Strong, emboldened and concise could be used to describe Judge Barry Hyde’s annual State of the County address.

In his 20-minute speech, Judge Hyde laid out several areas of improvement including plans to restructure the county’s juvenile justice probation and intake process. He intends to hire a Director of Juvenile Justice Services who will draft a policy and procedure manual, clarify roles and responsibilities, develop a management structure and develop a training curriculum. These probation and intake improvements will be carried out in collaboration with the County Attorney and the County Judge. All improvements are based on recommendations from the Robert K. Kennedy National Resource Center for Juvenile Justice’s 2016 Probation System Review Final Report.

Additionally, Judge Hyde, in partnership with the Army Corps of Engineers and the Pulaski County Sheriff’s Office, will make improvements to Terry Park to make the park more welcoming to patrons.

Despite continued cuts to grant funding, the county will use carry over funds to expand out of school and afterschool program in Higgins, Oak Grove and McAlmont.

“If the state and federal government want to reduce funds for our out-of-school care and Pre-K programs, which provide assistance to lower-income families, Pulaski County has to find a way to do it,” said Hyde. “Ignoring their needs, robbing them of opportunity and reducing services to these children is simply not an option.”

Read more about County Judge Barry Hyde’s plans for the future of Pulaski County

Housing and Urban Development Renews Funding for Family Self-Sufficiency Program

Pulaski County, AR – Pulaski County Government announced today that the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) awarded approximately $43,000 to renew support to the Pulaski County Housing Agency’s Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) Program.

U.S. Senator John Boozman, who serves on the U.S. Transportation, Housing and Urban Development and Relate Agencies Subcommittee, gave his support and congratulations.

“This investment allows the Pulaski County Housing Agency to assist more families in creating a better future,” Senator Boozman said. “I’m proud to support this grant that enables Arkansans to gain vital job-training skills that will put them on the path to financial independence,” he said.

Established in 1990, the FSS program is funded by HUD to promote employment and increase assets for low-income families receiving federal rent subsidies or public housing. FSS is a five-year program that helps participants become self-sufficient by accomplishing goals such as completing a degree or certification, purchasing a home and securing stable employment.

Participants must be an active client of the Section 8 housing program for one year. If interested, the participant is placed on a waiting list until one of the 26 spots becomes available. When a spot is available, he or she attends a FSS briefing meeting where the participant sets goals and signs a contract.

An important part of the FSS program is the Escrow Savings Account. Each participating family has the opportunity to develop FSS escrowed savings through an account established and controlled by the Public Housing Agency (PHA). As a participant’s earned income increases, so does the percentage they must pay for rent. For FSS participants; however, an amount generally equal to their increased rent because of increased earnings is placed in the FSS escrow account.

“Our participants, overall, have been extremely successful in reaching their goals and completing the program,” Community Services Director Fredrick Love said. “This program allows individuals to improve their quality of life for themselves and their families and truly become—self-sufficient.”

In 2018, FSS had one participant whose goal was to find a more suitable career path and repair her credit. She graduated from the FSS program, became a homeowner and is no longer a Section 8 recipient. Of the remaining participants, 19 have a goal of homeownership, 13 have goals to pursue higher education, and seven are pursuing higher education goals. Three of the participants have goals of entrepreneurship. All FSS clients are working to establish or repair their credit to prepare for homeownership.

“I thank Senator Boozman for his continued support of this program for citizens of Pulaski County,” Pulaski County Judge Barry Hyde said. “This program is proving to be a huge success for those who want to have more independence and cycle off government assistance,” he said. “Establishing goals with the help of our housing team and making a commitment to those goals, ensures accountability and completion of the program. I wish each participant continued success.”

Pulaski County Youth Services launched a new program titled “Leadership Through Literacy.” This program was created to provide community leaders an opportunity to read to elementary school students throughout the county. The program aims to inspire youth by exposing them to different types of leaders in various job roles. The leader will read to the students and share a little about themselves. Pulaski County Youth Services will also make a book donation to the school library.

Today we kicked off Black History Month by having Pulaski County Judge Barry Hyde and Pulaski County Special School District Superintendent Dr. Charles McNulty, read books to the Pre-K students at Daisy Bates Elementary. The students were excited to hear stories featuring African American characters and authors.

It was a great kickoff!

The Pulaski County Inauguration Ceremony is Thursday, January 3, 2019 at 6 p.m. at the Pulaski County Administration Building in the Quorum Court meeting room. Pulaski County Circuit Court Judge Vann Smith will conduct the swearing in ceremony. Hors d’oeuvres will be served following the ceremony. This event is free and open to the public.

Congratulations to our elected officials on their upcoming terms as a Pulaski County Elected Officials. See everyone Thursday, January 3.

December 4, 2018 General Election Polling Location Changes

Organizations allow the use of their facilities as polling locations on a strictly voluntary basis.  Due to the unavailability of some facilities on the day of the December 4, 2018 General Election Runoff, the following election day polling location changes have been made:

Precinct 69 voters, who voted at First Baptist Little Rock in the General Election, will be voting at:

Temple B’nai Israel
3700 N Rodney Parham Rd
Little Rock, Arkansas

Precinct 73 voters, who voted at Parkway Place Baptist Church in the General Election, will be voting at:

Highland Valley United Methodist Church
15524 Chenal Parkway
Little Rock, Arkansas

Precinct 74 voters, who voted at Agape Church in the General Election, will be voting at:

Pulaski Academy
12301 Hinson Rd
Little Rock, Arkansas

Precinct 76 voters, who voted at Parkway Place Baptist Church in the General Election, will be voting at:

Immanuel Baptist Church
501 Shackleford Rd
Little Rock, Arkansas

Any voters effected by this change will receive a notice in the mail of his or her temporary polling location for this General Election Runoff.