Page 46 - 2026 VB Community Profile

EDUCATION

Crawford County Adult Education Center

The Crawford County Adult Education Judge Charles Baker said the program campus for specialty certificate training
Center (CCAEC) has served the Crawford has saved over $1.5 million in jail costs, and and college students.
County community and its residents since many of the people who have participated Additionally, CCAEC offers a full, on-
2001. CCAEC is located at 301 Mt. Vista in it have been able to turn their lives site Community Resource Hub at the
Boulevard in Van Buren, and is open around by being more employable and CCAEC campus, giving participants access
Monday and Wednesday from 8:00 a.m. furthering their education. The program to community partners, job resources,
until 4:00 pm, Tuesday and Thursday from has built a reputation in legal circles for its household necessities, hygiene products,
8:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m., and Saturday effectiveness and efficiency. and a food pantry. In fall 2022, CCAEC
from 9:00 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. Students can choose to continue their broke ground on a community garden
CCAEC offers the following programs education with college courses offered in partnership with the Crawford County
and services: GED preparation, GED on campus through Vincennes University. Conservation District to continue to
exams, English as a Second Language CCAEC partners with Vincennes University supply students and the community with
(ESL), Citizenship, Computer Literacy, to offer a Certified Clinical Medical healthy foods and resources throughout
Financial Literacy, English, Math & Social Assistant (CCMA) course on campus. the year.
Studies Classes, College Preparation, Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), The monthly food giveaways hosted on
TABE Testing, Workforce Alliance Licensed Practical Nursing (LPN), and campus allow CCAEC to provide students
for Growth in the Economy (WAGE) Phlebotomy courses are available through and the community with food assistance
Certificates, the National Career Readiness a partnership with the Fort Smith Adult at no cost. Prior to Tuesday and Thursday
Certificate (NCRC), Parents As Teachers Education Center and Arkansas Tech evening classes, students are served a
(PAT) Program, OSHA 10 Certifications, University-Ozark Campus. free, hot meal provided by various local
Welding Program, Home Helpers All CCAEC courses are free of charge businesses, churches, and community
Personal Care Assistant Program, Basic and financial aid assistance is available on organizations.
Introduction to Construction, and Civil
Service Exam Preparation. Programs and
courses are routinely added, and students
are encouraged to check with the Center
about current availability.
The CCAEC Alternative Sentencing
Program provides a robust partnership
with the Crawford County Justice Center,
Crawford County District Court, Child
Support Court, Drug Court, and Probation
Office. The program provides training and
education as an alternative to incarceration
for justice involved individuals.
CCAEC’s Alternative Sentencing
Program was recognized as an innovative timsautobodyinc.com
practice in adult education by the
Advancing Innovation in Adult Education
project, led by Manhattan Strategy Group
in 2021.
The project, which is funded by the
U.S. Department of Education, Office of
Career, Technical, and Adult Education
(OCTAE), named CCAEC as one of nine
practices selected nationally for innovative
approaches modeling effective integrated
education and training (IET) programs,
transitioning adult learners from adult basic
education to postsecondary education or
training, and increasing access to adult
education services.
46 Van Buren Chamber 2026 Community Profile vanburenchamber.org