About Us

Arkansas PROMISE is a research project open to youth ages 14 to 16 who currently receive SSI benefits. Participants must enroll before their 17th birthday. Once enrolled, PROMISE will provide services through September 2018. PROMISE will only enroll 2000 youth. For 1000 youth, PROMISE will provide additional services to youth and their families to support their education and career goals. Services include: Intensive case management, two paid competitive work experiences, education and employment training and support for youth and families, benefits counseling, and health & wellness training

Arkansas PROMISE is part of a new program sponsored by the U.S. Department of Education and the Social Security Administration (SSA) to help youth who are receiving disability benefits and their families improve their educational and employment outcomes. This project is being implemented in 11 states. In Arkansas, the program is being administered by the Department of Education and the University of Arkansas, in partnership with several other state agencies and private organizations. A team of researchers at Mathematica Policy Research is evaluating the program. Approximately 2,000 youth in Arkansas will be in the evaluation.