Village Public Health

02/20/2026

🎉📖 The “Curious Cassie” Book Tour Starts Here! 📖🎉

We are so excited that the very first stop of the “Curious Cassie” book tour is happening right here at Oley E. Rooker Library this Saturday!

📍 11 Otter Creek Court, Little Rock, AR 72210
🎟️ This is a FREE public event — all are welcome!

Join us for a special celebration of Curious Cassie! Author Talethe Collins will be sharing:

✨ A live read-aloud for children
✨ A chance to win a FREE copy of the book
✨ Signed copies available (bring yours from home if you already have one!)
✨ A fun and engaging Q&A with the author

It’s going to be a wonderful morning of stories, celebration, and community. We’re honored to help kick off this exciting tour and can’t wait to see you there! 💛

Tag a friend and make plans to join us!

02/19/2026

What conversation do you wish schools felt more comfortable having with students?

02/18/2026

How we show up for our youth matters, we're showing up with INTENTION!

02/18/2026

Prevention drives Vibe Safe! It looks like showing up. Building trust. Partnering with the community not just serving it.

At Village Public Health, prevention isn’t distant or clinical. It’s relational. Through initiatives like Vibe Safe, we work alongside schools, families, and community partners to create safe spaces where young people feel supported, heard, and empowered because strong communities protect their youth together.

This is what prevention looks like in action.

Learn more about Vibe Safe:
www.villagepublichealth.org/vibesafe

02/18/2026

The Arkansas Health Education Grant provides financial assistance to students seeking professional training in chiropractic medicine, dentistry, optometry, podiatric medicine, and veterinary medicine and allows them to attend out-of-state institutions. https://sams.adhe.edu/Scholarship/Details/ARHEG

02/16/2026

🔥 Today we are batting on 100 and celebrating a major milestone.

Our Clinton School team has officially received IRB approval and is now moving forward with data collection. This means we are cleared to begin gathering real insight from Arkansas parents to help shape the future of sexual health education for adolescents.

This work matters because meaningful change starts with listening to real experiences from real families.

Researchers at the University of Arkansas Clinton School of Public Service and Village Public Health are seeking your feedback on sexual health education.

✨ Your insight will help generate a deeper understanding of:

• Arkansas parents’ preferences and needs
• Thoughts and lived experiences related to adolescent sexual health education
• What families actually want to see reflected in education and prevention efforts

✅ Who can participate:

• Age 18 or older
• Parent or legal guardian (of a person of any age)
• Resident of Arkansas

📝 Ways you can support:

• Take a 10-minute survey and share your perspective
• Join a virtual focus group for deeper discussion and community dialogue

⚠️ Important note: I cannot post the direct survey link publicly due to the possibility of spam impacting the research.

👉 If you would like me to send you the survey link and focus group RSVP form:

❤️ Hit that heart button
OR
💬 Comment “I’m in” below

And I will message you directly.

Arkansas, in order to get better, we have to be part of the solution.

The recent conversations around the Epstein files highlighted something very clearly: sexual health education is not optional. It must be comprehensive. It must start with consent, boundaries, and understanding power dynamics. Prevention begins with honest conversations and informed communities.

This is prevention-first work rooted in listening, learning, and building solutions together.

Grateful for this village and the opportunity to move this work forward.

02/14/2026

Today we’re going deeper because while y’all are out here in the wild… let’s talk about animal condoms 🫣 yes, that’s a real thing, and no, this isn’t just trivia.

Before modern latex condoms existed, early condoms were often made from animal membranes. Historical records show materials like sheep intestine or bladder were used as barriers. These were designed primarily to reduce disease transmission and sometimes prevent pregnancy. They were reusable, expensive, and definitely not what we would call comfortable or standardized today.

So why does this matter in 2026? 👀

Because prevention has always evolved. People have always tried to protect themselves. Science just keeps refining how we do it.

Here’s what you need to know:

✨ Lambskin condoms still exist today
👉 Yes, they are made from animal membranes.

🛑 They can help prevent pregnancy
👉 They work as a physical barrier.

⚠️ They are NOT recommended for STI prevention
👉 Natural membranes contain microscopic pores that viruses can potentially pass through.

✅ Latex, polyisoprene, and polyurethane condoms are recommended for STI prevention
👉 These materials are non-porous and tested for barrier effectiveness.

Let’s talk real-world implications:

If someone chooses a natural membrane condom thinking it offers the same protection as latex, they may unknowingly increase their risk for infections like HIV or other STIs. This is not about judgment. It's about closing information gaps.

Today’s deeper engagement question:

👉 How many people were actually taught that ALL condoms are not created equal and that material matters just as much as size and fit?

And one more pearl to clutch 💎:

Prevention is not just about having a condom.
It’s about having the right condom for your goals.

Now let’s pause for a real check-in 👀

Because prevention is not just about access… it’s about awareness.

🔥 Did you already know this… or did this just sn**ch a pearl you didn’t know you were wearing?

Drop one word in the comments:

💎 “Knew” — if you’ve been educated on condom materials and protection differences
🫣 “New” — if this is the first time you’re hearing that not all condoms protect the same way

👉 Tag someone who believes “a condom is just a condom.”
👉 Save this post so you remember what questions to ask next time.
👉 Share it with someone who deserves real information, not assumptions.

Pearls officially sn**ched.

02/13/2026

Inside Vibe Safe: What Our Families Are Saying 🧬

Prevention isn’t just about information,it’s about impact.

Here’s what families and students are saying about their experience with Vibe Safe.

The truth is...
When young people feel heard, conversations change.
When parents feel supported, trust grows.
When schools prioritize prevention, communities get stronger. This is what prevention-first public health looks like in real life.

Want to bring Vibe Safe to your school or organization?
Visit www.villagepublichealth.org/vibesafe to learn more.

02/13/2026

When women and girls succeed in science, entire communities benefit. ✨

On International Day of Women and Girls in Science, we’re celebrating the power of investing in Arkansas women and girls through Girls of Promise® Conference and the Tjuana Byrd Internship Program, both opening doors to STEAM pathways.

Your support helps make these opportunities possible. Donate today to continue investing in the next generation of women in science: https://womensfoundationarkansas.org/donate/

02/13/2026

Mental health challenges can be hard to recognize. Sometimes support starts with noticing. Persistent sadness, withdrawal, changes in sleep or appetite, and loss of interest may be signs someone is struggling. Early recognition can make a difference.

Let’s chat: What’s one thing you wish more people understood about common mental health challenges?

Here’s an easy guide to learn more about warning signs.

02/13/2026