As of August, 2005 27 grants were awarded to local nonprofit organizations and schools. Many of the awards are second-year grants for continuing programs and services that started in 2004. (Click here to see the 2004 awards.)

EDUCATION INITIATIVE GRANTS

New Arrival Centers:
Five Springdale schools received funding to implement New Arrival Centers. New Arrival Centers are language immersion programs that assist children whose first language is not English.

The five grants awarded are:

• $26,125 to Bayyari Elementary School
• $26,250 to Tyson Middle School
• $26,250 to Kelly Middle School
• $11,250 to Lee Elementary School
• $11,250 to Westwood Elementary School

Extended Learning Initiative:
The Extended Learning Initiative is designed to provide experiences that extend the school year, extend the school day, or expand the traditional curriculum. Schools that received grants to implement extended learning programs are:

• Bentonville Mary Mae Jones Elementary School - $53,000
• Siloam Springs Elementary School - $23,000
• Springdale Lee Elementary School - $28,000
• Springdale Westwood Elementary School - $53,000
• Springdale Smith, Walker, & Young Elementary Schools- $58,000

Early Childhood Education Initiative:
The Early Childhood Education Initiative prepares pre-kindergarten children for their formal education. Funding was awarded to the following for their early childhood education or pre-K programs:

• Decatur Elementary School - $80,000
• Gravette Duffy Elementary School - $240,000
• Siloam Springs Elementary School - $80,000
• Springdale School District - $250,000

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme:
This program was started in 2004 in Bentonville and Springdale School Districts and continues in 2005 as follows:

• Bentonville School District - $52,500
• Springdale School District - $100,000

HEALTH INITIATIVE GRANTS

School Based Mental Health Initiative:

• $450,000 to Ozark Guidance for services at Harp Elementary in Springdale and Apple Glen Elementary in Bentonville.

School Based Social Services Initiative:

• $256,000 to elementary schools in
  • Bentonville
  • Decatur
  • Gravette
  • Siloam Springs
  • Springdale

School Based Lifestyles Education Initiative:

• $58,500 was awarded to Kids for Health to provide health education in the following Benton County public elementary schools:
  • Decatur
  • Gentry
  • Gravette
  • Pea Ridge
  • Siloam Springs

Bilingual Nursing Initiative:

• $100,000 to Northwest Arkansas Nursing Consortium for 2nd year implementation of the bilingual nursing initiative.

IMMIGRATION INITIATIVE GRANTS

• Hispanic Women's Organization was awarded $55,000 to continue the G.E.M. mentoring program.
• Ozark Literacy Council was awarded $50,000 for adult education and job training.
• UA Medical Sciences (AHEC) received $56,625 to continue the medical interpreter training program.

OTHER GRANTS

• Jones Center for Families received $500,000 for general operating expenses.
• Community Clinic at St. Francis House received $120,000 for medical and dental services.
• Springdale Schools received $30,000 for a new program, High School Tenth Grade Center.
• Hurricane Katrine Relief
  • Community Clinic at St. Francis House: $15,000 toward overall expenses.
  • NWA Crisis Center: $20,000 for staff/volunteer mileage reimbursement and identification items.
  • Ozark Food Bank: $5,000 toward food purchases.
  • Ozark Guidance: $20,000 toward various expenses.
  • Ozark Regional Transit: $10,000 for services to evacuees, particularly to take people to jobs.
  • Siloam Springs Childrens Center: $8,500 for educational and transportation services for children.