Little River County Health Coalition to Host Youth Suicide Prevention Lunch-and-Learn Event

On Thursday, November 7, 2019, the Little River County Coalition, Jason Foundation, Inc., and UA Cossatot will be co-hosting a lunch-and-learn presentation entitled “Youth Suicide: A Silent Epidemic” at UA Cossatot’s Ashdown Campus. The presentation will begin at 11:00 a.m. in the Barbara Horn Civic Center and will conclude at 12:00 noon. Lunch will be provided at no cost by Harbor House for the first 25 registrants. Participants may also bring their own lunch.

Presenter Brittany Palermo will provide an introduction to the national health issue of youth suicide including warning signs, elevated risk factors and other important supporting materials. Palermo says, “I believe prevention can only come through awareness, education and preparedness. My hope is that the mental health of our youth will take a more prominent importance in schools and our communities.”

Palermo, a Southern Arkansas University graduate and Registered Nurse, joined Jason Foundation Inc. in 2017 while working as a mobile assessor with Riverview Behavioral Health. With a background in hospital settings and a passion for the mental health of our youth she's strived to reach youth, guardians, providers, and communities to educate about youth suicide as a national health issue.

All are invited to attend this free event. To reserve a seat, please contact the Little River County Health Coalition via email at lrcountyhealthcoalition@gmail.com or by phone at 870-331-2443.

Weekly Update from State Representative DeAnn Vaught

On average, an Arkansan with a bachelor’s degree will earn $700,000 more in a 30 year career than those who drop out of college. The gap climbs to $1.5 million for those with a doctorate.

This information is included in the 2018 Economic Security Report which was presented this week to the Arkansas Legislative Council Higher Education Sub-Committee.

The report makes clear that the cost to obtain any certificates or degrees at an Arkansas public postsecondary institution is significantly lower than the hundreds of thousands or millions of dollars in additional average career earnings.

Not including living expenses, the estimated cost in Arkansas for an associate’s degree is $10,000. The estimated cost for a bachelor’s degree $30,000.

Each level of educational achievement provides a boost in earnings power. In fact, the report shows a significant difference in earnings just the first year. On average, first year earnings for Arkansans with a bachelor’s degree are $31,800. Average first year earnings for high school graduates are $11,900.

Employment rates are also impacted by levels of education. First year full-time employment rates for college dropouts is 29%. The rates climb to 44% for Arkansans with a Certificate of Proficiency and 58% for those with an associate’s degree.

In most cases, what you study matters more than where you study. For those with an associate’s degree, science technology and health professionals make the most in average first year earnings. For those with bachelor’s degrees, engineering students make the most in average first year earnings.

Studies of health professions are the most popular over all degree areas in Arkansas as well as being the most popular choice for Certificates of Proficiency, Technical Certificates, and First Professional degrees. The most common Bachelor’s degree programs are in Business, Management, and Marketing.

Although each graduate’s success will reflect a variety of factors such as the local job market, where they choose to live, and what area they chose to study, the Economic Report provides valuable information as students and parents consider education and career choices. We have posted the report on our website: www.arkansashouse.org.

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Colt Drawdown Friday Night from Lockesburg

UA Cossatot Agricultural Students are Headed to Washington, D.C.

UA Cossatot students Dusty Kesterson and Kinley Wright along with UA Cossatot agriculture faculty, Kelli Harris, will be in the nation’s Capitol October 22 -25 attending the 26th National ATE Principal Investigators' Conference. Kinley and Dusty were selected to present information about their GIS (Geographic Information System) projects in agriculture at the conference.

This conference is held by the American Association of Community Colleges, with the support of the National Science Foundation (NSF), at the Omni Shoreham Hotel in Washington, DC. The conference is by invitation only and will bring together NSF ATE grantees and their project partners to focus on issues related to advanced technological education. Conference attendees represent community colleges, industry, secondary education, and 4-year colleges covering projects in a variety of areas, such as information technology, nanotechnologies, biotechnology, and more.

UA Cossatot has been a part of an NSF ATE grant called OPENGATE (Opening Pathways to Employment through Nontraditional Geospatial Applications in Technical Education) for the past three years. This grant is a collaboration between four community colleges in the University of Arkansas system with the University of Arkansas Center for Advanced Spatial Technologies, or CAST, serving as a technical resource. The goal of this grant is to increase access to education in location-based technologies to prepare students for employment in a wide variety of industries. As part of the grant, GIS technology and training has been integrated into the curriculum of the agriculture program at UA Cossatot.

Kelli Harris was able to nominate two students from UA Cossatot to apply to attend the conference. Dusty and Kinley were involved in numerous GIS projects in their agriculture classes at UA Cossatot. Both students have also attended and presented at the ArcGIS Users’ Forum in Little Rock, and Kinley attended additional training provided by Hanna Ford and Malcom Williamson from CAST this summer. After being nominated by Ms. Harris, the students submitted an application with the OPENGATE team. Only two students from all of the community colleges participating in the grant would be selected to apply to represent OPENGATE at the 2019 ATE conference in Washington, D.C., and Kesterson and Wright made it through both rounds of the selection process.

At the conference, the students will present a poster about their projects. This will allow them to highlight their program of study and the opportunities to use GIS technology in agriculture. On October 25, Dusty and Kinley will be recognized by the National Science Foundation for their achievement in ATE programs.

Dusty Kesterson's poster is about a project created in his Natural Resources class using a Survey123 app called "Naturally Fun in Sevier County". The app collects data about recreational activities that involve natural resources in Sevier County. Data was collected about the location of hiking trails, boat ramps, swim beaches, public hunting areas, and much more. Dusty's poster will show how the data was collected and analyzed. The Natural Resources class is also developing a partnership with the Sevier County Economic Development Commission to use the data collected to help promote tourism in Sevier County, Arkansas.

Kinley Wright's poster will describe a Survey123 app she developed called “Just Show It” that collects information from livestock exhibitors about their awards. The data can be used by livestock exhibitors, agricultural teachers, and 4-H leaders to organize, analyze, and display that information.

UA Cossatot instructor, Kelli Harris said, “I am very excited about the opportunity these students have to visit Washington D.C. and represent UA Cossatot at the ATE Conference. They have worked very hard on their projects and I know they will make us proud.”

Lockesburg Lions Club and UAC Foundation Raises Money at Trade Days

On September 27 and 28, the Lockesburg Lions Club and the UA Cossatot Foundation hosted the third annual Blue Darter Trade Days. The two-day event raised over $2,000 to help support the organizations’ projects.
Blue Darter Trade Days is an event that invites vendors from Southwest Arkansas and the surrounding area to sell unique merchandise. In addition, event festivities included a fish fry, a pumpkin patch, and Bingo.
“It was great partnering up with the UA Cossatot Foundation to not only raise funds for each of our organizations, but also provide a fun community event for people in Southwest Arkansas,” said Zebbie Launius, Lockesburg Lion’s Club Member.
The UA Cossatot Foundation hosted a fish fry from 11:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M. on Friday and Saturday. UA Cossatot Chancellor, Dr. Steve Cole and Sevier County Judge, Greg Ray fried the fish. Proceeds went to benefit the Colt’s Basketball teams.
UA Cossatot Student Ambassadors hosted fall festival games and sold pumpkins for the community to purchase. UA Cossatot’s student organization, Rotaract also participated in the event by providing a concession stand.
The Lockesburg Lion’s Club hosted Bingo at 2:00 P.M. on Saturday, September 28. The proceeds will fund an upcoming beautification project in the city of Lockesburg.
The fourth annual Blue Darter Trade Days is set to take place in September 2020.

De Queen Open this Saturday at De Queen Country Club Golf Course

De Queen Country Club will host the De Queen Open golf tournament this Saturday and Sunday. Tee times 10 am Saturday, 1:00 pm Sunday. Five divisions. Entry fee $20 and that includes a Saturday night pulled pork meal. Jeff Brown and Phyliss Phillips visited with Loren Hinton Tuesday morning about the tourney.

Colts Basketball Drawdown is October 18th for $5,000

Red Ribbon Week Activities at UA Cossatot

Hunters Education Class Offered in Winthrop

Lunch and Learn at UA Cossatot De Queen Skilled Trades Building

U.S. Citizenship Assistance Class offered by UA Cossatot’s Adult Education

UA Cossatot’s Adult Education department will be offering an eight-week course to help individuals receive assistance with the U.S. naturalization application, interview, and civics exam. This free U.S. Citizenship class is an eight-week course offered from 3:00 P.M. to 4:30 P.M. on Tuesdays and Thursdays beginning on October 15, 2019.
Students wanting to take this class must register for the course in person by 6:00 P.M. on October 14. This course is offered through UA Cossatot’s Adult Education department at the Howard County Campus in Nashville.
The U.S. Citizenship class is for permanent residents who are planning to apply for U.S. Naturalization. It will prepare applicants for the naturalization interview and civics test. Assistance with filling out the N-400 Application for Naturalization is also available.
The classes are at Nashville, but anyone can register for the U.S. Citizenship class at any UA Cossatot Adult Education site. UA Cossatot’s Adult Education office is open from 8:00 A.M. to 6:00 P.M. for anyone that would like to register.
For more information, please call UA Cossatot’s Adult Education department at 870-584-1318.

UA Cossatot Colts Drawdown on October 18

On Friday, October 18, 2019, the University of Arkansas Cossatot Foundation will host a drawdown to benefit the UA Cossatot Colts and Lady Colts basketball teams. The drawdown will take place at 6:30 P.M. at the UA Cossatot Bank of Lockesburg Gymnasium.
Tickets for the drawdown are $100.Tickets include a steak dinner for two and one entry for the $5000 cash prize the night of the event.
UA Cossatot Chancellor Dr. Steve Cole and Ed 88 Station Manager and DJ Loren Hinton will emcee the drawdown. Colts and Lady Colts players will be attending the event, allowing those in attendance to meet the players.
“We are excited to see basketball at UA Cossatot in the historic gym. This will be a fun event, and you never know who will win $5000!” says UA Cossatot Chancellor, Dr. Steve Cole.
The college’s first home game this season will be on October 31 for the Lady Colts and November 5 for the Colts.
To purchase a drawdown ticket, please contact UA Cossatot Foundation Director, Dustin Roberts, at 870-584-1172 or droberts@cccua.edu

Bee Venom Therapy Topic at October Beekeepers Meeting

"Chronic Lyme Disease and Bee Venom Therapy - Getting My Life Back" will be the program at this month's meeting of Southwest Arkansas Beekeepers. The speaker, Jennifer Brown, Vice-President of Louisiana Beekeepers Association, has successfully treated chronic Lyme disease with bee venom and other hive products and enjoys sharing with others how honey bees can benefit wellness and healing. The meeting is Monday, October 14. Sign-in will begin at 6:00 pm in Room 101 at Cossatot Community College in Nashville and the meeting and program will begin promptly at 6:30 pm.

Southwest Arkansas Beekeepers meets the second Monday monthly and holds free workshops and training activities throughout the year and anyone interested is invited. Membership is NOT required to attend monthly meetings or any other other activities of the Association. For more information about this month's meeting or about Southwest Arkansas Beekeepers activities, contact Debra Bolding at (870) 557-2352.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Civil War Weekend at Historic Washington State Park

Event: Civil War School Day at Historic Washington State Park

(November 1, 2019)

9:30 to 4:00

Civil War Weekend
(November 2 & 3, 2019)
9:00 – 5:00

Living history reenactors portraying marching soldiers and civilian refugee camps once again fill Washington, helping guest understand the conflict that no one thought would last so long.

Washington and Hempstead County raised 18 companies of soldiers who left loved ones behind, waiting, and wondering about them.

Tour various stations of soldiers, civilians, and historic homes that show the many aspects of life during the American Civil War.

Skirmishes will begin at 2:00pm Saturday and 2:00PM on Sunday.

CW Day Admission: $10 adults, $6 children (plus tax). Admission will get you into the skirmish along with all historic homes and museums

For more information, contact the park at 870-983-2684.

2020- 2021 Scholarship and Grant Applications are Open

As of October 1, 2019, current and prospective UA Cossatot students can apply for scholarships and grants for the 2020-2021 academic year by completing online applications. All federal, state and local scholarships and grants are now available to view and complete.

Students can apply for UA Cossatot Foundation scholarships that are available now through April 1. This opportunity will allow applicants the chance to apply and have access to a variety of local awards for the next academic year.

Some scholarships are semester specific. The overview and qualifications can vary, but all can be viewed at https://cccua.awardspring.com/. Students can also complete the online scholarship application to be eligible to receive a UA Cossatot Foundation scholarship on this webpage.

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State scholarships and grants can also be viewed at the Arkansas Department of Higher Education (ADHE) website, https://scholarships.adhe.edu/. General information about each financial aid opportunity will be listed, including deadlines, requirements, and award amounts.

Arkansas Department of Higher Education | College for You

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The FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) application is open for the 20-21 academic year and can be viewed at https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/fafsa.

FAFSA®: Apply for Aid

Contact Your Financial Aid Office Check with your financial aid administrator. Contact Your Financial Aid Office There is no state deadline for Alberta. Contact Your Financial Aid Office Check with your financial aid administrator. Additional forms may be required. Contact Your Financial Aid Office Check with your financial aid administrator.

Completing the FAFSA will allow the government to determine if a student is eligible for federal financial aid. UA Cossatot’s Financial Aid department encourages all UA Cossatot students to complete the FAFSA.

During this fall semester, Financial Aid employees at the college will also be hosting FAFSA Fridays to give students the opportunity to complete the FAFSA with a Financial Aid Specialist. FASFA Fridays will take place at the De Queen, Nashville, and Ashdown Campuses from 9:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M. on October 18, October 25, November 8, November 22, and December 13.

To make an appointment for a FAFSA Friday meeting at the Ashdown Campus, please contact Tiffany Maurer at 870-584-1127. Nashville Campus appointments for FAFSA Friday can be made by contacting Monica Clark at 870-584-1364. To make an appointment for FAFSA Friday at the De Queen Campus, please contact Denise Hammond at 870-584-1118.###

FAFSA Fridays Taking Place This Fall

FAFSA Fridays are a free service that UA Cossatot’s Financial Aid department provides to help UA Cossatot students complete the FAFSA. The college will be hosting FAFSA Fridays on five Fridays this fall semester at the UA Cossatot Ashdown, Nashville, and De Queen Campus.

FAFSA Fridays will take place on October 18, October 25, November 8, November 22, and December 13. Appointments must be made to meet with a Financial Aid Specialist. FAFSA Fridays will begin at 9:00 A.M. and end at 1:00 P.M.

FAFSA stands for Free Application for Federal Student Aid. The FAFSA for the 2020-2021 academic year became available on October 1, 2019. FAFSA Friday events allow current and future students the opportunity to complete the FAFSA with assistance from a UA Cossatot Financial Aid Specialist.

To make an appointment for a FAFSA Friday meeting at the Ashdown Campus, please contact Tiffany Maurer at 870-584-1127. Nashville Campus appointments for FAFSA Friday can be made by contacting Monica Clark at 870-584-1364. To make an appointment for FAFSA Friday at the De Queen Campus, please contact Denise Hammond at 870-584-1118.

Students and family members who attend a FAFSA Friday appointment must bring the following to complete financial aid applications:

· Student’s Social Security Number

· Student’s Alien Registration Number (if not a U.S. citizen)

· Student’s 2018 federal income tax returns, W-2s, and other records of money earned if applicable. (Note: You may be able to transfer your federal tax return information into your FAFSA using the IRS Data Retrieval Tool.)

· Student’s bank statements and records of investments (if applicable)

· Student’s records of untaxed income (if applicable)

· Student’s FSA ID to sign electronically (can be created at appointment)

If the student is dependent, their parent will also need to complete a portion of the FAFSA with the above information. To make sure all applications are entirely completed, parents are encouraged to bring their documents as listed above to the FAFSA Friday appointment

Dustin Roberts Talks About UA Cossatot Colts Drawdown

UA Cossatot Colts Basketball Coach Brad Phillips

Special guest on the Monday Ed-ition of the Morning Show with Loren will be UA Cossatot basketball Coach Brad Phillips who talked about the Colts' scrimmage this past Friday night, the upcoming schedule and more.

Weekly Update from State Representative DeAnn Vaught

Last flu season, 113 influenza related deaths were reported in Arkansas. According to the Arkansas Department of Health (ADH), 71% of the adults who died were unvaccinated or had an unknown vaccine history.

ADH also reported that 28 schools closed briefly due to the flu last season.

While only moderate in severity, the 2018-2019 season was record-breaking in duration, with flu activity remaining elevated for 21 weeks. The 2017-2018 flu season was the most severe in a decade, with 228 deaths in the state.

If you have not already done so, now is the time to get your flu vaccine. Last week, the ADH began its yearlymass flu vaccine clinic effort, which involves mass vaccine clinics in every county at no cost. Clinics will continue through the beginning of November. The department will also offer the vaccine at every public school.

People of all ages can get the flu, but certain people are more likely to have serious health problems with it. This includes older adults, young children, pregnant women, people with chronic health conditions (such as asthma, diabetes, or heart disease), people who smoke, and people who live in nursing homes. Therefore, ADH strongly recommends that people in these groups get a flu vaccine. It is also recommended that friends, family members and people who provide care to people in these groups also get a vaccine.

The flu vaccine is safe and does not cause the flu.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), a 2017 study showed that flu vaccination reduced deaths, intensive care unit (ICU) admissions, ICU length of stay, and overall duration of hospitalization among hospitalized flu patients.

Overall, CDC estimates show that flu vaccination coverage has increased over the past decade. Vaccination among kids across all ages was almost 63 percent. Vaccination coverage among adults is around 45%, leaving more than half of adult Americans unprotected from flu each season.

We have posted the schedules of the mass clinics and school visits on our website, www.arkansashouse.org.

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