Deputies talk to New Directions about internet, cellphone safety

ICSO deputies speak to a group from New Directions / All images provided by New Directions

In today’s technology-driven society, cellphones have become essential to daily living. For individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, they provide access to communication and can even enable more independent living.

But as technology use becomes more prevalent, so does the need to prioritize safety measures.

Deputies Trevor Clark and Jessie Mauldin with the Independence County Sheriff’s Office recently came to speak at New Directions with particular emphasis on internet and cellphone safety.

“One of the things the deputies focused on was the fact that if you put anything on the internet it’s there forever,” said Nena Branscum, program coordinator at New Directions. “Photos get put out there or personal information gets posted online, and the people getting that information is often posing as someone else.

“Another topic the deputies talked about was cyberbullying and how what one person thinks may be funny is really bullying if it hurts someone else. There was a lot of great information provided to help clients make informed and safe decisions when using cellphones and the internet.”

She said while cellphones connect people via email, social media, video chat, etc., it also opens the doors to potential dangers. That is why it is critical to review online safety strategies like the ones the deputies shared, Branscum said.

She said after the program, the clients were invited to sit in the police cars and turn on the blue lights. “They loved that,” Branscum said. “They’ve been talking about it ever since the officers left.

“We greatly appreciate the Independence County Sheriff’s Office for bringing this program to our clients,” she added.

New Directions seeks to provide the best possible programs and services while enriching the quality of life for the individuals served by NCO, Inc. Curriculum is designed to help the individuals become or remain as self-sufficient and independent as possible by working on daily living, socialization, and many other skills.

NCO, Inc. serves clients in 23 counties in Arkansas, including Baxter, Clay, Cleburne, Craighead, Faulkner, Fulton, Garland, Greene, Independence, Izard, Jackson, Lawrence, Lonoke, Marion, Poinsett, Pope, Pulaski, Randolph, Sharp, Stone, Van Buren, White and Woodruff.

For more information about New Directions, how to enroll, or to take a tour, call Branscum at 870-569-1433 or email nena.branscum@nco-inc.com, or call Lisa Pinkston, NCO, Inc. Executive Director, at 870-612-5900 ext. 101 or email lisa.pinkston@nco-inc.com.

Daniel Page and others check out a patrol vehicle from the Independence County Sheriff’s Office.  Jacob Solomine looks inside a patrol vehicle.

Danny Rose sits inside the vehicle.

April Williams sits inside another ICSO vehicle.