ARKANSAS

Mr. Thomas E. Green, Assistant Director Arkansas Department of Human Services Division of County Operations Office of Community Services P.O. Box 1437, Slot #S-330 Little Rock, AR 72203-1437 Telephone: (501) 682-8715 Fax: (501) 682-6736 Email: thomas.green@arkansas.gov

FY 2010 DOE Funding: 1,622,103 ARRA Funding: $48,114,415 FY2009 DOE Funding: $4,031,570 FY2008 DOE Funding: $2,061,017 FY2007 DOE Funding: $1,853,518 FY2006 DOE Funding: $2,202,800 FY2005 DOE Funding: $2,079,513 FY2004 DOE Funding: $2,070,568 FY2003 DOE Funding: $2,034,869 FY2002 DOE Funding: $2,096,068 FY2001 DOE Funding: $1,394,048 Number of Local Agencies: 15 Contact Information for Local Agencies Home Page: http://www.accessarkansas.org/dhs/

Weatherization Day 2007 Activities

As usual, the month of October was a busy time for Arkansas's Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) and its Public Information Campaign (PIC).

Celebrations began on Friday, October 26 when Governor Mike Beebe proclaimed October 30 to be Weatherization Day in his state and urged "our citizens to work together to support and strengthen the program, which has done so much for so many in our state, for the betterment of all."

On October 29, 2007 supporters of the Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) joined together in the state of Arkansas to attend a news conference and press event highlighting the many benefits of the Program. Mayor Mark Stodola and Pulaski County Judge Buddy Villines were among the speakers at this event. These two public figures issued proclamations noting the importance of the Program to the city and county and stressing how it helps not only individuals and families but also whole communities.

The event also included a demonstration of weatherization work, energy conservation education, and testimony from a client who said she would "not be among the living" if not for the carbon monoxide alarm the program installed. Her story was so moving that it was picked up by local station FOX16 Little Rock.

Weatherization Day 2006 Activities

During the month of October, Arkansas engaged in a comprehensive, statewide campaign to gain increased attention for the Weatherization Assistance Program. Events were launched on Monday, October 9 with the signing of the annual Weatherization Day Proclamation by Governor Mike Huckabee. This event was attended by the 23 representatives of the Office of Community Services (OCS) Community Action Network.

On Monday, October 30, Weatherization officials held a press conference on the West Pavilion of the Capitol. Arrangements were made for Jason Harper of KATV's Good Morning Arkansas to do a live "tease" at the start of that show at 9 a.m., and then three more live interviews at 9:30 a.m. and at 9:55 a.m. leading up to the conference at 10.

Speakers included Al West, Office of Human Concerns, the master of ceremonies; Pulaski County Judge Buddy Villines; Larry Palmer, Office of Community Services; Rose Adams, ACAAA; Dwayne Stuart, Entergy Arkansas; Walter Bryant, CenterPoint Energy; Larry Cogburn, CADC, and clients Sacratine Redwood of Altheimer, Ken Furr of Hot Springs and LaDonna Johns of Mountain Pine, PB-JCEOC and CSO. Signed and matted proclamations from the Governor, Mayor and County Judge were placed on display throughout the event.

After the press conference, attendees were taken through a series of stations which demonstrated different elements of the program (energy audit, blower door, gas leak detection, etc). This event yielded significant media coverage including an Oct 31 article in Arkansas Democrat-Gazette.

Weatherization Day 2005 Activities

This year, Governor Huckabee proclaimed October 30 ^th to be Weatherization Day encouraging celebration on a statewide level. During his proclamation, the Governor decreed that the public and private sectors should "work together to support and strengthen the program, which has done so much for so many in our state, for the betterment of all". The Arkansas Office of Community Services (OCS) then held a series of events highlighting the achievements of weatherization agencies across the state. This included a news conference at which recipients of weatherization services were able to tell their story.

One client proclaimed "By the grace of God, I now walk through my house without falling through the floors," after improvements on floors, doors and windows that made his mobile home more energy-efficient, safe and secure. These activities generated much publicity which cumulated with calls including 28 who asked for applications the day after Weatherization Day.

Weatherization Day 2004 Activities

On October 29th, more than 70 people statewide, including the mayor and a United States representative, attended a Weatherization Day event at the home of a client in Little Rock, Arkansas. Governor Huckabee praised the program for "its proven effectiveness" and urged public and private interests to "support and strenghten this program". Little Rock has participated in Weatherization Day since 2000.

Weatherization Day 2003 Activities

Governor Huckabee and Mayor Dailey of Little Rock issued proclamations celebrating October 30th as "Weatherization Day." Local cable access ran bulletins all month. Several papers ran articles about the proclamations and the Program. A tent was set up in Little Rock where local agencies demonstrated the work done on homes.

"Good Morning Arkansas" showed Weatherization technologies and several radio and television stations ran items about the Program and some of the success stories about the families we serve.

Weatherization agencies from across the state participated in "Energyfest" on October 30, 2003 in Little Rock. Under a tent in McArthur Park, the agencies demonstrated the services they provide. Three clients and several other speakers, including Mayor Dailey, spoke about the importance of Weatherization and the Program's accomplishments towards helping families in need. About one hundred people attended the event.

Weatherization Day 2002 Activities

The Arkansas Community Action Agencies Association, weatherization directors and the state office were in attendance at the state capitol when Thomas Green of the state office was presented with a proclamation from Governor Mike Huckabee declaring October 30, 2002 Weatherization Day. The Governor was invited to attend a site demonstration in Little Rock where media coverage recorded the event.

The monthly magazine of the Arkansas Municipal League, City & Town, published a letter from Little Rock Mayor Dailey urging all mayors to participate in the Weatherization Day promotion. Published with his letter was a sample proclamation and a list of the Weatherization Directors, hometowns and phone numbers.

The major event this year was a news conference and demonstration project held in Little Rock. Mayor Dailey issued a proclamation declaring October 30 as Weatherization Day. Also, sample news releases, proclamations and radio spots were given to the WAP directors and executive directors to use in their local areas. Local television, radio and newspapers will be informed of the site demonstration in Little Rock.

Several local agencies conducted promotions in their areas. For example, in Blytheville, the agency has received a proclamation from their mayor and conducted a site demonstration on October 25th.

Weatherization Day 2001 Activities

Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee proclaimed October 30th as Weatherization Day in support of the national effort to bring attention to this important low-income initiative. The Central Arkansas Development Council hosted a demonstration project. The Department of Human Services issued a press release and various local agencies submitted information to local media outlets to promote the WAP.

Weatherization Day 2000 Activities

The state office worked with the Arkansas Community Action Agencies Association, Inc. to make Weatherization Day 2000 a success. Governor Mike Huckabee officially declared October 30th as Weatherization Day. Mayor Jim Dailey of Little Rock also proclaimed Weatherization Day. Press releases were sent to all community action agencies.

Crowley's Ridge Development Council, Inc., had a newspaper article in the Wynne newspaper. There was also a meeting in Cotton Plant to discuss the Weatherization Program. It was publicized in the Woodruff County Monitor. Flyers were mailed out from case files. Mayor Hubert Brodell of Jonesboro officially declared Weatherization Day. Ozark Opportunities, Inc. had newspaper articles printed in the Harrison Daily Times, The Newton County News, and the Mountain Echo. The Weatherization Director of Ozark Opportunities, Inc. was on a local radio talk show.

Community Services Office of Hot Springs had a newspaper article on the Weatherization Program and also one on the proclamation. Arkansas Economic Opportunity Commission, Inc. did a poster contest at the Head Start centers. The mayor of Blytheville issued a proclamation. There was a display at the Blytheville Public Library. There were also newspaper articles in both the Blytheville and Osceola newspapers.

A press conference was held in the state capitol rotunda. Buttons with the Weatherization Works logo were distributed to all that attended. Leon Massey , President of the Arkansas Community Action Association, Inc. spoke on behalf of the Community Action Agencies. Thomas Green, Assistant Director of the Office of Community Services, Arkansas Department of Human Services, spoke for the state. Several recipients of the WAP spoke about how the Program benefited them. The WAP technology (blower door and carbon monoxide detectors) were displayed and demonstrated for the press representatives. Finally, a visit to a current client's home was made as part of the coverage. The press event received excellent press coverage from several newspapers, radio, and television stations.

Content updated on 1/8/2010