02/25/2024
Baxter County called the “Poster Site” for the National Veteran Su***de Prevention Program
Officials from several related agencies involved in the National effort to curb the national tragedy of Veteran su***de visited Mountain Home on February 22, 2024 to report results of the community’s successes and deliver comparative results of the community network mobilized by US Veteran Outreach [a 501(c) 3 not for profit] organization formed to deal with the issue. The organization founded by Former County Judge Dan Hall and Dr George Wolford, Phd was invited to participate in a Veterans Administration research grant that included surveys, community readiness analysis, studies of community leadership, awareness of the problem and willingness to organize and confront the issue.
As the three year research grant program was ending an in-depth analysis of information gathered in 2024 was compared to the surveys and analysis of 2021. The reports were delivered in a lengthy presentation to the group of community partners that includes US Veteran Outreach, Disabled American Veterans, Good Samaritan Society, Baxter Health, Veteran Administration Su***de Prevention, VA Community Based Outpatient Clinic, Arkansas State University, Arkansas Department of Health, Arkansas Department of Veteran Affairs, Baxter County Sheriff’s Office, Mountain Home Police Dept, VA Home Based Primary Care, Care Ministries, Redeemer Lutheran Church and members of private entities and chamber members, Quorum Court JP and insurance experts.
Analysis of results by Visible Network Labs [a data science company developing tools and technology to help measure community networks] was done for US Veteran Outreach, Department of Veterans Affairs Rocky Mountain Mental Illness Research Education Clinical Center [MIRECC] and Western Interstate Commission on Higher Education [WICHE].
Presenter Andy Zheng, MPA said that they seldom ever see the positive results that this community reached and called Baxter County the “Poster Site” for the National program. Robert Dare of WICHE who recruited Baxter County to participate said that he had intended to retire from the program but working with US Veteran Outreach and Baxter County inspired him to stay on as a coach to other sites.
During the grant period US Veteran Outreach efforts tracked by the program included 13,772 Veterans served, fifty active community partners, distributions of printed materials such as Su***de Prevention Tool Kits for Primary Care Providers, maintenance of five billboards, numerous tv and radio spots and quarterly meetings that provide updated information to the community partners.
Community efforts have included Billboards, Outreach picnics, Boots & Backpacks events, Veterans Benefit fairs, Veterans job fairs, Ultimate Auto show, Buddy checks, monthly radio and tv shows and su***de prevention awareness trainings.
Since the grant program was funded for three years with funds being cut in half the third year, Baxter County Quorum Court created a line item to fund the continuing program on an annual basis by contract. The balance of funding will come from local NGOs and individuals: To support/donate tax deductable call Dan Hall 870-421-2322. Visit webpage: USVeteranOutreach.org
Photo of the group receiving analysis at Mountain Home Police Dept community room on February 22.
