2023 ACCESS Impact Report: Chapters of Success

Chapters of Success Impact Report 2023

Table of Contents

Our Mission

Expanding Individual Potential Through Innovative Instruction

Our Philosophy

All persons have the potential to learn, the capacity for change, and the right to live a meaningful life in the community of his or her choice.

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Our Core Values People Team Work & Commitment Excellence & Innovation Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Generosity Integrity & Transparency Speed & Agility Caring, Celebration & Thankfulness

3

Message from ACCESS® Supporters

4

2023 Year in Review

6

ACCESS Programs Overview

8

ACCESS Evaluation and Resource Center

10

Mental Health

12

Therapy Services

14

ACCESS Early Childhood

16

ACCESS Academy

18

ACCESS Life

20

Project SEARCH®

22

CES Medicaid Waiver

24

A Community of Support: Volunteers

26

A Community of Support: Events

28

Your Investments at Work

29

Looking Ahead

30

Giving Back

31

In Gratitude

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

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 George O’Connor with their children and grandchildren

IMPACT REPORT 2023

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

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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 begins its 29th year of services.

May

August

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.

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August 14

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.

May 2023

Tammy Simmons named 2023 DentaQuest Health Equity Hero.

IMPACT REPORT 2023

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

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!

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

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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 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 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.

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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.

IMPACT REPORT 2023

ACCESS Therapy

Mental Health Counseling

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.

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.

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.

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.

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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

Attention-Deficit/ Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

2

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

3

Anxiety Disorder

4

Autism Spectrum Disorder

5

Specific Learning Disorder with Impairment in Written Expression (ie. Dysgraphia)***

*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.

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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

IMPACT REPORT 2023

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.

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

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.”

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.”

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Mental Health

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

96

ADHD

58

AUTISM

28

ADJUSTMENT DISORDER

24

DISRUPTIVE IMPULSE-CONTROL AND CONDUCT DISORDER

18

DEPRESSION

FAMILY RELATIONSHIP PROBLEM

12

OPPOSITIONAL DEFIANT DISORDER

*Drawing created by ACCESS Mental Health Client

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DISORDER OF DYSREGULATED ANGER AND AGGRESSION OF EARLY CHILDHOOD RELATIONSHIP PROBLEM

8

Positive Changes Through Therapy

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Total Mental Health Clients Served: 161

ACCESS Mental Health

By Age Group

Children Age 0-12

46

104

Children Age 13-17 Adults Age 18+

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

Types of Services Total Sessions: 4,566

3,358

INDIVIDUAL SESSIONS 10

674 GROUP

SESSIONS

502 FAMILY

SESSIONS

32 CRISES

SESSIONS

IMPACT REPORT 2023

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.

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

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. 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. 11

Therapy Services Total Therapy Hours Treated

62,592.5

47.2

Total Unique Therapy Clients

559

%

Percentage of total therapy clients who receive physical therapy

264

Physical Therapy Clients

Average Therapy Hours Per Client Per Year

111.97

82.3

%

Percentage of total therapy clients who receive speech therapy

460

Speech Therapy Clients

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.

78.5

%

Percentage of total therapy clients who receive occupational therapy

436

Occupational Therapy Clients

Did You Know?

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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

IMPACT REPORT 2023

Potential Unlocked Through Therapy “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

“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

“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.”

Leigh and Janna Jacobs 13

ACCESS Early Childhood

91

Who We Serve: 204 Early Childhood Clients

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 Childhood Diagnoses

191

DELAYED MILESTONE IN CHILDHOOD

SPECIFIC DEVELOPMENTAL DISORDER OF MOTOR FUNCTION

MIXED RECEPTIVE-EXPRESSIVE LANGUAGE DISORDER

ARTICULATION/PHONOLOGICAL DISORDER

EXPRESSIVE LANGUAGE DISORDER

6

DOWN SYNDROME, UNSPECIFIED

OTHER

14

33

5

121 25

23

OTHER DISORDERS OF NERVOUS SYSTEM/ SENSORY PROCESSING DISORDER

DYSPHAGIA, ORAL PHASE

156

25 *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.

Early Intervention Matters Pre-K graduates who began receiving early intervention services at ACCESS prior to the age of two showed

33% more progress

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.

“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

IMPACT REPORT 2023

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.

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.

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.

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.

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ACCESS Academy

Who We Serve: 112 ACCESS Academy Students

65

ACCESS Academy Diagnoses

90

MIXED RECEPTIVE-EXPRESSIVE LANGUAGE DISORDER

UNSPECIFIED NEURODEVELOPMENT DISORDER AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER SOCIAL COMMUNICATION DISORDER DOWN SYNDROME, UNSPECIFIED

47

43

16

15

12 OTHER DISORDERS OF NERVOUS SYSTEM/ 12 SENSORY PROCESSING DISORDER MODERATE INTELLECTUAL DISABILITY

DELAYED MILESTONE IN CHILDHOOD UNSPECIFIED ANXIETY DISORDER, BY HISTORY

GENERALIZED ANXIETY DISORDER MILD INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES DISRUPTIVE MOOD DYSREGULATION DISORDER

*Includes students enrolled in the ACCESS Academy program during the 2022-23 academic year. Diagnoses represent those served through all therapy and educational services and may represent multiple diagnoses per student.

6

5

6 OTHER

16

12

15

15

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

112

SPECIFIC DEVELOPMENTAL DISORDER OF MOTOR FUNCTION

%

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.

IMPACT REPORT 2023

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).

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.

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 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.

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.

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

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.

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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

Members of ACCESS Life hone their vocational skills through various programs offering products to our community.

Hours with Arkansas Foodbank

Hours with Audubon Center

120

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.

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Did You Know?

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.

IMPACT REPORT 2023

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.

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Project SEARCH® Arkansas: ACCESS Initiative in Partnerships with Arkansas Rehabilitation Services

By the Numbers: 101 Individuals Served

Graduates from the 2022-23 Program who are Employed

Average Hourly Wage Earned

by Employed Project SEARCH Graduates

13

80%

*Includes 2022-23 program graduates as well as previous graduates receiving follow-along services during the 2022-23 program year.

$

Highest Hourly Rate Earned by an Employed Graduate

18.08

$

New Location Coming Soon

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.

8 SPRINGDALE

5 JONESBORO

6

Project SEARCH® Arkansas:

ACCESS® Initiative

in Partnership with Arkansas Rehabilitation Services

SMITH

1 2 LITTLE ROCK

3 HOT SPRINGS

7 4 CAMDEN

COMMUNITY PARTNERS

In partnership with Arkansas Rehabilitation Services and local businesses, ACCESS® currently hosts multiple Project SEARCH® sites across Arkansas: 1. University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences Project SEARCH 2. Arkansas Children’s Hospital Project SEARCH 3. CHI St. Vincent Project SEARCH 4. Ouachita County Medical Center Project SEARCH 5. St. Bernards Project SEARCH 6. Mercy Fort Smith Project SEARCH 7. University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff Project SEARCH 8. Arkansas Children’s Northwest Project SEARCH

“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

Applications now open for internships at all locations for the 2024-25 program year.

Apply at www.projectsearcharkansas.org.

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1 University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences Project SEARCH 2 Arkansas Children’s Hospital Project SEARCH 1.

3 CHI St. Vincent Project SEARCH 4 Ouachita County Medical Center Project SEARCH 5.5 St. Bernards Project SEARCH 3.

6 6. Mercy Fort Smith Project SEARCH 7 7. University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff Project SEARCH 8 8. Arkansas Children’s Northwest Project SEARCH

IMPACT REPORT 2023

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.

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.

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.

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.

21

CES Medicaid Waiver

CES Medicaid Waiver By the Numbers *Based on clients served and staff employed through the ACCESS Waiver department during the 2022-23 fiscal year.

Waiver Clients

91

59

Employees Growth for the Waiver team year over year

106% 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.

“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 22

“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.”

IMPACT REPORT 2023

Promoting Independence

Q&A with Frank Hellmer about CES Medicaid Waiver Services Q; Why did you choose to apply for CES Medicaid Waiver Services?

Our 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?

Supportive Living

Supported Employment

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?

Respite Coordination

Consultation Services

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.

23

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.

24

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

IMPACT REPORT 2023

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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.

25

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

806 Total Event Attendees Total Community Sponsors

107

Funds Raised from 442,565 Total 2023 ACCESS Events

$

Total Community In-Kind Donors

40

107

% of attendees were introduced to our

26

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.

IMPACT REPORT 2023

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.

Save the Date for our 2024 Special Events APR

15 -19 3rd Annual Healthy Habits Week MAY

13 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!

22nd Annual ACCESS Cup Chenal Country Club JULY

18 17th Annual Bingo Bash NOV

2024 26th Annual Starry Starry Night 27

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 of Revenue

40%

47

%

Programs and Tuition

Therapy and Comprehensive Evaluations

13%

Fundraising and Donations

80%

Compensation and Benefits

10%

General and Administrative

10% 28

Programs and Campus Support

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

IMPACT REPORT 2023

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.

3

1

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

5

Prioritize Innovation

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

2

Strengthen Core Programs

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

Diversify Funding

Connect with the Community

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.

4

Leverage Technology

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

29

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.

30

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.

Visit accessgroupinc.org/support/give for more information.

In Gratitude

IMPACT REPORT 2023

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

31

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

32

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

IMPACT REPORT 2023

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

In 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

33

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

34

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

In memory of Michael J. Ptak Jacque Hill-Ptak

In honor of Charles Bemberg Chandler and Morgan Bailey

Memorials

In memory of JD Simpson Beth and Don Johnson

In honor of Mary Alice and Ellie Biedron Rachel and Matt Biedron

In memory of Joe Blankenship Brenda Blankenship

In memory of Lawson Turner Frank McKinney

In honor of Mae Carnes Bourgon Reynolds

In memory of Clive Blount Brenda Bailey

In honor of Donna Wallace Corinne Mckay

In honor of Taylor Clenin Anita Clenin

In memory of Brianna Burton The Long Family

In memory of Beverly Donald Watkins Columbia Gulf Transmission/TC Energy

In memory of Lynelle Lehman Susan Rogers

Honorariums

In memory of Mike Mallory Beth and Don Johnson

In honor of ACCESS Faculty and Staff Susan and Ryan Lockhart

In memory of Dan McKay Corinne McKay

In honor of Jordan Aikman Nadyne and Loy Aikman

In memory of Pat Miller Corinne McKay

In honor of Fritz Attig Rose Ann and Peter Attig

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

IMPACT REPORT 2023

In honor of Becky and Jackson Farrow Jim Kelley

In honor of Andy Holbert Maria and John Hooper

In honor of Liane and Alan Meadors Andrea and Jay Heflin

In honor of Claire Ricketts Carol and Brandon Ricketts

In honor of Eliza and Alec Gaines, and Olivia and Joe Ramsey Stacey and Wes Martin

In honor of Ellie Honaker Janet Lambard

In honor of Caroline Miller Anita Davis

In honor of Susan Rogers Lori and Jim Bagwell

In honor of Brooks Horton Tori and Drake Horton

In honor of Kelli Miller Laura Moix

In honor of Joseph Beck Huggins Leta Anglin

In honor of Paxton Moore Jane and Mike Moore

In honor of Colton Scott Carol and Gary Edwards Billie and Michael Lax The Tanner/Chamblee Fund

In honor of Jasper Jansen Sally and William Buettner III

In honor of Tara and Kellen Moser Genia Gregory

In honor of Owen King Sarah and Andrew King

In honor of Kathleen Mueller Lynne Clifton

In honor of Daniel Koehler Jacquelyn and Jack Homan

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 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 Baker Kurrus Laura Erdel and Mitch White Vogel Schwartz Foundation In honor of David Lang Anonymous

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 Rory Larkin Jo and Marcus McCain

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

In honor of Larry Lawson George Griffin

In honor of Brooks Pollard Anonymous

In honor of Dr. Bruce Hall Lester McKinley

In honor of Jax Leeper Anonymous

In honor of Matthew Prickett Carolyn Prickett

In honor of The Hartz Family Donna Via and Granville Burruss

In honor of Philip and Samuel Levin Krysten and Mark Levin

In honor of Grayson Ramsey B & T Pallet Inc.

In honor of Sam Hendrickson Amber and Kyle Hendrickson

In honor of Jacob Lim Hariyanto

In honor of Caleb Rees Randy and Carolyn Allen

In honor of Aiden Wright and Eloise Wright Marsha Billingsley

In honor of Susan Hill Joyce and Fred Burkhead

In honor of Mary Spencer McGowan Molly and Chris McNulty

In honor of Shiloh Renk The Brinkman Family

* Deceased

In honor of Vivian Noe Griffith and Steve Griffith Susan Beasley

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

35

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

NONPROFIT ORG U.S. POSTAGE

PAID

LITTLE ROCK, AR PERMIT #2281

10618 Breckenridge Dr. | Little Rock, AR 72211 | AccessGroupInc.org

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

Shalene Caple

Executive Director, Co-Founder

Director of Administrative Operations

Monika Garner-Smith, M.Ed.

Jo Carson

Director of Early Childhood, Co-Founder

Director of Human Resources

Cheri Stevenson, M.S., CCC-SLP

Mark Langston

Director of Academy

Chief Financial Officer

Melissa Thomas, M.S., CCC-SLP

Kellie Wilhite

Jenny Adams

Elliott Chester

Director of Clinical Operations

Director of Vocational Services

Connect With Us

Director of Development Director of Finance

ACCESS Stella Boyle Smith Early Childhood Campus 10618 Breckenridge Drive Little Rock, AR 72211

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.

ACCESS Academy and Young Adult Campus

1500 North Mississippi Street Little Rock, AR 72207

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

@accessgroupinc