We made history!

Thank you for supporting AACS’s first ever Virtual Annual Convention & Expo.

All session recordings are now available on the AACS website for 30 days. Access is
password protected, and registrants received the password via email this week. Contact
info@beautyschools.org if you have questions or concerns.

Congratulations to this year’s NF Cimaglia Award, Kim McIntosh, president of Crave Beauty Academy! The award, sponsored by Milady, recognizes individuals who have demonstrated continuous outstanding service in the beauty education industry. Watch the award presentation here.

Congratulations to Jim Petrillo, the new AACS Board president. Also newly elected or returning to serve on the Board: Kevin Cameron and Stephenie Dugan; and returning board members Cathy Koluch and Garrett Shuler. 

Lauren Spivey is a Licensed Massage Therapist. She graduated from Cortiva Institute. She now owns her own three-room massage facility. She wants U.S. Congresswoman Stephanie Murphy, U.S. Representative Val Demings, Senators Rick Scott and Marco Rubio to protect student loans for massage therapy programs. The funds and her education changed her life. 

You can watch her story here.

Encourage your students to record a short 30-60 second video that explains what their education means to them. Learn more about the #DontCutUsOut campaign here.

AACS Reopening Guide

States are adjusting their phased openings based on new information daily. Stay updated with AACS’ Reopening Guide to help your schools and organization proceed with protocols to ensure the safety and health of your staff, instructors, students, and community. In addition to resources, it also includes a state-by-state list of reopening policies. Click on this link to find out more. 

AACS Coronavirus Resource Center

AACS is here for you with a comprehensive coronavirus resource page that will be updated as new information comes in. Click here for updates from the Centers for Disease Control, World Health Organization, Small Business Administration, U.S. Department of Education, accreditors, distance learning educators and more.

AACS has chosen FlexCare, a leading provider of digital health solutions, as a telemedicine partner offering unmatched service, pricing and plan flexibility to our members. FlexCare telemedicine provides members 24/7/365 telephonic or live video access to U.S. board- certified physicians in all 50 states who can diagnose, treat and prescribe medication, when appropriate, for many acute medical conditions.  

To find out more, visit the FlexCare website. To sign up, contact: Jennifer@FlexCare.com.

As a member benefit of The American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS) you are eligible to receive our exclusive discounts at Office Depot® and OfficeMax® in-store and on-line.  
 

Access your Store Purchasing Card (SPC) and show the card to the cashier in-store at checkout and see your savings!  You can access the card in several ways:

1.       Download the Office Depot Business App (after online account is setup),

2.       Text AACSSPC to 833-602-8404 or,

3.       Visit this link

Recordings of webinars to help you operate your school in light of the pandemic and changing regulations are available to members only. 

Webinars to date are:

• Navigating Distance Education
• Understanding the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund Grant
• CARES Act Relief for Schools
• Best Practices for Re-Opening Your School
• Coronavirus Legal Update
• Moving Beyond Awareness: Diversity & Inclusion in Cosmetology Schools
• Safety, Health, And PPE Virtual Training & Resources
• Optimizing Cash Flow: Ways to Increase On-time Payments & Decrease Delinquent Payments Part 1
• Marketing During the Pandemic: What Schools Got Right, Wrong and What to do for 2021
• Updates on HEERF Grants & Reporting Requirements

If you would like the recording, email info@beautyschools.org. More will be available soon. Monitor your inbox for the latest information.

Additional FAQs are available regarding:

Navigating Distance Education

Prescription RX Card Benefit

With heightened concerns about our health, you and your staff, faculty and students may need some additional assistance with your prescriptions. Ask the AACS national office how you can download your prescription card, and potentially save up to 80% on your medications. There are no health restrictions, and may be used on drugs not covered in health plans. It may even be used on many pet prescriptions. The card is pre-activated and ready for use! For your copy, contact Cristina@beautyschools.org. This benefit is for members only, and is accepted at more than 68,000 pharmacies nationwide.

Federal Updates 

The AACS Government Relations Committee and its federal advocacy team at Duane Morris LLP represents the interests of AACS members in Congress. The GRC, through the Duane Morris team, provides a bi-weekly Washington Update to AACS membership that provides the most relevant information about what is happening in Congress and at the Department that may impact your school. We encourage all AACS members to read the Washington Update to keep up to date on developments and calls to action. We urge each and every AACS member school to set up a call with the Senators and House members who represent your school locations, and consider hosting a fundraiser. We will make it easy for you. Just call our lead advocate, Katherine Brodie at Duane Morris LLP in Washington, D.C. to learn how you can get more involved and help make a difference to your school, employees and students. Katherine can be reached at: kdbrodie@duanemorris.com or (202) 776-5241.

State Update

Please do not hesitate to contact Brian Newman at bnewman@abingdonstrategies.com or by phone at 202-491-5254 with comments or questions.