Lenora Jackson-Ayers, who works as a regional team leader and child welfare trainer at MidSOUTH, leveraged the knowledge and training she gained through her coursework to successfully write and receive a $150,000 grant from the Arkansas Department of Public Safety Division of Emergency Management for her church, Evangelist Temple Church in Little Rock, where she is a longtime volunteer.

Her work with Evangelist Temple began when she was pursuing a Master of Social Work degree at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock in 2005. She completed a community assessment for the Southwest Little Rock area as part of her program, and her church started an outreach center with a food pantry and Clothing closet in 2005 to help the community.

Fast forward to 2023 and Jackson-Ayers began pursuing a MPA and a nonprofit management certificate, which she will earn in the spring 2025 semester.

鈥淚 am a volunteer program coordinator at my church, and my motivation for furthering my education is to learn more about how to run a volunteer program and manage a nonprofit organization,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 took a grant writing class, and the class helped me learn how to research what grants I can apply for and how to formulate answers for the application. This is only the second grant I鈥檝e ever applied for, and it was so rewarding to have the grant approved.鈥�

The Nonprofit Security Grant provides funding for Evangelist Temple to purchase fencing and security cameras for the church, as well as for church members, and community members to undergo active shooter training. The Nonprofit Security Grant program supports the security and resilience of eligible non-profit organizations that may be at a higher risk of violence by providing financial assistance to improve physical security infrastructure and security enhancements.

鈥淗aving the skills to go out and secure grants for my church has been amazing,鈥� Jackson-Ayers said. 鈥淚 think everybody should have the right to feel safe and secure, and sometimes you can鈥檛 do it without external funding. I feel that if I hadn鈥檛 had the formal training in the classroom, I might still be trying to figure out how to write that grant.鈥�

This achievement underscores the strength of 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock鈥檚 MPA program in fostering leaders committed to serving their communities with purpose and passion.

鈥淟enora鈥檚 work embodies the mission of the MPA program鈥攖o prepare public service leaders who are ready to solve real-world problems,鈥� said Dr. Derek Slagle, director of the School of Public Affairs. 鈥淗er achievement showcases the positive impact our students are making in the community every day.鈥�

Additionally, Jackson-Ayers wrote another successful grant for $3,700 from the Arkansas Foodbank that will allow Evangelist Temple to buy refrigerators to store fresh food for use in their food pantry. She remains dedicated to using the skills she鈥檚 learned in the MPA program to help secure more grants to help Evangelist Temple continue their work of helping people in Little Rock.

鈥淕rowing up in the small town of Helena, Arkansas, where there were not a lot of resources but a lot of people in need was my motivation to want to help others,鈥� she said. 鈥淲ith my acquired classroom skills and training, I feel more confident about my abilities to secure funding to continue to play a role helping to secure financial resources for the church that serves the community. I hope to be able to make a bigger impact in the future.鈥�

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The award comes from appropriations language authored by passed into law in 2024. The funding is administered by the Office of National Drug Control Policy.

鈥淚 was proud to secure critical funding for the Opioid Prevention Project because we all agree it can make a tremendous difference in this fight,鈥� Boozman said. 鈥溙切腣log传媒 Little Rock MidSOUTH is ideally positioned to leverage this investment. With its expansive network and partnerships, it will enhance abuse and prevention education efforts and target a population at risk of falling victim to opioid abuse and its devastating consequences, which will benefit the entire state.鈥�

The Arkansas Youth Drug-Use Reduction Program will be led by , a training and education community service unit of the College of Business, Health, and Human Services at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock, in partnership with national experts, state and local agencies, and community stakeholders.

The initiative aims to conduct a statewide assessment and develop an evidence-based, Arkansas-specific curriculum designed to educate young people about the dangers of drug use. MidSOUTH was awarded this significant funding due to its proven leadership in drug abuse prevention and training across Arkansas, making it a trusted partner in statewide efforts to combat substance abuse.

鈥淎s we face the challenges of opioid misuse, it鈥檚 vital to engage our youth in meaningful conversations about prevention and awareness,鈥� said Greg Smith, co-director of MidSOUTH. 鈥淭he funding will help educate youth about what opioids are and the risks associated with their use. Knowledge is our first line of defense. Our goal is to work together with law enforcement, educators, community prevention agencies, and other stakeholders to foster a safe environment where our youth can thrive and make choices that promote their well-being.鈥�

The program aims to reach 100,000 youth within its first year, with plans to expand as the curriculum is implemented. MidSOUTH鈥檚 collaboration with experts and state agencies will ensure that the campaign effectively addresses the unique needs of Arkansas communities and fosters long-term prevention efforts.

鈥溙切腣log传媒 Little Rock is honored to participate in the fight against the opioid crisis and to support the health and well-being of Arkansas鈥檚 youth,鈥� 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock Chancellor Christina S. Drale said. 鈥淭his investment will enable us to work alongside national experts and state leaders to implement a comprehensive prevention program that will provide young people with the knowledge and resources to make positive choices, strengthening the future of our communities. We are grateful to Sen. Boozman for his continued support, and to the dedicated MidSOUTH staff for their leadership in this critical initiative.鈥�

This funding will also provide drug neutralizing agents to citizens to assist in the safe disposal of household medications to keep them out of the hands of youth. An educational campaign will complement the curriculum, broadening its reach to communities across Arkansas. Television and social media advertisements will raise awareness among young people about the dangers of drug use, while also providing parents with guidance on how to discuss drug prevention with their children.

鈥淎n important part to drug abuse prevention is peer prevention,鈥� Smith said. 鈥淵outh need to be able to recognize peer pressure and feel confident saying no to drug use and surround themselves with friends who respect their choices and values. We are working to build evidence-informed curriculums for youth to share what they learn with their peers. By speaking out, they can help create a culture of awareness and support in their schools. Together, we can empower them with knowledge and tools to make informed choices.鈥�

Effective drug prevention and education programs can help save lives by delaying the onset of drug and opioid use and reducing overdose deaths. Fentanyl, a synthetic opioid, is now the No. 1 cause of overdose deaths in Arkansas. Of the 47,695 Arkansas students in grades 6, 8, 10, and 12 who participated in the 2023 Arkansas Prevention Needs Assessment, 21.2% have used alcohol, 16.5% have tried drugs, 15.3% have vaped, 9.2% have used marijuana, and 4.2% have used prescription drugs.

“Programs like this are critical for reaching our young people at a time when the opioid crisis continues to devastate families and communities,” Smith said. “This partnership will give Arkansas youth the tools and knowledge they need to make healthy decisions and stay on the right path.”

The curriculum and training materials created from this funding will be provided at no cost to school districts, law enforcement agencies, nonprofits, and other stakeholders. If you are interested in the curriculum, please contact April Null, Arkansas Youth Drug-Use Reduction Program coordinator, at acnull@midsouth.ualr.edu or 501-891-2964.

Funding for this initiative was made possible by Congressionally Directed Spending appropriated to the Office of National Drug Control Policy (Grant No. CDS9924G0018-00). The views expressed herein do not necessarily state or reflect the views of the United States Congress or the Office of National Drug Control Policy.

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Muriel Schrepfer, graphic designer in the Office of Communications and Marketing, has received the Ben Fry Service to 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock Award. The award recipient is an individual who is distinctive in service through committees, special events, implementation of creative ideas or support, and encouragement of others.

鈥淚’m honored to receive this award for my service and contributions to 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock,鈥� Schrepfer said. 鈥淚 thoroughly enjoy serving on committees and volunteering at our campus events. The collaboration and partnerships across campus and this recognition fuel my enthusiasm to strive for excellence, continue making a positive impact, and support our campus community.鈥�

Daniel Breen, news director for Little Rock Public Radio, has received the Community Service Award. This award recipient has been particularly successful in organizing community events or had major achievements in civic, service, or specialty organizations/events.

鈥淚 am beyond grateful to receive this year鈥檚 Staff Senate Community Service Award,鈥� Breen said. 鈥淚鈥檓 so lucky to get to work every day with such a dedicated staff whose first goal is looking out for the public, and each other. I鈥檓 honored to be considered among so many other dedicated, talented people who work every day to make 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock, and their community, a better place. I look forward to continuing our work to be a better neighbor and to reach people where they鈥檙e at to better inform them of the decisions and policies that most affect their day-to-day life.鈥�

Additionally, Tamela Cane, resource family coordinator for MidSOUTH, has received the Personal Growth Award. The award winner is described as an individual whose scholarship, research, or creative talent has been particularly outstanding.

鈥淭his is such an honor!鈥� Cane said. 鈥淚 am humbled to be recognized amongst a campus full of so many professionals. This is definitely a manifestation of an answered prayer!”

The three winners will receive a $3,000 award distributed via payroll distributions. 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock Alumni Association Board of Director members Becky Flynn and Grady McCorkle served as judges.

“Congratulations to all of our winners this year,鈥� said Laterika Tooks, Staff Senate president-elect and director of annual giving. 鈥淭hank you for making a difference both on and off campus.”

More information about the Staff Achievement Award winners:

Ben Fry Service to 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock Award

Schrepfer has been selected for the Ben Fry Service to 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock Award for her exceptional contributions to the 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock community through her outstanding work as a graphic designer.

鈥淢uriel’s creative work is exceptional in helping to tell the university’s stories,鈥� said Angie Faller, news director, who nominated Schrepfer. 鈥淵ou will see her work in everything from newspaper ads to event flyers to slides on the digital marquee to billboards. Everywhere you look at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock, you are likely to find an inspiring graphic that was created by Muriel. Her dedication to supporting and enhancing our university community through her graphic design expertise is truly commendable.鈥�

In the past year, Schrepfer has taken on some transformative projects, including the implementation of Marq as a campus design solution and the redesign of the 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock Brand Guide, an essential guide that contains important information about how 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock should communicate with and present its story to the community.

She also serves on a number of committees and is actively involved in campus life. Schrepfer serves in the positions of staff liaison and co-chair of the Wesley Foundation Board. She is also a member of Safe Zone, SpectacuaLR, and the Eclipse celebration planning committees as well as collaborative committees with Admissions, Athletics, and the Graduate School.

鈥淢uriel has made significant contributions to 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock through her hard work and commitment to building collaboration with our campus partners,鈥� said Dr. Carrie Phillips, chief communications and marketing officer. 鈥淗er service has positively impacted both staff and students, making her a deserving recipient of this award.鈥�

Staff Achievement Award in Community Service

Breen, a 2018 mass communication graduate of 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock, has received the Staff Achievement Award in Community Service for his hard work and dedication in keeping the public informed through his community reporting. He is a familiar voice on Little Rock Public Radio, serving as a reporter, anchor, former Morning Edition host, news director, and co-host and producer of The Arkansas NewsWrap.

Breen can often be found hard at work in the community, talking to the public about subjects that matter.

鈥淢y neighborhood was hit by the tornado (in 2023), and I remember driving down the street and seeing Daniel out talking to people and bringing their stories to the wider community,鈥� said Merrill Wells of Little Rock Public Radio, who nominated Breen. 鈥淒aniel Breen has been a fixture in the community at town halls, voting polls, bringing 鈥業ssues that Matter鈥� program to the community and even helped orchestrate an 鈥楢rkansas NewsWrap鈥� program collaborating with other radio news directors across Arkansas.鈥�

Jonathan Seaborn, general manager of Little Rock Public Radio, said that Breen has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to excellence and a profound dedication to the community through his outstanding work in journalism.

鈥淒aniel鈥檚 passion for storytelling and his relentless pursuit of truth have been evident in the quality and depth of his reporting,鈥� Seaborn said. 鈥淗e has tackled a wide range of issues, from local politics to social justice, with sensitivity and insight, shedding light on important issues and giving voice to those who often go unheard.鈥�

Additionally, Breen is actively involved in community outreach initiatives, participating in panel discussions, hosting public forums, and engaging with listeners to ensure that Little Rock Public Radio鈥檚 coverage reflects the diverse perspectives and concerns of the community.

鈥淗is impact on the community is massive as hundreds and thousands of Arkansans would wake up hearing his voice as the morning edition host and bringing the local news,鈥� Wells said. 鈥淭here are a devout group of fans who call themselves 鈥楤reenies鈥� that donate to support public radio and community engagement.鈥�

Breen鈥檚 impressive community reporting skills have earned him awards from the Arkansas Pro Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists, Arkansas Press Women, National Federation of Press Women, and the Arkansas-Oklahoma Associated Press Broadcasters.

Staff Achievement Award in Personal Growth

Cane has worked at MidSOUTH since 2012, starting out as a resource family trainer before becoming a technical writer, where she developed and maintained written and online training material. As the resource family coordinator for MidSOUTH鈥檚 Resource Family Program, she provides meaningful learning and training experiences for newly hired resource family trainers and prospective foster and adoptive families.

鈥淭ami has consistently demonstrated good initiative in fulfilling the task of providing meaningful learning experiences for prospective resource family trainers, foster families, and adoptive families,鈥� said Leisa Myles, director of MidSOUTH鈥檚 Resource Family Program, who nominated Cane. 鈥淪he approaches her job in a manner that allows individuals to enhance their skill level and knowledge. Her dedication to child welfare, MidSOUTH鈥檚 mission statement, and the University of Arkansas at Little Rock are unparalleled.鈥�

According to Myles, Cane鈥檚 most outstanding achievement took place last year when she created a new training curriculum for MidSOUTH. Cane was selected as a member of Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders鈥� Executive Order to Protect Children, Support Families, and Improve the Foster Care System in Arkansas sub-committees, where she worked on a plan to revise the Resource Family Training Program at MidSOUTH.

The Arkansas Division of Children and Family Services selected the National Training Development Curriculum for Traditional Resource Families to replace the current training curriculum for the Resource Family Training Program. Cane participated in a Training the Trainer session with the National Training and Development Curriculum to help prepare the transition to the new training curriculum, Connecting AR Families. Cane organized a facilitator鈥檚 guide specific to the state.

At 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock, Cane has served on Staff Senate, the Arkansas Conference on Child Abuse and Neglect Registration and Planning Committee, MidSOUTH Annual Summer Conference Registration Committee, and the MidSOUTH Prevention Summit Registration Committee.

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Dr. Christina Sellers, assistant professor of social work at Simmons University, will be presenting her research on “Integrated Suicide and Substance Use Intervention for Adolescents in Substance Use Treatments,鈥� from 12:30-2 p.m. Feb. 28. The lecture is free to attend, and those interested may .

鈥淪uicide and substance use are often interrelated and worsen each other,鈥� Sellers said. 鈥淎dolescents with problematic substance use typically receive outpatient substance use treatment, where suicidal thoughts and behaviors are rarely fully addressed.鈥�

Sellers received a 2021 Young Investigator Grant from the for approximately $90,000 to develop a brief integrated substance use and suicide intervention plan developed collaboratively with clinicians and patients that can be delivered in an outpatient setting.

In the next phase of her research, Sellers will assess the intervention for feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary effects on suicide and substance-related outcomes.

The event is sponsored by 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock Counseling Services, Wellness and Inclusion, and the Division of Student Affairs.

For more information, contact Assadi at axassadi@ualr.edu.

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