Local residents receive special training through Next Step Life Skills program

Instructor Tracy Cobbs (center) presents graduates Ricky Wheeler, Matthew Maltbie, Deborah Logsdon and Jimmy Stevens with certificates following the four's successful completion of the Second Chance Life Skills program held recently at the NEAITC. (photo provided) [Click to enlarge]

Local residents have completed a special type of training to help them in everyday life. Deborah Logsdon, Matthew Maltbie, Jimmy Stevens and Ricky Wheeler are all recent graduates of the Northeast Arkansas Innovative Training Center's (NEAITC) Next Step Life Skills program.

The program is a 32-hour class focusing on education in parenting, creating a budget and job readiness. It teaches basic life skills in an effort to strengthen homes financially and socially. The program's goals include providing education on the basics of how to obtain employment, support group sessions, education and support on parenting from infancy to teenagers, education and budget planning for the home, education and support for anyone on the Transitional Employment Assistance Program through the Department of Health and Human Services, education and support for repeat offenders through the court system, education and support for the general public or school system programs.

"We're excited about our Life Skills program," NEAITC director Jacinda Welch said. "This program is something where we can make an impact on people's lives by giving them the kind of support and training which they can use to help themselves. It's a wonderful program that can help a lot of people."

The program was founded by Tracy Cobbs in 2001. Cobbs serves as the instructor for the class, with Life Skills also being offered in Greene and Poinsett Counties. Not only is the program being offered at Rector, but the Clay County Quorum Court recently supported a request to offer the program to the rest of the county.

The program is off to a great start. Graduates Logsdon, Maltbie and Wheeler have announced their plans to attend college, while Stevens has made a successful return to the workforce.

"We're proud of the work our graduates have done," Welch said. "Everybody came in with a positive attitude and worked really hard."

The adult education department of the BRTC Pocahontas campus is also working with the Next Step Program to provide testing and placement in GED or Workforce testing to participants.

"We want to make the Life Skills program available to anyone who can benefit from it," Welch said. "We're happy with how much it's grown."

Persons interested in learning more or taking part in the classes may contact Welch at 595-2300 or Cobbs at (870) 239-0969.