From the Office of the Chancellor

The COVID-19 epidemic has created one of the most perilous times in Arkansas history. UA Cossatot stands ready to adapt to these new times and while we are dealing with these changes, we will always respect the health and well-being of our students, employees, and the public we serve.

Effective immediately, UA Cossatot students in lecture courses will complete their entire spring semester using the Blackboard Online Learning Platform. While we understand this presents a unique way of learning to some students, it is the best and safest method we have in helping students complete their semester. As for our students who are enrolled in technical courses (Medical Professions, Welding, Industrial Maintenance, Cosmetology, Agriculture, etc.), we will be making a determination next week on how we will best serve these students. Our faculty, student services staff, Educational Resource Center, and our administration stand ready to assist students in any way possible to help them achieve their desired learning goals during these tough times.

Also effective immediately, UA Cossatot will continue to keep our campuses closed to students and visitors at least through April 3rd and our employees will be working either on campus or by their remote work schedules. While on our campuses, our employees will be strictly observing the rules of social distancing and cleanliness as we continue to fight the battle against COVID-19.

You can always find more UA Cossatot information on Facebook (ED88 and UAC) and on our CCCUA.EDU website.

Thank You,

Dr. Steve Cole
Chancellor, UA Cossatot

To UA Cossatot Students

Hello UA Cossatot Student!

This has been one of the most challenging semesters in our history. I know it has certainly been challenging for you. I wish we could just make COVID-19 go away, but for right now, that doesn’t look like that will happen anytime soon. When we make decisions at UA Cossatot, we make them with YOU in mind. We want YOU to be successful. We also want YOU to be safe. To make sure you can keep learning, and at the same time be safe, effective immediately, if you are a UA Cossatot student enrolled in a lecture course, you will complete your entire spring semester using the Blackboard Online Learning Platform. While we understand this presents a unique way of learning to some students, it is the best and safest method we have in helping you complete your semester. If you are a student enrolled in a technical course (Medical Professions, Welding, Industrial Maintenance, Cosmetology, Agriculture, etc.), we will be making a determination next week on how we will best serve you.

Our faculty, student services staff, Educational Resource Center, and our administration stand ready to assist you in any way possible to help you achieve your desired learning goals during these tough times. If you are having trouble with internet connectivity or have a computer or laptop that isn’t getting the job done, please call us and we will do our best to help get you through the rest of the semester.

Also effective immediately, UA Cossatot will continue to keep our campuses closed to students and visitors at least through April 3rd and our employees will be working either on campus or by their remote work schedules.

This semester is certainly a challenge but I wanted to personally let you know, we are all in this together and we want the very best for you, and that includes your safety! If there is anything I can do for you, please feel free to email me at: scole@cccua.edu and I will be happy to respond to you.

Thank you and please stay safe!
Dr. Cole

AMI Packets Ready to be picked up at De Queen Middle School

De Queen Middle School 6th-7th grade AMI packets will be available anytime at the north entry door of the middle school building. The packets are located in the filing cabinet (see photo below). Each drawer is labeled by grade. These packets contain work for March 30 - April 17. Students will bring work back when school resumes. Please email any questions or concerns to one of your teachers. We miss you all and hope to see you soon.
These packets can also be printed on our webpage

Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson Live Press Conference 1:30 p.m. Today

Governor Asa Hutchinson’s Press Conference is scheduled for 1:30 Wednesday afternoon. Watch here!

Blood Drives Across the Area

Want to help your community during these uncertain times? Give blood! Blood drives are scheduled across the area over the next 30 days. Your help is needed!

Howard Memorial Hospital Remains in Lock Down

Howard Memorial Hospital will be further locked down in order to protect you, your family and our staff. Effective immediately, you will be required to enter through the Emergency Room entrance. A screening station is set-up outside the ER and after triage/screening, you will be directed by the nurse where to enter. We realize this may be a little inconvenient; however, it is for everyone's protection. Always remember to cover your cough, sneeze, wash hands frequently and practice social distancing. Don't go out in public unless it is absolutely necessary.

Sevier County Farmers Co-op Selling Plants from UA Cossatot

First, I want to say how much I appreciate the Sevier County Farmers Co-op! I talked to them today and they are going to purchase tomatoes and peppers from our greenhouse to sell at their store. So, those of you who usually get your plants from us, or if you know someone who gets plants from us, please visit the Sevier County Farmers Co-op. I will be making our first delivery by this Friday and plan to drop off plants regularly at the De Queen location.

I will be advertising this information on social media and will also hang a sign on our greenhouse door. If you know someone at the Sevier County Farmers Co-op, please thank them for supporting us during these challenging times! My students have been very concerned about the greenhouse sale and they are sad they won’t be able to take part in that event this year.

Kelli Harris
Agriculture Instructor
183 College Drive, De Queen, AR 71832
870-584-1218 / kharris@cccua.edu

Business Closures and Layoffs During COVID-19 in Sevier County

Business closures and layoffs mark the new normal in Sevier County
For the complete story, visit:

https://www.dequeenbee.com

Business closures and layoffs mark the new normal in Sevier County

Business, for many, has come to a virtual standstill in De Queen, Sevier County and the state, with Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson ordering all restaurants, bars and gyms closed last week, due to the insuppressible spread of the novel coronavirus and covid-19.

Video Press Release From Sevier County Health Officer Dr. Jason Lofton

Press Release - HD 720p.mov

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Amanda Hundley about COVID-19

Amanda Hundley of Dr. Randy Walker's office visited our De Queen studio this morning to talk about the added safety measures that clinics are putting in place to stop the spread of COVID-19.

UA Cossatot Scholarship Spplication Deadline Extended to May 1st

The 2020-2021 UA Cossatot scholarship application deadline has been extended to May 1. Please share with your students. The online application can be found here: https://cccua.awardspring.com/

Completing this online scholarship application before May 1 is the best time for students to apply for scholarships for the upcoming academic year and gives them access to all the scholarships we have available

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Arkansas Update of COVID-19 from the Arkansas Department of Health

Click below for latest update.

Operations Dashboard for ArcGIS

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To UA Cossatot Students

From the UAC Financial Aid Office:
March 23, 2020

Dear Student,

All correspondence from the Office of Financial Aid will be sent to your UAC email account and the email account you provided on your FAFSA application. If you receive a Document Tracking Letter (DTL) from our office, please read the letter carefully, follow the link provided in the letter to locate the forms you will need to complete.

All forms will be accepted by mail, email or fax at this time. If you are returning documents that list social security numbers, please mark out all numbers but the last four numbers (XXX-XX-1234). If you have received a DTL letter from us for the 2019-2020 academic year, please return requested documents as soon as possible.

We encourage all of you that have applied for the upcoming academic year (20-21) to promptly return requested documents also.

The address is:

UAC
Financial Aid
183 College Drive
De Queen, AR 71832

Fax: 870-642-8766
Email: FinancialAid@cccua.edu

Sincerely,
Denise Hammond
Director of Financial Aid
870-584-1118
Fax: 870-642-8766
dhammond@cccua.edu

Summer and Fall Registration at UA Cossatot

At UA Cossatot, we understand the seriousness of the COVID-19 SITUATION. But we also know that there is an end to this uncertainty. We are planning for the future and you should be too. America needs more healthcare professionals, truck drivers, teachers, and technicians of all kinds. VIP registration for summer and fall classes begins March 30th. And in keeping with social distancing, registration will be available by email, phone, and text. Check out the available classes at: https://www.cccua.edu/apply-enroll/class-schedules

Cossatot Community College

Click the following links to access the PDF version of the current or upcoming semester's full course schedule. Summer 2020 Schedule (3.23.2020) Fall 2020 Schedule (3.23.2020) Find specific courses through Campus Connect Course Search. There's no need to login.

174 Cases of COVID-19 in Arkansas as of Tuesday 03/23/20

Governor Asa Hutchinson reports there are now 174 cases of COVID-19 in Arkansas. The Governor announced all hair salons, barber shops, tattoo parlors, and nail salons in the state will be closed effective tomorrow. The Arkansas personal tax deadline has been extended to July 15.

Governor Hutchinson Authorizes $30 Million For Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

LITTLE ROCK – Governor Asa Hutchinson has authorized the release of $30 million to the Department of Finance and Administration for the purchase of personal protective equipment (PPE) for health care professionals and first responders as they test and treat patients who have contracted COVID-19.

Since the state’s first case of coronavirus was confirmed on March 11, it has spread rapidly through Arkansas. In order to ensure that the supply of protective gear is sufficient, Governor Hutchinson sought emergency approval for a Various Temporal Appropriation Request. Larry Walther, secretary of the Department of Finance and Administration (DFA), submitted the request to the co-chairs of the Legislative Council and the co-chairs of the ALC PEER Subcommittee, who approved the request on behalf of the Legislative Council.

The $30 million is being allocated from the Budget Stabilization Trust Fund to a Disaster Assistance Grant, which will go into the Governor’s Disaster Fund. DFA will find and purchase the PPE, and the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences will distribute based upon priorities set by the Arkansas Department of Health.  Local hospitals will participate in the bulk purchase and each will pay its portion of the overall purchase.

“The testers, first responders, nurses, and doctors are our first line of defense in the fight against this aggressive virus,” Governor Hutchinson said. “They are risking their lives in the same way as firefighters who run into a burning building.  We must provide them every piece of protection they need as they test and treat the Arkansans who have contracted COVID-19.”

Governor Hutchinson’s Weekly Radio Address - Tough Time Calls for Telemedicine (Click Below to Listen)

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The COVID-19 pandemic has required us to rethink how we do things in our personal lives from education to our business, and how we entertain ourselves. The same is true in government. We have suspended a number of regulatory hurdles in order to navigate this uncharted territory. Today I’d like to discuss the steps we have taken to expand telemedicine.

Telemedicine is especially important at a time such as this when we are dealing with a fast-moving virus that threatens a large part of our population. Telemedicine allows a sick person to communicate with a doctor without having to go to an office and put other patients and health care workers at risk of infection.

Telemedicine is not new in Arkansas. Since 2017, patients have been able to consult with doctors and counselors about certain issues using various internet and telephonic technology. But that access was limited. Under the law, a doctor or counselor could not accept and consult with a first-time patient by telephone.

As we realized how easily the coronavirus spreads and that the number of cases likely would increase rapidly, we knew we needed to temporarily allow health care providers more ways to treat patients. So based on the wisdom and counsel of doctors and other leaders in health care, I issued an executive order suspending the provisions of the Telemedicine Act that require an in-person encounter or a face-to-face examination using real time audio and visual means to establish a professional relationship.

In other words, now a doctor can establish a new patient in his practice over the telephone. This will minimize the number of people in waiting rooms, which, of course, will minimize the spread of the coronavirus as well as flu and other contagious diseases.

The other significant element of the order is that it allows reimbursement to health care providers who take advantage of this provision. This is especially important for rural clinics that depend on income from patient visits. The reimbursement provision prevents economic harm to the doctors.

The order also suspended the Rules and Regulations of the Arkansas Board of Examiners in Counseling to allow licensed counselors to treat their clients by telephone.

Word of the order is still making its way to the insurance companies. We’ve heard reports that some companies have denied payment, but in cases where that has happened, it’s because the memo hasn’t worked its way down to the agents who work directly with customers. Leaders in the insurance industry generally have embraced this temporary solution. They know that we are in a crisis and that this short-term benefit will shorten the duration of this pandemic.

Whether we are facing a natural disaster or a medical crisis, Arkansans always run to the fight with courage and creativity. COVID-19 has upended life for many and forced us to change the way we do things, at least in the short term. The leaders in health care and all the personnel on the front lines are fighting this pandemic around the clock, which is why I am confident we are going to get through this as we always do.

Veterans Service Office in Howard County Courthouse Open Special Hours

The Veterans Service Office the Howard County Courthouse will be open from 8am - 1pm Monday and Tuesday and 8 till 12 on Wednesday . This will be until things get back to normal . You must call the office to be let in . That applies to every office at the Courthouse .

Sevier County Emergency Management

I would like to comment on Sevier County and Corvid 19 Virus.
I have been working closely with the County Judge, Greg Ray, Mayor Jeff Brown, Dr. Lofton, and the health unit.

We as a group meet each week and look at the status of our county.
Believe me when I tell you these people have your best Interest at heart.

We as a county have worked disasters before. But this is something very new to us all. With the help of all we will prevail.

I am so impressed with how our county has come together to help. I'm am not surprised..
. this is what Sevier County has always done.

I want to thank all the businesses for coming together. I know this is hard times for all.

But I truly believe we will come through this and become a stronger county.

We have everything in place to fight this virus.
We don't have a hospital at this time but we have a group of people that is working very hard to see we have one in the future. We as a county will improvise and beat this virus without a hospital.

Remember to pray for our county and all of our Emergency responders.

God bless The United States of America.

Walter Smith, Jr.
Sevier County Emergency Management

De Queen Animal Hospital Open

De Queen Animal Hospital will be open normal business hours and we will continue to provide normal services. For any clients that need us to we can come outside to give you your pet's meds, just call and let us know you are outside, we can deliver meds in town for those that can't get out, we can also mail out monthly meds to those that need it! For our clients that are at a higher risk of sickness we can schedule house calls if needed. Please let us know if you need anything at this time so we can continue to take care of you and your fur babies!!

Click Below for Latest Updates/Maps from the Arkansas Department of Health

Operations Dashboard for ArcGIS

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Arkansas Department of Health

For COVID-19 information for the state of Arkansas, click here. Status Update as of March 23, 2020, 9:43am Arkansas Department of Health Lab positive test results 81 Commercial lab positive test results 84 Click the Status Update button below for more information You need javascript enabled to view this content or go to source URL.

Weekly Update from State Representative DeAnn Vaught

If you are a business owner struggling to meet payroll or if you have recently become unemployed due to the response from COVID-19, we want to direct you to state resources that may help.

Earlier this week the Governor announced that Arkansas will tap Community Development Block Grant funds and the state’s Quick Action Closing Fund to support small businesses and nonprofits that are struggling during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The state will allocate $12 million in block grant money and up to $4 million from the quick-action fund to provide bridge loans to help midsize companies and nonprofits remain open during the COVID-19 pandemic. Attorney General Leslie Rutledge also announced the transfer of $3 million of settlement funds from her office to the quick-action loan fund for small businesses.

The Small Business Administration (SBA) Economic Injury Disaster Loan program has been made available to eligible businesses and private non-profits that were impacted.

These working capital loans of up to $2 million can be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, and other bills that can’t be paid because of the disaster’s impact.

Businesses and employers can access information on the grants and loans at www.arkansasedc.com/covid19.

COVID-19 Business and Employee Resources | Arkansas Economic Development Commission

The Arkansas Economic Development Commission is committed to helping businesses and employees combat the effects of COVID-19. On this page, we have compiled a list of programs and resources, and we will continue to update this list as additional resources become available.

The Governor has also directed Division of Workforce Services to waive a number of restrictions for workers who have lost employment to ensure that the Unemployment Insurance Program (UIP) can provide needed assistance in a timely manner.

Unemployed individuals will be able to collect benefits immediately upon application approval rather than the typical week-long waiting period.

In addition, for the next 30 days, unemployed individuals will not be required to meet job search requirements. In person application requirements are also waived.

Arkansans can apply at www.ezarc.adws.arkansas.gov

ADWS EZARC - Welcome to EZARC

Hours of Operation: Monday - Friday: 6:00AM - 6:00PM ADWS does not send text messages, emails or initiate calls to claimants requesting they provide us with their Social Security Numbers and/or personal banking information. Individuals seeking to file unemployment insurance claims should only use ADWS secured websites accessible through dws.arkansas.gov Servicios de Interpretación/Traducción disponibles por medio de su oficina local.

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) will suspend the work requirement through the end of April. DHS also will expedite decisions about SNAP eligibility for those who lose income because of COVID-19 www.access.arkansas.gov.

Voter Registration

If you need assistance, please see the information below: If you do not have access to a printer, please call 1-800-482-8988 (Toll-free Client Assistance Helpline) to have a Voter Registration Application mailed to you.

We will continue to update you daily on new developments concerning the state response to COVID-19 at www.arkansashouse.org.

Home - Arkansas House of Representatives

ARGIRLSLEAD #ARGIRLSLEAD is a movement started by women serving in the Arkansas House. Each of them have a unique story to share about their journey on the road to their current leadership position. Kids In The House Who says civics can't be fun?