RUSSELLVILLE, Ark. (April 16, 2008)--Arkansas Tech University has received a $75,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Education that will help the university address a growing need for more trained professionals in the field of rehabilitation science.
The announcement of the grant was made by U.S. Senators Blanche Lincoln and Mark Pryor and U.S. Representative John Boozman.
“We are grateful to Senator Lincoln, Senator Pryor and Representative Boozman for their efforts to secure this funding for Arkansas Tech University,” said Dr. Robert C. Brown, Tech president. “It is critical that as an institution of higher learning we recognize trends in the job market and ensure that we are providing the students of today with the training they will need in order to be successful tomorrow. This grant will help us continue to be a leader in the increasingly important field of rehabilitation science.”
Arkansas Tech was the first four-year university in the state to offer an undergraduate degree program in rehabilitation science. Tech is also one of just 22 universities and colleges nationwide to gain membership in the Undergraduate Registry of the Council on Rehabilitation Science.
Graduates from the Arkansas Tech rehabilitation science program can pursue careers as rehabilitation caseworkers, employment counselors, probation or parole officers, juvenile court intake workers, juvenile probation officers, correctional counselors, family services workers, halfway house caseworkers, substance abuse caseworkers, mental health case managers, elderly services case managers, vocational evaluators, social security disability determination workers, developmental disabilities case managers and careers in other human services and rehabilitation settings.
According to a news release issued by Lincoln, Pryor and Boozman, projections indicate that vocational rehabilitation programs already face a shortage of qualified personnel. That shortage is expected to grow worse as a large number of rehabilitation professionals retire in coming years. The news release stated that Arkansas and surrounding states are on the brink of a serve staffing shortage.
“As the first four-year university in Arkansas to offer an undergraduate rehabilitation science program, Arkansas Tech has been a consistent leader in our state to provide prepared rehabilitation professionals,” said Lincoln. “I am proud that Arkansas Tech is continuing to lead the way and help our state address this critical shortfall.”
The grant will provide financial incentives to encourage students to enroll in programs that will lead to employment as qualified rehabilitation professionals.
“Arkansas Tech continues to raise the bar for professional growth and development throughout Northwest Arkansas,” said Pryor. “This grant provides an excellent training opportunity for students interested in rehabilitation services and helps alleviate a shortage of well-qualified personnel.”
“I’m happy that Arkansas Tech is proactive in recruiting for individuals interested in rehabilitation science,” said Boozman. “This is a great step for enticing students to enter the field of rehabilitation services so Arkansans can continue to have great care.”
