Board & Staff

Terry Bearden is the executive director of the Arkansas Community Action Agencies Association and serves as president of the Association of Nationally Certified ROMA Trainers and as vice-president of the Region VI Community Action Association boards of directors. She is a member of the NCAP Equity and Economic Mobility Commission, Arkansas Public Policy Panel Economic Justice and Civil Rights caucuses, Center of Excellence Steering Committee, State Association Think Tank, State Association ROMA Work Group, and CSBG Working Group. Terry is a Results-Oriented Management and Accountability (ROMA) Master Trainer, University of Connecticut Family Development Credential Program Instructor and Portfolio Advisor, and graduate of the University of Central Arkansas Community Development Institute–Central. Throughout her 22-year community action career, Terry has been a member of numerous coalitions, task forces, and work groups and has spoken, served on panels, and led workshops at local, state, regional, and national conferences. Terry holds an Associate Degree from the University of Arkansas System eVersity and will obtain a Bachelor of Science in Business Management in early 2023, fulfilling her long-delayed dream of obtaining a post-secondary education.

Erin Jacobson joined ACAAA in October 2020 as its Grants and Special Projects Director, and is also serving as the program manager of the Arkansas COVID-19 Fresh Start Housing Stabilization Program. She is a 2005 graduate of The Ohio State University with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Criminology, drawing on over 15 years of non-profit experience, including her time with several area nonprofits focused on increasing access to the justice system, affordable housing, and related social advocacy work. An Ohio native, Erin has lived in Arkansas since 2011, where she continues to be inspired by leaders across the state working to reduce poverty and empower low-income Arkansans.

In her position as Professional Development Director, Tomekia Moore will coordinate and provide in-person and virtual professional development and certification opportunities for executives, administrative and program managers, direct service staff, and board members of nonprofit organizations. She will also implement existing learning & professional development strategies for association member agencies and design custom training modules to meet identified skills development needs. Tomekia will Serve as administrator of the ACAAA-Demix Learning Management System (LMS) and encourage engagement with the variety of training opportunities provided by ACAAA.