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Who We Are
Healthy Connections' Tobacco Prevention and Education program began in 2001 as a collaboration between the Polk County Quality of Life Coalition and the Scott County Health and Education Coalition.
The program which is funded through the Arkansas Department of Health and Human Services is also known statewide as the "Stamp Out Smoking" program.
Today this collaboration has grown to cover an area southwest from Texarkana to Fort Smith including Russellville and Arkadelphia. The Polk County Tobacco Free Coalition and the Y.E.S. Team are local arms of the same program.
The Arkansas Stamp Out Smoking Program receives funding from the Master Settlement Agreement-MSA-a monetary arrangement between big tobacco companies and various states to combat the effects of tobacco use.
Funding is scheduled to be released every year for 25 years, 2006 being the 5th year. Sub-grantees, like Healthy Connections, are required to request funding through a competitive grant process. Each year the Arkansas Legislature determines which programs will be funded and the amount of that funding.
What We Do
The Stamp Out Smoking program exists to educate Arkansas citizens about the dangers of tobacco use and exposure to second hand smoke, to prevent youth initiation of tobacco use, to reduce and eventually prohibit tobacco advertising targeting youth, and to help people of all ages with cessation.
These objectives are met by providing in school curriculum, conducting community awareness campaigns, serving as a community resource and being a constant viable presence in communities and their events across the state.
Services Provided:
- Tobacco Education
- Tobacco Prevention
- Speakers Bureau
- Event Planning
- Media Development
- Curriculum
- Cessation Support
- Surveys and Assessments
- Promotional Items
- Project Planning Training
- Tobacco 101
- Grant Writing Assistance
- Technical Support
- Volunteer Training
- Community Service Hours
- Youth Advocacy Training
- Life Skills Development
- Fundraising
- Graphic Design Services
- Transportation Assistance
