Arkansas State presents Howell and Atlas college transition programs; seeks statewide alliance and funding pathways

Dr. Kristen Johnson, executive director of RestoreHub and an associate professor of psychology, told the legislative task force that she founded two Arkansas State postsecondary transition programs — Howell and Atlas — and that their first class began in 2020. She said Howell is a comprehensive transition program (CTP) in which students are admitted to the university as full students, while Atlas supports degree‑seeking students who need additional campus supports.

"Our students are actually admitted to the university. So they are a full fledged Red Wolf all the way," Johnson said, drawing attention to the programs’ residential and campus integration model. She said program lengths vary (options for two, three or four years) and that students may exit earlier once they have met individualized independence goals.

Johnson outlined classroom and life‑skills offerings such as cooking, social skills, mock interviews, oral communication and a capstone that integrates job training and community integration. She said the programs reduced earlier course loads to allow students to pursue certificates and campus coursework sooner.

On outcomes, Johnson said staff track program goals and reported strong performance for cohorts followed through 2023–24. "Seventy‑five percent of our students who have graduated are working full time," she said, and she argued that supported employment produces measurable benefits for graduates and employers.

On costs and funding, Johnson said program fees are posted online and that "our fees are 5,000 per semester." She clarified she could not speak to institutional tuition rates but described $5,000 as a program fee that covers supports such as job coaching; she said staff are working with vocational rehabilitation, Medicaid and other financing approaches to reduce or eliminate fees over time and offered to share statutory language from other states that have subsidized programs.

When legislators asked about statewide coordination and employer outreach, Johnson said collaborations exist but are fragmented and that Arkansas State is launching a state alliance to build institutional knowledge and sustain programs beyond individual leaders. She named ASU Mountain Home and the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff as institutions opening related programs under a U.S. Department of Education grant that, she said, will fund a consortium for five years.

The university also highlighted student testimony: several students described internships, campus involvement, and social connections as important program outcomes. Johnson said the programs emphasize person‑centered goals and measurable transitions to employment and independent living.

The committee asked follow‑up questions about eligibility, outreach and the structure of fees. Johnson said admission to Howell does not require a high school diploma unless a student seeks a degree and that she will provide additional materials and examples of financing language used in other states. The task force thanked presenters and indicated the discussion would continue in future meetings.