The foundation acknowledges the nursing shortage of northwest Arkansas and that ethnic and cultural representation in the medical field is extremely low. Therefore, the foundation has established the Bilingual Nursing Education initiative.

Initiative Goals
The Bilingual Nursing Education program's mission is to increase the number of bilingual nurses in Benton and Washington counties by recruiting, educating, and retaining nurses from ethnic minorities who are US citizens or legal permanent residents. Funding for the program will be available to local nursing education programs to assist qualified bilingual students begin or continue their nursing education. Qualified bilingual students may also include English-as-a-first-language individuals who are fluent in another language. The goals of the initiative are:

• Identify and implement an effective method for recruiting bilingual students who demonstrate potential for the nursing profession,
• Increase the number of bilingual nursing students at all levels of nursing, including nurse midwifes, nurse practitioners, and nursing educators,
• Provide scholarships for bilingual nursing students,
• Identify and provide additional support or assistance to bilingual nursing students to ensure their success, and
• Determine the details of scholarship recipient's service obligations upon completion of their education. Teaching or direct nursing career must take place within the two-county area.

Funding Availability
Phase I: A planning grant of up to $15,000 will be available.

Phase II: An implementation grant of up to $60,000 will be available upon successful completion of the planning grant. Sustained annual funding at the same level will be considered for an additional five years, contingent upon successful grant accomplishments.

Use of Funds
Phase I: Planning grant money will be used to identify an effective method for recruiting bilingual nursing students, develop or acquire curriculum that serves bilingual students, determine assistances that will help ensure student progress, and develop a project timeline and budget.

Phase II: Implementation grant money will be used to recruit, educate, and retain bilingual nursing students through scholarships and other assistance.

The foundation acknowledges that educating young children about making healthy choices can help prevent chronic disease. Therefore, the foundation has established the School-Based Lifestyles Education initiative.

Initiative Goals
The School-Based Lifestyles Education program's mission is to expose and educate elementary school-aged children about good health habits through innovative programming and cost-effective implementation. Goals of the initiative are:

• Reinforce tobacco free norms and attitudes,
• Strengthen the intent that children remain tobacco free,
• Encourage healthy nutritional choices to avoid obesity and illness,
• Create wise consumerism,
• Promote benefits of regular exercise,
• Make children aware of stress and its effect on wellness, and
• Focus on diversity, acceptance, and tolerance.

Funding Availability
An implementation grant of up to $64,000 will be available. Sustained funding at a reduced level will be considered for up to three additional years, contingent upon successful grant accomplishments.

Use of Funds
Funds will be used to deliver health education in an age-appropriate format for children in public elementary schools in Benton County. The curriculum will be comprehensive in its approach, using interactive teaching materials for students and offering training and support for the teachers who present the material. Multi-focuses anticipated are self, health, body, choices, and the world. An emphasis will be given to the discouragement of tobacco use. The curriculum will meet the needs of Spanish-as-a-first-language children.

The foundation acknowledges that early detection and prompt treatment of mental health disorders are essential for productive living. Furthermore, the foundation acknowledges that many people are reluctant to suggest mental health services for children for fear that "labeling" could affect them adversely. Because mental health services have fewer associated stigmas when delivered at school, the foundation has established the School-Based Mental Health program.

Initiative Goals
The School-Based Mental Health program's mission is to provide early intervention and treatment to elementary school-aged children through innovative programming and cost-effective implementation. Goals of the initiative are:

• Identify at-risk children,
• Reduce ineffective functioning of at-risk children (aggressive, acting-out behaviors, extremely timid and withdrawn behaviors, and difficulties in learning),
• Provide social service interventions,
• Increase effective parenting skills,
• Help families access community resources, and
• Support mental health education.

Funding Availability
Phase I: A planning grant of up to $30,000 will be available.

Phase II: An implementation grant of up to $270,000 will be available upon successful completion of the planning grant. Sustained annual funding at the same level will be considered for up to four additional years, contingent upon successful grant accomplishments.

Use of Funds
Phase I: Planning grant money will be used to identify the most effective method for delivering services, and to develop project outcomes, budget, and timeline.

Phase II: Implementation funding will be used to recruit and train capable individuals to deliver services. Funding will be used deliver mental health services in a child- and school-appropriate format for children in Bentonville and Springdale elementary schools. Offering parent support is a desired element of the program. The services will meet the needs of Spanish-as-a-first-language children.

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