Over the next four weeks during the holiday season, we’ll countdown the top reasons to be an AACS member. Reason #4: our exclusive discounts for office and PPE supplies and health-related benefits are only available for members.

Former AACS Board President Michael Halmon shares his top two reasons for membership.

Along with your dues, we are asking that you make a donation to our continued government relations efforts. The suggested donation is $500, but any amount is helpful. Thank you for your continued support of the American Association of Cosmetology Schools and we look forward to another successful year.

To join, renew or learn more about joining AACS, contact cristina@beautyschools.org.

Tiffany Baker is a graduate and an instructor at the Cortiva Institute in Arlington, Texas. She wants Congressman Ron Wright, and Senators Ted Cruz and John Cornyn to know we need schools like Cortiva to stay around because there are so many people that prefer hands-on jobs like massage therapy, cosmetology, and more. Massage therapy has helped her and others in so many ways

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.

A new season brings new scholarship opportunities for AACS students. The Sydell & Arnold Miller Family Foundation is funding 6 scholarship awards in the Winter scholarship competition, opening December 1. Both cosmetology and esthetics scholarships will be awarded. Check out how Arnold Miller Find-A-Way scholarship winner and Arrojo Cosmetology School alum Jennifer Lord is finding success as an artist, author and activist behind the chair and behind the curtain.

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
• State Year in Review

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.

COVID-19 Resources

AACS Guide to Reopening

This page contains a running list of state reopening guidance for salons and other personal care businesses.

AACS Coronavirus Resource Center 

The bottom of this page contains a running list of state distance learning guidance.  It was compiled with assistance from the AACS State Relations Committee and/or a review of state board websites. Accordingly, developments may be occurring faster than our ability to capture/report on them. Please contact your state regulator(s) for the most current information.

State and Local Government Responses to Covid-19

Stateside Associates, a state and local government relations firm, has created a chart with state legislative actions, executive agency actions, gubernatorial actions, and local government actions related to the outbreak of the coronavirus.  Executive actions closing retail and “non-essential” businesses will be of interest. 

PBA/Stateside Associates Report: Reopening of State and Local Economies

Updated December 1, 2020

National Governors Association Coronavirus Updates

COVID-19 State Legislation – National Conference of State Legislatures