UA Cossatot Students visit Arkansas State Capitol

UA Cossatot students recently visited the Arkansas State Capitol to learn about legislation, met with their state delegation, and visited the Governor.

The student groups consisted of UA Cossatot Student Ambassadors, Rotaract, and Youth Build.

Students first met with State Representative DeAnn Vaught and Collin Callaway with Arkansas Community Colleges. They discussed federal versus state issues, roles of Governor versus legislature, how a bill becomes a law, and legislative advocacy 101.

Students were then given a tour of the Capitol Building, followed by a panel discussion on hot topics from the 2021 session and anticipated issues for 2023. The visit ended with students meeting with Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson. Students asked Governor Hutchinson questions, followed by a group picture.

UA Cossatot’s Director for Student Success and Enrichment and Student Ambassador Sponsor, Erika Buenrrostro, said, “It was an amazing experience for all the students and sponsors who visited the Capitol. This was some of our students' first time visiting the Capitol. There is always something new to learn and experience. Thank you to Collin Callaway, Representative DeAnn Vaught, and Governor Hutchinson for making this a fantastic experience for our students!”

For more information, contact Erika Buenrrostro at 870-584-1133 or ebuenrrostro@cccua.edu.

UA Cossatot’s Cosmetology Program Receives $500 Donation from The Springs of Mine Creek Nursing Home

UA Cossatot’s Cosmetology Program recently received a $500 donation from The Springs of Mine Creek Nursing Home. The donation will cover student expenses to attend the Discovery Beauty Show in Grapevine, TX, in April.

Twice a month, UA Cossatot Cosmetology students provide haircuts and other hair services for The Springs of Mine Creek Nursing Home residents under the supervision of a licensed instructor. In addition, UA Cossatot’s cosmetology students were invited to help residents get glammed up for their Valentine banquet, providing hairstyles and manicures.

“This arrangement is a win for all involved. Providing these services brings smiles all around for the residents, their caretakers and families, and the students,” said UA Cossatot’s Cosmetology Instructor Toyia Witherspoon. “It is so rewarding to make someone feel good about how they look and something we often take for granted in a normal day-to-day salon environment. We certainly appreciate the generosity of the Springs of Mine Creek and their support of our students.”

To book an appointment with UA Cossatot’s Cosmetology Salon, call 870-584-1360. The salon is open Monday through Friday from 9:30 am until 3:00 pm. For more info on UA Cossatot’s Cosmetology Program, contact Toyia Witherspoon at 870-584-1346 or twitherspoon@cccua.edu

Weekly Update from State Representative DeAnn Vaught

From one-time bonuses to increased funding for safety equipment, the 93rd General Assembly made support for law enforcement a top priority in this fiscal session.

Act 224 provides a one-time stipend of $5,000 to full-time certified city and county law enforcement officers as well as probation and parole officers.

It also provides for a $2,000 one-time stipend for state troopers.

Act 223 increases the average starting salary for state troopers from $42,357 to $54,000.

This act also allows for an increase of positions at the Arkansas Crime Lab.

Act 225 which outlines the budget for Fiscal Year 2023 funds an increase for county jail reimbursement from $32 per day to $40 per day and provides $10 million for body cameras, bullet-proof vests, and other law-enforcement safety equipment.

The General Assembly passed Act 219 which will provide funding to hire an additional 45 deputy prosecutors this fiscal year.

Act 222 will provide funding for an additional 45 public defenders.

This will help to alleviate a backlog of cases in our court system.

Speaker Shepherd and Senator Hickey have issued a proclamation that calls for the Fiscal Session of the 93rd General Assembly to automatically adjourn sine die at noon on Tuesday, March 15, 2022.

In accordance with House Rules, a caucus of the entire House of Representatives will be held 15 minutes following adjournment to elect the Speaker-designate for the 94th General Assembly. The House caucus will convene at 12:15 p.m. this Tuesday, March 15, 2022, for this purpose.

You can watch all House proceedings at www.arkansashouse.org.

De Queen Middle School February Good Citizens

L-R: Damon Martin, Emily Winton, Brielle Cooper & Eachan Helms

Congratulations to our DMS February Good Citizens. We are proud of you! Excellence is not a skill; it's an attitude!

UA Cossatot Career Coaches Host Career Exploration Camp for Six School Districts

By Dustin Roberts, Director of Development, UA Cossatot

UA Cossatot Career Coaches hosted a Career Exploration Camp on March 3rd and 4th for the six school districts they serve at UA Cossatot’s LIMI campus.

The school districts included Ashdown, Centerpoint, De Queen, Horatio, Kirby, and Nashville. Career Coaches arrived early with eager tenth graders to explore careers in Cosmetology, Welding, Digital Marketing, Dental Hygienist, OTA/PTA, and CDL. The students also learned about financial literacy and student organizations offered at UA Cossatot.

Over 35 support staff helped with this event and hosted nearly 600 students in two days. “Fun was had by all, and we built relationships with students that can help them make good career choices in their future,” said Julie Rhodes, Director of High School Programs.

The Career Coaches included Deanna Triplet (Nashville), Addison Hill (Kirby/Centerpoint), Hollie Chaytor (Horatio), Kacie Metzger (Ashdown), and Lizz Garza (De Queen).

Students in the 11th and 12th grade have an opportunity to take classes with the Secondary Career Center. They can choose from Welding, Automotive, Industrial Maintenance, or Medical to explore and obtain college credit while in high school. These classes are at no cost to the student. Students may also choose to start

taking college classes to get started on their degree as early as the 9th grade, dependent upon qualifying scores, at a discounted rate.

For more information, contact UA Cossatot’s High School Programs Department at 870-584-1344.

Cassady Crocker named 2022 Regional Counselor of the Year

Winter Weather Briefing from the National Weather Service in Little Rock; Saturday's wind chill values expected in the single digits and teens for the state

Click on pic above for the winter weather briefing.

Weekly Update from State Representative DeAnn Vaught

The Revenue Stabilization Act (RSA) is typically one of the last items passed every session. It categorizes and prioritizes state spending.

Members are now reviewing the proposed Revenue Stabilization amendment schedule reflecting the allocation of general revenue funds for Fiscal Year 2023.

The proposed amendment outlines $6.02 billion in spending. That is less than a 3% increase in spending from the current fiscal year.

The state fiscal year begins July 1.

The largest increases in spending can be found in education and human services.

The proposed budget outlines a $70 million increase for elementary and secondary education.

It includes an $11 million increase for DHS Children and Family Services and a $23.5 million increase for DHS grants which includes Medicaid spending.

County jail reimbursement is increased by $6.4 million in the proposed budget.

The RSA calls for a $7.4 million increase for Arkansas State Police. This will assist in raising the salaries for state troopers.

It is anticipated members will vote on the RSA next week.

On Wednesday, the House voted to amend HB1034, an Act for the Department of Corrections-Division of Correction Appropriation. The amendment includes an appropriation of up to $75 million for costs associated with prison expansion.

The House passed SB103 which provides a one-time stipend of $5,000 to full time certified city and county law enforcement officer as well as probation and parole officers.

It also provides for a $2,000 one-time stipend for state troopers.

The House also passed one time appropriations for pregnancy center resource grants, the School for the Deaf and Blind, the breast milk bank, and the Northwest Arkansas Veterans Home.

You can find the proposed budget for Fiscal Year 2023 as well live-streams of all committee meetings and House proceedings on our website www.arkansashouse.org.

Severe Weather Briefing from the National Weather Service in Little Rock

Click on pic above for the latest weather briefing.

COVID-19 Active Cases in SW Arkansas

Active Cases Data for Sevier County
Total Active Cases: 5

Active Cases Data for Howard County
Total Active Cases: 14

Active Cases Data for Little River County
Total Active Cases: 13

Active Cases Data for Polk County
Total Active Cases: 23

Active Cases Data for Pike County
Total Active Cases: 9

UA Cossatot and the City of De Queen Partner in Workforce Scholarship Program

UA Cossatot and the City of De Queen recently partnered to provide City of De Queen employees and children discounted tuition rates while attending UA Cossatot.

The tuition discount, which does not apply to specific program fees, gives full-time City of De Queen Employees a 50% tuition discount while children of full-time City of De Queen employees receive a 25% tuition discount. Eligible recipients must complete the course(s) authorized with a grade of "C" or better.

UA Cossatot and the City of De Queen established a procedure for participation, a memorandum of agreement between UA Cossatot and the City of De Queen, and a memorandum of understanding on financial awards.

UA Cossatot Chancellor Dr. Steve Cole said, “Our community is only as good as the collaborations within it. It is amazing how much a community prospers when we are able to share resources with each other. De Queen Mayor Jeff Brown and the De Queen City Council identified a way to reward employees and, at the same time, give them away to better themselves and their families. UA Cossatot was honored to assist in these efforts.”

For more information, contact Dr. Steve Cole at 870-584-1173 or scole@cccua.edu.

Spring Fling at Sevier County Fairgrounds, De Queen, AR March 5th

Active COVID Cases in SW Arkansas

Active Cases Data for Sevier County
Total Active Cases: 10

Active Cases Data for Howard County
Total Active Cases: 20

Active Cases Data for Little River County
Total Active Cases: 17

Active Cases Data for Polk County
Total Active Cases: 34

Active Cases Data for Pike County
Total Active Cases: 15

Winter Weather on the way for Arkansas

Click on Pic Above for the latest Winter Weather Briefing for Arkansas

UA Cossatot's Relinda Ruth and the OER program featured in a recent national article

OER Zero to Sixty in Five Years: One University’s Pathway to 60% Participation

https://wcetfrontiers.org/2022/02/03/oer-zero-to-sixty-in-five-years-one-universitys-pathway-to-60-participation/

Severe Weather Briefing from the National Weather Service in Little Rock

Click on pic above for Severe Weather Briefing PDF

Active COVID-19 Cases in SW Arkansas Back on the Downward Trend

Active Cases Data for Sevier County
Total Active Cases: 33

Active Cases Data for Howard County
Total Active Cases: 60

Active Cases Data for Little River County
Total Active Cases: 34

Active Cases Data for Polk County
Total Active Cases: 103

Active Cases Data for Pike County
Total Active Cases: 41

Weekly Update from State Representative DeAnn Vaught

On Monday, the 93rd General Assembly will convene at the State Capitol to address the budget for Fiscal Year 2023.

Fiscal Sessions began after Arkansas voters approved what would become Amendment 86 in 2008. This will be the 7th Fiscal Session held in state history.

Governor Asa Hutchinson is expected to address the General Assembly shortly after we convene at noon, February 14.

During the address, the Governor will outline his budget proposal. Previously, in budget hearings the Governor recommended a 3.3% increase in spending. His proposal included increases for state police salaries and more funding for services for Arkansans with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The Governor has also said publicly he will be asking the legislature to direct a portion of surplus funds for a state prison expansion.

The latest revenue report from the Department of Finance and Administration shows net available general revenue at $275 million or 7.1% above this time last year.

All appropriation bills will be heard first in the Joint Budget Committee. That committee has spent several weeks reviewing agency proposals.

By Friday afternoon of this week, more than 90 budget bills had been filed in the House. And more than 80 bills had been filed in the Senate.

If the General Assembly is to take up any bills outside the scope of the budget, they must first have a 2/3 vote in both chambers for a resolution describing the bill. The deadline for those resolutions is by the end of the first day of the session, February 14.

The deadline for filing both appropriation bills and non-appropriation bills is Monday, February 28.

Amendment 86 states that each Fiscal Session shall not exceed 30 days. The Fiscal Session may be extended one time, however, for no more than 15 days, by a ¾ vote of both the House and Senate.

We will continue to update you during this upcoming session. You can find the daily agendas and watch the meetings live at www.arkansashouse.org.

Active COVID-19 Cases in SW Arkansas

Active Cases Data for Sevier County
Total Active Cases: 112

Active Cases Data for Howard County
Total Active Cases: 105

Active Cases Data for Little River County
Total Active Cases: 94

Active Cases Data for Polk County
Total Active Cases: 157

Active Cases Data for Pike County
Total Active Cases: 75

IDrive Arkansas Map of Road Conditions Around the State