Sunday COVID-19 Active Cases and Vaccines Update from the Arkansas Department of Health

Active Cases Data for Sevier County
Total Active Cases: 7
Active Confirmed Cases: 2
Active Probable Cases: 5

Active Cases Data for Howard County
Total Active Cases: 6
Active Confirmed Cases: 5
Active Probable Cases: 1

Active Cases Data for Little River County
Total Active Cases: 11
Active Confirmed Cases: 7
Active Probable Cases: 4

Active Cases Data for Polk County
Total Active Cases: 12
Active Confirmed Cases: 9
Active Probable Cases: 3

Active Cases Data for Pike County
Total Active Cases: 10
Active Confirmed Cases: 6
Active Probable Cases: 4

Governor Hutchinson Orders Flags to Fly at Half-Staff in Memory of Fallen Pea Ridge Police Officer Kevin Apple

Officer Kevin Apple, Pea Ridge, AR

LITTLE ROCK – Governor Asa Hutchinson has ordered the United States flag and state flag of Arkansas to fly at half-staff in tribute to the memory of Pea Ridge Police Officer Kevin Apple. Flags are to remain at half-staff until the day of interment.

Officer Apple was killed in the line of duty on Saturday, June 26, 2021.

A 23-year veteran of law enforcement, Officer Apple served the city of Pea Ridge for the past three years.

Officer Apple's bravery and actions will be inspiration for all Arkansans and is worthy of our remembrance.

Governor Hutchinson released the following statement:

"I am deeply saddened to hear of the loss of Pea Ridge police officer Kevin Apple. My prayers are with Officer Apple’s family and the entire Pea Ridge community during this time."

Baptist Minister Becomes 4th Democrat To Enter Arkansas Governor’s Race

By GEORGE JARED/ TALK BUSINESS & POLITICS

Dr. Anthony Bland fell short in his 2018 attempt to win the lieutenant governor’s race in Arkansas, but that did not deter the Democrat from Little Rock from setting his sights on the state’s top job.

Bland, 43, told Talk Business & Politics he intends to seek the Democratic nomination for governor during the 2022 election cycle. He formally launched his campaign Wednesday in Hot Springs.

Bland is a graduate of J.A. Fair High School and Arkansas Baptist College. He has master’s degree in business administration and doctorate in business administration from the University of Phoenix. He is completing a master’s degree in theological studies from Regent University.

https://www.ualrpublicradio.org/post/baptist-minister-becomes-4th-democrat-enter-arkansas-governor-s-race

Anthony Bland formally announced his candidacy for governor of Arkansas Wednesday in Hot Springs.

CREDIT KATV-CHANNEL 7

Estimate: Flood Damage To Arkansas Crops More Than $200 Million

By RYAN MCGEENEY/ UA DIVISION OF AGRICULTURE

Farmers in five counties in southeastern Arkansas suffered more than $200 million in direct losses to major crops after the major flooding and storm event in early June, according to a preliminary estimate by experts with the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture.

John Anderson, economist with the Division of Agriculture and the Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences, delivered the initial estimate during a flood recovery meeting held Monday evening at the Dumas Community Center. He was one of about a dozen experts with the Division of Agriculture presenting crop-specific information and answering questions from the approximately 175 in-person and virtual attendees.

The town of Dumas, and the nearby Division of Agriculture research station at Rohwer, are at the emotional — if not quite geographical — center of the flooding event, during which more than 19 inches of rainfall was recorded in a 48-hour period. The five counties included in the damage estimate include Desha, home to both Dumas and Rohwer, Lonoke, Prairie, Jefferson and Drew counties. The estimate did not include Chicot County, the southeasternmost county in the state, although it will likely be impacted as floodwaters continue to drain southward from Desha County on their way to the Mississippi River.

https://www.ualrpublicradio.org/post/estimate-flood-damage-arkansas-crops-more-200-million

Growers at a meeting Monday evening where officials estimated that flooding earlier this month in southeast Arkansas caused more than $200 million in damage to crops.

CREDIT UA DIVISION OF AGRICULTURE

Friday COVID-19 Active Cases and Vaccines Update from the Arkansas Department of Health

Active Cases Data for Sevier County
Total Active Cases: 7
Active Confirmed Cases: 3
Active Probable Cases: 4

Active Cases Data for Howard County
Total Active Cases: 5
Active Confirmed Cases: 5
Active Probable Cases: 0

Active Cases Data for Little River County
Total Active Cases: 12
Active Confirmed Cases: 7
Active Probable Cases: 5

Active Cases Data for Polk County
Total Active Cases: 13
Active Confirmed Cases: 10
Active Probable Cases: 3

Active Cases Data for Pike County
Total Active Cases: 10
Active Confirmed Cases: 6
Active Probable Cases: 4

Unemployment Rate, and Job Growth in Manufacturing, Hospitality, and Food Services Encouraging, Governor Says

LITTLE ROCK – Arkansas’s rate of unemployment in May remained stable at 4.4 percent, unchanged from April, according to statistics from the U.S. Department of Labor. The state’s unemployment rate remained below the national rate, as it has throughout the pandemic, according to the report, which the Arkansas Division of Workforce Services released today.

“The state’s unemployment rate continues to be more than a full percentage point below the national average,” Governor Asa Hutchinson said. “It is also encouraging that the state saw growth in jobs in manufacturing, hospitality, and food services. Our workforce is in a transition now. Some are seeking retraining opportunities and others are delaying their return to employment. With workforce training programs available and with the urgent demand for workers, this is an excellent time for those who left the labor force during the pandemic to transition to a higher-skills job or a better-paying job.”

Field of Dreams Fundraiser Announced in De Queen

NEWS RELEASE

Samaritan Fields             Contact: 870-584-9928

June 23rd, 2021                 SamaritanFields@gmail.com   

Community Soccer Field Organizers Announce Festive Fundraiser in De Queen

DE QUEEN, AR— Community residents are rallying support for an up-and-coming Sports facility in Sevier County this summer with the “Fields of Dreams” fundraiser set for Saturday, July 3rd at 5:00 pm.

Lead by local business owner Esteban Ochoa and De Queen High School Assistant soccer coach Franklin Bahena, Samaritan fields is a multi-feature athletic facility and community project in its early phases. Located on Collin Raye Drive in De Queen, the fields will host soccer games and plans to feature benches, stands for spectators, a walking trail, and concessions are in the works.

For the process to continue growing, community support is needed for this grassroots effort and the public is invited out to celebrate the Independence Day Holiday with a fundraiser at the fields.

 The Field of Dreams night will feature a live DJ, FIFA Tournament, obstacle course, voter registration booth, Iphone 12 Pro Max raffle, T-Shirts, Drinks, snacks and a free soccer ball giveaway for the 1st 100 cars to arrive. De Queen Health and Wellness will be on site providing COVID-19 Vaccinations and $5 will be donated to the fields for each shot administered. Folks interested in viewing the city’s fireworks show can park their vehicles for a donation and all proceeds will go towards construction and maintenance of the developing project. Local Hot Dog vendor “The Walking Dog” will be set up during the event and everyone is welcome.

A long-term goal for the project is to qualify as the host site for the 2026 Arkansas High school State Soccer tournament and pay homage to the 6-time state championship Leopard soccer team in their hometown. Organizers also believe the ability to host a state tournament will have a positive economic impact on the community as travelers will dine at local restaurants and buy from area convenience stores while visiting for the event. 

Ochoa says the overall goal for Samaritan fields and the soccer community of De Queen “is to not have great soccer players, but to have great kids who happen to play soccer.”

Sponsors and Community Partners of Samaritan Fields include Tony Soto and The National Guard, Dr. Randy Walker and Angie Walker, James and Suzanne Babb, Leopard Nutrition, Franklin Bahena, Kelly Goins Smart Phone EMT, Jennifer Collier, Meraki Hair Studio, Top Line Custom Logos, Johnny Buenrrostro, Revels and Company CPA’s, De Queen Medical Equipment, Arlene Rivas, Cricket Wireless, Rex Herring and Daryl Wayne Herring, Rolling B Ranch, Rock Hauling Land Clearing and Excavation, R and J Sports, Lorena Branson, Mitchell Medical, Simple Simon’s Pizza, Selena’s Dish Network , Peak Therapy,  Extreme Game Truck (Gabriel A Green), Health Care Express - De Queen, John and Representative DeAnn Vaught and De Queen Health and Wellness.

A Non-Profit group has been launched for the Samaritan Fields project and all interested supporters are welcome to attend the first Board meeting at 7:00 pm Monday, June 28th at Samaritan Fields (1358 W Collin Raye) For questions contact Samaritanfields@gmail.com .

Attorney General Alert: Online Predators Don’t Take Off in the Summertime

LITTLE ROCK – Oftentimes when Arkansans hear of sexual abuse of an individual viewing explicit images of a child, they are surprised that such behavior could happen in their own neighborhoods or homes. Many parents think something like this could never happen to their child because they monitor their child’s internet usage. Unfortunately, parents and family members could unknowingly be the ones giving pictures to cybercriminals.

“Even what seems to be the most innocent social media post celebrating a day with the family at the pool can unintentionally give pedophiles access to your children,” said Attorney General Rutledge. “As parents, we will do everything in our power to protect our kids, but sometimes we just don’t know how. I want to make sure every parent in the State knows how they can keep Arkansas children safe.”

Attorney General Rutledge released the following tips to all Arkansans to protect children from these online predators:

• Think twice about posting pictures of children or young family members online, especially photos of children that show a lot of skin. The Attorney General’s Cyber Crimes Unit is warning parents and loved ones that predators will sometimes harvest from social media sites and other online sources to find seemingly innocent photos taken by well-meaning parents of children in swimsuits, dance costumes, or even sports uniforms that are form-fitting or show skin for their own ill-intentioned plans, to trade, or sell for more explicit photographs.

• Remember that status updates, photos and videos posted on social networks are permanent and once the user posts, it is out of their control, and you do not know where it will end up. Consider purchasing cell phone monitoring services from a phone provider to monitor children’s mobile devices.

• Just as children are taught to use strong privacy settings, adults should use the strictest settings that are available to prevent unwanted individuals from seeing images of their children. For example, on Facebook, one of the available privacy settings requires explicit permission from the account holder before he or she can be tagged in a post or picture.

• Monitor social media posts from friends to ensure photos are not posted of your loved ones that could be stolen by people with sinister motives and end up in the hands of a child predator. Many social media platforms allow users to submit complaints regarding problematic posts and to request deletion of posts.

• Encourage children to tell an adult if there is ever a problem online. Photos, along with social media posts and texts are often used to break down young children’s inhibitions to make them more comfortable with the inappropriate behavior. Adults must remember, that if a child comes into contact with an online predator, it is not the child’s fault – the child is a victim.

Arkansans can report child exploitation by calling the National CyberTipline, (800) 843-5678, or visit CyberTipline.com, or in the event of an emergency, dial 911, or a local law enforcement agency. For more information to stay safe online and other consumer-related issues, contact the Arkansas Attorney General’s Office at consumer@arkansasag.gov or visit ArkansasAG.gov.

About Attorney General Leslie Rutledge

Leslie Carol Rutledge is the 56th Attorney General of Arkansas. Elected on November 4, 2014, and sworn in on January 13, 2015, she is the first woman and first Republican in Arkansas history to be elected as Attorney General. She was resoundingly re-elected on November 6, 2018. Since taking office, she has significantly increased the number of arrests and convictions against online predators who exploit children and con artists who steal taxpayer money through Social Security Disability and Medicaid fraud. Further, she has held Rutledge Roundtable meetings and Mobile Office hours in every county of the State each year, and launched a Military and Veterans Initiative. She has led efforts to roll back government regulations that hurt job creators, fight the opioid epidemic, teach internet safety, combat domestic violence and make the office the top law firm for Arkansans. Rutledge serves as co-chairs of the National Association of Attorneys General Veterans Affairs Committee, re-established and co-chairs the National Association of Attorneys General Committee on Agriculture and was the former Chairwoman of the National Association of Attorneys General Southern Region. As the former Chairwoman of the Republican Attorneys General Association, she remains active on the Executive Board.

A native of Batesville, she is a graduate of the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville and the University of Arkansas at Little Rock William H. Bowen School of Law. Rutledge clerked for the Arkansas Court of Appeals, was Deputy Counsel for former Governor Mike Huckabee, served as a Deputy Prosecuting Attorney in Lonoke County and was an Attorney at the Department of Human Services before serving as Counsel at the Republican National Committee. Rutledge and her husband, Boyce, have one daughter. The family has a home in Pulaski County and a farm in Crittenden County.

Governor Hutchinson on Hand for the Kickoff of the Arkansas Trucking Academy

Two educational systems came together Wednesday on the campus of ASU Three Rivers to unveil Arkansas’ first and only public trucking academy. The Arkansas Trucking Academy (ArkTA) is a consortium of ASU Three Rivers, UA Cossatot, UA Rich Mountain, and UA Hope/Texarkana.

Speaking at today’s launch was Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson, “This is another pace-setting workforce solution that has grown out of conversations between leaders in industry and education. Arkansas’s businesses had a problem, our educators stepped in to fill it, and we are able to support it with an Arkansas Regional Workforce grant. It’s a model for partnerships between the private sector and government. Because of that, we soon will be putting more trucks on the road with first-rate drivers at the wheel.”

New classes will begin on the campuses located in Nashville, Mena, Malvern, and Hope. Through the use of virtual/simulation instruction, traditional classroom, and practical over-the-road instruction, students will receive 160 contact hours of non-credit training per course. Successful completion of the course will prepare students to test for their Commercial Driver’s License (CDL). A total of 20 courses will be offered annually, five courses per college. Slots are limited to four students per course. The maximum cost per student is $1,300, saving students thousands compared to the cost of a private academy.

With the increased demand in the trucking industry, ArkTA co-chair and UA Rich Mountain Chancellor Phillip Wilson said that he is grateful for the partnership across two systems to bring this program into fruition. “Creating opportunities and growing Arkansas’ workforce is always a top priority in Arkansas community colleges,” added Wilson, who also serves as chair of the Arkansas Community Colleges association.

The first course will begin August 2. For more information or to apply, visit: ArkTruckingAcademy.com.

VIDEO: "What's Up Doc?" with Dr. Randy Walker

This week on "What's Up Doc", Dr. Randy talks about the differences in the various weight loss procedures and the associated risks.

Wednesday COVID-19 SW Arkansas Active Cases and Vaccinations Update from the Arkansas Department of Health

Active Cases Data for Sevier County
Total Active Cases: 10
Active Confirmed Cases: 5
Active Probable Cases: 5

Active Cases Data for Howard County
Total Active Cases: 4
Active Confirmed Cases: 4
Active Probable Cases: 0

Active Cases Data for Little River County
Total Active Cases: 11
Active Confirmed Cases: 5
Active Probable Cases: 6

Active Cases Data for Polk County
Total Active Cases: 9
Active Confirmed Cases: 7
Active Probable Cases: 2

Active Cases Data for Pike County
Total Active Cases: 7
Active Confirmed Cases: 4
Active Probable Cases: 3

VIDEO: CARES Act Steering Committee Meeting Wednesday (06.17.21) 4PM

The CARES Act Steering Committee, created by Governor Asa Hutchinson to recommend the best use of federal COVID-19 aid, meets virtually at 4 p.m. Thursday, June 17, 2021.

Governor Announces Office of Outdoor Recreation; Acquisition of Blue Mountain in Maumelle Pinnacles

LITTLE ROCK – Governor Asa Hutchinson announced today that he is opening the Office of Outdoor Recreation to coordinate awareness, opportunity, and stewardship of Arkansas’s outdoors.

The Governor announced that the state has added Blue Mountain to its inventory of outdoor recreational sites and has entered into a memorandum of understanding to operate the Lake Sylvia Recreation Area.

“We live in one of the most beautiful places on earth, and you don’t have to look far in any direction to know that,” Governor Hutchinson said during a news conference in the Governor’s Conference room. “We want to keep it that way. The Office of Outdoor Recreation will maximize opportunities for outdoor recreation in Arkansas, while preserving our past and conserving our beauty.”

This office will reside in the Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism (ADPHT) under the leadership of Secretary Stacy Hurst, who soon will start the search for a director.

With the acquisition of Blue Mountain, the state will have charge of all three mountains in the chain of Maumelle Pinnacles, which includes Pinnacle Mountain and Rattlesnake Ridge. The addition of Blue Mountain is another example of the public-private sectors working together. The Arkansas Natural Heritage Commission (ANHC) in partnership with The Nature Conservancy (TNC) purchased Blue Mountain from PotlatchDeltic. Conserving this land protects the Little Maumelle River and adds to a 12,000-acre conservation and recreation corridor.

The Lake Sylvia Recreation Area is the only surviving Girl Scout Camp constructed by the Works Progress Administration.

Outdoor recreation in Arkansas brings in nearly $10 billion a year, supports 96,000 jobs worth $2.5 billion, and generates $698 million in local and state tax revenue.

Weekly Update from State Representative DeAnn Vaught

This week, the Arkansas Legislative Council Highway Commission Review and Advisory Subcommittee reviewed a presentation regarding Arkansas’ inland waterways.

This year marks 50 years of service from the McClellan‐Kerr Arkansas River Navigation System. The system serves a 12 state region and provides a cost-effective form of transportation to Arkansas, Oklahoma, Kansas, and surrounding states.

The anniversary reminds us of the importance of our waterways and our duty to ensure this infrastructure is well maintained. Arkansas’s inland waterways system is vital to our economic growth. The inland waterways efficiently, sustainably, and cost-effectively transport critical commodities like agricultural goods, energy products, building materials, and industrial chemicals.

Arkansas has over 1,860 miles of navigable inland waterways, ranking it third in the nation. Arkansas’ inland waterway assets include the Mississippi, Arkansas, Ouachita, Red, and White Rivers. The waterways account for $4.4 billion in gross state product and contribute more than $270 million in state and local tax revenue. The Mississippi River is the main trade corridor for goods produced in the northern part of the U.S. traveling to gateway ports near the Gulf of Mexico. As trade between the U.S. and Latin America grows, the importance of Arkansas waterways and the strategic location of the state will enhance manufacturing and distribution opportunities.

There are 11 public ports in the state. Arkansas’ ports, inland waterways, and inland waterways-dependent industries support more than 50,000 jobs.

The waterways can often be the most economical choice for transportation. One standard 15-barge tow moves the equivalent of 216 rail cars or 1,050 trucks. Waterborne transportation requires significantly less fuel than rail or trucks.

The Arkansas Waterways Commission is the sole state agency responsible for developing, promoting, and protecting waterborne transportation in Arkansas.

You can find more information about our waterways system on their website at www.waterways.arkansas.gov.

VIDEO: Governor Hutchinson to Make a Special Announcement on Outdoor Recreation in Arkansas

LITTLE ROCK – Outdoor recreation in the Natural State supports around 96,000 jobs with an estimated combined wages or salaries of $2.5 billion.

On Monday afternoon, Governor Asa Hutchinson will be joined by Stacy Hurst, Secretary of the Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism, and Congressman French Hill to make a special announcement regarding outdoor recreation in the state of Arkansas. This will include the announcement of new offerings that will expand state tourism and further emphasize the beauty of the Natural State.

WHAT:                Governor Hutchinson to Make a Special Announcement Regarding Outdoor Recreation in Arkansas

WHEN:               1 p.m. | Monday, June 21, 2021

WHERE:             Governor’s Conference Room
                              State Capitol
                              Little Rock, Arkansas

WATCH:             The news conference will be live streamed here: 
                              https://www.youtube.com/c/GovernorAsaHutchinson/live

USDA Disagrees With Court Order Halting Minority Loan Forgiveness Program

By CHRISTINE JONES

Approximately 16,000 socially disadvantaged farmers, otherwise known as minority farmers, were set to begin receiving about $4 billion in federal debt payment relief as part of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. The funds were to help pay off approximately 20,000 farm loans that had been granted by the U.S. Agriculture Department or private firms to Black, Indigenous, Latino, and other minority farmers. However, those payments were placed on hold just days before they were set to begin going out.

In a lawsuit filed by the Wisconsin Institute for Law & Liberty representing 12 white farmers from nine states who are ineligible for the program, U.S. District Court Judge William C. Griesbach, ordered the U.S. Department of Agriculture to cease and desist forgiving loans based solely on the premise of race last on June 10.

https://www.ualrpublicradio.org/post/usda-disagrees-court-order-halting-minority-loan-forgiveness-program

A court order this month has halted a loan forgiveness program for minority farmers.

CREDIT CREATIVE COMMONS

Arkansas Medical Marijuana Sales Top 50,000 pounds

by Talk Business & Politics staff (staff2@talkbusiness.net)

Roughly two years after the first medical marijuana dispensary opened in Arkansas, the market has seen the sale of more than 50,000 pounds valued at $338.5 million, according to the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration, the parent agency of the Arkansas Medical Marijuana Commission.

State taxes on the dispensary sales since May 2019 total just under $34 million. Most of the tax revenue is placed in the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences National Cancer Designation Trust Fund.

Following are the top five of the state’s 33 dispensaries with the most medical marijuana sales.
• Releaf Center (Bentonville), first opened Aug. 7, 2019: 5,374.92 pounds
• Green Springs Medical (Hot Springs), first opened May 12, 2019: 4,238.69 pounds
• Natural Relief Dispensary (Sherwood), March 17, 2020: 3,475.65 pounds
• Suite 443 (Hot Springs), first opened May 10, 2019: 3,311.22 pounds
• Acanza (Fayetteville), first opened Sept. 14, 2019: 3,272.23 pounds

ADOBE STOCK

UA Chancellor Joseph Steinmetz Resigns

by Jeff Della Rosa (JDellaRosa@nwabj.com)

Joseph Steinmetz, the sixth chancellor at the University of Arkansas, will resign Friday (June 18) after serving in the position for more than five years. Steinmetz noted Thursday (June 17) his surprising decision to step down in a letter to faculty, staff and students.

UA System President Donald Bobbitt will visit with constituents on campus and external university supporters before announcing plans for Steinmetz’s replacement, he said.

“In my annual commencement address, I sometimes tell graduates that the key to a purposeful and enriching life is to find a career that creates deeply meaningful work and not to settle for anything less,” he wrote. “For the past 38 years, higher education has been not only my vocation but my absolute commitment. My wife Sandy is the reason I get up in the morning, but the promise of teaching and learning, research and discovery, and outreach and engagement has kept me returning to the office day after day, year after year — steadfast in my belief of the power of higher education to improve lives. I still strongly believe in the mission of higher education, yet given the many challenges found trying to manage a university in today’s polarized society, I need to do what’s best for my family. And I feel ready to make way for others.”

https://talkbusiness.net/2021/06/ua-chancellor-joseph-steinmetz-resigns/

University of Arkansas Chancellor Joseph Steinmetz announced Thursday he will retire after five years in the position.

CREDIT WWW.PSYCHOLOGICALSCIENCE.ORG

Reaper to Conduct First Flight from Fort Smith as Part of 188th Exercise

by Tina Alvey Dale (tdale@talkbusiness.net)

The remotely piloted aircraft used by the 188th Wing is for the first time being launched from the Fort Smith Regional Airport as part of the exercise Establish Fury designed to exhibit the 188th’s access to military airspace, especially the Razorback Range at Fort Chaffee.

The exercises, being held through July 14, will welcome the MQ-9 Reaper aircraft based at Houston’s 147th Attack Wing and other Air National Guard forces, a press release said.

The MQ-9 Reaper remotely piloted aircraft will launch from the Fort Smith Regional Airport for training flights over Razorback Range at Fort Chaffee Joint Maneuver Training Center near Charleston. The close proximity from launch location to training area provides more time for training rather than transport, which is the norm for other locations, said Capt. Dylan Hollums, 188th public affairs officer.

https://talkbusiness.net/2021/06/reaper-to-conduct-first-flight-from-fort-smith-as-part-of-188th-exercise/

The MQ-9 Reaper arrives at the Fort Smith Regional Airport as part of a 188th Wing exercise.

AUDIO: Governor Hutchinson’s Weekly Address | ARHOME: Doing More for Arkansans’ Health Care

LITTLE ROCK – Arkansas Works will end on December 31, and today I’d like to talk about the program that will replace it.

We call the new program Arkansas Health and Opportunity for Me, also known as ARHOME. Department of Human Services Secretary Cindy Gillespie’s team created a health care insurance program that does more than pay for medical care.

Historically, the role of health insurance companies has been to pay for doctor visits and protect against unforeseen expenses. ARHOME adds a third dimension to the role of health insurance plans – to assist their members to become healthy and to stay healthy.

The 93rd General Assembly voted to authorize this new waiver program, but legislators made it clear they wanted the insurance plan to accomplish more than provide access to medical care. They wanted to see a payoff of good health for the state’s investment in the health care system.

One way ARHOME aims to accomplish that is with three types of community bridge organizations, called Life360 HOMEs. One of the bridges, which will be based in community hospitals, will serve women with high-risk pregnancies. This maternal health initiative will educate women in their homes about health care during pregnancy – things to do and things to avoid so they have the best pregnancy possible, and so that their children are born healthy.

The second bridge will be based in rural hospitals and serve those with behavioral and mental health needs. The program will offer crisis intervention or acute care.

The third new initiative is for young adults who are veterans, and those who grew up in foster care or have been released from the juvenile justice or adult correctional systems. ARHOME will assist these clients in the transition to adult life in their community.

Arkansans need access to quality health care, but they also need encouragement to use the services and to choose a lifestyle that results in good health.

ARHOME will pay rural hospitals to recruit and train coaches to work one-on-one with members. It will support rural hospitals that add crisis mental health to the care they offer. Under ARHOME, hospitals won’t wait for patients to show up. The coaches and peer specialists will meet them where they are.

We have opened the ARHOME initiative for public comment through mid-July. Then we will submit our request to the Biden administration for approval to waive certain federal Medicaid regulations so that we can tailor the program to Arkansas. I will be traveling to our nation’s capital to make our case to the White House in person.

The legislature did its part and approved the proposed program. Now we must do ours and earn approval from the federal government. Then we will take on the challenge of ARHOME to achieve good health through good health insurance.