Arkansas Career Training Institute (ACTI)
HISTORY
The Arkansas Career Training Institute (ACTI), formerly known as the Hot Springs Rehabilitation Center, is one of only eight Comprehensive Rehabilitation Centers in the United States. Designated as part of the National Historic Register in 2008, it was discovered that ACTI was the first Army/Navy Hospital in the country.
ORGANIZATION
Serving over 900 students per year, ACTI is the 3rd largest Vocational Rehabilitation Center in the country whose mission it is to provide vocational training and employment opportunities to adult clients with disabilities. With 19 field offices across the state, students are referred to the center for evaluation and placement by their local vocational rehabilitation counselor. Once enrolled, the student can utilize two major service programs - vocational training and medical services
ADMISSION
Admission Guidelines
Clients for vocational services must have an ARS Field Counselor or be referred by Disability Services for the Blind or Arkansas Spinal Cord Commission.
Clients for medical services must have an ARS Field Counselor or be referred by the Arkansas Spinal Cord Commission.
WHAT WE DO
Vocational Training - ACTI offers up to 23 different training programs, including Career Readiness, Adult Basic Education, Driver’s Education, and Weight Management. Each program provides students with the opportunity to gain the skills, knowledge, and attitude necessary to meet their goals for successful employment.
Rehabilitation Hospital – ACTI offers various medical as well as psychiatric services to students in need in a licensed hospital setting. Here students can receive medical and psychiatric care, as well as occupational and physical therapy.
COUNSELING/CASE MANAGEMENT
The Vocational Counseling/Case Management department at ACTI coordinates the individual students’ program during their enrollment at ACTI. The focus is on assisting the students in reaching their educational and vocational goals which will result in gainful employment. This is accomplished through individual and vocational counseling along with the coordination of the many support services that are available to the students.
VOCATIONAL EVALUATION
Vocational Evaluation is responsible for helping determine a students’ vocational training objective utilizing a battery of job sample tests as well as trial work periods in the vocational training areas. The Vocational Evaluators consider test results in terms of a students’ strengths and weaknesses, as well as interests. This input is given to the student, Field Counselor, and ACTI Counselor regarding a vocational goal that will ideally lead to a successful completion of vocational training, obtaining employment and ultimately, maintaining that employment.
JOB PLACEMENT
Prior to graduation, students are provided with job seeking skills through Job Club. These skills include instructions for completing job applications, resume writing, interview skills, mock job interviews, and instructions on how to look for employment and many other tools the student will need in looking for employment. The Job Placement Specialist works closely with the Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors and the Vocational Instructors to identify employers and resources in the community to provide job opportunities for the graduate.
ACTI offers 16 class settings with up to 23 Vocational Training Areas within these classes.
Auto Collision/Repair
Auto Parts Counter Person
Automotive Maintenance Technology
Business Education
Construction Technology
Cosmetology
Environmental Systems Services/Laundry
Food Service
Medical Office Technology
Nursing Assistant Training
Printing/Bindery
Printing/Off-Set Press
Pre-Press
Sales & Marketing
Outdoor Power Equipment Technology
Welding
Auto Collision/Repair
An individualized auto body repair refinishing training prepares students for entry-level employment in today’s automotive body shops. Skills offered include auto-body repair, painting/refinishing, and car detailing.
Auto Parts Counter Person
Students enrolled in this training are prepared for employment in the 21st century world of the automobile parts business arena.
Upon successful completion, each student will have the practical skills and computer skills necessary to process work orders utilizing auto body parts software.
Automotive Maintenance Technology
Students successfully completing this training are prepared to enter today’s automotive maintenance technology field, including assisting customers in
the daily maintenance of their vehicles. Tire alignment, changing/rotating tires, belt replacement, and oil changes are just some of the skills students will learn in order to prepare them to work in any automotive shop.
Business Education
The ACTI Business Department prepares its students for careers in the following accounting, clerical and secretarial fields: accounts clerk, general office clerk, office assistant, photo typesetting, and Quick Books.
Construction Technology
Utilizing the curriculum of the nationally accredited NCCER program, students enrolled in Construction Technology are equipped for employment in the various jobs of the construction field, including the following: Painting, Carpentry, Plumbing, as well as Building and Grounds Maintenance. Upon completion of their training, students can earn 
NCCER certification, a nationally recognized program that enables our graduates with this credential to be more competitive in the workplace. Additionally, students can further their training by obtaining a Boiler Operator License.
Cosmetology
Utilizing guidelines by the Arkansas State Board of Cosmetology, ACTI students will learn the skills necessary to not only be employable to work at any salon, but will also be capable of starting their own salon business. Students enrolled in this program will be expected to accumulate 1500 clock hours of 
training and pass the State Board Exam – with one of the highest first-time passage rates in the state, ACTI students are more than prepared to pass State Board and obtain their licenses by the end of their program.
Environmental Systems Services/Laundry
Students enrolled in the Environmental Systems Services and Laundry programs gain the skills needed to pursue a career in the public housekeeping, commercial laundry, and/or related fields. They are trained to operate various floor machines, perform the extraction method of carpet shampooing, laundry room/washroom fundamentals and procedures, operation of hothead press, flat work ironer, shirt unit, and tumbler.
Food Service
The ACTI Food Service training prepares students for employment in all food service areas including cafeterias, restaurants, short
order cook settings, etc. Specializing in cooking, baking, salad making, and fast-food, students receive both practical and classroom experience as well as the opportunity to receive, for the very first time, national accreditation in the ServSafe program – a program accepted by restaurants and cafeterias nationwide, enabling our graduates to have a leg up on the competition when applying for sought-after jobs in the food service industry.
Medical Office Technology
Students enrolled in the Medical Office Training program are equipped to pursue a
career in Medical Coding, Medical Transcription, Medical Terminology, and Medical Office Assistant. Students successfully completing this training are prepared to pursue employment in any medical setting, such as hospitals, nursing homes, medical insurance offices as well as physician’s offices.
Nursing Assistant Training
Utilizing guidelines by the Office of Long Term Care of Arkansas, ACTI students enrolled in this program will participate in specialized training to become a qualified Nursing Assistant. In addition to their classroom and learning lab instructions, the trainees shall participate in an actual on-site facility to complete required clinical rotations. Upon completion of their training, they shall be proficient to take and pass the Arkansas State Certification examinations to become a Certified Nursing Assistant.
Printing/Bindery
The Printing/Bindery department is designed to teach clients the final steps of printing a job. Skills taught include: Jogging, collating, stitching, paper drilling, folding, padding, paper cutting and trimming books, basic types of paper and wrapping and packaging. Students will be employable as apprentices after completing this training, and will have the opportunity to advance to other areas of printing to enhance employability.
Printing/Off-Set Press
Students enrolled in the ACTI Off-Set Press training learn to operate and maintain offset duplicators and offset presses. Specific skills taught include: Arrangement of cylinders, roller system (inking and dampening), and pressure adjustments, preliminary preparation, offset inks, press wash-up, troubleshooting and shop safety. This area is combined with Bindery to enhance employability.
Pre-Press
The ACTI Pre-Press training is designed to teach students both the hardware and software recommended by the printing industry. Students are trained in: page layout software, scanning operations, graphics programs, printing to various printers (laser printer, color printer, image setter, and large format plotter), horizontal camera, 
line and halftone photography, and mix solutions. Students learn to develop film, using both tray and processor methods, strip negatives, proper procedures for making pre-sensitized plates, as well as using the exposure device and solution needed.
Sales & Marketing
Students that successfully complete the ACTI Sales and Marketing training are prepared to pursue employment in retail, grocery, and specialized stores. Skills taught include classroom and practical experience, how to prepare customer receipts and invoices, techniques of display, inventory and stock control, fundamentals of selling, knowledge of the of the marketing process and machine operations.
Outdoor Power Equipment Technology
In Outdoor Power Equipment Technology, students are trained to work on two and four cycle engines. Skills taught include: troubleshooting,
tune-ups, minor and major overhaul. Students will be employable to work in any small engine shop or start own business. In grounds keeping, students are prepared for employment in a variety of grounds keeping occupations.
Welding
Welding students are prepared for employment in any small business that uses welding materials. Skills taught include: oxyacetylene cutting and welding, shielded metal arc welding (stick), Gas Tungsten arc welding (TIG), gas metal arc welding (MIG) and plasma cutting.
SUPPORT PROGRAMS
Adult Basic Education (ABE) is designed to provide Reading, Math, and Writing skills to students in Vocational Training Programs.
Drivers Education is designed to prepare clients for the written driver’s exam, as well as teach them to drive and receive their driver’s license.
Career Readiness training is designed to enhance the employability of the client in the following areas: Self-confidence, Communication Skills, Anger Management, Decision Making, First Impressions, Advancing on the Job, Making it on My Own, Responsible Behavior, as well as Job Hunting Skills.
RESIDENTIAL LIVING
Upon admission, students are provided a Student Living Orientation presentation that introduces them to the unique aspects of living at ACTI.
ACTI maintains supervised dormitory facilities that include a cafeteria, laundry room and student union. 
Most dorm rooms are duel occupancy with bed, desk, dresser and nightstand, and all rooms contain a sink. Linens are provided by ACTI and a scheduled routine of Activities of Daily Living Skills is followed. Males and females are housed in separate areas. Each floor contains a lobby area with a TV for social interaction and relaxation. College students, medically fragile students, and students under the age of 21 are housed separately.
Each dormitory area is staffed by a Residential Care Technician who is on duty after regular business hours and resides in an apartment in the dormitory area. The RCT also provides residents with pertinent information such as medical appointments or other training- related or family/guardian communications.
The Dormitory Living Program provides students an opportunity to learn and practice interpersonal skills that will serve them well in life as well as in the workplace.
RECREATION
Recreation activities are a vital part of student life at ACTI and it is a goal of the recreation staff to provide each client with an activity program that is designed to promote appropriate social, cultural, vocational, and recreational experiences for all.
A weekly schedule of all daily and weekend recreational activities is posted each Monday on the 6th floor bulletin board, giving students ample time to plan their weekly activities ahead of time. Activities are varied and include arts/crafts, basketball, badminton, bingo, bowling, exercise classes, movie nights, ping pong, pool, shopping, weight lifting, and more.
STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS
Skills USA, formerly known as VICA, is the only nationally recognized student organization for students of career and technical education. Come join this student-run organization that emphasizes leadership, community service, and vocational training competitions on both the state and national level.
Jobs for Arkansas’ Graduates, or JAG, is a broad-based student run program of selected students who have been singled out for their employability and leadership potential and will emphasize 20 workplace competencies that will be highlighted through hands-on activities, field trips, guest speakers, audio-visual aids, community service projects and presentations.
For further information contact Cornelious Hollinshed, Admissions Coordinator at
501-701-6353
The Hot Springs Rehabilitation Center Hospital (HSRCH)
The Hot Springs Rehabilitation Center Hospital (HSRCH) is licensed by the Arkansas Department of Health as a 35 bed acute rehabilitation hospital since 1980. The hospital’s mission is to minimize the physical, emotional and social consequences of illness and injury. To achieve this objective, HSRCH offers comprehensive rehabilitation services in the following areas:
Physical Therapy
Occupational Therapy
Speech Pathology
Rehabilitation Nursing
Social Work
Psychological Services
Assistive Technology
Food Service
Clinical Laboratory
Radiology
Pharmacy
Medical Staff
Clinics and Special Programs
Process and Quality Assurance
Staff Accomplishments and Expertise
Physical Therapy
Physical Therapists evaluate and assist patients in functional restorations. Tasks may include providing joint range of motion and exercises, performing muscle strength evaluation and quantification, evaluation of sitting and standing balance, transfers, ambulation, and wheelchair (and wheelchair cushion) usage. Physical Therapists provide exercises for either specific muscle groups or the entire body and use various physical therapy modalities such as deep heat and cold, hydrotherapy, electrical stimulation, traction and massage.
Occupational Therapy
Occupational Therapists evaluate and train patients in self care activities such as dressing, eating, bathing and personal hygiene to maximize independence. They provide training in home management skills, aid in maintaining and improving joint range of motion muscle strength, endurance and coordination, evaluate and train patients in weak areas to compensate for sensory and perceptual deficits and train in the functional use of upper extremity prosthesis.
Speech Pathology
Speech pathologists help the patient in the area of communication and swallowing. This can involve evaluation and treatment of neurological communication problems, vocal re-education, evaluation of swallowing function and management of dysphagia and cognitive retraining.
Rehabilitation Nursing
Rehabilitation nurses evaluate the health status of the patient and help determine short and long term patient goals. The nurse provides information on the physical, social and behavioral sciences and shows an attitude of awareness toward the disabled. Rehabilitation nurses emphasize certain priorities related to promoting maximal function. The nurse must be constantly vigilant for any small skills and environmental modifications that make the difference between dependence and independence. Nurses staff both the inpatient unit and the various outpatient clinics.
Social Work
Social Workers interact with the patient, family and rehabilitation team and can assist by evaluating the patient’s total living situation, including life-style, family, finances, community resources and assessing the impact of the disease or disability on these areas. They focus on discharge planning so that assistance can be provided to patients after hospital discharge so that the patient has the greatest chance for success outside the hospital setting.
Psychological Services
The Psychologists and psychological examiner help the patient and significant others to psychologically prepare for full participation in rehabilitation. The Psychologist addresses psychological problems that may exist and create a barrier to community re-integration. Activities include testing and evaluation, neuropsychological evaluations, individual psychological counseling and group therapy. They work closely with our psychiatrist.
Assistive Technology
Staff members are certified in assistive technology provide a broad range of devices, services, strategies and practices that are applied to ameliorate the problems faced by individuals who have disabilities. Some assistive technologies are low technology devices that might include simple pencil and paper communication boards. High technology devices include electronic communication devices and computers.
Food Service
The Food Service Department provides service for the cafeteria and the inpatient hospital. This past year the department served 181,350 meals to guests, staff, patients, vocational students and volunteers. In serving inpatients and outpatients, there is a registered dietician who coordinates special diets that are maintained for clinical purposes. Food Service also coordinates special programs for clients and patients such as obesity programs. Finally, this department provides a very successful training program for vocational clients.
Clinical Laboratory
The clinical laboratory performs urinalysis, microbiology and hematology testing for inpatients and outpatients. Tests that cannot be performed in the HSRC clinical laboratory are sent to reference laboratories. The accuracy of tests and fast turn-around time has been recognized as an important component of HSRC’s clinical programs. In addition, the laboratory technologists are responsible for providing the coordination and direction of infection control activities at HSRC.
Radiology
Radiology provides radiological imaging for inpatients and outpatients. The most common imaging performed includes exams of extremities and chests. All radiological equipment and procedures are closely monitored by the Arkansas Department of Health and conform with their regulations.
Pharmacy
The hospital has a pharmacy that maintains an extensive formulary to accommodate the medication needs of inpatients and outpatients. The pharmacists are heavily involved with the provision of medication-related counseling of clients.
Medical Staff
One of the unique features of HSRC Hospital is that there are full-time physicians on staff who serve as the patients’ attending physician throughout their stay at HSRC. This is unlike most medical settings where physicians make early morning rounds and are not available until the next day. In addition, the physicians chair most of the hospital committees that monitor quality assurance and provide guidance in the development of various policies and procedures.
Clinics and Special Programs
In addition, HSRCH maintains several outpatient clinics including orthopedic, medical, amputee, wheelchair urology and psychiatry. Hospital therapy staff also provides evaluations of ARS clients in home and work settings around the state through the SEAT (Successful Employment through Assistive Technology) program. Also, specialized educational programs such as a spinal cord educational program, diabetes education and the Homeward Bound program have been developed to assist patients to maximize functional ability, improve quality of life and prevent or reduce the need for costly long term care.
Process and Quality Assurance
The hospital’s approach to patient care is the use of a transdisciplinary team. The transdisciplinary team meets with patients and their families on a regular basis to review and discuss the patient’s/team’s goals and the progress made toward achieving those goals. HSRCH is unique in that there are full-time physicians on the staff who follow the patients’ progress so that there is excellent continuity of care. One important aspect of the hospital’s philosophy is aggressiveness in providing therapy. Patients are provided therapy as soon as possible and are not permitted to languish. This approach has resulted in excellent patient outcomes.
Staff Accomplishments and Expertise
Our director of therapy and the assistant director both have doctorates in Physical Therapy. Both individuals also have their Assistive Technology Practitioners Certification and Brain Injury Certification.
We have three individuals who have their Wound Care Specialist Certification.
One of our therapists has received The Clinical Instructor of the Year Award from the Arkansas Physical Therapy Association.
Our recreational therapist has received The Recreational Therapist of the Year Award from the Arkansas Society of Recreational Therapists.
We have two nurses who have obtained their Certification in Rehabilitation Nursing.
