Tackling Heat Illness

Credit Hours: 1

Vendor: IDEAS

Arkansas summers are hot, and according to the National Weather Service, the days are likely to become hotter. Consequently, exertional heat illnesses are a valid concern for coaches, trainers, parents, and students who participate in summer activities such as practices and competitions. The most severe exertional heat illness is exertional heat stroke which is 100 percent survivable with proper and quick response. This course will discuss the dangers of heat, the proper methods of prevention, and most importantly, how to recognize and treat exertional heat illnesses should they occur. 

Hunter Midkiff, a junior at Piggot High School, died on August 15, 2020, as a result of exertional heatstroke. You will hear his story and how his death has impacted those who knew and loved him. 

Our host, Krista Bradley, and our expert, Dr. Michael Israel, Pediatric Sports Medicine for Arkansas Children's Hospital and UAMS, discuss ways to recognize and treat exertional heat illnesses as well as ways to prevent them altogether. He also shares the effect that heat has on the body, the proper way to measure the heat, and the steps to take that can save a life.

Dealing with Death: Crisis Communication

There are many different types of school crises that occur and being prepared is essential in order to provide appropriate support in the event of a traumatic school or community event, especially one that involves the death of students, faculty, or staff members. It is important to be ready beforehand, with a crisis response team and action plan in place. Inspired by When Death Impacts Your School: A Guide for School Administrators, a 2007 publication from The Dougy Center: The National Grief Center for Children and Families, ArkansasIDEAS brings you Dealing with Death: Crisis Communication, the first episode in a two-part podcast series exploring the importance of a crisis response team, the respective roles and tasks of team members, and what should be included within the team’s action plan.

This course features a podcast-style production hosted by Christina Muñoz and featuring both scenarios and interview segments. Experts interviewed include Andrea Fortner, Guidance and Counseling Coordinator for the Division of Elementary and Secondary Education; Dr. Marisha DiCarlo, Vice President of Community Engagement, Advocacy, and Health for Arkansas Children's Hospital; and Greg Adams, Program Coordinator for Arkansas Children’s Hospital’s Center for Good Mourning. Course takers may choose to experience the podcast via video or audio-only options.

Grief and Loss: School Community Support

In Arkansas, one in eleven children will experience the death of a close family member before the age of eighteen. Additionally, there are many types of school and community crises that could occur involving the death of a student or staff member. It is important to be prepared to provide support for students and staff through the pain and grief of such losses. Inspired by the 2007 publication, When Death Impacts Your School: A Guide for School Administrators by the Dougy Center: The National Grief Center for Children and Families and featuring a segment highlighting key points from the book’s chapter, “The Six Principles of Grief,” ArkansasIDEAS brings you Grief and Loss: School Community Support. This is the second episode in a two-part podcast series that explores how to distinguish between grief and mourning, the factors that influence grief responses, and how to identify and support grieving students and staff members.

This course features a podcast-style production hosted by Christina Muñoz. Experts interviewed include Greg Adams, Program Coordinator for Arkansas Children’s Hospital’s Center for Good Mourning; Dr. Sufna John, Licensed Psychologist and Associate Professor of the Department of Psychiatry at UAMS; Andrea Fortner, Guidance and Counseling Coordinator for the Division of Elementary and Secondary Education; and Rodney Ford, Program Advisor for the Guidance and Counseling Office at the Division of Elementary and Secondary Education. Course takers may choose to experience the podcast via video or audio-only options. 

NOTE: The content of this course overtly deals with potentially distressing topics, including death and human loss, illness, violence, and trauma.

Speak Up, Speak Out: Teen Suicide Awareness & Prevention

PLEASE BE ADVISED: This course contains sensitive and potentially distressing information including death and loss. 

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention-Web-based Injury Statistics Query and Reporting System (WISQARS), in 2021 Arkansas lost 24 teens to suicide. Since 2000, suicide has been the second leading cause of death for Arkansans 13-19 years of age.  In this course, we will share the stories of two teens who died by suicide in 2021, and we will witness the effects those deaths had on families, peers, and communities. 

Recognizing warning signs and risk factors can help prevent deaths by suicide. Ms. Shawna Burns discusses with our host, Chris Kane, what we should look for and ways to approach someone who may be having suicidal ideations. Mr. Greg Adams shares statistics and the preferred terminology to use when discussing death by suicide. Then we learn from Travis Barrentine, the principal of Greenbrier High School, who shares about a time when his own school faced a student's death by suicide. Mr. Barrentine discusses the steps the school, the students, and the community took and how they came together to make changes for others who may need help. Finally, we hear from Dr. Tricia Benish, the psychologist from Greenbrier High School at the time of the student's death by suicide, who provides us with resources and ideas that teachers and schools can use to help other people who are struggling. 

United: Identifying Bullying Behaviors and Prevention Strategies

According to the 2019 Youth Risk Behavior Study, 19.5% of high school students in the United States reported being bullied while on school property during the previous 12 months. In Arkansas, that percentage was even higher at 22.6%. Statistics for cyberbullying are similar in that 15.7% of American students reported being bullied electronically within the past 12 months and 17.4% of Arkansas students reported experiencing cyberbullying. Bullying has negative effects on those who engage in bullying behaviors, those who are targets of bullying behaviors, and those who are witnesses. This course addresses how educators can help.

Host Christina Muñoz leads a discussion about the issue of bullying with three Arkansas professionals who work in and around schools and children. Together they provide necessary information for educators and schools and discuss bullying behaviors, those who are affected by bullying, the signs, and ways to combat bullying in schools. 

This training meets the requirements of Arkansas Act 1029 of 2019. 

Paradigm Shift: Seeing Students Through a Trauma-Informed Lens

Research has shown that adverse childhood experiences, or ACEs, are more common for children in Arkansas than any other place in the nation. Children who have endured one or more ACEs are at a greater risk for health complications as they age, but they are also at a greater risk of struggling in school and social settings. Students with adverse childhood experiences or childhood trauma can benefit immensely from teachers and administrators who work through a trauma-informed lens. Just one caring adult can change a child’s life.

In order to implement trauma-informed practices in schools, we must first change our perspectives surrounding trauma. This course aims to create a paradigm shift in school personnel by discussing the biological ways trauma impacts the brains and bodies of growing students, then increasing understanding and empathy for students who have endured childhood trauma and adversity. It will also compel educators to ask different questions, be curious, and engage with students using a new mindset.

By taking this course, school personnel, counselors, nurses, and administrators can better understand how to lead trauma-informed practices within any school setting. While we learn that being trauma-informed is crucial in leading a successful educational experience, we also discuss just how important it is to take care of yourself. Because having empathy and compassion can be exhausting, this course highlights forms of self-care and self-compassion to ensure that you’re providing a healthy environment for your students.

Dyslexia: A Three-Part Professional Awareness

Please Note: Referral policies for school districts may vary. Before making a referral, please investigate your school's policies and follow them accordingly. 

In this three-part dyslexia professional awareness program, we look at some of the indicators of dyslexia, the need for screening and early intervention, and important processes like Response to Intervention and referral for evaluation. We hear from students, parents, and various professionals in the fields of medicine, psychology, and education regarding the importance of the science behind teaching a student who is dyslexic. Experts and students themselves say it takes patience, long hours, hard work, and practice to overcome dyslexia. It is our hope to whet your appetite and to instill in you the desire and a sense of urgency to learn more about Specific Learning Disabilities, especially dyslexia, and how to make a lasting impact in the life of each student, every day.

Bullying Prevention: Moving from a Culture of Cruelty to a Culture of Caring

This course is comprised of four modules on the subject of bullying. It was designed and created specifically for educators by the Connect With Kids Education Network. Each module can be viewed as a standalone lesson; however, to understand the full impact of bullying and what can be done in our schools and communities to "move from cruelty to a culture of caring" it is recommended that all four modules be completed in close proximity to each other. Stacey DeWitt is the Founder and President of Connect With Kids Education Network. The Connect with Kids team has gone above and beyond what has been asked of them to create a program that not only looks at the problem of bullying and why it is occurring, but to help us decide what are we going to do about it, and to see how the interventions are working in other communities and schools.

The Jason Foundation: Suicide Awareness and Prevention - 'Choices'

This course meets the requirements of Act 770 of 2011. This stand-alone, JFI training is an overview of the problem of youth suicide. Information is given about the magnitude, awareness and prevention of the problem and includes statistical data, signs of concern of possible suicidal thoughts, elevated risk factors and resources for help. (The "Choices" video is included in this module.) 

The mission of the Jason Foundation is to confront the "Silent Epidemic" of Youth Suicide by equipping young people, educators, counselors, and parents with information, tools, and resources to identify and assist at-risk individuals.

The Jason Foundation: Suicide Awareness and Prevention - Making a Difference

This course meets the requirements of Act 770 of 2011. This stand-alone, JFI training is a more in-depth study of the problem of youth suicide and how teachers/youth workers can make a difference by gaining the tools and resources to help an at-risk student. It uses the educator’s tools of observation, identification and intervention to hopefully direct a positive future for a young person who may be suffering from suicidal ideation. Information from experts is included as well as a discussion of some of the mental health issues surrounding suicidal ideation. 

The mission of the Jason Foundation is to confront the "Silent Epidemic" of Youth Suicide by equipping young people, educators, counselors, and parents with information, tools, and resources to identify and assist at-risk individuals.