Position: Executive Director, Mainstream CIL; Little Rock, AR

Dear Colleagues and Associates,

After twenty-seven years of dedicated service to the disability community, Rita Byers, Executive Director of Independent Living Resource Center, Inc. d.b.a. Mainstream passed away on December 25, 2025. Rita was a passionate advocate whose leadership strengthened independent living services across Arkansas and whose work empowered countless individuals with disabilities to live with dignity, autonomy, and opportunity. While we recognize that filling her role will be a significant undertaking, the Board of Directors has initiated a national talent search to identify the organization’s next Executive Director.

Enclosed with this letter is the job announcement for the position of Executive Director of Mainstream. We would greatly appreciate your assistance in sharing this opportunity with qualified professionals in the disability services field who may be interested in applying.

Mainstream is a non‑profit, non‑residential, consumer‑driven Independent Living Resource Center for people with disabilities located in Central Arkansas in the city of Little Rock. Mainstream serves Faulkner, Lonoke, Perry, Prairie, Pulaski and some of Saline counties. The organization operates in accordance with the standards and indicators established in the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended for Centers for Independent Living.

Interested applicants may submit a resume and cover letter by e‑mail to .

Permanent, Full‑Time, Exempt

$70,000 – $85,000, commensurate with qualifications and experience

Central Arkansas service area with one Independent Living (IL) office serving Faulkner, Lonoke, Perry, Prairie, Pulaski and parts of Saline counties; regular in‑state travel required.

Founded in 1987, Independent Living Resource Center, Inc. d.b.a. Mainstream is a private, nonprofit Center for Independent Living (CIL) dedicated to empowering people with disabilities to live self‑directed lives and to advancing a barrier‑free Arkansas through advocacy, systems change, and public education.

Mainstream is consumer‑controlled, with most of the Board of Directors and staff identifying as people with disabilities. Services are funded through a combination of federal, state, local, and private sources, including Title VII, Chapter 1, Part C of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as Amended, as administered by the Administration for Community Living (ACL), an operating division of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

The Executive Director (ED) is the chief executive officer of Mainstream and provides visionary, mission‑driven leadership grounded in the Independent Living philosophy. Reporting to the President of the Board of Directors, the ED is responsible for:

• Strategic leadership
• Fiscal stewardship
• Community relations
• Advocacy
• Ensuring full compliance with ACL/Title VII requirements, State of Arkansas regulations, and all applicable federal and state laws.

• Partner with the Board of Directors to advance the mission, vision, and strategic priorities of Mainstream.
• Lead implementation and evaluation of the organization’s multi‑year strategic plan.
• Provide regular, transparent reporting to the Board on organizational performance, risks, and opportunities.

• Ensure high‑quality, consumer‑directed delivery of the five core Independent Living services:
  • Individual and Systems Advocacy
  • Peer Counseling/Support
  • Independent Living Skills Training
  • Information and Referral
  • Transition Services
• Ensure compliance with Title VII of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as Amended, ACL regulations, and Arkansas state requirements governing the CIL.
• Promote continuous quality improvement, outcome measurement, and consumer satisfaction.
• Oversee development and management of the annual operating budget.
• Ensure strong financial controls, fiscal integrity, and long‑term sustainability.
• Review financial statements and ensure completion of required independent audits.
• Ensure compliance with federal and state fiscal, reporting, and audit requirements.
• Recruit, develop, supervise, and…