Updates from Organizations - Government agencies - Advertise Various Artists

Announcing Utah's First Female Entrepreneur Awards

I wanted to send along a quick heads up on the launch of the first annual Sego Awards. This new awards program was created to recognize and honor Utah’s female entrepreneurs and business leaders. The organizers will announce the nomination process is open and begin accepting applications on Thursday, March 8, 2018.

===========================

USDA to Host Roundtables on Rural Opioid Misuse

Series Will Focus on Impact and Effective Response

WASHINGTON, March 7, 2018 – Assistant to the Secretary for Rural Development Anne Hazlett today announced USDA is hosting a series of monthly roundtables on opioids through the summer.

“The opioid epidemic in rural communities is more than a public health issue,” Hazlett said. “This is a matter of rural prosperity. Opioid misuse is impacting the quality of life and economic well-being in small towns, which is why partnering with rural leaders to address this crisis is critical to the future of rural America.”

Beginning this month, Hazlett will convene regional roundtables to bring together partners in five states to raise awareness and better understand what support rural communities need to address opioid misuse. Key topics will include challenges associated with substance use disorder; strategies for prevention, treatment and recovery; and how these measures can be replicated to effectively address the epidemic in other rural communities.

Roundtables will be held:

• March 14 in Pennsylvania
• April 11 in Utah
• May 9 in Kentucky
• June 6 in Oklahoma
• July 11 in Maine

To be notified of roundtable event specifics as they become available, subscribe to receive email updates from USDA on rural opioid misuse.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that in 2016 nearly 64,000 Americans died from a drug overdose. An overwhelming majority of these overdose deaths involved an opioid. At 174 people each day, this is more than the number of lives lost in car accidents or gun-related homicides. While no corner of the country has gone untouched by this issue, the opioid epidemic has hit rural America particularly hard.

USDA is committed to being a partner to rural communities to address substance misuse disorder at the local level through program investment, strategic partnerships and best practice implementation. For more information, go to USDA’s opioid misuse in rural America webpage.

In April 2017, President Donald J. Trump established the Interagency Task Force on Agriculture and Rural Prosperity to identify legislative, regulatory and policy changes that could promote agriculture and prosperity in rural communities. In January 2018, Secretary Perdue presented the Task Force’s findings to President Trump. These findings included 31 recommendations to align the federal government with state, local and tribal governments to take advantage of opportunities that exist in rural America.

In the area of quality of life, the Task Force included a recommendation to modernize health care access. The report highlighted the importance of telemedicine in enhancing access to primary care and specialty providers. The Task Force also found that improved access to mental and behavioral health care, particularly prevention, treatment and recovery resources, is vital to addressing the opioid crisis and other substance misuse in rural communities.

To view the report in its entirety, please view the Report to the President of the United States from the Task Force on Agriculture and Rural Prosperity (PDF, 5.4 MB). In addition, to view the categories of the recommendations, please view the Rural Prosperity infographic (PDF, 190 KB).

USDA Rural Development provides loans and grants to help expand economic opportunities and create jobs in rural areas. This assistance supports infrastructure improvements; business development; housing; community services such as schools, public safety and health care; and high-speed internet e-Connectivity in rural areas. For more information, visit www.rd.usda.gov.

=======================

How to Overcome Bad Financial Habits that Lead to Excessive Debt

Nonprofit credit counseling agency Take Charge America offers practical tips to achieve financial security, save more for the future

PHOENIX – (March 7, 2018) – America’s culture is on-demand everything. While there are benefits to 24-hour news coverage, Netflix and one-click purchases, the culture has weakened consumers’ ability to delay gratification, especially when it comes to spending money.

“The desire for instant gratification and to keep up with the joneses can wreak havoc on your finances,” said Michael Sullivan, personal finance consultant with Take Charge America, a national nonprofit credit counseling and debt management agency. “As a result, many of us developed daily habits that may seem minor on the surface, but are actually hindering our long-term life goals.”

Sullivan spotlights the most common bad habits that lead to excessive debt – and how to break them:

• Bad Habit: Spending in a Vacuum – Consumers who don’t follow a budget tend to underestimate how much they truly spend, especially when it comes to entertainment, clothes, gadgets and other “wants.”
• Break It: Create a Budget – For a reality check, create a budget using a traditional spreadsheet or one of the many mobile apps available today. Insert your monthly bills and other known expenses. Then, take 30 days to track every penny you spend. You’ll likely be surprised by just how much you’re spending, and in which budget categories. It will then be easy to see where you can trim expenses.

• Bad Habit: Impulse Shopping – Our on-demand world is filled with temptations that can provide short-term satisfaction – and long-term financial struggles.
• Break: Try Black-and-White Rules – Consider a ban on internet shopping, for example – or bring a friend on shopping trips to prevent frivolous spending. For some, a daily or weekly report with a family member is the best way to build in accountability.

• Bad Habit: Paying Bills Late – People who regularly pay their bills late may face extra fees and have a lower credit score, which can lead to higher interest rates on loans and lines of credit.
• Break It: Automate Payments – Automating the bill-paying process ensures bills are paid on time each month, and it takes one more thing off your to-do list.

• Bad Habit: Always Out on the Town – Going out is fun – and it’s expensive. A simple dinner and movie can easily exceed $100. Think how that can add up every weekend.
• Break It: Play Host – Invite friends and family over for a game night or mystery potluck. They, too, will be grateful to spend time together without breaking the bank.

• Bad Habit: Misusing Loans – It’s not uncommon for people to misuse home equity or student loans. It can be difficult to put off the temptation to spend when a bunch of cash lands in your account.  
• Break It: Keep Life Goals Top of Mind – Plaster reminder notes where you’ll see them, create a vision board or enlist loved ones to provide accountability. You will be less likely to spend cash if your life goals are front and center.   

For more financial tips or a free credit counseling session, visit www.takechargeamerica.org.

About Take Charge America, Inc.

Founded in 1987, Take Charge America, Inc. is a nonprofit agency offering financial education and counseling services including credit counseling, debt management, student loan counseling, housing counseling and bankruptcy counseling. It has helped more than 1.6 million consumers nationwide manage their personal finances and debts. To learn more, visit www.takechargeamerica.org or call (888) 822-9193.