A new program for mothers is coming to the CLRPN this spring, and we are in search right now of people willing to help guide this program by serving on an advisory/work group over the next few months.   Arkansas Children’s Hospital is working with the Centers for Youth and Families to establish a new “CLRPN Family Support Program” (working title) for new mothers.  This is part of a state-wide initiative of the Arkansas Department of Health that is supported by a large, multi-year grant from the Maternal, Infant and Early Childhood Home Visiting Program of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.  In Little Rock, a significant number of new spaces just for moms living in the CLRPN will be created in the Healthy Families America program.  This is an evidence-based and family-based home support model that will be delivered by a contracted provider.  The new spaces in this program should be available this spring! 

If you or someone you know is interested in learning more or might be willing to serve on this advisory group, please email lrpromise@gmail.com and we will get you more information!  We need people with deep knowledge of issues facing moms/parents in our neighborhood as well as experience and expertise in working with young mothers.

The “Little Miss Promise” academic pageant program may be for her!  Organized and led by a group of UALR student volunteers, and former pageant winners, this program will give 4th grade girls the chance to participate in a series of “beauty seminars” covering some key sources of real beauty like leadership, communication, community service, and creativity.  Finalists will then have the chance to display their inner beauty in a more traditional pageant in late April.  This is a free, community-based program sponsored by the CLRPN so parents should note that all sessions will be held on Saturdays.  However, to ensure the word gets out across the whole CLRPN, applications will be distributed through the CLRPN schools.  Applications will go out next week and be due Monday, February 20.  Have questions?   Please send them to lrpromise@gmail.com.

The Promise Board of Directors and Neighborhood Advisory Board have reviewed and narrowed the CLRPN’s focus areas for the next year to the foundational core of the Promise: Community Building, Parents, and Successful Learning.  A revised work plan establishing priority actions for each of these areas is under development and will be presented to the Boards at their February meetings.

Bale Elementary and UALR’s Student Chapter of the American Chemical Society have connected through the CLRPN.  This semester college students will share their knowledge of and love for science with the 4th and 5th graders at Bale in a series of hands-on lessons and demonstrations.  Bale’s 5th grade students launched this partnership by putting their knowledge of and love for science on full display for the college students/judges at the Bale Science Fair on February 6.

We thank everyone who has signed a Promise Pledge or otherwise expressed their desire to volunteer with us and be a part of the Promise.  We know you have been waiting patiently to hear more from us.  Please know we will be in touch soon with plenty of ideas of how you can help us spring into action in the next few months.