District 5 Supervisor Lena Fowler Newsletter

District 5 Highlights

(Left to Right): Alicia Chee, Deborahe Lister, Megan Good, Deanna Herbert

2023 VOLUNTEER INCOME TAX ASSISTANCE TEAM IN COCONINO COUNTY DISTRICT 5

Coconino County Supervisor Lena Fowler and staff wrapped up another season of free tax income preparation. This year our IRS certified volunteer tax preparers assisted over 400 individuals and families returning thousands of dollars in Earned Income Credit (EIC) to families.

Thank you to our volunteer team, Alicia Chee, Deborahe Lister, Megan Good, Deanna Herbert, Miranda Morales, Eileen Sherlock, and Stephanie Nez.

COCONINO COUNTY PROVIDES SUCCESSFUL TEST PLATFORM FOR SPACEX STARLINK MOBILE UNITS

Coconino County continues to lead the effort in connecting students with SpaceX’s Starlink high-speed internet across Northern Arizona, including multiple tribal communities within the region, and now on school buses.

With a continued focus on education, Coconino County collaborated with Flagstaff Unified School District (FUSD) and Page Unified School District (PUSD) to identify and select routes with an emphasis on connecting students who must ride the bus more than one hour to and from school. SpaceX provided Coconino County with two of their Flat High-Performance Starlink kits that are installed on the buses, enabling students to stay connected and complete homework during their transit.

Coconino County began conversations with SpaceX when District 5 Supervisor Lena Fowler and Coconino County’s Chief Information Officer Matt Fowler both met with the company in 2019. This resulted in securing a private donation for the County to utilize Starlink and make high-speed internet accessible to rural areas of Northern Arizona. Coconino County successfully became an early customer, purchasing and launching Starlink internet in a 45-household trial on May 6, 2021.

Shortly after, the County identified K-12 students living on the Navajo Nation without access to the internet or existing speeds less than 5 Mbps download and 3 Mbps upload.

The County Information Technology Department engaged with the Board of Supervisors and the Flagstaff Unified School District, seeking collaboration opportunities to identify eligible students living on the reservation.

To date, Coconino County facilitated approximately 300+ implementations of Starlink internet services for a free 2-year period, which was made possible by private donations. This provides students the ability to connect with education providers and continue their studies remotely.

“This journey would not have been possible without the continuous teamwork from SpaceX, County Management, our Board of Supervisors, FUSD and PUSD. We rely heavily on our public and private partners to offer internet where it historically has been unavailable. This is truly an exciting moment,” commented CIO Matt Fowler. “We have amazing community partners, and this opportunity to embrace new technologies has greatly benefitted students in our region,” commented Deputy CIO Helen Costello.

“The opportunity to deploy new technology to connect underserved rural communities is a tremendous achievement,” commented Supervisor Lena Fowler. “The collaboration between SpaceX and Coconino County illustrates what can be achieved when the right people come together at the right time. We are incredibly thankful to our partners for the opportunities they have enabled by delivering enhanced connectivity throughout our most underserved communities.”

HILL VISITS IN WASHINGTON D.C.

Supervisor Lena Fowler spent two busy days in Washington, D.C., discussing the priorities of Coconino County and several key issues impacting our residents.

Supervisor Fowler met with CD-2 Congressman Eli Crane and Arizona Congressmen Ruben Gallego and Raúl Grijalva. Additionally, she met with the senior legislative staff for Senators Mark Kelly and Kyrsten Sinema, the Navajo Nation Washington Office, and the Government Affairs Director for the National Association of Counties (NACo).

She discussed several key issues, including the long-term drought’s impact on Lake Powell and the region, Economic development on the Colorado Plateau, rural broadband needs, remediation of abandoned federal buildings, infrastructure, rail safety, and drainage improvements on US Highway 89.

SUPERVISOR FOWLER ATTENDS JUDGE MAIA RODRIGUEZ’S INVESTITURE

Page Justice of the Peace Maia Rodriguez takes oath of office. (n.d.). Lake Powell Chronicle.

Rodriguez comes to the office with over 24 years of experience working in court clerk and supervisory roles for both the Flagstaff and Page Justice Courts.

She holds a Bachelor of Science in criminal justice. She has completed the Coconino County Supervisors Development Academy and Executive Leadership Academy and Court Management, Court Executive, and Court Fellows program with the National Center for State Courts Institute for Court Management.

“It has been an honor to have been considered for this appointment. As the new justice of the peace, I hope to encourage more community involvement in the Page precinct,” Rodriguez said following her selection.

“The committee coming together to review the applications and conduct the interviews was an enjoyable process as we spoke in depth with each candidate,” Fowler said. “We feel we’ve selected the best person to serve in this office. She has the knowledge and experience to be the judge on day one.”

VISIT WITH ARLANDO TELLER, ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR TRIBAL GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS AT THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION.

Coconino County Supervisor Lena Fowler hosted transportation. Coconino County, Flagstaff MetroPlan, Navajo Nation, and Hopi Tribal Transportation Department met with Arlando Teller, Assistant Secretary for Tribal Government Affairs at the U.S. Department of Transportation.

Numerous topics were discussed related to improving our transportation infrastructure in Northern Arizona and on Tribal Lands, including drainage improvements to US Highway 89, a new weigh station in Cameron, and Coconino County’s partnership with the Navajo Nation for road maintenance.

Garret Silversmith, Director of the Navajo Nation Division of Transportation; Michael Lomayaktewa, Director of the Hopi Department Transporation; and Kate Morley – executive Director of MetroPlan.

BROADBAND INITIATIVE ON NAVAJO NATION

I continue to facilitate the Broadband INitiative on Navajo Nation because we have limited time to build out Broadband on Navajo Nation and in our rural communities, and it’s through this networking that we learn more about what Broadband is, the challenges of getting the infrastructure, and funding opportunities.

The network comprises chapter officials, schools, law enforcement, tribal departments, counties, NTIA, and the state of Arizona, Utah, New Mexico, and Colorado. The meetings are monthly, and everyone is welcome. Contact District Director Deborahe Lister to be added to the email notification at dlister@coconino.az.gov.

Supervisor Lena Fowler, District 5, was invited to give an update on Coconino County at the 89 Forward Conference, Road to a Stronger Page, In Page, AZ. Supervisor Fowler presented the initiatives she is leading in her district.

Along with great news to give, Coconino County’s joint application with Apache county and Navajo county for NACo’s Building Resilient Economies in Coal Communities (BRECC) initiative has been selected and approved to participate in BRECC’s Action Challenge!

In Recognition of Sheriff Jim Driscoll

Coconino County Sheriff Jim Driscoll recently received the 2023-2024 Sheriff of the Year award from the Western States Sheriffs’ Association. The Western States Sheriffs’ Association is comprised of sheriffs and their command staff from 17 states stretching from the Mississippi River to the West Coast. Sheriff Driscoll was nominated by Sheriff David Clouse from Navajo County based on his experience, leadership, and extensive service to his community. He has dedicated 42 years to law enforcement and served in every rank assignment in the Sheriff’s Office. In 2016, he was voted in by the Coconino County voters. In prior years he has served as the Coconino County Emergency Manager and Critical Incident Commander.

Sheriff Driscoll is a graduate of Northern Arizona University, the F.B.I. National Academy, the Naval Postgraduate Executive Leadership Program, and the Arizona Peace Officer Standards and Training Leadership Program. He serves his community with involvement in Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, the American Red Cross, the Coconino County Victim Witness Board, and the Flagstaff Leadership Program, to name a few. The Coconino County Sheriff’s Office and the entire Coconino County community have benefitted from Sheriff Driscoll’s proven leadership skills in developing employees, community relationships, and partnerships and bridging gaps between local and state, and federal entities.

By official proclamation, the Coconino County Board of Supervisors recognized Sheriff Jim Driscoll for receiving the Western States Sheriffs’ Association 2023-24 Sheriff of the Year Award and his almost 50 years of service to the people of Coconino County. You can view the full proclamation here: https://tinyurl.com/n9633het

Events Happening in Coconino County

Services & Programs in Coconino County

The Health Start Program is currently accepting new referrals for pregnant people and parent/s with children under the age of 2-years old for home and virtual visits by Health Start Caseworkers to improve maternal and child health outcomes. They provide education on various maternal child health topics and connect families with resources to meet their social and health needs. The Health Start Program serves individuals from the following northern Arizona communities of Page, LeChee, Kaibeto, Coppermine, Gap-Bodaway, Cedar Ridge, Cameron, Tonalea and Tuba City.

To enroll contact the Health Start Caseworker at (928) 679-7292 or (928)679-7325. Info: https://coconino.az.gov/247/Health-Start

Coconino Community College has been selected by the Women’s Foundation for the State of Arizona (WFSA) as the nonprofit partner to launch the Pathways for Single Moms program in the state’s northern region.

This program is designed to eliminate barriers to higher education for single moms by giving them the necessary resources to secure livable wages and forge a career path.

Taking a holistic approach, the program helps women navigate life’s challenges by supporting the successful completion of a certificate program in growing fields.

The tuition-free certificate prepares these women for careers in growing industries that pay a thriving wage, thus confronting the cycle of poverty in their families.

Pathways for Single Moms was launched in 2020 in Southern Arizona and due to its success, it has expanded to cover central Arizona and now the state’s northern region.

Coconino Community College aims to support 30 to 40 women for the duration of the program. In addition, there will be 11 career tracks determined to pay living wages for

mothers.

“The wraparound support design and holistic approach of Pathways Program for Single Moms is truly a best practice model with a track record of success.” Said Vice President of Student Services Tony Williams, “We are honored to be partnering with the women’s Foundation for the State of Arizona in their fight to eliminate barriers to a higher education and livable wage careers for single moms.”

Pathways Program for Single Moms provides wraparound support in common roadblocks prohibiting single moms from going to school, including tuition costs, equipment expenses, childcare, and transportation. In addition, Coconino Community College will assist program recipients in navigating the enrollment process.

Those accepted into the Pathways program will be awarded 100% paid tuition and Quality-First/Kindergarten-ready childcare. They will also receive a stipend for living expenses, computer equipment, transportation, and more, as well as emergency funds.

Recipients will also receive ongoing coaching, planning, and career services. Pathways for Single Moms make it possible for participants to have support beyond a technical education and truly make an impact for single moms and their families in Arizona,” said Director of Pilot Programs Joanna Marroquin.

Upon completing the certificate program, participants will receive additional resources to ensure women are ready for career advancements, such as application, resume building, interview, work attire, connections to hiring employers, and financial coaching.

Coconino Community College is accepting applications for the Pathways Program for Single Moms. For more information or to apply, visit pathwaysflagstaff.org

Shared with permission from Coconino Community College. Important program! Story Provided by Larry Hendricks – CCC

If you are experiencing a crisis or difficulties, we may be able to help you with necessities like transportation and communication. In order to qualify you must:

For more information:

Flagstaff-region | Call 928-679-7258 | Walk-in hours: Tues/Thurs, 9-10:30 AM

Page-region | Call 928-679-7296 | Walk-in hours: Mon/Tues/Fri, 8 AM-12 PM

CCHHS Update:

Every day, Arizona youth are buying counterfeit pills laced with Fentanyl through social media, and they’re overdosing at an alarming rate. Don’t wait until it’s too late. Here’s what you can do to stop it:

Call (928) 679-7279 or visit https://bit.ly/3muyxXT for more information.

Healthy Families is a voluntary, free support program serving families in their quest to be their best parents. The program offers child development information, group activities, community resources, and ongoing supportive visits in your home for up to five years.

The Healthy Families Arizona program will help you:

If you would like more information regarding eligibility and participation, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us at (928) 679-7216.

Practice household safety by talking to your kids about medicine safety. Put medicines out of reach after every use. Never refer to medicine as “candy.” Call Poison Control if your child ingests something dangerous at (800) 222-1222.

The Aunt Flow Program is now available at the CCHHS Page office. CCHHS supports menstrual equity and is proud to now provide free, organic menstrual products (tampons and pads) in CCHHS facilities.

Through the Aunt Flow program, the County has installed menstrual product dispensers in CCHHS restroom facilities in Flagstaff and Page, AZ.

Many females face what is known as “period poverty.” This means they cannot afford to buy period products or do not have access to them. By providing free and equitable access to menstrual products, unnecessary barriers such as period poverty are removed.

In addition, organic tampons and pads are environmentally friendly and free from potentially harmful chemicals that can lead to skin irritation and illness.

The new CCHHS Aunt Flow program aims to destigmatize menstruation. CCHHS believes that menstrual hygiene products are necessities and should be equitably available. Legislation changes in many U.S. states are improving access to period products making the world better for people with periods. More information is available at https://goauntflow.com/legislation-updates/

Local services list: This is a list of local organizations with details about their offerings for assistance. Please look over for yourself or to refer to people you may know that need help.

As Summer approaches, the Coconino Coalition for Children & Youth wants to remind everyone that we have a variety of free webinar training programs on our website to help parents and families during the upcoming summer vacation season.

Our growing library of on-demand webinars is designed to help the public gain the tools they need to provide trauma-informed care, tips to help strengthen family protective factors, examine the effects of historical trauma and adverse childhood experiences, address issues such as bullying and the support to adults and youth through the use of mindfulness practices.

The webinars include:

·      Adult Emotions Healing and Addressing Your Needs- Part 1

·      Understanding and respond to children’s big emotions-Part 2

·      Thriving Families

·      Strengthening Family Protective Factors

·      Comprehensive Analysis of Historical Trauma

·      Adverse Childhood Experiences/Resiliency

·      Moving Beyond ACEs

·      Mindfulness (for Adults)

·      Specifically for Youth-Serving Organizations

Thank you for taking the time to read and update for yourself and the community! Please share!

Contact Lena Fowler

Coconino County Supervisor District 5

Email: Lfowler@coconino.az.gov

Phone: (928) 606-4733

Contact Deborahe Lister

District 5 Director

Email: dlister@coconino.az.gov

Phone: (928) 283-4518