Village Public Health

04/25/2026

As many of you guys know, I was a fat kid, like fat, fat kid. 😩😂

So when it came to the Presidential Fitness Test, it gave me real anxiety. And I mean real anxiety, because I told you I was a fat kid.

Now listen, the only thing I excelled at was the sit-and-reach.
Your girl was flexible in elementary school, okay? 🤸🏽‍♀️✨

But that shuttle run? 🥴
Them push-ups? 😭
Pull-ups? Let’s not even go there
Sit-ups?
And that one-mile run?! 🏃🏽‍♀️💨

Baby, those were a real challenge.

And not just physically.
They did something to me emotionally too.

Because it wasn’t just about running laps. It was about being watched, compared, and feeling like everybody else got something I didn’t.

Whew 😮‍💨

Fast forward

Our governor, Sarah Huckabee Sanders, alongside efforts connected to Donald Trump, is bringing back the Presidential Fitness Test for Arkansas students starting in the 2026–2027 school year.

Now let’s talk about it, because from a public health perspective, this actually can be a good thing 👀

We want our kids moving
We need our kids building strength, endurance, and confidence in their bodies
Research shows physical activity supports mental health, focus, and even academic performance

So yes, a fitness-based model has value ✔️

But here’s the part we cannot skip

It’s only good if we do it right

Because what I remember most isn’t the exercises
It’s the feeling

And if we’re not careful, we will create spaces where

* Kids feel embarrassed instead of encouraged 😔
* Movement feels like punishment instead of growth
* Performance gets tied to worthiness, and that part sticks

And that’s where we lose the opportunity

Public health is not just about what we implement
It’s about how it shows up for our babies

So imagine this instead

✨ A space where showing up matters more than finishing first
✨ A space where progress is measured against you, not the class athlete
✨ A space where every body is respected, not ranked

Because the goal isn’t to raise the fastest kid in the class

The goal is to raise young people who understand their bodies, trust their bodies, and take care of their bodies for life 💛

Now let me bring it back to you

Did you even know this was coming, that starting in the 2026–2027 school year your kids will have to participate in this again?

And more importantly

What do you think about it? 👀

Because if we are going to bring this back, we have a real chance to do it differently this time

And listen, I am speaking as somebody who used to be out there on that field fighting for my life during that mile run 😂🏃🏽‍♀️💨

04/23/2026

Today’s work took us to Bentonville, where I certified Community Health Workers as Youth Mental Health First Aiders. This is how we build stronger communities from the inside out.

Now is the time to strengthen your skills. Our young people are navigating real challenges, and they deserve adults and leaders who are prepared, present, and equipped to respond with care, confidence, and clarity.

When we invest in knowledge, we shift outcomes. When we show up trained, we change lives.

Who in your circle needs this training right now?

04/22/2026

We are building something powerful for our community this summer.
Village Public Health and the Black Gay Men's Forum are coming together for Wellness in the Park, and the response has been incredible.
At this time, we are accepting:
- Sponsor registrations
- Speakers
- Vendor applications
- Kickball team registrations
This event is about more than a day in the park. It is about creating space where health, connection, and joy can exist together in real time. From movement and mental wellness to community-building and prevention education, every piece is intentional.
Come ready to move, connect, and take care.
Your health matters.

04/21/2026

04/21/2026

We are building something powerful for our community this summer.

Village Public Health and the Black Gay Men's Forum are coming together for Wellness in the Park, and the response has been incredible.

At this time, we are accepting:
- Sponsor registrations
- Speakers
- Vendor applications
- Kickball team registrations

This event is about more than a day in the park. It is about creating space where health, connection, and joy can exist together in real time. From movement and mental wellness to community-building and prevention education, every piece is intentional.

Come ready to move, connect, and take care.

Your health matters.

04/17/2026

🎳 Public Health Mama Moment: FREE + ACTIVE + SCREEN-FREE = SAY LESS

Listen… if you’re like me, summer hits and suddenly you’re responsible for creating fun, structure, AND memories every single day 😅

So when I find something that checks all the boxes AND doesn’t break the budget… I’m sharing it with the village.

There’s a program called Kids Bowl Free where kids can bowl 2 FREE games every day all summer long at participating locations

And from a public health perspective… this is bigger than bowling 👇🏾

✨ Keeps kids physically active (yes, it counts—movement is movement)
✨ Creates safe indoor spaces during extreme heat
✨ Reduces screen time (because whew… these devices be device-ing)
✨ Builds social skills + confidence in a low-pressure environment
✨ Gives families a chance to connect without spending a fortune

Programs like this matter because prevention isn’t always a big campaign… sometimes it looks like creating opportunities for our kids to move, laugh, and just be kids in a safe space.

💡 Real talk: when young people have consistent, positive outlets, we reduce risk behaviors before they even start. That’s public health in action.

If you’re planning your summer, go ahead and get them signed up:
👉 https://www.kidsbowlfree.com/referral.php?code=remdz3

Let’s be intentional about what we expose our kids to this summer.
More movement. More connection. More joy.

Because healthy communities are built in the everyday moments 💛

Sign your children up for 2 free games of bowling all summer long.

04/16/2026

Ready to take your leadership to the next level?

Upward Bound at Arkansas Baptist College is now hiring! This opportunity offers competitive pay, travel, and valuable experience for students who are committed, driven, and ready to grow.

Apply now!
Email michael.isaac@arkansasbaptist.edu.

04/15/2026

🏡 Homeownership is Public Health. Let’s talk about it.

We don’t always say it this way, but where you live shapes how you live.

Your address influences your stress levels, your sleep, your safety, your access to food, your child’s education, and even your long-term health outcomes.

That’s not opinion. That’s evidence.

When families have stable, affordable housing, we see:
✨ Lower stress and anxiety
✨ Better physical health outcomes
✨ Improved school performance for children
✨ Stronger community connection and support

And when housing is unstable?

We see the opposite.

That’s why conversations about homeownership are not just financial conversations… they are prevention conversations.

Now let’s be real for a moment…

For many families, especially in communities that have been historically left out, homeownership can feel:
• Out of reach
• Confusing
• Or simply not designed with them in mind

That’s why programs like Neighborhood Assistance Corporation of America (NACA) matter.

NACA is doing something different:
✔ No down payment
✔ No closing costs
✔ No traditional credit score barriers
✔ Focus on long-term affordability, not just approval

This is what it looks like when systems begin to shift toward access and opportunity.

💬 So here’s the real question:

What would change for your health, your family, or your future if housing felt stable… and truly yours?

Public health isn’t just about clinics and programs.

It’s about creating conditions where people can breathe, grow, and build.

And for many families…

That starts with a key 🔑

04/13/2026

Did you know?

Did you know that high school seniors can get their Certificate of Proficiency in Early Childhood Education at UA-PTC by the time they graduate from high school?⁠
⁠
Learn more about the TEACH Early Childhood Pre-Apprenticeship Scholarship Program here -> https://uaptc.edu/ece/high-school