UA Cossatot’s Textbook Rental and OER Program Saved Students Over $3 Million Dollars

UA Cossatot’s textbook rental and Open Educational Resource (OER) program has saved students $3,004,899.01. What began as a chancellor’s vision in 2015 exceeded all expectations in 2022. Nearly 70% of courses at UA Cossatot are taught with OER.

UA Cossatot Chancellor, Dr. Steve Cole recently recognized Relinda Ruth, Director of Educational Resources and OER Specialist, for her efforts in building this program and leading the OER effort in Arkansas. Dr. Cole also commended Ruth for serving as a leader for the Southern Regional Education Board (SREB) Arkansas State OER Action Team and leading the Arkansas Community Colleges (ACC) consortial membership with the Open Education Network (OEN). “Good visions only become reality if the right persons can see them through. In our case, that person was Relinda Ruth. She not only built this program but just like Johnny Appleseed, she has provided her ideas and leadership community to Arkansas and the United States. This program would not have happened without Relinda!” said Cole.

Ruth was recently invited to Florida to join the SREB Educational Technology Cooperative (ETC) alongside 11 others representing 16 southern states.

UA Cossatot continues to lead Arkansas in OER usage and has become a leader in the OER world. Ruth has traveled to other colleges across the state to help educators move toward OER. Ruth has shared her

experience in building an internal textbook rental and OER program through national interviews, presentations, publications, blogs, and even podcasts. To date, she’s presented at 20 state and national conferences.

“It’s amazing what everyone at UA Cossatot has accomplished with our textbook rental and OER program. Dr. Cole had a vision of making college more affordable to students and the entire UA Cossatot team worked together to make it a reality,” said Ruth.

Ruth will travel to Atlanta in March 2023 to present at the SREB OER and Dual Enrollment Conference. Her focus is expanding the use of OER in developmental education and college readiness in Arkansas Community Colleges.

For more information on UA Cossatot’s textbook rental and OER program, contact Relinda Ruth at 870-584-1181 or rruth@cccua.edu.

UA Cossatot joins AACC/Microsoft Cyber Skills Initiative

UA Cossatot was recently selected as one of 14 community colleges across the nation to participate in the Cyber Skills for All initiative, made possible by a partnership between the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) and Microsoft. In addition to receiving a grant of $20,000, UA Cossatot will be part of a community of practice consisting of community college workforce and economic development executives across the nation aimed at skilling people for participation in the digital economy.

UA Cossatot Chancellor Dr. Steve Cole said, “Joining the Cyberskills initiative aligns perfectly with UA Cossatot's new offerings in Cybersecurity we will be offering on our Nashville campus as part of the UA Cyberlearn Network. Cybersecurity is the absolute most important topic for individuals and businesses, and UA Cossatot is gearing up to prepare our workforce to address the needs for Cybersecurity experts in our area.”

“Cyber skills have become increasingly important for community colleges to provide students as their need from the workforce continues to grow,” said Dr. Walter G. Bumphus, AACC’s president and CEO. “Selected community colleges will have the opportunity to learn best practices from one another to deliver high-quality, industry-relevant cyber skills education to all students.”

“The United States faces a cybersecurity skills crisis – we simply don’t have enough people to combat the increasing number of cybersecurity attacks,” said Kate Behncken, Corporate Vice President, Microsoft

Philanthropies. “By working with AACC we can help ensure there are enough people with the necessary skills to keep organizations secure and people safe.”

“As technology evolves so do the skills needed to protect the nation’s technology infrastructure,” said Dr. Walter G. Bumphus, AACC’s president and CEO. “Working together with Microsoft, we will provide these community colleges with resources to ensure students learn the relevant skills needed in the workforce. Selected community colleges will have the opportunity to learn best practices from one another to continue to deliver high-quality, industry-relevant cyber skills education to all students.

Other institutions part of the second cohort include: Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College; Hostos Community College; North Hennepin Community College; Wichita State University Campus of Applied Sciences and Technology (WSU Tech); Community College of Philadelphia; Central Community College; Bellevue College; Southwest Tennessee Community College; Blue Ridge Community and Technical College; College of Western Idaho; Tulsa Community College; City Colleges of Chicago; and College of Southern Nevada.

UA Cossatot was recently awarded $64,000 Blue & You Foundation Grant

UA Cossatot was recently awarded a $64,000 Blue & You Foundation Grant to provide hunger relief and hygiene items for students in need.

The grant will aid UA Cossatot’s Center for Student Success’s food pantries and supplies closet, located on three of their four campuses in Sevier, Howard, and Little River counties.

“Food insecurity and lack of resources on college campuses across America is a growing problem, and within the Center for Student Success, we want to do all that we can to alleviate hunger locally and meet these needs. We want students to come to college and focus solely on their academics and not where their next meal may come from,” said Erika Buenrrostro, Director of Student Success and Enrichment. “We are excited that UA Cossatot was chosen to receive this grant that will greatly benefit our students.”

The Blue & You Foundation for a Healthier Arkansas announced Wednesday that 47 grants are being awarded in 2023 to public schools, universities and nonprofit groups in Arkansas totaling $3.38 million. The grants will directly impact each of the state’s 75 counties, funding projects focused on:

· Behavioral health resources

· Social determinants of health

· Maternal and pediatric health needs

· Health equity

· Whole person health

· Medical condition innovation

“These grants will fund dozens of projects touching Arkansans all over the state — from supporting the Arkansas Suicide Prevention Hotline to providing recreational therapy to youth aging out of foster care, the 2023 grants will impact Arkansans in a powerful way.” said Rebecca Pittillo, executive director of the Blue & You Foundation. “The organizations that we have funded are focused on improving the lives of people in our communities, which is also our goal at the Blue & You Foundation.”

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

Winter weather headed to Arkansas

Overall, forecast confidence is high for an impactful Winter Storm across the northwestern half of the state this coming Tuesday through Wednesday. 

Forecast snowfall amounts have continued to increase, and hazardous travel impacts are expected across much of western, northwestern, and northern Arkansas Tuesday evening through Wednesday morning. 

Attached is a supplemental briefing with our latest forecast information, including our newest forecast snowfall amounts. Changes to snow amounts/coverage of accumulation are still possible, but overall confidence for impactful snowfall is high.

Broadband in Arkansas Survey

The State Broadband Office needs your help getting as many people in Arkansas as possible to check the FCC’s new broadband map and challenge any inaccuracies.  They are only accepting these challenges through Friday (1/13).

https://broadband.arkansas.gov/verify/

UA Cossatot kicks-Off Spring 2023 Semester

UA Cossatot’s Spring 2023 regular classes will begin on Tuesday, January 17, and registration is open until Thursday, January 19. Two eight-week terms are also offered, one running January-March and the second March-May. The registration deadline for the second eight-week term is March 14.

Various in-person and online courses and career and transfer options are offered. Anyone interested in taking courses, including returning students, is encouraged to stop by UA Cossatot’s Student Services, where a friendly staff member can help with registration and enrollment questions. A complete list of courses and information on scholarships and financial aid can be found at www.cccua.edu. There are also funding opportunities for UA Cossatot students to attend free in spring 2023 through the ArFuture Grant. Arkansas resident students in select technical and high-demand fields such as Agriculture, Industrial Maintenance, EMT, Nursing, Welding, Cybersecurity, Education, and Science can have their tuition and fees paid for through the ArFutures grant. The full list of criteria, rules/regulations, and the online application can be found at https://sams.adhe.edu/Scholarship/Details/ARFUTURE. The application deadline is January 10 for spring 2023 and July 1 for fall 2023.

To speak with Student Services about registering for classes, please call 870-584-4471 or email studentservices@cccua.edu. Walk-ins are always welcome. UA Cossatot campus hours for De Queen, Nashville, and Ashdown are Monday through Friday from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm.

There is still time to apply for medical programs, too. If all program requirements are met by March 1st, students are eligible to apply. All prereqs must be completed or in progress during the spring semester. The program applications and TEAS score must be completed by March 1st. Please review the program requirements for each program at www.cccua.edu/programs-of-study/medical-education. For medical program questions, please contact 870-584-1211 or email ccooper@cccua.edu, rservante@cccua.edu, or mfoster@cccua.edu.

UA Cossatot’s Colts and Lady Colts are also gearing up this semester. They play a pair of home games this Thursday, January 5th, at the UA Cossatot Bank of Lockesburg Gymnasium. At 5 PM, the Lady Colts go head-to-head against Dallas Christian College. Then, at 7 PM, the Colts close out the night versus RA Prep. Contact Athletic Director and Head Coach Stan Asumnu for free season pocket schedules at 870-584-1145 or sasumnu@cccua.edu. ###

Severe weather threat in Arkansas on Monday, January 2nd

The new year will be accompanied by the risk for severe weather around the state, with severe thunderstorms possible on Monday, January 2nd. An enhanced risk encompasses much of central, southern and western Arkansas. Damaging wind gusts and tornadoes appear to be the main concerns Monday.

National Weather Service in Little Rock, AR

https://www.weather.gov/lzk/

Update from State Representative DeAnn Vaught

As we approach a new year, with new goals for the next legislative session, we would like to take a moment to reflect on the progress made in 2022. 

In 2022, the Arkansas General Assembly passed a historic tax cut, increased pay for law enforcement officers, and directed millions in surplus funds to improve safety in Arkansas schools.  

In an Extraordinary Session held in August of this year, the General Assembly passed Act 1 and Act 2. Those acts are identical pieces of legislation that reduced the income tax to 4.9% and made that rate retroactive to January 1, 2022. The legislation also lowers corporate income taxes from 5.9% to 5.3% on January 1, 2023. In addition, it aligns Arkansas law with the federal depreciation schedule which will provide relief for business owners by accelerating the depreciation of their assets and allowing for an easier calculation of their tax bill.

Act 1 and Act 2 also grant a nonrefundable income tax credit of $150 to taxpayers with income up to $87,000 and $300 to couples filing jointly with income up to $174,000. 

In this special session, the General Assembly also passed Act 3. This act set aside $50 million from the revenue surplus for the purpose of funding a school safety grant program.  

In March of 2022, the 93rd General Assembly convened for the 2022 Fiscal Session. During this session, the General Assembly passed a $6.02 billion budget. The budget outlined a $70 million increase for elementary and secondary education.

The budget also included increases for the DHS Division of Children and Family Services, county jail reimbursements, and state police. 

The General Assembly also directed one-time surplus funds to be used for prison expansion and one-time stipends for law enforcement officers. 

The majority of House members will return for the 94th General Assembly. There will be 26 new members. The 94th General Assembly will include 82 Republicans and 18 Democrats. There will be 26 women and 74 men. 

The 94th General Assembly will convene at noon on January 9. On the first day of the session, all members will be sworn into office. House members will then formally elect the Speaker of the House. The Speaker will then make remarks and announce the chairs for House committees. On the second day of the session, the House and Senate will convene for a Joint Session. On this day, all constitutional officers will be sworn into office and the newly elected Governor will make her first address as Governor. 

The House streams all committee meetings and House floor proceedings at www.arkansashouse.org.

Update from State Representative DeAnn Vaught

Earlier this month, many of us gathered in the Old Supreme Court Chamber at our Capitol to celebrate Christmas with some of the children currently in our state’s foster care system. This is an annual event that distributes thousands of gifts and brings countless smiles.

Our goal as a state is to make sure these children have the best care available year-round. At the end of the State Fiscal Year 2022, there were 4,524 Arkansas children in foster care. That is a decrease of 7% from the previous year.

In 2021, the General Assembly passed Act 574 which directed the House Committee on Aging, Children and Youth, Legislative and Military Affairs and the Senate Committee on Children and Youth to conduct a study of the best practices for reducing the number of children in foster care. That study was conducted and the final report was submitted to the Arkansas Legislative Council this month.

The study included an assessment of the number of children in foster care, an examination of the state’s current practices and policies aimed at reducing the number of children in foster care, an examination of the methods other states use, and the formulation of a plan for the state to implement to reduce or eliminate the number of children in foster care.

The reports details staffing challenges in the most recent years presented by the health emergency. But despite those challenges, the DHS Division of Children and Family Services has continued to implement a variety of strategies to reduce the number of children in foster care. Those strategies include incentive programs to recruit and retain quality staff and prevention programs focused on in-home services.

The reports also note that DCFS staff have worked hard over the last several years to ensure children are placed with relatives and fictive kin when safe and appropriate. Close to 41% of children were placed with relatives statewide as of September 30, 2021, as compared to the 28.1% of children who were placed with relatives statewide as of March 30, 2019. Children whose first placement was with a relative or fictive kin have consistently shown to have more placement stability, fewer instances of maltreatment while in foster care, and have achieved permanency more quickly than their counterparts.

This report will help guide members when considering legislation in the 2023 Regular Session. We’ve posted the study on our website arkansashouse.org.

Update from State Representative DeAnn Vaught

This week, the Arkansas Legislative Council received a report regarding the state of mental and behavioral health in Arkansas. 

This report was months in the making. It makes clear that medical professionals are facing a mental health crisis in our state but the collaborative efforts involved in this study also provide a path forward to improving care. 

Act 802 of 2021 required a study of Mental and Behavioral Health conditions in Arkansas.

The purpose of the study was to assess the strengths and weaknesses of the mental and behavioral health resources and care currently available and to recommend legislation to the General Assembly. 

For the last several months, legislators, mental health providers, medical professionals, and behavioral health stakeholders have been meeting to discuss various services offered to persons suffering from mental health issues. The group has also been discussing the current difficulty is providing these services without a professionally trained workforce. 

Representatives of the Arkansas Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics testified that many pediatricians in the state are spending the majority of their day on working behavioral health right now and struggle to find access to proper care for their patients.  

Arkansas Children’s Hospital reported seeing a 25% increase in mental health and behavioral health cases since the beginning of the pandemic.

And medical professionals testified that more than 36,000 adolescents in Arkansas had a major depressive episode in the last year. 

Arkansas is not unique in facing these challenges. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), 1 in 5 Americans will experience a mental illness in a given year. The CDC also states that 1 in 5 children, either currently or at some point during their life, have had a seriously debilitating mental illness. 

The Department of Human Services participated in these working groups and discussed what could be changed by the policy. As a result of the concerns raised in the working group, DHS agreed to several policy changes which will allow Medicaid providers to be reimbursed for more preventive care and provide more oversight for at-home care. 

In the 94th General Assembly, we could see several pieces of legislation introduced as a direct result of this study.

 The final report states that legislation is being drafted, studied, and considered which will address several concerns raised including increasing the number of Psychological Examiners practicing in the state, enhancing the availability of intensive treatment for young children and adolescents, and advocating for school counselors to be trained on suicide awareness and prevention.  

We have posted the study on our website www.arkansashouse.org. 

We want to remind anyone struggling with a mental health crisis to call 988 to be connected to resources near you.

Arctic front blasting the state on Thursday

An arctic front will blast through the state on Thursday with very cold air and gusty winds accompanying the boundary. 

Wind chill warnings and advisories have been issued along with a winter weather advisory across the north for several inches of snow. Strong winds will blow this snow about as it will be dry and powdery with low moisture content.

Arctic Air to Blast Arkansas This Week

The latest guidance is showing the front moving through earlier than previous thinking and crossing the Mississippi River by mid to late afternoon.

We are still expecting a blast of bitterly cold air behind the front with dangerous wind chills by Friday morning. The arctic air will settle over the state through Christmas with only some moderation expected. The winds will slacken on Friday as the system pulls away but the cold will remain. There is currently a wind chill watch in effect for the north with wind chill advisories or warnings likely across most if not all of the state with time.

Finally there could be some snow across mainly the north and northwest with an inch or two possible but most areas will see less than that as the system will be moving very quickly, moisture is limited and the window for accumulating snow is relatively small.

Weather Briefing from the National Weather Service in Little Rock

Confidence continues to increase on a severe weather event for most of the southeastern half of the state beginning Tuesday afternoon/evening and potentially persisting into the early morning hours of Wednesday.

The Day 3 Storm Prediction Center Convective Outlook brought an expansion of the Enhanced Risk area into much of eastern and northeastern Arkansas. Specific timing details will become more evident in the next day or so, however additional changes to the forecast risk area are still possible within the next few days.

National Weather Service Winter Weather Briefing for Arkansas

We are still on track to seeing some wintry weather over parts of northern and western Arkansas late today and tonight. Rain will mix with and eventually changeover to all snow by early this evening, across the Ozark and Ouachita Mountains. Snow accumulations of one to two inches remain possible, especially in the highest elevations.

While this will be a quick hitting event, there may be minor travel impacts. Roads in some areas may become snow/slush covered, with icy patches on bridges and overpasses.

Click on picture above the Winter Weather Briefing PDF

Increased Threat of Severe Weather Friday Evening in Arkansas

A fairly major update has been made to the severe weather forecast through tonight. Here are the main points: 

Moderate Risk introduced for all of western, southwestern AR

- Increased threat for tornadoes, some potentially significant, in and near southwest 

  AR. Damaging hail is also possible.

- Intense winds (up to 70-80 mph) possible as storms move across AR late evening 

  and overnight

Enhanced Risk expanded to include the southern half of AR.

Onset timing remains the same (5-7 PM), but storms will move across AR faster than previously thought with storms moving east of the MS River by 3-4 AM.

The attached briefing contains updated graphics pertaining to the severe threat and timing. 

Potential for Damaging Winds, Storms, Heavy Rainfall, and Possible Tornadoes for Friday

A storm system will approach the Natural State on Friday afternoon and complete its progression across the state by early Saturday morning. Click on the link above for a briefing outlining this event.

Weekly Update from State Representative DeAnn Vaught

Did you know that out of the over 400,000 children and teens in foster care in the United States, over 100,000 of them are waiting to be adopted? Right now, there are 292 children in Arkansas whose parents’ parental rights have been terminated and are currently seeking a forever family.

November is National Adoption Month. It is a time to increase awareness of adoption issues, bring attention to the need for adoptive families for teens in the foster care system, and emphasize the value of youth engagement. On November 3, the Arkansas Department of Human Services will be hosting a National Adoption Month Rally at the State Capitol. The event begins at noon.

In the 2021 Regular Session, the General Assembly passed Act 574, which directed the House Committee on Aging, Children, and Youth, Legislative and Military Affairs, and the Senate Interim Committee on Children and Youth to conduct a study of the best practices for reducing the number of children in foster care. Part of that study includes reviewing the length of time from termination of parental rights to adoption finalization for relative and foster parent adoptions. Significant progress has been made to shorten that time. The committee is scheduled to review a draft of the final report when they meet in November. While we continue our study and work to reduce the number of children entering the foster care system, we encourage you to explore how your family may be able to help.

Last year, the Division of Children and Family Services (DCFS) launched the Every Day Counts campaign as a reminder for people that every day these children and teens spend in foster care is a day too long because every day counts!

After the launch of the program, Project Zero took on the challenge to give every waiting child a short film by the end of 2021. Project Zero is a non-profit organization whose mission is to diligently and enthusiastically promote adoption through the foster care system with the ultimate goal of finding a forever family for every child who is waiting. These short films have been a critical piece in finding adoptive families for children in foster care. You can find the films and more information about each child in Project Zero’s Arkansas Heart Gallery at www.projectzero.org.

Weekly Update from State Representative DeAnn Vaught

It is estimated that 225 people die every day from a drug overdose in America. In 2020, 547 people died from a drug overdose in Arkansas.

The current opioid epidemic is one of the deadliest drug epidemics in our history.

October 26 has been proclaimed as Opioid Awareness Day in Arkansas. It is a time for communities and individuals to raise awareness and prevent new victims from falling prey to addiction.

In recent years the Arkansas General Assembly has expanded access to naloxone and created criminal and civil immunities for those who try to get help for an overdose patient.

In 2021, we passed Act 651. This act mandates the co-prescription of an opioid antagonist under certain conditions. One of the conditions includes if the patient has a history of opioid use disorder or drug overdose.

In the 2019 Session, the General Assembly passed Act 646 which provides for controlled substance overdose identification training by law enforcement officers with an emphasis on opioid overdoses. That same year, the legislature passed Act 964 which prohibits a healthcare insurer, including the Arkansas Medicaid Program, from requiring prior authorization for medication-assisted treatment of opioid addiction.

In 2017, the General Assembly passed Act 284 which authorizes pharmacists to dispense naloxone, a medication used to reverse the effects of an opioid-induced overdose.

And in 2015, the Joshua Pauley Act became law. The law provides immunity for those calling for help for someone who is overdosing.

Another way to prevent abuse is to encourage the safe storage and disposal of prescription drugs.

The Arkansas Drug Take Back Day is Saturday, October 29 from 10 am to 2 pm. This is an opportunity to safely dispose of expired or unused prescription drugs. There are more than 250 locations across the state. You can find the location of events and permanent drop boxes at www.artakeback.org .

UA Cossatot Colts/Lady Colts Benefit Golf Tournament in Nashville

1st Place team

Jon Bunyard pictured with 1st Place team in UA Cossatot 4-Person Scramble Benefit Golf Tournament in Nashville on Saturday - 1st Place score of 57 - Evan Wakefield, Kyler Reeves, Michael Nava, (Chris Singleton - not pictured)

Brittany Moore

Ladies Closest to Hole on #1 - Brittany Moore

Seth Tollett

Men's Long Drive Champion - Seth Tollett

Evan Wakefield

Men's Closest to Hole on #9 - Evan Wakefield

Dextin Wheeler, Seth Tollett

2nd Place Team with a score of 60 - Dextin Wheeler, Seth Tollett, (Braden Young & Griffin Young not pictured)

Cadee Glasgow

Ladies Long Drive Champion - Cadee Glasgow

UA Cossatot Agriculture Projects to be Showcased in Washington, D.C.

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Six agriculture students from UA Cossatot will be attending the annual National Science Foundation Advanced Technician Education (NSF ATE) conference on October 25-28, 2022 in Washington D.C.

This year Keaton Cox, Kaydee Cowling, and Haley Wright are presenting posters about projects conducted by the agriculture department. Three additional students attending the conference include April Klitz, Hannah Honey, and Valerie Smith. UA Cossatot faculty members Kelli Harris and Crystal Sims will also be in attendance.

Cox’s research is about water quality. The students in Natural Resources have been collecting water samples and testing for coliform bacteria, lead, mercury, pH, and other quality factors. The data is recorded through ArcGIS Survey123, including location data which is then mapped.

Cowling and Wright’s project started in the Intro to GIS class in the spring of 2022. They are collaborating with Casey Hardaway at Rick Evans Grandview Prairie Nature Center to collect location data on fossils found on the management area.

The conference will host more than 850 NSF ATE grantees and their project cohorts to focus on the critical issues related to advanced technological education. Fundamental persons working on ATE projects across the country will partake in the hybrid event. Conference partakers represent community colleges,

business and industry, secondary school systems, and four-year universities covering projects in a wide variety of areas, such as information technology, engineering technology, micro-and nanotechnologies, chemical technology, biotechnology, and other program areas.

The primary goal of the GSTARS project is to design and implement a curriculum that meets the region’s need for technician-level GIS skills in agriculture and related science industries. In addition, the $299,635 grant will create pathways for future GIS Technicians to enter the local workforce.

“This grant has created an amazing opportunity to integrate technology and technical skills, such as GIS data collection and drone operations, into our agriculture and science programs. We are excited to share what our students have been learning at UA Cossatot through the GSTARS grant during the NSF ATE conference," said GSTARS team leader and agriculture faculty, Kelli Harris.

To learn more about this grant and conference, contact Kelli Harris at kharris@cccua.edu. ###