship with Melissa. She models determination in all that she does. Melissa has such a great sense of humor, loves coffee as much as I do, and is a talented crafter! We enjoy having adventures together. I have truly been changed by the privilege of being Melissa’s friend!”

Elizabeth Rhoads, ACCESS Waiver Direct Support Professional

Meet the Director

Reese Partin, M.S., OTR/L, Director of Waiver Services, has been with ACCESS for more than seven years. She began her time at ACCESS as an occupational therapist and recently transitioned into the role of Director of Waiver Services.

“There is so much to learn within the Waiver community, and I feel like my knowledge as an occupational therapist and previous job experience will help grow the Waiver department even more,” Reese shares. As Director of Waiver Services, Reese ensures a positive and supportive relationship with clients and families. “Waiver services are essential as they promote inclusion for all clients through community experiences and provide care coordination to help people with disabilities be as independent as possible.”

Our Services

Promoting Independence

Q&A with Frank Hellmer about CES Medicaid Waiver Services

Q; Why did you choose to apply for CES Medicaid Waiver Services?

A: I chose to apply for Waiver because doing so would enable me to live and work in the community, on my own terms, as opposed to living in a facility and going to a day program for individuals with developmental disabilities.

Q: Why did you choose ACCESS to be your Waiver provider?

A: I chose ACCESS as the provider for Waiver services because of its emphasis on independent community living and helping its clients find employment as they need it. ACCESS seems to be more structured to cater to Waiver clients’ specific needs versus other providers that might split their resources into other, more institutional lines of business such as group homes, ICF/IDDs, day programs, and that sort of thing. ACCESS has definitely been more flexible in being able to accommodate and meet my needs and desires as I have grown in my independence.

Q: How has receiving Waiver services helped you to be independent and choose to live in the community of your choice?

A: Waiver has enabled me to live in the community, work a full-time job, have access to transportation to the grocery store, and have my needs met without having to worry about sensory issues that coincide with my autism diagnosis. My Direct Support Professional and the rest of the team at ACCESS are always available and ready to help address my concerns and make sure I have the tools and resources I need to live an independent life. Waiver, its services, and especially Niki, my Direct Support Professional, mean the world to me, and I would be miserable without the team at ACCESS and the care they provide.

A Community of Support: Volunteers

More than 250

Volunteers

Giving More than 1,700 Hours of Service

Each year, individuals, local groups and businesses selflessly give their time and talents to benefit the mission of ACCESS through volunteerism. From providing support in classrooms, to improving our grounds, to planning events, volunteers have become an extension of the ACCESS team and are an essential part of our community.

Individuals & School Groups

Several school groups give their time volunteering in our classrooms by getting involved with our curriculum, assisting teachers, and spending time with our students.

Corporate & Community Groups

Corporate groups like Janssen Pharmaceuticals pay it forward by giving their time to make improvements to our grounds and buildings. Countless local businesses such as Moore Food Systems support our teams to show appreciation for their dedication to our mission.

Event Committees

Each of ACCESS’s fundraising events is led by exceptional volunteer committees who organize, plan, and execute unique events that raise awareness and support for our mission.

2023 Event Volunteers

ACCESS Events would not be possible without dedicated event committees and community volunteers.

Number of Event Volunteers and Committee Members:

Total Event Volunteer Hours:

Interested in serving on one of our dynamic event committees or want to volunteer with ACCESS? Visit accessgroupinc.org/volunteer for more information or email volunteers@accessgroupinc.org.

81

381

ACCESS Stella Boyle Smith Early Childhood Campus Tornado Recovery

On Friday, March 31, 2023, the ACCESS Stella Boyle Smith Early Childhood Campus suffered extensive damage from an EF3 tornado that impacted thousands across Central Arkansas. The repairs, renovations, and recovery efforts from the damage required weeks of work and support. The response from our community was truly inspiring. From debris cleanup, to delivery of supplies and meals for workers, ACCESS was humbled by the countless volunteers who worked around the clock so that we could reopen our doors and continue building brighter futures.

Because of the individuals, teams, local groups, and businesses that worked tirelessly to clean up and repair our grounds, the ACCESS Stella Boyle Smith Early Childhood campus was able to re-open on May 2, 2023, just over one month after the tornado.

To all who volunteered, words can never express our gratitude. Thank you for rallying around our mission and making it possible for ACCESS to continue serving our mission to the families who rely on our services. During a time of great difficulty, volunteers were our unwavering hope.

Fellowship Bible Church-Midtown graciously opened their doors during our time of need and allowed us to utilize their space to continue serving our Early Childhood clients while our buildings were being repaired.

ACCESS team members, along with current and past board members helped with debris removal as well as serving meals to our volunteer workers.

Countless volunteers arrived at ACCESS to help with clean-up efforts following the tornado.

UA Little Rock athletes cleared debris and assisted with cleanup immediately following the tornado damage. The efforts from many of their teams made a great difference.

A Community of Support: Events

ACCESS events allow the organization to raise funds necessary for day-to-day operations as well as capital improvements to our facilities. Each of our unique fundraising events is an opportunity to raise awareness for the services ACCESS provides and the growing need to our community. Our 2023 events were a great success for raising support and awareness for the mission of ACCESS.

2023 Events: By the Numbers

Total Event Attendees

Total Community Sponsors

107

$442,565

Total Funds Raised from 2023 ACCESS Events

Total Community In-Kind Donors

107

40%

806 of attendees were introduced to our mission at an event for the first time.

16th Annual Bingo Bash

The 16th Annual Bingo Bash presented by Byrider was a record-breaking event raising more than $88,000 and bringing together nearly 400 local supporters for an evening of delicious food, amazing prizes, and friendly competition to win a highstakes game of Bingo with amazing prizes from 50 generous local businesses. This event was planned and hosted by the ACCESS in Action Young Professionals Group led by Chairmen Danna and Andrew Kurrus. We extend a special thank you to our excellent bingo caller and emcee, Lance Restum.

21st Annual ACCESS Cup

Sponsors, teams, volunteers, and members of ACCESS Life enjoyed a beautiful day on the course celebrating the 21st Annual Harriet and Warren Stephens, Stephens Inc. ACCESS Cup golf tournament led by Chairman Joe Ramsey. This event raised more than $130,000 in support of the ACCESS mission.

Starry Starry Night: The 25th Chapter

Starry Starry Night: The 25th Chapter presented by Bank OZK shared stories from different families who ACCESS has supported in different chapters throughout their life. The event welcomed more than 250 supporters for an evening of hope, powerful testimonies, and raising support for the next chapter of our mission, led by special guest and emcee, Josh Parkey. With funds donated and additional event proceeds from Starry Starry Night: The 25th Chapter, a total of $1,070,820 was raised for the mission of ACCESS!

Save the Date for our 2024 Special Events

3rd Annual Healthy Habits Week

22nd Annual ACCESS Cup Chenal Country Club

17th Annual Bingo Bash

26th Annual Starry Starry Night

Your Investments at Work

The ACCESS operational budget and capital budget maintain our organization’s mission providing innovative instruction for more than 900 individuals last academic year. Below is a snapshot of the 2022-23 fiscal year financials and a breakdown of what is required to serve our community. Sources

Where Your Investments Make an Impact

Your investments are hard at work and changing lives every day at ACCESS.

During the 2022-23 fiscal year, ACCESS operated on a $ 19 , 050 , 808 annual budget to serve its mission through evaluations, therapy, education, vocational training, community integration, and mental health services.

Looking Ahead

ACCESS continues to strive to find new and better ways to meet the needs of our clients and the community. As we look ahead to the 2023-24 fiscal year, we are excited to put your investments to work to positively impact the programs across our organization. Our top five priorities include the following initiatives.

2 Strengthen Core Programs

Continue to deliver excellent outcomes for our clients and families by strengthening our ability to deliver core programs with excellence.

3 Prioritize Innovation

Innovation is a key driver of our success. Build and prioritize an innovation pipeline for sustainable growth.

1 Diversify Funding

Build a plan to generate more sustainable and diversified funding in support of current programs as well as new opportunities.

4 Leverage Technology

Leverage technology to streamline workflows, capitalizing on opportunities to drive efficient operations and organizational growth.

Connect with the Community 5

ACCESS’s partnerships with the community are an important part of the organization’s success. We will continue to build meaningful relationships across various stakeholders in order to establish stronger connections.

Giving Back

The impact of our community giving back to ACCESS is felt across all our programs and touches the lives of each of the students, clients, and families that we serve. Whether through volunteerism, in kind donations, or financial investments, those who give to ACCESS make a profound difference in helping our organization continue to build brighter futures.

The ACCESS Challenge Grant

We extend our sincere gratitude to the hundreds of individuals, corporations, and foundations who recognize the impact of ACCESS in our community. The ACCESS Challenge Grant launched October 10 and concluded October 28, raising $850,100 in support of ACCESS, including individual initiatives such as the repair of tornado damage to the Stella Boyle Smith Early Childhood campus; new recreational, social, and therapy spaces; ACCESS Tuition Assistance Fund; and growing recreational opportunities for children and adults with special needs.

$425,100 + $425,000 = $850,100 Donations to the Challenge Grant Anonymous Matching Grant Raised in Support of ACCESS

Tuition Assistance Fund

ACCESS awarded $64 , 350 among 41 families whose children attended the ACCESS Academy during the 2022-23 academic year.

Your donation will be a direct impact on the lives of children who require tuition assistance to attend ACCESS. No child should be denied services based on income.

Want to Give Back to ACCESS?

1. Donate

Make a tax-deductible donation or donate in-kind goods or services in support of the mission. Visit accessgroupinc.org.

2. Sponsor

Sponsor one of our annual ACCESS events

3. Serve

Volunteer on campus or by serving on an ACCESS event committee.

4. Advocate

Help us spread the word about our mission.

5. Leave a Legacy

Ensure that ACCESS can contribute building brighter futures for individuals with special needs for years to come. Join in the ACCESS Legacy Circle by including ACCESS in your will, trust, or other planned gifts.

In Gratitude

ACCESS extends a heartfelt thank you to the following individuals, corporations, and foundations who made a cumulative gift of $100 or more to our mission between July 1, 2022 and June 30, 2023. Also listed are the many friends and family to whom you paid tribute with donations to ACCESS. The generosity represented in the following pages enables our efforts to expand individual potential through innovative instruction. These names inspire us each day as we live our mission to meet the needs of our community.

BENEFACTOR

Anonymous

The Brown Foundation, Inc. of Houston

PATRON

Anonymous

LEADER

George Gleason

Bank OZK

Carol and Gary Edwards

Lynn and George O’Connor

Harriet and Warren Stephens, Stephens Inc.

PARTNER

Anonymous

Byrider

George H. Dunklin Jr.

Charitable Foundation

Terri and Chuck Erwin

Judy W. Fletcher Family Foundation

Ann and Mark Langston

Julie and Lynn Marshall

April and John McMorran

Jayne and Walter Morris Charitable Fund

Marion and Miriam Rose Trust

Steuri Family Endowment

Uniti Group Inc.

ANCHOR

Ag for Autism

Jan and Larry Alman

Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

Amy and Wes Baden

Bailey Foundation

Patti Bailey

Savanna and Trav Baxter

Chenal Properties

Kathryn and William Griffin

The Hussman Foundation

The Jonsson Foundation

Virginia and Baker Kurrus

Billie and Michael Lax

Jo and Marcus McCain

Rachael and Dan Oberste

Rebsamen Fund

REER Holding Company, LLC

Kimberly and Kirk Reynolds

Jordan and Noah Rhodes

Tammy Simmons

Stella Boyle Smith Trust, Catherine and Michael Mayton, Trustees

Katie and Miles Stephens

Grace and John Steuri

Katherine Ann Trotter

USAble Life

Vogel Schwartz Foundation

Vickie and Glen Wallace

Warriors for Walt Charitable Fund

Connie and George Wilkerson

William H Bowen Family Foundation

Z & D Equipment and Supply

DIAMOND

Edson Abrao, Daniel Barrero, Raul Bermudez, and Sergio Ramirez

Amcor Cares

Arkansas Bolt Company

Sarah and Philip Bemberg

Mollie and John Campbell

Shalene Caple

Dillard’s

Edafio Technologies, LLC

Entegrity Energy Partners

Enterprise Holdings Foundation

Becky and Jackson Farrow

Friday Eldredge & Clark, LLP

Eliza and Alec Gaines

Gill Ragon Owen P.A.

Erin Hohnbaum and Jackson Farrow

Jillian and Grant Hastings

Christy and Brian Hutchins

inVeritas

Jeanne and Harold Joyner

Ashley and Kurt Knickrehm

Maverick Transportation

Meadors Adams & Lee

Mitchell Williams Law Firm

Natural Gear

Maeghan and Sam Overley

Whitney and Daniel Parfitt

Perspective Health: C. Preston McCormack MD

Potbelly Sandwich Shop

Olivia and Joe Ramsey

Sage Partners

Amy Sanders and Cody Pledger

The Hat Club

Janna and Matthew Toland

Wright Plastic Surgery & Medspa

PLATINUM

Anonymous

Lisa and Bob Althoff

Anthony Timberlands Inc.

Arkansas Blue Cross & Blue Shield

Sharon Bailey

Druann and Barry Baskin

Pam and Rick Blank

Fred Brown

Bruce Oakley, Inc.

Buffalo Builders

C. B. Foundation

Alison and Cesar Caballero

Suzanne and Walt Carter

Augusto Champion

Cheer City United

Chick-Fil-A

CJRW

Joseph Courtright

In Gratitude

Laura and Andrew Crone

Libby and Scott Davis

Sarah Beth and Fred Davis

Delta Dental of Arkansas

Pat and Mac Dodson

Skip Ebel

Laura Erdel and Mitch White

EVO Business Environments

Fence World, Inc.

FCA Certified Public Accountants

Brittany and Ryan Franklin

Friends of the Gaines Family

Callie and David Gutierrez

Andrea and Jay Heflin

Frank Hickingbotham

Hogan Taylor, LLP

Lorie and Trevor Holbert

Tammy and Andy Holbert

International Right of Way Association

Chapter 32

Beth and Don Johnson

Cheryl and Jeff Jones

Jill and Greg Joslin

Knight Dental Care

Kroger

Mary and Dean Kumpuris

Kutak Rock, LLP

Law Offices of Miller & Mallett

Lester McKinley Family Foundation

Krysten and Mark Levin

Shae McCarty

Erin and Hugh McConnell

McGriff Insurance Services

Liane and Alan Meadors

Mendel Capital Management, Inc.

MFA Oil Foundation

Jane and Michael Moore

Madeline and Matthew Moore

Moore Food Systems, Inc.

Janet and Rick Murphy

Nabholz Construction

Jane and Paul Oberste

Amy and Ryan O’Connor

Erin Parker

Janet and Mike Parkey

Meredith and Colin Pelton

Jill and Ted Penick

Beth and Ted Rice

Rose Law Firm

Vicki and Mark Saviers

Phyllis and Gary Sebree

Cheri Shelby and Richard McIlroy

Simmons Bank

Steve Sink

Smart Chevrolet Cadillac Buick GMC

Allie and Matthew Smith

Monika Garner-Smith and Roger Smith

Snell Prosthetics & Orthotics

South Arkansas Telephone Co., Inc.

Cheri Stevenson

Ashley and Robert Stuckey

Systemedic

Gina and Philip Tappan

Janet and Jon Teague

The 1836 Club

Melissa Thomas

Michele and John Towne

Transitions Wealth Management of Arkansas, LLC

Kellie and Michael Wilhite

Dee and Steve Ziller

GOLD

Anonymous

AmazonSmile Foundation

Arkansas Symphony Orchestra

B & T Pallet Inc.

Mary Beasley

Mallory and Aaron Brooks

Robin and Nolan Brown

Donna Via and Granville Burruss

Kristina and Scott Carnes

Amanda and Andrew Carroll

Jo and Michael Carson

Beth Carter

Ann and Hollis Carter

Jamie and Will Collins

Leslie and Gary Collins

Christy and Mark Davis

Julianne and Allen Dobson

Kathy and Paul Dorsey

Amanda and Tim Driedric

Fidelity Charitable Gift Fund

Laura, Milton and Bennett Fine

First Community Bank

Jessica Ford

Julia and Randy Garcia

Peggy and Doyce Garner

Glass Erectors

Genia Gregory

Sarah Henry

Jim Kelley

Eva and Glenn Larkin

Sandra* and Fred Levin

Marci H. Hall Charitable Fund

Johnna and Alan McClain

Samantha Meadors

Steve Moore

Nelnet Business Solutions

Patricia and Andre Paixao

Phelps Fan

Bridget Plesich and Shea McCarty

Carolyn Prickett

Cynda and James Ramsay

Alex and David Robinson

Bonnie and John Rowland

Lindsey and John Ryan

Baxter Sharp

June and David Simpson

Rita and Gary Speas

Laurie and Justin Spencer

Carol and John Spenst

Margaret and Jay Staley

Mary Olive and John Stephens

Suzanne and Chuck Stofer

Lana and Matt Summitt

Elizabeth and Lee Thalheimer

The Tanner/Chamblee Fund

Ruth Whitney

Mandy and Eric Wright

SILVER

Anonymous

ACE Glass

Lorie and Chip Baker

Bear Hill Interiors

Marsha Billingsley

Brenda Blankenship

Charlotte and Curtis Bradbury

Brent Stevenson Associates

Christine and Steve Creekmore

Katie Dimitrova and Stan Dimitrov

Don’s Pharmacy

Amber and Bradley Doom

Sarah and Steven Duke

Entergy

Gerald Hammons

Courtney and Kevin Herrington

Brooke and Tim Hicks

Emily and Matthew Holmes

Cathy and Russ Holmes

Honaker Law

Carly and Jeff Hood

Tori and Drake Horton

Dawn and Otis Howe

J Parkey

Candace and Michael Johnson

Haley and Jett Jones

Tammy Jones

Sarah and William Knight

Frank Kumpuris

Ladies of Charity

Liza and John Lao

Nikki and Larry Lawson

Neally and Nat Lea

Gwen and Michael Leger

Mary Lynn and Alan Mantooth

Gail and Michael Markum

Stacey and Wes Martin

Molly and Chris McNulty

Megan Mervish

Kimberly and Donald Newton

Barrett and Andrew Norton

Johnna Novak

Jonathan Parkey and Chris Marsh

Alicia Pattillo

Carol and Brandon Ricketts

Laura and James Ritchie

Jennifer and Reid Robinson

Cecile and Tom Rose

Soraya and Lee Rudofsky

Westrock Coffee

Brook Scalzo and Terry Scott

Carrie and Hunter Scott

Valerie and Jonathan Shively

Deanna and Nathan Siria

Sterling Seacrest Partners

Heike and Gary Talbert

Cappy and Charles Whiteside

Mary and Mark Williamson

Cathy and Jeff Witter

BRONZE

Jenny Adams

Kaye and Neal Anderson

Erin and Charles Argo

Lorraine and Jim Bagwell

Brenda Bailey

Chandler and Morgan Bailey

Alex Bennett

Mary Kaye and James Braden

Meghan Bretz

The Brinkman Family

Joyce and Fred Burkhead

Daniels Bynum

Bonnie and Roger Carillo

Sybil Carroll*

Phyllis and William Carter

Heather Carter

Casey Cerrato

Stephanie and Elliott Chester

Martha and Ronald Clark

Taylor Clenin

Columbia Gulf Transmission / TC Energy

Lizzy and Patrick Couch

Courtney and Jason Curry

Jennifer and Andrew Dartez

Stuart and Spencer Davis

Wally Davis

Kacy and Tim Dawson

Susan and Stow DeLone

Annemarie Dillard-Jazic and Ante Jazic

Meg and Jeremy Dunn

Sabine and Ruskin Falls

Hannah and Clint Fulks

Miriam and Jim Gary

Shelby Gatewood

Sarah and Ryan Gibson

Nancy Gilliam

GlobeScan Inc.

Margaret and David Gray

Arlene Green

Rita and Wayne Gruber

Lauren Hall

Hariyanto

Nikki and Lee Hastings

Amber and Kyle Hendrickson

The Heulitt Family

Susan and Christopher Hill

Jacque Hill-Ptak

Marley and Colby Hoagland

Laura Hobart-Porter and Nicholas Porter

Lindsey and Andrew Holbert

Sindy Hollis

Ashley and Jon Honeywell

Pamella Hookstra

Rhoda and John Hooper

Michelle and Randy Hull

Rachel Johnson

Pamela and Edward Kleitsch

Danna and Andrew Kurrus

Janet Lambard

Susan Larsen

The Long Family

Jessica and Fletcher Lord

LSW Strategic Communications

Carolyn and George Makris

Ryan Mahoney

Ronald and Kristy Martin

Terri and Ronald Martin

Corinne McKay

Lauren and Richard McKay

Frank McKinney

Linda and Ted McNulty

Mary Stuart McRae

Mary and Mark Millsap

Sara and Jay Mitchell

Summer and Cory Mote

Cindy and Tom Muller

Michael Newton

Cheryl and Jeffery Olmsted

Doris and William Oraha

Sandra Gonzalez and Juan Orozco

Hannah Parker

Reese and Evan Partin

Tracy and David Perry

Beth Petlak and Robert Canterbury

Brad Phillips

Pitney Bowes Global Financial Services

Michele and Larry Pogue

Barbara Putman and Peter Lane

Terry Quinn

Deborah and James Raby

Bourgon Reynolds

Deborah and George Robertson

Susan Rogers

Cheri and Dan Rolett

Katie and Pablo Sanchez

Mickey and Joseph Searcy

Rebekah and Dustin Seljan

Ginna Simpson

Jeb Steen

Erin and Justin Stroman

Lauren and Lee Strother

Sarah and Zach Stuart

Susie and Reed Thompson

Babs and Jonathan Wardlaw

Judi and Tom White

Lucy and Quinten Whiteside

Samantha and Caleb Whiteside

Alison Williams

Aaron Woodruff

Teresa Wright

Eric Young

Kind

AlphaLit

Arkansas Symphony Orchestra

Arkansas Tees

Arkansas Travelers Baseball Club

Athleta

Jay Atkins

Barbara Jean

Barefoot Studios

Bear Hill Interiors

Belle & Blush

Daniel Borrero

Boulevard Bread Co.

By Invitation Only

Camp Bow Wow

Camp Yoga & SUP

CCLR Tennis Pro Shop

Chenal Country Club

Chick-Fil-A

Cliquecycle

Coca-Cola Consolidated

Core Concept Fitness

Nathan Coulter

Dempsey Bakery

Dental Solutions of Little Rock

Dillard’s

Dr. Suzanne Yee Cosmetic & Laser

Surgery Center

E. Leigh’s

Eggshells Kitchen Co.

Entegrity Energy Partners

Fancyful Parties

Fassler Hall

Fellowship Bible Church Midtown

Fence World, Inc.

Fidel & Co.

Fort Thompson Sporting Goods Inc.

Full Out Barre

Monika Garner-Smith

Sarah and Ryan Gibson

The Grounds Family

Heifer International

Heights Golf

Hill Station

Hillcrest Designer Jewelry

Hudson & Steeple

Indigo

inVeritas

Jeffrey Sand Company

Rachel Johnson

Lance Johnston

Jones & Son Diamond and Bridal Fine Jewelry

In Gratitude

In Kind (continued)

Jeanne and Harold Joyner

JTJ Restaurants

Katie Grace Designs

The Little Gym

Little Rock Racquet Club

Little Rock Rangers Soccer Club

LSW Strategic Communications

Lyndsey Sullivan Photography

MacMorsel Ventures LLC

Market Street Catering

Chris Marsh and Jonathan Parkey

Mary Garrett Jewelry

Kristin McCaslin

Miller Marsh Cosmetics

MK Distributors

Monograms, Etc.

Liz and Trey Morris

Mountain Harbor Resort & Spa

Mr. Wicks

Natural Gear

Kat Northcutt

O’Connor Distributing

Painted Tree Boutiques

Partin Photography

Susan and Carroll Penick

Perspective Health

Pleasant Valley Country Club

Pout

Premium Refreshment Service

Rebsamen Liquor

Lance Restum

Matt Rowe

Salon Jadore

Salute Wine & Spirits

Scarlet

Sherry Bernie Designs

Tammy Simmons

Chris Simon

Sissy’s Log Cabin

SKN at Franks Dermatology

Jean Smith

Southern Glazers

Margaret Parke Staley

Sweet Lavender Bake Shop

Heike Talbert

Chris Tanner

The Faded Rose

The Morris Family

The Oyster Bar

The Pantry

The Rees Family

The Tennis Shoppe

Trio’s

Tulips

Vivlio Photography

Vulcan Sporting Goods Co.

Waldo’s Chicken and Beer

Westrock Coffee Company

Whole Foods

Carol Willbanks

Wright Plastic Surgery

Yellow Rocket Concepts

ZenStudio

Memorials

In memory of Joe Blankenship

Brenda Blankenship

In memory of Clive Blount

Brenda Bailey

In memory of Brianna Burton

The Long Family

In memory of Lynelle Lehman

Susan Rogers

In memory of Mike Mallory

Beth and Don Johnson

In memory of Dan McKay

Corinne McKay

In memory of Pat Miller

Corinne McKay

In memory of Michael J. Ptak

Jacque Hill-Ptak

In memory of JD Simpson

Beth and Don Johnson

In memory of Lawson Turner

Frank McKinney

In honor of Donna Wallace

Corinne Mckay

In memory of Beverly Donald Watkins

Columbia Gulf Transmission/TC Energy

Honorariums

In honor of ACCESS Faculty and Staff

Susan and Ryan Lockhart

In honor of Jordan Aikman

Nadyne and Loy Aikman

In honor of Fritz Attig

Rose Ann and Peter Attig

In honor of Charles Bemberg

Chandler and Morgan Bailey

In honor of Mary Alice and Ellie Biedron

Rachel and Matt Biedron

In honor of Mae Carnes

Bourgon Reynolds

In honor of Taylor Clenin

Anita Clenin

In honor of Caroline and Jacqueline Crosland

Barbara Putman and Peter Lane

In honor of Libby and Scott Davis

Loris and Jay Fullerton

Nikki and Larry Lawson

In honor of Ellison Doom

Kaye and Neal Anderson

Nutrition Consultant Services, Amber Doom MSRDLD

Amber and Bradley Doom

In honor of Becky and Jackson Farrow

Jim Kelley

In honor of Eliza and Alec Gaines, and Olivia and Joe Ramsey

Stacey and Wes Martin

In honor of Eliza Hussman Gaines

Susan Larson

In honor of Whit Garner

Peggy and Doyce Garner

In honor of Monika Garner-Smith

Beth Carter

Johnna Goggans Novak

In honor of Grace Glasbrenner

Billie and Michael Lax

In honor of Tripp Gleason

Amy and Wes Baden

In honor of George Lawson Griffin

Kathryn and William Griffin III

In honor of Kathryn Griffin

Pam Gadberry

In honor of Vivian Noe Griffith and Steve Griffith

Susan Beasley

In honor of Dr. Bruce Hall

Lester McKinley

In honor of The Hartz Family

Donna Via and Granville Burruss

In honor of Sam Hendrickson

Amber and Kyle Hendrickson

In honor of Susan Hill

Joyce and Fred Burkhead

In honor of Andy Holbert

Maria and John Hooper

In honor of Ellie Honaker

Janet Lambard

In honor of Brooks Horton

Tori and Drake Horton

In honor of Joseph Beck Huggins

Leta Anglin

In honor of Jasper Jansen

Sally and William Buettner III

In honor of Owen King

Sarah and Andrew King

In honor of Daniel Koehler

Jacquelyn and Jack Homan

In honor of Baker Kurrus

Laura Erdel and Mitch White

Vogel Schwartz Foundation

In honor of David Lang

Anonymous

In honor of Rory Larkin

Jo and Marcus McCain

In honor of Larry Lawson

George Griffin

In honor of Jax Leeper Anonymous

In honor of Philip and Samuel Levin

Krysten and Mark Levin

In honor of Jacob Lim Hariyanto

In honor of Mary Spencer McGowan

Molly and Chris McNulty

In honor of Liane and Alan Meadors

Andrea and Jay Heflin

In honor of Caroline Miller

Anita Davis

In honor of Kelli Miller

Laura Moix

In honor of Paxton Moore

Jane and Mike Moore

In honor of Tara and Kellen Moser

Genia Gregory

In honor of Kathleen Mueller

Lynne Clifton

In honor of Lynn and George O’Connor Anonymous

Druann and Barry Baskin

Pam and Rick Blank

Patricia Blass

Augusto Champion

Cornelia and Nat Lea

Vicki and Mark Saviers

Lee Thalheimer

In honor of Michael Parker, Malleri Rhodes and Brooks Calhoun Entegrity Energy Partners

In honor of Brooks Pollard Anonymous

In honor of Matthew Prickett

Carolyn Prickett

In honor of Grayson Ramsey

B & T Pallet Inc.

In honor of Caleb Rees

Randy and Carolyn Allen

In honor of Shiloh Renk

The Brinkman Family

In honor of Claire Ricketts

Carol and Brandon Ricketts

In honor of Susan Rogers

Lori and Jim Bagwell

In honor of Colton Scott

Carol and Gary Edwards

Billie and Michael Lax

The Tanner/Chamblee Fund

In honor of Dona, Gene, Hunter, and Carrie Scott and Family

Martha and Ronald Clark

In honor of Charlie Thompson and Sam Thompson

Pamela and Edward Kleitsch

In honor of Leighton Toland

Jennifer and Reid Robinson

In honor of Katherine Ann Trotter

Mary and Dean Kumpuris

Terry Quinn

In honor of Hollis Whiteside

Lucy and Quinten Whiteside

In honor of Lela Jane Whiteside

Samantha and Caleb Whiteside

In honor of Chase Wilhite

Kellie and Michael Wilhite

In honor of Kellie Wilhite

Ashley and Jon Honeywell

In honor of Aiden Wright and Eloise Wright

Marsha Billingsley

* Deceased

ACCESS offers rolling enrollment throughout the year! Visit our website or call us to learn more.

2024 ACCESS Board of Directors

W. Scott Davis Co-Chairman

Philip Tappan Co-Chairman

Fred Davis President

Kurt Knickrehm Vice President

Jackson Farrow, Jr. Treasurer

Lynn O’Connor Secretary

Heather Allmendinger

Dr. Shelly Baldwin

Walter M. Ebel, III

Brandon Freville

Harold Joyner

Julie Marshall

Olivia Ramsey

Becky Scott

Shay Sebree

Katherine Ann Trotter

2024 ACCESS Senior Management

Tammy Simmons, M.S., CCC-SLP Executive Director, Co-Founder

Monika Garner-Smith, M.Ed. Director of Early Childhood, Co-Founder

Cheri Stevenson, M.S., CCC-SLP Director of Academy

Melissa Thomas, M.S., CCC-SLP Director of Clinical Operations

Shalene Caple Director of Administrative Operations

Jo Carson Director of Human Resources

Mark Langston Chief Financial Officer

Kellie Wilhite Director of Development

Jenny Adams Director of Vocational Services

Elliott Chester Director of Finance

ACCESS® is a 501(c)3 nonprofit offering evaluation services, full-time education, therapy, mental health services, training, and activities for individuals with special needs. Founded in 1994, the center comprises of ACCESS Early Childhood, ACCESS Academy, ACCESS Therapy, ACCESS Academic Therapy (specialized tutoring), ACCESS Life, Project SEARCH® Arkansas: ACCESS Initiative in partnership with Arkansas Rehabilitation Services, ACCESS CES Medicaid Waiver, ACCESS Evaluation and Resource Center (AERC), Mental Health Therapy, and ACCESS Gardens.

(501) 217-8600 | accessgroupinc.org | projectsearcharkansas.org

@accessgroupinc