University of Arkansas at Little Rock

To attend this event, fill out the registration form.

Growing Healthy Communities is a project developed by ArCOP in 2009 as a collaborative effort funded by the Blue and You Foundation for a Healthier Arkansas, the Arkansas Department of Health’s CDC Cooperative Agreement, UAMS Partners for Inclusive Communities, and the Winthrop Rockefeller Institute. This GHC initiative is designed to help communities enact policy and other changes to make healthy lifestyle choices more accessible.
Throughout this year UALR’s Janea Snyder and Donna Quimby Department of Health Sciences, and other members of the University District’s Growing Healthy Communities team Mayor Mark Stodola, Assistant City Manager Bryan Day, Beth Phelps of the County Extension Service, Little Rock Police Chief Stuart Thomas, Dr. Donna Quimby, chair of the UALR Department of Health Sciences; John Brush of Hometown Health Improvement; Julie Hall, director of the University District Educational Network; Lynn Lincoln of the Midtown Health Alliance, Margo Bushmiaer of the Little Rock School District, and Aiesha-Parker Hicks have worked collaboratively with University District Partnership, neighborhood community leaders, UALR faculty, staff and volunteers, and university district residents to help contribute to growing a healthier university district community.

Join us Thursday, December 8th to highlight how to make change happen in growing a healthy community. The event willl be from 9AM-1PM at UALR’s Donaghey Student Center, Arkansas Surgeon General Dr. Joe Thompson will be the Keynote Speaker on the topic “Healthy People 2020″This event is opened to all free of charge. Lunch will be provided. For your convenience you may park in the UALR Parking Deck, to exit the deck you will be provided a dollar token once you check-in at the Summit.

Six law students in a service- learning Neighborhood Development course presented recommendations for the UDDC April 28 at the UALR Bowen School of Law.

First Scott Jones, who graduates in December, presented a statistical analysis of the Oak Forest neighborhood, which mostly consists of one-story, ranch-style homes that range from 900 and 1500 square feet. His research included title searches and compiling records of sale information, owner/renter occupation, and appraisal value. Jones suggested the UDDC could become the landlord, turn lots into green space until the market turns around, or make a larger impact with the SNAP program.

LaTrenia Byrd, who graduates in May, presented a model lease agreement for homeowners and tenants, who may be legally unsophisticated and not able to hire an attorney. She provided a copy to representatives of the UDDC.

Will Choppin of Nashville, Tenn., a 2012 law candidate, shared recommendations for a residential purchase agreement, emphasizing fairness, readability, and simplicity.

Next Jim Miners, who graduates in December, discussed ideas for opt-in covenants as a neighborhood development tool. Restrictive covenants are promises by homeowners, such as in historic neighborhoods and subdivision developments. Common covenants are no mobile homes or trailers and only single-family residences. He suggested starting on Harrison Street, where the UDDC’s first refurbished home is, giving neighbors the opportunity to opt in and offering a SNAP program incentive.

May graduate Robin Horn, who will practice law in Camden, researched land bank programs to include side lot transfers, foreclosure prevention, and green space in Flint, Mich. Land banks can be set up by a government or nonprofit entity to reverse blight and stabilize neighborhoods.

Nicholas Gastel looked into community land trusts, which are not currently in Arkansas; however, one is forming for a retirement community in northwest Arkansas. He presented information on establishing land trusts, membership, governance, and their benefits and disadvantages.

Lynn Foster and Cliff McKinney were the students’ professors. This is the second year for the course.

University District residents may receive a free vegetable garden by participating in one training session.

The UALR Department of Health Sciences and Arkansas Coalition for Obesity Prevention received a Growing Healthy Communities grant to plant 30 gardens in the University District. To participate, residents must attend the training from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday, May 26, at the UALR Bailey Alumni Center. The garden beds and plants will be delivered and constructed Saturday, June 4.

Registration is required from May 6 to 20 by contacting Janea Snyder at udresidents@gmail.com or 501-952-2311. Gardens will be given to the first 30 residents.