1997 was the culmination of more than a two-year effort to create skill standards for entry level cosmetologists.  That project has been completed in its initial phase and we are now incorporating those standards in textbooks, making it available to the cosmetology educators for curriculum inclusions with the intent of having the standards included and accepted by all stare boards.  This work will lead to "Raising the Bar" educationally and should lead to uniform, national levels of education.  Eventually this should lead to licensing reciprocity and more uniform schooling hour requirements.  All this would create a higher level of professionalism and respect for cosmetology careers.

1998 saw CAF diligently develop a scholarship initiative called the ACE Grant Program, in conjunction with the American Association of Cosmetology Schools and The Beauty & Barber Supply Institute.  This program is designed to attract career- focused individuals to cosmetology and help address the serious shortage of stylists.

CAF continued its outreach program to create positive images and change perceptions of careers in cosmetology.  We are creating a positive image of cosmetology by exhibiting and speaking to the American Association of Guidance Counselors at their annual meetings, the National PTA Conferences and The American Vocational Association of Annual Conferences.

A new recruitment tool "Field of Dreams" was produced in video and slide form.  This now becomes a part of the CAF's library of video and recruitment brochures available to our entire industry.