Editorial: Spread the word about upcoming Innovative Readiness Training

A rare opportunity is coming to Newton and Madison counties. A NO-COST medical services event led by the US Army Reserves will be held jointly at the Jasper and at the Kingston school campuses July 16 - 25.
Identified officially as an Innovative Readiness Training (IRT) mission, military health care providers will deliver services to adults and children on a first come, first serve basis - while supplies last. No appointments will be scheduled.
These services include: Medical health exams and sports physicals; behavioral health care services; optometry services including eye exams along with one free pair of single vision lens glasses and dental services including exams, extractions and fillings.
Veterinary services will also be provided, but only at the Jasper campus. These will include general examinations and spay or neuter procedures for dogs and cats only.
Hours of service at both locations will be, Tuesday, July 16, 1-5 p.m. Wednesday, July 17 through Saturday, July 20, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Sunday, July 21, 8 a.m.-12 p.m. Monday, July 22 through Wednesday, July 24, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. The mission's final patient day will be Thursday, July 25, 8 a.m. - 12 p.m. Dental services will be limited on July 25.
Tina Cole, community development coordinator with Northwest Arkansas Economic Development District, has been working with the team of US Army Reserve officers and is the liaison with officials and residents of Newton and Madison counties.
Similar IRTs have been previously held in Marion, Baxter and Searcy counties. Thousands of people were provided services valued in the hundreds of thousands of dollars, Cole has related. This will be a first time event for Newton and Madison counties and it is expected to attract persons from other counties as well.
However, these services will not do anyone any good if no one knows about them or if people don't have transportation to either of the school campuses during the mission.

Sadly there is no funding in the IRT grant for advertising so stakeholders have been asked to spread the word via social media and public service announcements on commercial media.
The Newton County Times has been publishing stories about the preparations for over a month, as well as posting information on its Facebook page and on-line digital editions of the newspaper.
It is also essential communities reach out to their residents and find ways of providing transportation to the IRT to those who need it. Car pools, church buses or other inventive means should be scheduled, but time is running out. Newton County Community Matters has a phone number to call if a ride is needed, 870-266-6543.
The IRT officials have told local stakeholders they will receive an assessment of the general condition of the health of the indigenous population. This exit report will contain noteworthy observations or concerns and what might be done to address them.
It is hopeful the data collected during the mission can be used to support grant requests to bring needed health services into Newton County.
Newton County is served by the Boston Mountain Rural Health Clinic at Deer and the Jasper School-Based Community Health Clinic. North Arkansas Regional Medical Center operates a clinic in Jasper. There is neither a practicing medical doctor nor a practicing dentist in the county.
In advance we thank the US Army Reserves, officials and health care providers for dedicating their time for this mission to improve the health, welfare and the quality of life for everyone living in this part of Arkansas.