.

>>> COMING UP NEXT ON "ARIZONA HORIZON" THE LATEST ON THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION'S DECLINING TO RELEASE BILLIONS IN FEDERAL FUNDING FOR EDUCATION PROGRAMS.

ALSO TONIGHT, CONCERNS OVER THE SUICIDE RATE AMONG THOSE IN THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY.

AND A NEW FILM ABOUT REIMAGINING CORRECTIONS WITH A FOCUS ON ART THERAPY.

THOSE STORIES AND MORE NEXT ON "ARIZONA HORIZON."

>>> GOOD EVENING AND WELCOME TO "ARIZONA HORIZON" I'M TED SIMONS.

A WILDFIRE BURNING AT THE NORTH RIM OF THE GRANTED CANYON HAS LED TO EVACUATIONS, AND THE LOSS OF UP TO 80 STRUCTURES, INCLUDING THE HISTORIC GRAND CANYON LODGE.

THE DRAGON-BRAVO FIRE HAS BURNED 5,000 ACRES AND THE ENTIRE NORTH RIM IS NOW CLOSED.

THE FIRE WAS INITIALLY CAUSED BY LIGHTNING ON JULY 4th AND THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT'S RESPONSE WAS TO MANAGE THE FLAMES AS A CONTROLLED BURN.

BUT STRONG WINDS CAUSED THE FIRE TO SPREAD RAPIDLY LEADING TO QUESTIONS ABOUT THE GOVERNMENT'S CONFINE AND CONTAIN STRATEGY.

INDEED U.S.

SENATORS MARK KELLY AND RUBEN GALLEGO ARE ALL CALLING FOR AN INDEPENDENT INVESTIGATION INTO THE INITIAL HANDLING OF THE FIRE.

KRIS MAYES JOIN IS SUING THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION OVER WITHHOLDING FEDERAL EDUCATION FUNDS.

THE WITHHELD MONEY INCLUDES $118 MILLION FOR ARIZONA, AND FUNDS HELP PAY FOR FREE OR LOW COST AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAMS, ALONG WITH MEALS FOR LOWER INCOME KIDS, TEACHER TRAINING, AND OTHER PROGRAMS.

THIS AS THE U.S. SUPREME COURT TODAY ANNOUNCED THAT THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION CAN GO AHEAD AND DISMANTLE THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION BY FIRING THOUSANDS OF DEPARTMENT WORKERS.

IT'S A TEMPORARY ORDER BUT IT DOES ALLOW FOR THE ADMINISTRATION'S PLANS TO FIRE WORKERS TO PROCEED.

AND IT ALLOWS THE PRESIDENT TO ESSENTIALLY BYPASS CONGRESS TO ELIMINATE A GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENT CREATED BY CONGRESS.

>>> OTHER HEADLINES PRESIDENT TRUMP TODAY SAID THAT THE U.S. WILL SELL WEAPONS, INCLUDING PATRIOT MISSILES TO NATO FOR THE EXPRESS PURPOSE OF GETTING THOSE WEAPONS TO UKRAINE.

THE PRESIDENT ALSO THREATENED TO IMPOSE "VERY SEVERE TARIFFS ON RUSSIA IF THERE'S NO PEACE DEAL WITH UKRAINE WITHIN THE NEXT 50 DAYS."

THE WEAPONS SALE AND TARIFF THREAT INDICATE THAT THE PRESIDENT IS NO LONGER AS SUPPORTIVE OF RUSSIA AS HE ONCE WAS.

>> I'VE BEEN HEARING SO MUCH TALK, IT'S ALL TALK, IT'S ALL TALK THEN MISSILES GOING TO KYIV AND KILL 60 PEOPLE IT'S GOT TO STOP.

IT'S GOT TO STOP.

I'M DISAPPOINTED IN PRESIDENT PUTIN BECAUSE I THOUGHT WE WOULD HAVE HAD A DEAL TWO MONTHS AGO BUT IT DOESN'T SEEM TO GET THERE.

SO BASED ON THAT WE'RE GOING TO BE DOING SECONDARY TAR IF I WAS WE DON'T HAVE A DEAL IN 50 DAYS IT'S VERY SIMPLE.

THEY WILL BE AT 100%.

>> THE PRESIDENT ALSO THREATENED SANCTIONS AND ADDITIONAL TARIFFS AGAINST COUNTRIES THAT DO FINANCIAL BUSINESS WITH RUSSIA.

>>> AS BHENGED ARIZONA'S JOIN ADCOLITION OF STATES IN SUING THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION OVER FEDERAL FUNDS THAT HELP PAY FOR A VARIETY OF PROGRAMS AND SERVICES.

THAT HIT ARIZONA $1 18 MILLION.

JOINING US NOW IS THE PRESIDENT OF THE ARIZONA EDUCATION SYSTEM.

THE NEWS OF THE DAY NOW IS THE SUPREME COURT SAYING YOU WANT TO GO AHEAD AND DISMANTLE THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION GO RIGHT AWAY.

WHAT DO YOU MAKE OF IT.

>> IT'S SHOCKING BECAUSE THE DEPARTMENT WAS INITIATED BY CONGRESS, AND I'M A CIVICS TEACH SORRY I UNDERSTAND THE THREE BRANCHES OF GOVERNMENT AND THE FACT THAT CONGRESS OPENED UP THIS DEPARTMENT HAS FUNDED THIS DEPARTMENT, AND SCHOOLS ARE VERY DEPENDENT ON FUNDING GOING THROUGH THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION.

GETTING RID OF STAFFERS WILL SLOW DOWN THOSE FUND GETTING TO SCHOOLS AND SO WE WILL HAVE A VERY TURBULENT NEXT FEW WEEKS.

>> AND AGAIN THIS ISN'T EVEN ON THE MERITS OF THE CASE, THIS IS JUST A TEMPORARY ORDER BLOCKING, BLOCKING THE BLOCK, FULL, AND SAYING IF YOU WANT TO GO AHEAD AND DISMANTLE GO AHEAD.

DOES THAT ADD ANOTHER LAYER OF CONCERN FOR YOU?

>> YEAH, I THINK THE THING FOR US IN EDUCATION IS WE ARE IN SUCH INSTABILITY AND EXPECTED TO BRING NOTHING BUT STABILITY TO OUR STUDENTS.

SO ALMOST WEEKLY WHETHER IT'S HERE AT THE LEGISLATURE, AT SCHOOL BOARD LEVELS, NOW THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, WE ARE REALLY UNSURE OF WHAT WE WILL HAVE TO BE ABLE TO PRESENT TO OUR STUDENTS.

>> LET'S TALK ABOUT WHY WE ASKED YOU HERE FIRST PLACE THAT'S THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT BASICALLY SAYING WE'RE NOT READY YET TO WHAT, RELEASE $118 MILLION IN ARIZONA BUT BILLIONS AROUND THE COUNTRY.

WHAT'S THE REASONING HERE WHY ARE THEY HOLDING ONTO THE MONEY?

>> WE HAVE NO REASON WE ARE TOLD IT'S TEMPORARY.

WE HAVE STUDENTS SHOWING UP IN TWO I DMAS SOME SCHOOL DISTRICTS, SO -- SOME TWO DAYS IN SOME SCHOOL DISTRICTS.

SO DISTRICTS ARE LEFT VERY MUCH UNSURE WHAT THEY'RE GOING TO BE ABLE TO DO.

>> I HAVE WHAT MORE THAN 10% OF K-12 FUNDING FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION IS THAT WHAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT HERE?

>> YES.

>> WHAT ABOUT SOME OF THE PROGRAMS AND SERVICES A LOT OF AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAMS?

>> A LOT OF AFTER SCHOOL, BEFORE SCHOOL PROGRAMS, THINGS THAT ARE SET UP TO ENSURE STUDENTS ARE HITTING LITERACY GOALS AS WELL AS MAKING SCHOOLS HOLE SO THEY CAN OFFER ARTS PROGRAMS, AFTER SCHOOL, STEM PROGRAMS AFTER SCHOOL.

>> TEACHER TRAINING, ALSO INVOLVED?

>> YES.

>> WAS THERE ANY REASON GIVEN FOR EVERYTHING FROM TEACHER TRAINING TO THESE AFTER SCHOOL AND PRESCHOOL PROGRAMS?

WHAT IS THE REASON GIVEN?

>> WE HAVE NO UNDERSTANDING OF WHY WE LEGITIMATELY BELIEVE THIS IS ILLEGAL AND WE ARE VERY GRATEFUL THAT ATTORNEY GENERAL MAYES HAS ENTERED INTO THIS LAWSUIT.

>> YEAH, WITH A COUPLE DOZEN OTHERS.

PROGRAMS FOR MEALS FOR LOWER INCOME KIDS THAT'S INVOLVED AS WELL?

>> YES.

>> AS WELL AS SECOND LANGUAGE LEARNER PROGRAMS, WE KNEW THAT STUDENTS LIVING IN POVERTY WERE STRUGGLING AND THESE PROGRAMS WERE SET UP TO SUPPORT STUDENTS IN POVERTY.

KIDS THAT ARE LEARNING SECOND LANGUAGES OR KIDS THAT COME IN AND NEED EXTRA SUPPORT.

>> I ASKED WHY I DO KNOW ONE THING THAT THE WHITE HOUSE SAID THIS IS A ," THAT THE FUNDS WILL BE "GROSSLY MISUSED TO SUBSIDIZE RADICAL LEFT-WING AGENDAS."

I'M NOT SURE WHO HAS TIME FOR THAT.

WE'RE REALLY BUSY I HAVE BEEN AT SCHOOLS TEACHERS ARE STAPLING ON THEIR KNEES TO MAKE SURE STUDENTS HAVE GREAT EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCES THAT'S NOT HAPPENING IN OUR SCHOOLS IT'S UNFORTUNATE THAT POLITICIANS AND FOLKS IN D.C. ARE DECIDING THAT THAT'S WHAT'S HAPPENING IN LOCAL SCHOOLS.

>> IS IT HAPPENING ENOUGH IN CERTAIN ANECDOTAL SITUATIONS, ENOUGH TO GET THE EAR OF THE WHITE HOUSE AND THE PRESIDENT AND TO GIVE THEM A HOOK TO HANG ON?

>> I I HAVE HEARD OF NOTHING HERE IN ARIZONA.

EVEN WHEN WE ASKED FOR EXACT EXAMPLES WE DON'T GET THEM.

EVERY PARENT WHO DROPS THEIR KIDS OFF AT SCHOOL THOSE THERE'S PEOPLE IN BUILDING THAT THEY CAN TALK TO AND THOSE FOLKS ARE WORKING WHATRD TO KEEP THEIR KIDS SAFE.

WE NEED TO FOCUS ON WHAT'S REALLY HAPPENING.

>> WHAT HOW DO SCHOOLS FOCUS ON WHAT'S HAPPENING AS FAR AS NOT GETTING THESE FUNDS?

>> I TALKED TO A LOT OF SCHOOL DISTRICTS WHAT THEY ARE DOING IS DIPPING INTO THEIR RESERVES.

>> USUALLY DISTRICTS HOLD 2% TO 3% SOMETIMES 4%.

THIS HAS NOW BECOME THIS JUST IN CASE.

THE FACT WE'RE GETTING THOSE FEDERAL FUNDS THEY HAVE TO REDO BUDGETS AND WHAT PROGRAMS TO CUT.

>> SO THERE IS PLANNING GOING ON IN CASES MONEY NEVER ARRIVES.

>> YES, THIS IS EXACTLY WHAT'S HAPPENING RIGHT NOW.

THREE SITTING AROUND FIGURING OUT WHO CAN BE LET GO AS WELL AS WHAT PROGRAMS ARE NO LONGER SUSTAINABLE.

>> SOME OF THESE PROGRAMS ARE AS WE MENTION FOR STUDENTS WITH GREATER NEEDS.

>> YES.

>> HOW DO YOU, I MEAN, HOW DO YOU GET AROUND, THAT HOW DO YOU FIX, THAT HOW DO YOU WORK WITH THAT?

>> IT'S DIFFICULT.

I THINK WE CONTINUE TO ASK IN THIS COUNTRY PUBLIC EDUCATORS TO CARRY ON ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES.

INGREDIENT THERE EARLIER STAY THERE LATER MAKE SURE THESE KIDS WE CAN COUNT ON ONE THING PUBLIC SCHOOL EDUCATORS ARE GOING TO DO EVERYTHING THEY CAN FOR THEIR KIDS IT'S KIND OF WHAT WE DO.

SO I HAVE ALREADY HEARD OF EDUCATORS STARTING TO FIGURE OUT WAYS THAT THEY CAN CHANGE THEIR SCHEDULES TO BE THERE EARLIER AND STAY LATER WITHOUT PAY TO MAKE SURE KIDS MEET THEIR GOAPS.

>> IS THERE A WAY FOR TEACHERS AND SCHOOLS IN GENERAL WITHOUT THE EXTRA HOURS WITHOUT THE ADDED THAT THAT AND THE OTHER TO CHANGE, I MEAN IS THIS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR CHANGE IN IN SOME WAY, SHAPE OR FORM?

>> WE ARE TALKING ABOUT ARIZONA EDUCATION THAT IS ALREADY RANKED 50ING IN THE THE COUNTRY SO WE HAVE ALREADY TAKEN EVERY SINGLE OPPORTUNITY TO THINK OF NEW WAYS AND CUT IN DIFFERENT PLACES.

>> I GUESS MY QUESTION, I'M NOT BASICALLY SAYING CAN WE GET TO 51 OR 52 IS IT POSSIBLE.

IS IT A WAY TO SAY, ALL RIGHT, THE PARADIGM HAS SHIFTED WE NEED TO DO SOMETHING DIFFERENT THAN WHAT WE HAVE DONE BEFORE THAT WILL LAST AND MAKE A LASTING DIFFERENCE?

>> I MEAN IF ANYTHING PUBLIC SCHOOLS REALLY DO ALREADY DO THAT.

WE SAW REQUEST THAT TECHNOLOGY AND AI EDUCATORS QUICKLY TAKEN ON THE SOMETHING MEET IT AND TRY TO MEET NEEDS.

I THINK WHAT WE'RE DEALING WITH HERE IS THAT THE VERY LITTLE TIME AND ABILITY TO MAKE THESE APPROPRIATE CHANGES, THE PEOPLE THAT SUFFER THE MOST ARE THE KIDS.

>> WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION NOW THE GO-AHEAD NOW TO DECIMATE, THAT APPARENTLY, HOW DOES THAT FACTOR INTO ALL THIS?

>> WE'LL SEE LESS AND LESS QUICKNESS COMING FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

WE'LL SEE LESS CHILDREN COVERED WITH THEIR CIVIL RIGHTS BEING BROKEN BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY, I DON'T KNOW HOW QUICKLY FUNDS WILL GET TO US ONES THAT ALREADY WERE PROMISED.

>> OK SO, I'M AN EDUCATOR OR A SCHOOL DISTRICT OFFICIAL, SOMETHING ALONG THESE LINES.

WHAT ARE YOU TELLING ME?

>> I'M TELLING THEM TO SHOW UP AT SCHOOL BOARD MEETINGS AND FIND OUT WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN WITH THIS BUDGET.

IF I'M A PARENT I WILL WANT TO KNOW WHAT'S HAPPENING WITH WHAT PROGRAMS ARE BEING CUT.

REALLY GETTING INVOLVED IN THERE AND ECONOMY TOKING THAT THERE ARE PEOPLE OUT HERE FIGHTING OUR SENATORS, HAVE WORKED REALLY HARD IN AND ARE WORKING WITH US TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO GET THIS FIXED.

BUT WE ARE COMING TO THE END WHERE THERE IS VERY LITTLE FAT TO BE TRIMMED FROM PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

GO INTO ANY SCHOOL AND YOU WILL SEE THAT THERE'S VERY LITTLE THAT NEEDS TO BE CUT.

>> LAST QUESTION HERE, WE APPRECIATE YOU BEING HERE.

BUT LAST QUESTION, IS THERE ANY INDICATION THAT THE WHITE HOUSE WILL RELEASE THESE FUNDS?

>> NONE WHATSOEVER AT THIS POINT.

>> SO YOU HAVE HEARD NOTHING POSITIVE ON THAT END?

>> I HAVE HEARD NOTHING POSITIVE.

N-WE SAW SECRETARY OF EDUCATION -- IN FACT, WE SAW WHAT THE SECRETARY OF EDUCATION DID TODAY FOR HER ABILITY TO COMPLETELY DISMANTLE.

>> BASICALLY EXCITED THAT THE COURT SAID YOU CAN DECIMATE OF WHAT YOU ARE SUPPOSED TO BE IN CHARGE OF.

ALL RIGHT MARISOL GARCIA, BOY IT'S ALWAYS SOMETHING.

WE BROUGHT YOU HERE FOR X AND WE STARTED TALKING ABOUT Y.

BEST OF LUCK AS THE SCHOOL SEASON STARTS.

>> THANK YOU.

>>> ARE YOU KIDDING ME?

THAT'S INSANE.

>>> A NEW C.D.C.

REPORT THAT ANALYZED SUICIDE RATES ACROSS VARIOUS INDUSTRIES AND OCCUPATIONS FOUND HIGHER RATES AMONG THOSE IN THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY.

TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS WE WELCOME SIDNEY HAWKINS, SAFETY AND TRAINING DIRECTOR AT CANYON STATE ELECTRIC.

WELCOME TO "ARIZONA HORIZON" GOOD TO HAVE YOU HERE.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

>> YOU BET.

ALL RIGHT, HIGHER RATES OF SUICIDE AMONG CONSTRUCTION WORKERS.

DOES THAT SURPRISE YOU?

>> NO.

>> WHY NOT?

>> BECAUSE OF THE JOB ITSELF AND THERE'S A LOT OF PROBLEMS WITH THE STIGMA.

JUST THE TOUGH INDUSTRY AND THE DIFFICULTY IN CONSTRUCTION.

>> DOES IT INCLUDE THOSE ON THE JOB ON-SITE AND THOSE IN OFFICES AS WELL?

>> YES.

>> SO IT'S ALL AROUND, HUH?

>> IT'S ALL AROUND.

>> .

>> AGAIN I CAN SEE MAYBE THE STRESS AND THE WORRY AND THE CONCERN AND THE DANGER ON-SITE, BUT IF YOU'RE IN A CORNER OFFICE WHAT'S GOING ON THERE?

>> A LOT OF TIMES IT'S BECAUSE OF THE TIME AWAY FROM HOME.

LIKE YOU MENTION THE STRESS AND A LOT OF PEOPLE THINK THERE'S A LOT OF STRESS IN THE FIELD AND THERE IS.

THERE'S A LOT MORE STRESS EVEN IN THE OFFICE.

>> INTERESTING.

IT'S A MALE DOMINATED FIELD MEN MORE LIKELY TO COMMIT SUICIDE.

IS WILL A CORRELATION THERE?

>> YES.

THE THE MEN ARE MORE LIKELY YOUNGER MEN EVEN MORE LIKELY THAN OLDER MEN.

>> OK, WE TALKED ABOUT WORK-RELATED FACTORS FOR THE OFFICE WORKERS HOURS, AND STRESS AND THESE SORTS OF THINGS.

FOR THOSE ON-SITE, WHAT FACTORS ARE AT PLAY THERE?

>> IT'S OBVIOUSLY, THE STRESS OF THE JOB, THE SCHEDULES, THE DEADLINES, WE HAVE TO DO EVERYTHING TO PERFECTION IN THE FIELD.

YOU ARE ON YOUR FEET 10 HOURS A DAY.

THERE ARE NO SHORTCUTS, AND AT THE END OF THE DAY IT REALLY COMES DOWN TO EVERYTHING HAS TO BE PERFECT AND THAT IS A HIGH AMOUNT OF STRESS.

>> YEAH.

DO YOU HAVE BULLYING ON THE CONSTRUCTION SITES?

>> OH, YES.

>> YOU DO?

>> YES.

>> THERE IS AND THAT'S REALLY WHERE THE MENTAL HEALTH PROGRAM COMES INTO PLAY BECAUSE THE SUICIDE RATES ARE VERY HIGH AND THE WAY TO HELP COMBAT THAT IS TO ADDRESS POOR MENTAL HEALTH BEFORE YOU GET TO THAT POINT.

SO YOU GOT PERFORMANCE PRESSURE, AND YOU GOT A LITTLE BIT OF -- I MEAN THE MACHO ATMOSPHERE COMES INTO PLAY AS WELL, HUH?

>> HUGE.

HUGE CONTRIBUTOR TO THAT PROBLEM.

>> THIS HAS ALWAYS BEEN THE CASE.

>> TOUGH GUY WALK IT OFF.

>> THE IDEA OF WORKING THROUGH PAIN THAT MACHO TOUGH GUY PERFORM, THEY ALL COALESCE THERE DON'T THEY?

>> THEY DO.

AND A LOT OF TIMES WE SEE IT AS WE DON'T HAVE AN OPTION.

WE DON'T HAVE ANY CHOICE BUT TO PUSH THROUGH.

>> YOU MENTIONED SHIFT ISSUES AND THESE SORTS OF THINGS, THAT AFFECTS SLEEP, I WOULD IMAGINE, THAT AFFECTS MENTAL HEALTH THE WHOLE NINE YARDS?

>> YES.

WORKING OUT OF TOWN.

THE LONG HOURS.

YOU GET HOME, YOU GO TO BED AT 9:00 YOU HAVE TO BE UP AT 2:00.

>> I CAN ALREADY HEAR DRUG AND ALCOHOL ISSUES BEING ASSOCIATED WITH THAT KIND OF LIFESTYLE NOT.

>> ONLY ILLEGAL DRUGS BUT OBVIOUSLY THE ALCOHOL AND PRESCRIPTION DRUGS, PAINKILLERS THAT'S A LARGE CONTRIBUTOR TO THE PROBLEM OVERALL.

>> MANY OF THESE ISSUES THAT WE'VE TALKED ABOUT WITH CONSTRUCTION WORKERS AND THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY AS A WHOLE THEY HAVE BEEN THERE FOR WHILE.

WE THINK CONSTRUCTION WORKERS DOING SOME PRETTY DANGEROUS THINGS AND PRETTY STRESSFUL THINGS FOR DECADES AND DECADES.

WAS THERE ALWAYS A HIGH SUICIDE RATE?

>> IT'S ALWAYS BEEN A HIGH SUICIDE RATE BUT IT'S GROWING MORE AND MORE AND WE'RE ALSO SEEING A LOT MORE OF THE YOUNGER GENERATION COMING INTO IT.

SO IT'S JUST GOING TO GET WORSE.

>> WHY DO YOU THINK IT'S GROWING MORE AND MORE?

>> THAT'S ONE OF THE PROBLEMS THAT WE HAVE.

IF UNTIL WE ADDRESS THE ACTUAL PROBLEM AND RECOGNIZE THAT ITS A PROBLEM, AND TALK IT OUT, AND REALIZE THAT IT'S OK TO TALK IT OUT AS MEN, I'M NOT TALKING ABOUT THE WOMEN -- THE WOMEN AS WELL ARE IMPACTED THE PROBLEM IS JUST NOT GOING TO GO AWAY.

>> THERE IS WHERE SUICIDE PREVENTION PROGRAMS COME IN FOUR BY FIVE SUICIDE PREVENTION.

WHAT EXACTLY IS IT AND HOW DID YOU GET INVOLVED?

>> SO AS THE SAFETY AND TRAINING DIRECTOR ONE OF MY GOALS ONE OF MY DUTIES IS TO LOOK AT LEADING INDICATORS.

SO WHEN I LOOK AT THE BIGGEST THINGS THAT'S CAUSING THE MOST DAMAGE IT TURNED OUT TO BE POOR MENTAL HEALTH.

FOUR TIMES HIGHER THAN THE NATIONAL AVERAGE, FIVE TIMES HIGHER THAN THE WHAT WE CALL THE FATAL FOUR.

WE JUST CAME UP WITH THE CONCEPT ONE DAY, STARTED ITS OWN NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION.

>> YOU JUST MENTIONED THE FAT OLD FOUR.

>> FALLS, CUTS, STRUCK ELECTROCUTION.

>> YOU GOT THE NUMBERS AND INFORMATION AND WENT FORWARD TALK ABOUT THE PROGRAM, TALK ABOUT HOW YOU WENT FORWARD?

>> THE BIGGEST -- THE FIRST THING I DID WAS TO LOOK INTO BEING, GETTING CERTIFIED FOR MENTAL HEALTH FIRST AID.

JUST LIKE YOU WOULD BE CPR CERTIFIED WE TRAIN PEOPLE ON HOW TO BE MENTAL HEALTH CERTIFIED.

THAT'S OUR FRONT LINE OF, WHAT WE CALL AMBASSADORS.

PEOPLE ON THE JOB SITE BOOTS ON THE GROUND WHO CAN HELP SOMEONE.

>> FOCUSED ON THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY, AND WHAT THESE PEOPLE ARE GOING THROUGH?

>> YES.

GO AHEAD.

>> A LOT OF TIMES IT'S NOT NECESSARILY THE INDIVIDUAL THAT'S HAVING THE ISSUES BECAUSE OF THEIR POOR MENTAL HEALTH IT'S WHAT THEY'RE SUBJECTED TO EITHER ON THE SITE OR AT HOME.

>> HOW HARD IS IT TO GET THESE FOLKS TO GET HELP?

>> THE OLDER GENERATION IT'S TOUGH.

>> I BET.

>> THE YOUNGER GENERATION I AM AMAZED AT HOW OPEN-MINDED THEY ARE AND IT'S VERY ENCOURAGING.

>> AND THESE ARE, AGAIN, THESE ARE RELATIVELY NEW KIND OF TREATMENTS OVERALL OR ARE THEY OLD THINGS THAT YOU JUST KIND OF RESHAPING AND GOING IN A DIFFERENT DIRECTION?

>> IT'S ALWAYS BEEN THE SAME ISSUES AND UNDERLYING PROBLEMS.

WE'RE JUST BRINGING THAT TO LIGHT.

BASICALLY LETTING PEOPLE KNOW HEY, IT'S ALL RIGHT TO SIT DOWN, TALK TO SOMEONE, HAVE A BREAKDOWN, WE'RE HERE FOR YOU.

WE ARE YOUR BROTHERS KEEPER.

>> YEAH, YEAH.

DEVELOPERS, THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY AS A WHOLE ARE THEY LISTENING ARE THEY PAYING ATTENTION TO THIS?

>> MOST OF THEM.

WE HAVE A FEW HOLDOUTS.

>> WHY ARE THEY HOLDING OUT?

>> WE DON'T HAVE THAT PROBLEM THEY SAY.

TO ME, THAT'S JUST DENIAL.

IT'S A STIGMA AND THAT'S ONE OF OUR BIGGEST CHALLENGES IS TO GET PEOPLE TO ACCEPT IT.

THIS IS A PROBLEM.

THAT'S ALL WE ASK FOR SOME CASES.

JUST ACCEPT IT'S A PROBLEM.

LET US TAKE IT FROM THERE.

>> BUT YOU THINK IT'S MOVING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION?

>> IT IS DEFINITELY MOVING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION AND I JUST WISH I WOULD MOVE A LOT FASTER.

>> SIDNEY HAWKINS CANYON STATE.

I HAD NO IDEA THAT THE SUICIDE RATE OF CONSTRUCTION WORKERS IS HIGHER THAN EVER.

GREAT WORK, CONTINUED SUCCESS.

>> THANK YOU.

>>> BLANK CANVAS IS A NEW DOCUMENTARY ABOUT REIMAGINING CORRECTIONS WITH A FOCUS ON BRINGING ART THERAPY INSIDE ARIZONA STATE PRISONS TO HELP INCARCERATED PEOPLE HEAL FROM THE TRAUMA THAT LED THEM TO DESTRUCTIVE BEHAVIOR US.

RYAN THORNELL JOINS US AND ALSO WITH US IS BRANDON LEE FOUNDER AND EXECUTIVE PRODUCE OF "BLANK CANVAS."

GOOD TO HAVE YOU BOTH HERE.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR HAVING US.

>> THANK YOU FOR THE TIME AND THE PLATFORM.

>> I WANT TO START WITH YOU BRANDON.

THIS IS PRISON WIDE I WOULD IMAGINE HERE TO A CERTAIN DEGREE, EDUCATE ME HERE, THE IDEA OF REIMAGINING CORRECTIONS, WHAT DOES THAT MEAN?

>> YEAH, YOU KNOW, IT REALLY MEANS THIS IDEA OF RECONCEPTUALIZING OF WHAT IT MEANS TO DO CORRECTIONS WHAT A PRISON SETTING SHOULD LOOK LIKE.

SO GOVERNOR HOBBS APPOINTED ME AS DIRECTOR TO REALLY TAKE THE CORRECTION SYSTEM IN A NEW DIRECTION TO TRANSFORM WHAT WE DO HERE IN OUR PRISON SYSTEM.

SO IN ORDER TO DO THAT WE SET A COURSE TO REIMAGINE THAT TO GIVE OUR STAFF, OUR PARTNERS, THOSE WHO INTERACT WITH US REALLY THE OPPORTUNITY TO BRING US NEW IDEAS, TRY NEW THINGS IN ORDER -- WITH THE INTENDED GOAL TO GET NEW DIFFERENT, AND BETTER OUTCOMES.

>> WERE THERE BEST PRACTICES INVOLVED FROM OTHER ATTEMPTS AND OTHER PROGRAMS AROUND THE COUNTRY?

>> YES.

WE KNOW PROGRAMMING IS REALLY THE WAY TO IMPROVE PEOPLE'S BEHAVIOR AND TO IMPROVE OUTCOMES, ESPECIALLY OUT IN THE COMMUNITY BUT A LOT OF WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO HERE IN ARIZONA IS ADAPTING THINGS TO THE ARIZONA SYSTEM.

ARIZONA SYSTEM IS DIFFERENT THAN MANY OTHER STATES.

SO WE TAKE WHAT WE KNOW AND WE FIGURE OUT HOW WE ADAPT IT HERE AND ONE EXAMPLE OF THAT IS ART OF OUR SOLE PARTNERSHIP HERE IN ARIZONA.

>> THAT'S WHERE BRANDON LEE COMES IN AGAIN.

TALK ABOUT THIS IDEA OF ART THERAPY AND HOW IMPORTANT IT IS FOR THOSE WHO ARE INCARCERATED?

>> YOU KNOW I ALWAYS SAY WHAT IS THE COMMON THREAD HERE IS TO MAKE OUR COMMUNITY SAFER.

I THINK WE CAN ALL AGREE ON THAT.

SO UNDERSTANDING THE BODY AND WHY PEOPLE MAKE THE DECISIONS THEY DO THAT LEAD THEM TO BECOME INCARCERATED AND MORE OFTEN THAN NOT TED IT ALL BEGINS WITH TRAUMA, AND CHILDHOOD TRAUMA AND UNDERSTANDING THAT WHEN YOU EXPERIENCE CHILDHOOD TRAUMA YOU'RE YOUR BRAIN AT THAT TIME IS REWIRED.

IF YOU UNDERSTAND THAT THE MAJORITY OF PEOPLE WHO ARE INCARCERATED ARE THERE BECAUSE OF THE TRAUMA THAT THEY HAVE EXPERIENCED WHETHER IT'S CHILDHOOD TRAUMA, CHILDHOOD ATTACHMENT TRAUMA OR ENVIRONMENTAL TRAUMA THEN IT'S OUR RESPONSIBILITY WHILE THEY'RE INCARCERATED AND IN THE STATE'S CARE TO REHABILITATE THEM.

ART AND MUSIC THERAPY IS PROVEN AS A PROVEN MOW DATE IN THE WAY WE DO IT -- MODALITY IS TO CREATE NEW NEURAL PATHWAYS AND THOUGHT PATTERNS.

THEN IF WE CAN DO THAT WHEN THEY ARE RELEASED INTO OUR COMMUNITIES OUR COMMUNITIES ARE SAFER THEY CAN SUSTAIN A JOB THAT MAKES OUR ECONOMY EVEN STRONGER IT AND STOPS GENERATIONAL TRAUMA.

MANY OF THESE FOLKS HAVE FAMILIES ON THE OUTSIDE THEY HAVE CHILDREN.

SO WHILE THEY'RE INCARCERATED IT IS OUR OBLIGATION AND OUR RESPONSIBILITY TO REHABILITATE THEM SO THAT WHEN THEY ARE RELEASED THEY DON'T HURT ANYONE ELSE.

>> THOSE IN THE CORRECTIONS INDUSTRY, YOU, PERSONALLY, WHEN YOU HEAR THAT, WHEN YOU FIRST HEARD THAT WHAT DID YOU THINK?

>> YOU KNOW SURPRISINGLY I THOUGHT I WANT THAT INSIDE THE PRISON.

BECAUSE THAT'S REALLY THE MENTALITY WE HAVE TO HAVE INSIDE OF OUR PRISON SYSTEM.

WE HAVE INDIVIDUALS INCARCERATED FOR A SET PERIOD OF TIME.

SO I VIEW IT AS A RESPONSIBILITY, AN OBLIGATION OF OURS IN PUBLIC SERVICE TO USE THAT PERIOD OF TIME TO DO EXACTLY WHAT BRANDON MENTIONS, TO GIVE OPPORTUNITIES TO PROVIDE INTERVENTIONS TO REWIRE AND HELP INDIVIDUALS WHILE THEY'RE WITH US SO THAT WHEN THEY RELEASE INTO OUR COMMUNITIES THEY'RE MORE STABLE AND THEY'RE SAFER.

>> WAS THERE MUCH PUSHBACK AMONG THOSE IN THE CORRECTIONS INDUSTRY?

>> NO, SURPRISINGLY PEOPLE UNDERSTAND IT, PEOPLE GET IT.

THERE'S CERTAINLY SOME RESERVATIONS WITH THE IDEA OF BRINGING ART AND MUSIC THERAPY INTO A VERY HIGH SECURITY PRISON SETTING BUT AS WE FAST FORWARD TO A YEAR LATER, YOU KNOW OUR STAFF LOVE IT.

THE STAFF WORKING IN THOSE ENVIRONMENTS SEE THE BENEFIT FROM IT.

THE STAFF ACTUALLY ENJOY ENGAGING IN THOSE SITUATIONS BECAUSE IT'S REALLY AN OPPORTUNITY FOR THEM TO DO CORRECTIONS DIFFERENTLY.

>> YEAH, YEAH.

BRANDON, THE DOCUMENTARY DEALS WITH THE UNIT AT PERI-VILLE PRISON.

>> IT'S A HIGH RISK POPULATION.

>> WE WORK WITH THE HIGHEST RISK POPULATIONS THAT WAS ONE OF THE PROMISES THAT DIRECTOR AND I THORNELL MADE.

HE GOES IF WE'RE GOING TO DO THIS I WANT YOU TO WORK WITH OUR HIGHEST RISK POPULATIONS.

THIS IS AN ART AND MUSIC THERAPY SESSION.

THE BEAUTIFUL THING IS WE DO TRAUMA-INVOLVED YOGA, BREATH WORK, SOUND BOWL HEALING SESSIONS AND THEN IT TRANSFORMS INTO AN ART AND MUSIC THERAPY STUDIO IN THE AFTERNOONS.

I DON'T WANT GET LOST ON THIS EITHER.

BECAUSE THE OFFICERS THE CORRECTIONAL OFFICERS WHO ARE OUT THERE ON THE YARDS MONITORING THESE FOLKS, AND TRYING TO ALSO HELP THIS POPULATION THEY, TOO GET A CHANCE TO PARTICIPATE IN THESE PROGRAMS.

IT'S NOT JUST FOR THOSE WHO ARE INCARCERATED.

THE MOST BEAUTIFUL THING THAT I HAVE SEEN IS CORRECTIONAL OFFICERS INSIDE OF A STUDIO DOING YOGA BREATH WORK AND SOUND BOWLS WITH THOSE WHO ARE INCARCERATED AND MUSIC SESSIONS BECAUSE TED, IT BUILDS CONNECTION.

WHEN THEY BUILD THOSE STRONGER CONNECTIONS THEY'RE SEEN AS HUMANS WE CHANGE THEIR BEHAVIORS.

OUR ENVIRONMENT PLAYS A HUGE ROLE IN HOW WE THINK, HOW WE FEEL, HOW WE BEHAVE WE KNOW.

THAT SO IF WE BEGIN TO CHANGE THE ENVIRONMENT IN WHICH WE DO ON THESE PRISON YARDS BRICK AND MORTAR, WE BEGIN TO SEE THESE CHANGED BEHAVIORS.

WE HAVE BROUGHT DOWN TICKET VIOLATIONS ON THESE YARDS.

WE'VE BROUGHT MENTAL HEALTH WATCHES DOWN BY MORE THAN 70% AT THE UNIT.

IT'S MAKING AN IMPACT AND I WILL SAY THAT DIRECTOR THORNELL IS A THOUGHT LEADER IN THIS SPACE.

IN THIS SENSE, THAT HE UNDERSTANDS IF YOU WANT A DIFFERENT OUTCOME WE HAVE TO BE WILLING TO DO SOMETHING DIFFERENT IN ORDER TO ACHIEVE THAT.

HE HAS BEEN A HUGE CHAMPION OF IT WHILE OTHERS MAY SAY HMM, THAT'S A LITTLE R-Y.

HE GOES FOR IT -- RISKY, BUT HE GOES FOR IT BECAUSE HE CARES ABOUT MAKING OUR COMMUNITIES SAFER.

>> AND WE GOT ABOUT 30 SECONDS LEFT.

WHEN YOU HEAR HIM SAY THAT, DOES IT RING TRUE?

ARE YOU SEEING IT, ARE YOU GETTING THOSE REACTIONS FROM THESE PEOPLE?

>> ABSOLUTELY IT RINGS TRUE.

WE SEE IT ACROSS THE MALE POPULATION AND FEMALE POPULATION WE SEE IT ACROSS THE STAFF WORKING IN BOTH OF THOSE ENVIRONMENTS.

THEY ARE HEALTHY UNITS AND BETTER OUTCOMES AND WE'RE GOING TO SEE THE INVESTMENT PAY OFF IN THE COMMUNITY.

>> WELL, GENTLEMEN, CONTINUED TO SUCCESS TO YOU AS WELL.

CONGRATULATIONS AND THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING AND SHARING.

WE APPRECIATE IT.

>> THANK YOU.

>>> THAT'S IT FOR NOW.

I'M TED SIMONS.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US.

YOU HAVE A GREAT EVENING.