FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE August 2, 2023 WEST CENTRAL ARKANSAS WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT AREA HOST RECORD SEALING CLINIC Hot Springs, Arkansas (August 2, 2023)- West Central Arkansas Workforce Development Area (WCAWDA) hosted a Record Sealing Clinic on August 1, 2023. The clinic began at 10:00am and concluded by 3:00pm at National Park College. WCAWDA hosted in partnership by Arkansas Crime Information Center, National Park College Adult Education, Division of Workforce Services, the Garland County Library, and the Center for Arkansas Legal Services. Other participating agencies included Express Employment Professionals and Ouachita Behavioral Health & Wellness – Jail Diversion Team. Arkansas Crime Information Centers assisted individuals in pulling their current records so that they could seek the services offered. The Center for Arkansas Legal Services assisted eligible offenders with criminal record sealing to gain new or better paying employment opportunities. The partner agencies provided attendees with mock interviews, resume building, job placement, and education and training resources. A total of 32 people were served at the event. Breakfast was provided by Encounter Church and lunch was sponsored by Liberty Tax. Earlier this year, on April 28, 2023, WCAWDA and its partners hosted a Record Sealing Clinic in Russellville, Arkansas at Gateway Church. The same services were provided there, and they saw 75 people at the event. Of the 75 attendees, 46 were there for the Record Sealing Clinic and 29 came for the resource fair. A total of 43 petitions and 43 orders were signed that day. A tentative date of April 26, 2024, has been scheduled for the River Valley Record Sealing Clinic, where we hope to serve many more individuals facing barriers to employment because of their history with the Judicial System. WCAPDD Business Engagement Coordinator, Cora Easterday said, “The goal of our Record Sealing Clinics is to empower individuals to rewrite their futures. This event is important because it allows community agencies to come together to support those who need a fresh start. In providing a pathway to a brighter tomorrow, we are not only closing the door on the past but are opening the door for jobseekers to obtain new opportunities such as higher paying jobs and workforce advancements not otherwise available to them.” ###