Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/1495524
The Office of Community Health and Research at UAMS recently launched Community of Practice, a group of organizations and individuals who work together to find solutions to challenging community problems. Listed below are organizations that are a part of Community of Practice and are committed to addressing food insecurity, homelessness and other social vulnerabilities in our community. Arkansas Children's Northwest Arkansas Children's Northwest is the region's only pediatric hospital. Part of the Arkansas Children's health care system, it provides thousands of children in the Northwest Arkansas region with access to emergency, primary and specialty medical care – all close to home. Because they know that only 20% of a child's health is influenced by health care and the other 80% is affected by other factors, Arkansas Children's Northwest is interested in being part of social resource solutions for families who experience vulnerabilities in the other areas that affect their health. Through partnerships, Arkansas Children's Northwest is working as part of the overall Arkansas Children's system to impact food security, food systems and other social vulnerabilities that can affect children's health. Website: www.archildrens.org/locations/arkansas- childrens-nw. Arkansas Immigrant Defense Arkansas Immigrant Defense is a nonprofit law firm in Springdale primarily serving survivors and immigrant minors. They also provides family based immigration legal services on a sliding scale for low- income clients. Since late 2020, in response to the pandemic, Arkansas Immigrant Defense has also provided food assistance, rental assistance and eviction defense. In addition, Arkansas Immigrant Defense's social work internship program helps with SNAP/WIC enrollment, ARKids enrollment and social services referrals. Website: www.aidarkansas. com. Canopy Northwest Arkansas Fayetteville's Canopy Northwest Arkansas is committed to helping refugees with the various services and skills they need to build new lives here in our community. They are made up of a diverse group of local Arkansans who want to see Northwest Arkansas become a community where refugees are welcomed and equipped with all they need to thrive. Since 2016, they have welcomed nearly 200 refugees to Northwest Arkansas, enrolled over 50 children in schools, taught over 400 hours of cultural orientation, and worked with over a dozen employers in the community. Website: www.canopynwa.org. Chestnut Meadows Chestnut Meadows is a U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Section 8 multi-family apartment complex located in Fayetteville. Their community outreach program is steadily making a difference by providing affordable housing and a weekly source of food security to their tenants. Website: www.lowincomehousing.us/ det/72703-2210-leverett_gardens_ii. Cobblestone Farms Cobblestone Farms is a nonprofit dedicated to serving the community in the areas of hunger relief and sustainable agriculture. They operate a 25-acre farm in Fayetteville, where they grow produce and raise livestock according to sustainable agricultural principles. They donate a substantial portion of their production toward hunger relief and sell the remainder into the larger food system with a desire to continue to stimulate the local farm-to-table movement. They also work to educate and equip community members and train the next generation of farmers. Website: www. cobblestonefarms.org. Community Clinic Community Clinic has provided primary and preventive care for more than 20 years to over 41,000 Northwest Arkansans annually in 15 locations, including eight school-based health centers. Regardless of one's ability to pay, Community Clinic offers comprehensive, patient-centered care for the underserved. Medical services include primary care with integrated behavioral health, pediatric, prenatal and dental care. Beyond individuals' immediate health needs, Community Clinic also assists with access to critical support services for transportation and food insecurity, access to shelter, and more. Website: www.communityclinicnwa. org. Department of Human Services Division of Children and Family Services The mission of the Division of Children and Family Services is to keep children safe and help families. They respectfully engage families and youth and use community based services and support to assist parents in successfully caring for their children. They focus on the safety, permanency and well-being of all children and youth. Website: www.humanservices.arkansas.gov. FoodCorps Arkansas Together with communities, FoodCorps serves to connect kids to healthy food in school. Their mission is to help create a Committed to making a difference 12