Rural Leader Magazine May 2021

MAY 2021

COVER STORY

Eight Tips to Launch a Rewarding Career in the Construction Industry, pg. 7

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Contents

Publisher and Editor-in-Chief Kuanita E. Murphy, PhD Rural Leader Magazine, LLC is a digital publication that highlights every day people doing extraordinary things nationally and abroad. www.RuralLeaderMag.com www.GetRuralLeaderMag.com

About Us

Launched in March 2014, Rural Leader

Magazine, LLC is a digital publication with a mission to highlight every day people doing extraordinary things in business, education, music, community, art, sports, and leadership nationally and abroad.

Rural Leader Magazine honors exemplary individuals on a variety of levels, such as the 20 under 20 Honors, 40 under 40 Honors, Best Small Town Restaurant, Small Town America’s 100 Most Influential People, the Scholars of Collegiate Distinction, Fifty under Fifty, and the Eagle Elite Club.—

6 Revving up remote work: Tips to remain positive and thrive through the pandemic

15 Five Key Money Moves to Consider When Transitioning Out of the Military

COVER STORY 7 Eight Tips to Launch a Rewarding Career in the Construction Industry

18 Signs that poor sleep may be a more significant health issue

10 Five Simple Habits to Support Your Well-being This Year 11 As healthcare evolves, is your doctor ready?

14 Take control of your financial future while managing pandemic challenges

19 As mortgage relief plans end, what comes next for homeowners?

20 New study finds yoga key to promoting emotional health in children 22 #MeWeGeorgia Makes Debut in Randolph County, Georgia

Reproduction in any manner, in whole or in part, in English, or other languages, is prohibited without written consent.

Send editorial ideas to Kuanita Murphy, PhD, Editor-in-Chief editor@ruralleadermag.com Contact Us info@ruralleadermag.com editor@ruralleadermag.com ruralleadermagazine@gmail.com

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Tell us what you think about our publications, if you have a great idea for a story, or to just share. We may print your comments in Rural Leader Magazine. By sending us your comments, you’re giving permission to call you for an interview. Please be sure to include your name, address, email address, and phone number so we can reach you. Write to us at info@RuralLeaderMag.com—

Editor’s Note Dear Readers, Inside this issue, there are a number of great articles about leadership best practices, building positive self-esteem and productivity! We hope you enjoy this issue.

As always, I hope you enjoy this issue and continue to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Google +, and LinkedIn. Thanks again for your continual support!

Sincerely, Kuanita E. Murphy, PhD Publisher/Editor-in-Chief

What you do matters. @RuralLeaderMag

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Revving up remote work: Tips to remain positive and thrive through the pandemic

Many people continue to work and study from home as they navigate the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. While remote life has its benefits, it can also be challenging. There are a few smart steps you can take to avoid unnecessary stress and help you thrive in both your personal and professional life.

“No matter what your personal circumstances, quarantine, social distancing and remote work have been challenging,” says author, speaker and workplace happiness expert Jennifer Moss. “Now is a good time to reassess and take steps to revive your routine.

By being proactive, you can help fuel positivity and productivity in all aspects of life.”

To help inspire, Moss shares her top five ways to stay positive and better manage a remote lifestyle: 1. Block time for self-care. Chronic stress of pushing through the pandemic can cause brain fog. Examples of brain fog include difficulty getting motivated, losing your focus easily, searching for your words when trying to communicate and having difficulty making up your mind. At times, small tasks can feel overwhelming.

To prevent brain fog, take a break from work, school or other must-do’s and schedule time to do something you enjoy for 10 to 15 minutes. Without these breaks you’ll end up less productive and less engaged at work overall. This inevitably forces you to expend more mental energy to reach the same goals.

A quick break will help you refresh and refocus.

2. Take a fake commute. Although long and unpredictable commutes can increase stress, there were aspects of commuting that may have been beneficial, such as listening to music or reading a book. Instead of doing these enjoyable activities at home, many people have simply replaced this lost time with more work.

Rather than working from the time you wake until dinner, consider being more mindful and try scheduling a fake commute instead. That means taking the same amount of time you would have spent in your car or on the subway and replacing it with a walk, listening to your favorite podcast, or spending time with loved ones. Did you know the average roundtrip commute is 48 minutes? While working from home, reschedule that time to focus on your well-being.

3. Reduce video meeting fatigue. The average worker has experienced a 24% increase in meetings since the start of the pandemic, and video meetings can be especially taxing. Overall, meeting fatigue has shown to increase stress and reduce productivity. To 6 RuralLeaderMag.com | MAY 2021

lessen the effects of meeting fatigue for yourself and your team, ask these questions: * Is this meeting necessary? If yes, then ask: * Does it have to be a video call? * Does it have to be longer than 30 minutes? * Which attendees are essential? * Can you turn off the cameras and use photos or avatars? * Can you do an audio-only conference for a screen break? Of course, some video meetings are necessary, so for those consider starting with a check-in by asking: How are people feeling? Does anyone have a back-to-back call? What time of day is it? If you’re leading the meeting, set a timer so you can end promptly.

4. Work away for the day. Kids, spouses, roommates and even pets add new elements to your workday that can distract from your concentration. When you need time to focus, consider a change of scenery.

For example, WorkSpaces by Hilton is a work-fromhotel solution for individuals seeking office space to boost efficiency during their workday. This is a great option for when you have an important meeting or presentation, need to fully focus, or just get away.

Through WorkSpaces by Hilton, you can enjoy a private, standard guestroom during your work hours and access Wi-Fi that isn’t taxed by everyone in the household. Plus, you have access to hotel amenities, including business centers, gyms and pool areas, where available. Visit workspacesbyhilton.com to book a room or learn more.

5. Unique times require flexibility. Always remember, people are not working at the same productivity and engagement levels as they did before the pandemic started. In addition to chronic stress and anxiety, people are juggling competing demands, like homeschooling and not having access to daycare.

It’s important to have realistic expectations of what demands can be met for yourself and your colleagues. Create daily and weekly goals and have regular, honest conversations with your managers about work-life balance. If you are a manager at an organization, keep this in mind for employees as well as yourself and embrace a responsive approach to these conversations. What’s more, keep this in mind with your family also, as your kids and partner may also require some flexibility at home, too.—

COVER STORY

8 tips to launch a rewarding career in the construction industry

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Do you enjoy working with your hands? Do you love solving complex problems? Do you enjoy working in the outdoors? Do you enjoy the satisfaction of seeing something you’ve built?

If you answer “yes” to any of these questions, you may want to consider a career in construction.

Many young people don’t realize that there is more than one path to success. In other words, attending a four-year college isn’t the only way to start a rewarding career.

There’s another path. And believe it or not, you can actually get paid while you learn the skills you need to build a career that will last you a lifetime. An apprenticeship with a construction trade union allows young people who are at least 18 years old, and who have earned their high school diploma, to learn how to become an electrician, a pipefitter, a plumber, an ironworker and much more. In fact, according to the Construction Career Foundation, a nonprofit based in Minnesota that helps young people connect with registered construction apprenticeships, there are more than 30 careers in construction that you can pursue.

“A registered apprenticeship with a construction trade union takes from three to five years to complete,” said Sarah Lechowich, senior director for the Construction Careers Foundation. “It involves working at a construction site, where you’re trained by a journeyman, and classroom training.”

With an apprenticeship, there’s little if any costs, which means at the end of the apprenticeship, you’ll have a skill that you can use for a lifetime - without incurring tens of thousands of dollars in college debt.

To start your career in construction, follow these eight tips shared by the Construction Careers Foundation: 1. Pick a trade - Which trade best fits your personality and skill set? Visit ConstructionCareers.org, which offers details about more than 30 construction careers. The website offers descriptions about each trade, videos of real construction workers and details about pay and benefits.

2. Make sure you’re qualified - To be accepted into a construction trades union apprenticeship, you need to be at least 18 years old, have a valid driver’s license, a high school diploma or a GED equivalent, and for some apprenticeships, successfully pass an aptitude test administered by the trade union to which you’re applying. By the way, construction isn’t just for men - more and more women are starting construction careers every day.

3. Still in high school? - If you’re still in high 8

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school, load up on math and communications courses - today’s construction workers need to know math and they need to know how to communicate clearly - because you work on a team in the real world. Take any courses that your high school offers in construction to start getting hands-on experience.

4. Talk to your parents - Many, if not most, parents urge their kids to go to college. If you have a feeling that college isn’t right for you, talk to your parents and tell them you’d like to try an apprenticeship in construction. Point them to ConstructionCareers. org, which has a ton of information about why a registered construction trades apprenticeship is the best answer for you.

5. Talk to a construction worker - To better understand the rewards of a career in the construction trades, ask family and friends to connect you with construction workers so you can ask them questions about their careers. If you find it difficult to find a construction worker, check out these videos on the Construction Career Pathways channel on YouTube, which features short interviews with more than 20 construction workers.

6. Make the call - Some construction trade unions offer informational meetings for those who want to apply for an apprenticeship. Others will invite you in for an interview. After you’ve identified a construction trade that you’d like to pursue, contact the local construction trade union to get more information about their apprenticeship program.

7. Start the application process - Just like college, you need to apply for an apprenticeship. Some trades allow you to apply year-round; others have specific periods when you can apply. The Construction Trades app, available for download on Apple and Google Play stores, is a great source to learn about apprenticeship deadlines.

8. Get fit - Being an apprentice is hard work. It’s not an office job where you sit in a cubicle all day long. It involves getting to the job site, often at times like 7 a.m., and it will involve lifting tools and materials, and being on your feet throughout the day.

Now is the time to start getting in shape and working on your strength and stamina.

“With a registered construction trades apprenticeship,” said Lechowich, “you’ll learn skills that you can use for the rest of your life. You’ll also be trained to build things to the highest standards, and you’ll learn the value and importance of safety. All while getting paid to learn.”—

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5 Simple Habits to Support Your Well-being This Year Five simple habits to support your well-being this year While everyone wants to improve their daily habits, starting new routines can be challenging. Often when you consider revamping your lifestyle, you come up with ambitious goals that are hard to keep up over time. Instead, why not make smaller lifestyle changes, smaller steps that you know you can stick to?

Rather than overhauling your entire routine, first identify one or two simple changes you can do. Then, who knows? You may just pick up one or two more.

Remember: Even small changes can make a difference to your overall well-being.

Here are some simple steps to choose from.

1. Pick up the pace. Boost your health by moving your feet. If you don’t normally exercise, start with a simple walk around the block at the same time every day. Weather not cooperating? March in place to music for a few minutes at a time, a few times a day.

If you already exercise regularly, see if you can step it up. Add another block to your walk, pick up your pace, or add hand weights two or three times a week.

The CDC recommends walking as an easy and effective way to exercise, and their guidelines advise working up to at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise or 75 minutes of vigorous exercise per week. Check with your doctor before beginning any exercise program, especially if you have been inactive.

2. Catch up on your check-ups. If it’s been awhile since your last wellness exam, now’s a good time to make that appointment. Be proactive - even if you feel fine right now, your health care provider can offer advice and recommendations on nutrition and exercise. They can also let you know if you are caught up on health screenings and immunizations you may need to maintain your health.

3. Make simple swaps in the kitchen Boosting the nutritional content of your food doesn’t require a complete diet overhaul. Add one or two vegetables, fruits or whole grains every day to boost your intake of vitamins, minerals and fiber.

Explore new foods to find options offering health benefits that also taste great - so you’re more likely to keep eating them.

For example, Kellogg’s Raisin Bran Toasted Oats and Honey is not only a delicious way to start the 10

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morning, but it also helps you get your fiber fix. Fiber is crucial to support digestive health, which is an important part of overall wellness. National consumption surveys indicate that only about 5% of the U.S. population meets fiber consumption recommendations, according to the American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine’s 2016 Closing America’s Fiber Intake Gap. Kellogg’s Raisin Bran Toasted Oats and Honey features the Kellogg’s Raisin Bran ingredients you already know and love - hearty bran flakes and juicy raisins - now paired with crisp, whole-grain toasted oats and a touch of real honey. With whole-grain oats in each spoonful, every serving is a good source of fiber, without sacrificing taste.

4. Learn how much water your body needs. According to WebMD, the commonly touted 8 glasses of water everyone should drink should be taken as just a minimal guideline. Many people actually need more, especially for those who are exercising, in hot weather or who are pregnant or breastfeeding. It’s best to talk to your healthcare provider about your particular needs, as people with some health conditions may need to limit their water intake.

5. Get your zz’s. Chronic sleep deprivation can increase your risk of high blood pressure and heart disease, among other health concerns, according to The Mayo Clinic. As a part of your healthier lifestyle program, take a look at your sleep habits and see if you’re getting enough shuteye.

If you’re not getting 7-8 hours of sleep a night, try turning off the gadgets earlier each night to get to bed earlier, or streamline your routine to allow a few more minutes of rest each morning.

Set yourself up for success by starting small first.

Even tackling just a couple of these habits can improve how you feel each day. And once they’ve become habit, see if you can add even more!— SPONSORED BY KELLOGG’S

As healthcare evolves, is your doctor ready?

The COVID-19 pandemic changed how people think about healthcare. Interacting with your doctor has never been more critical, but now some or all those interactions might occur online. The ability to make appointments online and see your physician without leaving home has benefits. In fact, Chilmark Research estimates that by 2025, 15 to 25 percent of all primary care visits will be conducted virtually in the United States. As telehealth use grows and patients have come to expect more online services from their doctors, it’s important to ask your doctor about available tools to help you stay connected and save time.

Explore the new age of ambulatory care. One company leading the evolution in patient engagement technologies is NextGen Healthcare. The NextGen® Patient Experience Platform saves time for healthcare teams and boosts convenience for patients.

NextGen Healthcare experts suggest you ask your doctor about: * Online patient access: How does their patient portal work, and what features does it offer? Can you easily send a message to your doctor, request a prescription

refill, access your personal health records, and view lab results online? * Online appointments: Can you schedule your own appointments online? Can you view your appointment history and/or modify existing appointments? * Virtual visits: Do they offer virtual video visits (aka telehealth) for situations that don’t require an in-person office visit (e.g., refill requests, lab results, or follow-up appointments)? Are they using a secure and HIPAA-compliant telehealth system? (HIPAA is a law that protects the privacy and confidentiality of patient health records and information.) * Online bill pay: Can you see your balance and pay a bill electronically without having to call or send payment in the mail?

The future of the doctor-patient relationship.

People are comfortable shopping online from their smartphones, tablets or computers. When the COVID-19 pandemic started, video chats with friends and family skyrocketed in every age category.

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now applies to healthcare. There’s no doubt that the patient experience will continue to evolve beyond the confines of a traditional office setting. This growth of consumerism also means you have more choices for where and how you receive healthcare, and this will likely impact how you choose a doctor in the future.

Your health is your top possession. Stay connected to your doctor and take an active role in your own health by ensuring your doctor’s practice offers digital patient engagement tools that make it easy for you to stay on top of your healthcare. Through technology, doctors and patients can be more aligned for even better overall health outcomes. NextGen Healthcare’s award-winning ambulatory software platforms enables a more seamless and efficient experience that helps improve the provider-patient relationship. Learn more at www. nextgen.com.—

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Take Control of Your Financial Future While Managing Pandemic Challenges A year into the pandemic, many people have experienced changes in how they manage their money.

With different spending needs and, in some cases, changes in income, the ways we balance budgets, save and monitor credit have become top of mind.

“No matter where you are financially, budgeting and saving are two key habits that can help all of us bounce back from life’s unexpected moments,” said Lawrence Bailey, head of financial health and community banking for Chase. “Another important habit is understanding how credit works and what goes into a score.”

To help people manage their changing needs and stay financially healthy now and into the future, Bailey shares some smart tips and simple strategies that anyone can adopt: Build a budget to meet your needs. Three in four people have concerns about creating a budget that’s flexible and realistic for how they live, according to the 2020 JPMorgan Chase Financial Needs Study. It’s a good practice to update your budget frequently to gain a clear understanding of where and how you can make adjustments.

Use traditional budgeting tools like the Chase Budget Builder or digital tools like to help keep an eye on your expenses and income as well as find gaps or ways to save.

Use technology to help keep you on track. While algorithms can vary depending on the credit bureau, an estimated third or more of your credit score is tied to on-time payments. Financial technology can help you with managing your bills and how you get paid so you never miss a payment. Automate all you can and set up transaction alerts for deposits and withdrawals so you stay on top of money movement.

Monitor and protect your credit. Some actions can impact your credit more than others, and having a clear picture of your credit score is critical. Sign up

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for Chase Credit Journey for free to check your score, receive alerts about changes to your report and get insights on building good credit. This is important if you are considering applying for a loan or a credit card, or refinancing debt or your home loan.

Set aside savings. Having money set aside in an emergency fund can help provide peace of mind.

Also, by saving regularly, you’ll have the financial flexibility to help you reach future goals. Use an online calculator to see how your savings are tracking.

Keep in mind, even setting aside a few dollars a week can help you prepare for the unexpected and save for short- and long-term plans.

Stay alert to scams. Financial scams are prevalent during the COVID-19 pandemic. To stay up to date, visit the Federal Trade Commission at www.ftc. gov. Remember, it’s smart to triple-check any social message, email or solicitation you get from someone claiming to be from a financial institution. Most banks, including Chase, won’t ask for confidential information like your name, password or PIN when reaching out to you.

Look into payment programs if you need help. If you are worried about making payments, contact your home loan, car or credit card company and ask if they have any payment relief programs. You can also reach out to community organizations and city and state resources that can help connect you to aid if you need it.

For additional resources, tools and information on how to manage your budget, grow your savings and build your credit, visit chase.com/personal/financial-goals.—

Five Key Money Moves to Consider When Transitioning Out of the Military Each year, approximately 200,000 men and women transition from the U.S. military to civilian life.1 It can be a dramatic life change with financial implications that many people don’t realize or plan for.

Much attention is given to accessing healthcare, transitioning careers and pursuing educational opportunities, but the adjustments to your personal finance situation may be overlooked.

To help prepare U.S. service members for their next mission, it’s helpful to think about a “transition plan” about three years before your anticipated discharge date. This gives you time to research, ask questions and create a plan to help achieve the civilian life you want.

“Like most things in life, having a plan to get you from where you are to where you want to go is a key to success,” said Russell Simmons, Certified Financial Planner® at Charles Schwab and Army Reservist. “A military transition plan is no different.”

Simmons suggests taking time to think about and plan for these five key personal finance matters to help you find solid financial footing going into your new career:

* Determine your profession: Will you stay in your current profession or look for a job in a different field? Start learning and networking now so you have a foundation from which to start your job search.

Research salaries in the areas where you want to live.

There are a number of online tools available, as well as resources available through the VA to help you create a resume, write a cover letter and find career opportunities. The Small Business Administration (SBA) offers special programs for veterans interested in starting a new business. * Calculate income: Military vs. civilian pay are very different. According to a Charles Schwab survey, only 37% of current servicemembers say they know enough about how much money they should save each month. In order to budget accordingly, it’s crucial to understand the differences between military and civilian pay. With civilian pay, there are more taxes and deductions that you likely didn’t have to pay in the military, and there are not the allowances and incentives that you may be accustomed to with military pay. To help you figure out how much money you need to make in a civilian job, add up all GetRuralLeaderMag.com | MAY 2021 15

your allowances, incentives and base salary to get a full view of your military compensation. Consider negotiating these items with your future employer. * Consider supplemental income: Once you’ve calculated your estimated civilian income, you may find you have a gap to fill. Going from active duty to Reservist or National Guard may be a good option to consider. By remaining committed to the military in a different capacity, you can maintain certain lowcost benefits and reduce your time commitment so you have time to focus on your civilian career. Continuing to serve may also include eligibility for more affordable life insurance options. * Prepare for potential changes in healthcare benefits: Similar to income, health benefits can also change when you leave the military. A Schwab survey found that more than half of veterans say they’ve felt unprepared to handle a financial emergency like unexpected medical expenses because they live paycheck to paycheck, so it’s important to understand how your benefits might change to safeguard against this. TRICARE is a low-deductible plan, meaning you do not have many out-of-pocket healthcare expenses. Many companies offer high-deductible health insurance plans with a Health Savings Account (HSA). That generally means your out-of-pocket expenses will be higher than they had been with TRICARE, but you can help plan for that by contributing to an HSA, which is a triple tax-advantaged savings account that can be used in the future for healthcare expenses, including healthcare deductibles. Health insurance through employer plans, Medicare and policies through the Affordable Care Act typically have specific enrollment periods, so research those dates. It is critical to make sure there are no gaps in

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coverage for you and your family. * Prepare for changes in location: Housing costs are one of the biggest expenses for most people.

Whether you stay in place, move off base, rent or buy a new home, make sure you have a plan in place. Run the numbers to see if it makes more sense to rent or buy, and consider lifestyle factors such as school districts and commute time.

“The transition to civilian life is a disruption to life in many ways,” Schwab’s Simmons said. “But taking the time now to prepare for the life that you want in the future can help you make smart financial decisions that will have both immediate and long-term benefits.”— About the 2020 Financial Literacy Survey. This survey was conducted online within the United States by The Harris Poll on behalf of Charles Schwab from June 4-8, 2020, among 2,046 U.S. adults age 18 and older. This online survey is not based on a probability sample and therefore no estimate of theoretical sampling error can be calculated.

This information is for educational purposes only.

It is not intended to be a substitute for specific individualized tax, legal, or investment planning advice.

Where specific advice is necessary or appropriate, consult with a qualified tax advisor, CPA, financial planner, or investment manager. Charles Schwab & Co., Inc, Member SIPC. * U.S. Government Accountability Office, June 2019, “Transitioning Service Members: Information on Military Employment Assistance Centers.” 03211XLT

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Signs that Poor Sleep May be a More Significant Health Issue Sleep is essential to overall immunity and well-being, so disruptive sleep can affect personal health, family life and work. When you don’t get optimal sleep, it can hold you back from feeling energized, productive and healthy, not to mention lead to more significant health issues.

Everyone experiences a bad night of sleep every once in a while. But a new survey of 1,000 American adults reveals that stress over the past year is negatively impacting quality of sleep for half of Americans.

Results of the survey, conducted by digital health leader ResMed, indicate one in three adults are sleeping less than they did a year ago.

“This is an alarming trend and another important consequence of the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Carlos M. Nunez, M.D., chief medical officer at ResMed. “While trouble sleeping can sometimes be chalked up to stress or anxiety, it’s critical to monitor other symptoms you might be experiencing, as it could point to a more concerning health issue.”

But when is poor sleep more than just a bad night or a result of a stressful day?

One of the most common sleep disorders is sleep apnea; 54 million adults in the U.S. have sleep apnea - but more than 80% don’t know they have it.

Sleep apnea is a disorder in which the muscles in the throat relax to the point of collapse, restricting airflow. This causes breathing to become shallow and eventually stop for 10 or more seconds at a time, depriving the body and brain of oxygen.

In other words, millions of people are suffocating each night while they sleep and have no idea.

Many people don’t realize that sleep apnea not only impacts your quality of sleep and prevents you from getting proper rest, but can have additional devastating consequences if it goes undiagnosed and untreated. Untreated sleep apnea can immediately and negatively affect your energy, mood, relationships, ability to work and drive safely, and in the long term, it is linked to other chronic and life-threatening conditions - including high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke and Type 2 diabetes.

The most common sign of sleep apnea is usually observed by your bed partner: Many people believe that snoring means someone is in a deep sleep or sleeping well, but it’s actually the number-one indicator of sleep apnea - for both men and women.

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Other symptoms of sleep apnea include constant tiredness, poor concentration, morning headaches, depressed mood, night sweats, weight gain, lack of energy, forgetfulness, sexual dysfunction and frequent nighttime urination, among others.

“The good news is that sleep apnea is treatable and modern CPAP therapy is much more comfortable, quieter and smaller than ever before,” said Nunez.

“Just by following the treatment for sleep apnea that your doctor recommends, your quality of sleep will dramatically increase, and your risk of other chronic conditions drops.”

If you’re concerned about your health and quality of sleep, Nunez suggests talking to your doctor about your symptoms. They may even ask you to track your sleep using a digital tool, like an app or one of the fitness wearables with sleep tracking features, or by taking notes in a journal. Additionally, you can visit SleepForBetterTomorrow.com to take a short quiz to see if you’re at risk for sleep apnea.

The next time you find yourself struggling to fall or stay asleep, or feeling constantly sluggish, don’t discount sleep apnea. It is common - and easily treated at home.—

As mortgage relief plans end, what comes next for homeowners?

Millions of U.S. homeowners facing financial hardship related to the COVID-19 pandemic have sought mortgage payment relief, or forbearance, allowing them to temporarily pause or reduce their monthly mortgage payments. According to the mortgage data firm Black Knight, as of March 2021, approximately 2.6 million U.S. homeowners remain in an active forbearance plan. It’s important they know their options for what happens next.

Early in the pandemic, Fannie Mae, a leading provider of home loan and rental housing financing in the U.S., launched an online portal at KnowYourOptions.com with interactive resources to help homeowners and renters, including clear explanations of mortgage forbearance, when it may be an option, and steps to get started.

For those who are still feeling the financial impact of COVID-19 or those newly impacted by the economic fallout, it’s not too late to get help.

“We encourage homeowners and renters facing financial hardship to visit KnowYourOptions.com to learn what options may be available, and to contact their mortgage servicer or landlord to make a plan,” said Malloy Evans, senior vice president, Fannie Mae. “It’s our top priority to help keep people in their homes.”

Steps for extending or exiting mortgage forbearance. According to Black Knight, more than 800,000 homeowners who opted for forbearance will reach the end of their 12-month plan this spring. Those who are still facing financial hardship may be eligible to extend for up to six additional months. Homeowners interested in seeking an extension should contact their mortgage servicer (the company they send their monthly payment to).

Those homeowners who are ready to begin making their monthly mortgage payments again have access to a number of options such as: * Reinstatement allows homeowners to pay any missed amounts all at once, if they are financially able to do so. * A repayment plan enables homeowners to resume making their regular monthly mortgage payment, plus an additional portion of the missed amount each month, until the missed amount is paid off, if they are able to do so. * Payment deferral might be a good option for those who are unable to reinstate or afford a repayment plan but can resume their monthly mortgage payments. This defers any missed payments to the end of the loan term when it is paid off. Interest is not charged on the deferred amounts. The deferred amounts are due earlier upon the sale or transfer of the property, refinance, or payoff of the loan. * Loan modification is another option where the original loan terms - such as the interest rate or term of the loan - could be permanently changed to make a homeowner’s monthly mortgage payment more manageable moving forward.

A new, interactive virtual assistant at KnowYourOptions.com can provide homeowners with an informed recommendation for their financial situation, which they can discuss with their mortgage servicer.

Servicers will also contact homeowners approximately 30 days before their forbearance plan is scheduled to end to discuss extension and exit options.

Have questions? Homeowners and renters looking for answers can visit Fannie Mae’s website at KnowYourOptions.com.—

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New Study Finds Yoga Key to Promoting Emotional Health in Children Adolescence isn’t easy on anyone. The physical, psychological, social and emotional changes are difficult for young people since many do not have the tools to deal with the whirlwind of feelings that come with growing up. That’s why parents and educators are increasingly focused on teaching emotional regulation. These are the skills that help us to manage emotions and behavior despite negative circumstances. Children who understand and self-regulate their emotions are better able to control impulses, be flexible when things change unexpectedly, and manage behavior when feeling angry or upset.

Emotional regulation is especially important for today’s kids. Everything from social media pressures to distance learning during a pandemic has added complexity and uncertainty to adolescence. Young people in low socioeconomic circumstances often face additional stressors such as abuse, neighborhood violence, hunger or housing insecurity. Given how psychologically vulnerable kids are at this age, schools are redoubling their efforts to build these 20

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skills in their students.

Any parent will tell you that this is easier said than done. However, a growing body of research indicates that mindful practices like yoga help children develop the tools to better manage their emotions. More and more studies indicate that yoga promotes and improves emotional self-regulation along with other positive psychological outcomes in adolescents.

The latest of these studies was published in February in the Journal of Child and Family Studies by a team of researchers from Duke University, University of North Carolina and Harvard Medical School. They examined the psychological impact of the Kundalini Yoga-based Y.O.G.A. for Youth after-school program on students in North Carolina’s Chapel Hill-Carrboro public school system. Since its inception in 1998, Y.O.G.A. for Youth has provided schools, juvenile detention centers and other youth-oriented organizations with customized yoga programming tailored to address the behavioral, emotional and physical needs of children. Y.O.G.A. for Youth programs are de-

signed to foster confident, healthy, emotionally stable individuals with higher levels of scholastic aptitude and expanded behavioral management skills.

Students with academic or behavioral challenges were offered an after-school program free of charge, either the Y.O.G.A. for Youth program or an alternative activity. The students who chose yoga participated in 12 40-minute classes over a period of six weeks.

Each class consisted of the mindfulness practices found in Kundalini Yoga: mantras, breath practice, physical warm-ups, a kriya (a specific sequence of physical postures that incorporate specific breath patterns, eye focus and hand positions), meditation and relaxation.

Both the yoga group and the comparison group completed written surveys before and after the sixweek study period that measured emotional regulation, depression, anxiety, stress and mindfulness.

Students who participated in yoga also completed a short mood measure survey before and after each class. Researchers analyzed the results and found that students in the yoga program reported a significant improvement in emotion regulation across

the six-week program. They also found that students reported significant decreases in anger, depression and fatigue after one single Y.O.G.A. for Youth class session.

There is still more research to be done, but these results have important implications for the positive impact of school-based yoga programs. The initial evidence suggests that the emotional self-regulation and mind-body awareness skills provided by yoga in education settings can help adolescents cope with life’s challenges more effectively and help them grow into healthy adults. It offers additional support for integrating yoga into daily routines to give students the critical emotional skills they’ll use the rest of their lives.

Not every school system has yoga available as an after-school program, so it’s important to note there are other ways to help your children or students benefit from yoga and mindfulness practices. For ideas on how to incorporate Kundalini Yoga practices at home, visit 3HO.org or yogaforyouth.org.—

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#MeWeGeorgia Makes Debut in Randolph County, Georgia

By Dr. Kuanita E. Murphy

Saturday, April 3, 2021, Randolph County Family Connection hosted #MeWeInternational and Albany State University staff for a community focus group at 119 East Lawrence Street in Cuthbert. Local youth and adults gathered for a 90-minute introduction about the program. Participants were encouraged to lead and co-create a local movement where all individuals regardless of education, economics, and history to exercise their human right to communicate their perspectives, ideas, and needs for the community.

Moshin Mohi Ud Din, artist, activist, founder, and CEO of #MeWeInternationl, facilitated the group discussion. His work has received honors from the United Nations, SOLVE MIT and Open Ideo. Moshin’s innovative work has reached more than 5,000 people across more than 12 counties, beginning with his Fulbright Scholarship in 2010. He has been a featured speaker at the World Economic Forum, United Nations, MIT, TexX, and his work on #MeWeSyria has been published on UNHCR Innovation, VICE, and Al Jazeera. #MeWe International, Inc. also known as #MeWeInt, is a global nonprofit that builds communications and storytelling interventions for psychological wellbeing, leadership development, and community engagement for youth, caregivers, 22

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and community building organizations.

Albany State University (ASU) received an Office of Population (OPA) grant from the United States Department of Health and Human Services to reduce teen pregnancies, lower STI’s and improve youth health in 18 counties that includes Baker, Calhoun, Clay, Colquitt, Decatur, Dougherty, Early, Grady, Lee, Miller, Mitchell, Quitman, Randolph, Seminole, Sumter, Terrell, and Thomas.

The OPA grant will allow ASU to implement a program designed to examine the needs of expectant and parenting teens, explore existing programs and services for this population. The grant will also allow leaders to discover and address the community’s barriers, assets and gaps to teen health issues. ASU’s approach will include the support of #MeWeInternational and #MeWeGeorgia. #MeWEGeoriga is a new movement from the internationally acclaimed nonprofit #MeWEIntl, a collective of the world’s most innovative and brave artists, scientists, activists, and everyday heroes. In recent years, Georgia and its youth have become the front of national attention and culture. Georgia was not only a crucial state in the national elections, but culturally, the State is growing as an influencer of national culture in the areas of music, film, art, and entrepreneurship. Southwest Georgia communities

will be first to initiate #MeWeGeorgia, with a focus on community healing and leadership to improve adolescent health. #MeWeGeorgia will engage in collaborative storytelling and media productions, such as writing drawing, spoken word, some of which will be published and featured in a book for the community, distributed online as short films, and published as physical billboards across the country. As a part of the process of communication for healing and change, participants will also learn the basics about how to regulate emotions, mindfulness and breathing, setting goals, and nonviolent communication to support psychological wellbeing and enhance leadership skills.

Randolph County Family Connection will partner with #MeWeGeorgia and ASU throughout the implementation of this project. The next #MeWeGeorgia meeting will be held on Saturday, April 17, 2021 at 3 PM at the Creating Moments Event Planning Boutique at 643-B Blakely Street in Cuthbert. Attendees will receive a gift card and lunch for their participation.

If you would like to join or learn more, call 229732-3796 or write to rcfcinc.org@gmail.com. For more information about #MeWeInternational visit www.meweintl.org.—

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RuralLeaderMag.com | MAY 2021