COMMUNITY HEALTH

The goal of the Community Health Nurse Specialist (CHNS) and Community Health Promotion Specialist (CHPS) is to provide schools and communities with assistance and resources that will improve the health of students and the community. This makes Arkansas healthier!  

  • The CHNS's primary focus is supporting our school nurses.

  • The CHPS's primary focus is supporting wellness committees within our schools. 

The ARESC Community Health team strives to provide technical assistance to school staff as well as to the community as a whole.

The Community Health Nurse Specialist (CHNS) and the Community Health Promotion Specialist (CHPS) are employees of the Arkansas Department of Health (ADH).  These specialists receive administrative support and are housed at ARESC to serve their membership.

COMMUNITY HEALTH PROMOTION SPECIALIST (CHPS)

Rosemary Withers

Rosemary Withers 

Community Health Promotion Specialist 

rosemary.withers@arkansas.gov

Office: 870-730-2967

Cell: 501-590-2689

Act 1220 of 2003 was established "to help raise awareness of the importance of nutrition and physical activity and assist in the development of local policies including but not limited to the following: standards, curriculum, professional development, nutrition education, physical education, and vending contracts." School districts are required to incorporate goals and objectives for nutrition and physical activity into the annual school planning and reporting process. 

The Community Health Promotion Specialist (CHPS) serves school districts in Jefferson, Arkansas, and Grant Counties.

 Technical Assistance includes providing

 

  • guidance for Coordinated School Health, School Health Index, and other public health policies.

  • professional development for staff including nutrition and physical activity.

  • nutrition education and physical activity for students.

  • implementation of best practices for nutrition and physical activity.

  • facilitation to link resources in schools and communities.

  • information and strategies on injury prevention.
     

In addition to promoting health in the schools, the Community Health Promotion Specialist works closely with the Hometown Health Improvement Coalitions in Jefferson, Arkansas, and Grant Counties to provide leadership, guidance, and technical assistance. The mission is to develop community initiatives that are locally owned and controlled that improve the health of their citizens.

Act 1220 of 2003 was established to help raise awareness of the importance of nutrition and physical activity and assist in the development of local policies including but not limited to the following: standards, curriculum, professional development, nutrition education, physical education, and vending contracts. School districts are required to incorporate the goals and objectives for nutrition and physical activity into the annual school planning and reporting process. 

The Community Health Promotion Specialist serves school districts in Jefferson, Arkansas, and Grant Counties.

 

Technical Assistance to includes providing:

  • Guidance for Coordinated School Health, School Health Index and other public health policies

  • Professional development for staff including nutrition and physical activity

  • Nutrition education and physical activity for students.

  • Implementation of best practices for nutrition and physical activity.

  • Link resources to schools and communities.

  • Information and strategies on injury prevention
     

In addition to promoting health in the schools, the Community Health Promotion Specialist works closely with the Hometown Health Improvement coalitions in Jefferson, Arkansas, and Grant Counties to provide leadership, guidance, and technical assistance to develop community initiatives that are locally owned and controlled and are working to improve the health of their citizens.

WASHING HANDS

FaSeeia Preston, RN

Community Health Nurse Specialist

CPR Instructor, Master ASIST Trainer 

Provisional Safe Talk Trainer

prestonf@aresc.k12.ar.us

Office: 870-730-2966