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Community coalitions provide prevention initiatives to a wide range of audiences at the local level, which include educational programs, intervention strategies, tobacco control advocacy and the promotion of tobacco-free environments.
Since fiscal year 2003, more than 50 school-based programs have been funded. In fiscal year 2007, nineteen programs were funded for $1.5 million. These programs are responsible for providing research-based tobacco prevention programs including curricula for all grade levels. The school-based programs are instrumental in strengthening school policies, promotion tobacco cessation services and using media to disseminate anti-tobacco messages. Learn more about Coordinated School Health.
Community Health Nurses and Promotion Specialists help build capacity for tobacco prevention and cessation services throughout the state. The nurses and specialists work with school nurses, school administrators, parents and students to provide training, student programs and technical assistance to schools to assist with the implementation of the Centers for Disease Control’s Guidelines for School Health Program to Prevent Tobacco Use and Addiction. CHNS & CHPS work with each Educational Cooperative and corresponding school districts on health issues. Their duties include (1) identifying and evaluating training needs of school nurses and targeted communities with respect to tobacco prevention and cessation and other related public health issues, (2) participating in policy development and school-based enforcement of tobacco related policies, (3) linking school-based tobacco prevention efforts with local community coalitions, and (4) acting as liaison between schools, community coalitions, Hometown Health Improvement, and health care providers.
UAPB receives funds to administer the Masters of Science in Addiction Studies and the Minority Initiative Sub-Recipient Grant Office (MISRGO). The Addiction Studies program has graduated all 21 students from its first class, of which 16 have obtained employment in the anti-tobacco addiction field in Arkansas. The MISRGO awarded 20 minority community-based grants for fiscal year 2008. These grants provide education on the effects of second-hand smoke; reducing youth access; as well as promotion and utilization of tobacco cessation services.