Weekly InsiderOctober 07, 2009
The Center for Health and Health Care in Schools Weekly Insider is a web-enhanced newsletter that offers news alerts, grant announcements and general web site updates delivered directly to your email box on a weekly basis. The Center is located at the School of Public Health and Health Services at The George Washington University Medical Center in Washington, D.C.
New Resources
The Child Health Insurance Research Initiative (CHIRI), funded by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), The David and Lucile Packard Foundation and the Health Resources and Services Administration, recently published an issue brief which highlights some of the CHIRI findings on the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP).
H1N1 Flu: A Guide for Community and Faith-based Organizations, produced by the Center for Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships with support from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, includes tips on staying healthy during the flu season.
The Community Tool Box in Spanish, produced by the Work Group for Community Health and Development at the University of Kansas, is a Spanish language resource tool containing more than 7,000 pages information aimed at community change and improvement.
New from the Center
THE CENTER MOVES AHEAD! After several years of planning, on September 1, 2009 Center director Julia Graham Lear handed the Center’s leadership reins over to Olga Acosta Price, who during her 3 1⁄2 years with the Center has served as its deputy director and most recently co-director. Olga has been the director for the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation initiative, Caring Across Communities, that is modeling new ways of building school-connected mental health services for immigrant and refugee youth. Julia remains with the Center as its Senior Adviser but is also now serving as Interim Chair for the Department of Prevention and Community Health in the George Washington University School of Public Health and Health Services. The Center is an affiliate of the department. As always, both Olga and Julia can be reached at 202-466-3396. See Olga's bio below as well as a message from Julia.
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Meet the new Center director!
Olga joined the Center in early 2006. She came from the DC Department of Mental Health where she had launched the School Mental Health Program and nurtured its growth over six years. Previously Olga, who was trained as a clinical psychologist at SUNY-Buffalo and the University of Maryland, worked as Associate Director at the Center for School Mental Health Assistance, University of Maryland. She's been a long-term board member and volunteer with the DC Assembly on School-Based Health Care and the Montgomery County Citizen's Review Panel for Children. She is the mother of the best-looking, most
energetic three-year-old in the greater Washington area (that would be Owen) and is the only Center staff member with a reliably neat desk.
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Thoughts on new beginnings from Julia:
As school people, we see September as the true beginning of the year. In keeping with our sense of fresh starts, we are announcing an exciting transition at the Center-- moving from our founding years to a new phase of growth and development. It has been a great honor to work with so many of you in your important efforts to make the lives of children and their families better through effective school-connected care. Your commitment to children and to quality school-based services has been an unfailing inspiration for us at the Center. Hence, I can't tear myself away. While I will continue to work with the Center, I am delighted to announce that we have a new leader in Olga Acosta Price. Her imagination and talent will sustain us where we are strong; her fresh perspectives on long-term issues will take us in new and productive directions. Please join Theresa, Brandi, Donna and me in wishing Olga and the Center well on their new journey. Best wishes, Julia.
To view photos and bios of the Center staff, click here.
Important Topic
Mental Health Awareness Week - October 4-10, 2009
• CHHCS: School-Based Mental Health
• National Alliance on Mental Illness: Mental Illness Awareness Week
• U.S. Department of Health and Human Services: Child and Adolescent Mental Health
Upcoming Meetings
• Webinar: How to Keep Learning Going When H1N1 Hits. October 8, 2-3 PM (EDT). For more information and to register for this event, please click here
• Wilmington, NC: Immigration Workshop for Educators. October 3, 2009. For more information and to register for this event, please click here
• Wyomissing, PA: Ethical Principles in the Practice of the Mental Health Professional In Pennsylvania. November 10, 2009. For more information and to register for this event, please click here
• Phoenix, AZ: National Community Education Association: Community Education on the Rise in Phoenix. November 19-22, 2009. For more information and to register for this event, please visit: http://www.ncea.com/
• San Antonio, TX: National Conference on Alternative Education & Immigration and Education. January 20-23, 2010. For more information and to register for this event, please visit: http://www.alternativesconference.org/
• Jacksonville, FL: Beyond School Hours. February 17-20, 2010. For more information and to register for this event, please visit: http://www.foundationsinc.org/news-events/beyond-school-hours-xiii-conference
Previously Posted Meetings
• Galveston, TX: The Texas AEYC Annual State Conference. September 24-26, 2009. For more information and to register for this event, please click here.
• Indianapolis, IN: 15th Annual Symposium on Juvenile Services. October 11-14, 2009. For more information and to register for this event, please visit: http://www.npjs.org/symposium.html
• Washington, DC: Pediatric Heroes: Champions for Children. October 16, 2009. For more information and to register for this event, please click here.
• San Diego, CA: Step Up High School After School Summit. November 3-5, 2009. For more information and to register for this event, please visit: http://www.afterschoolnetwork.org/step-up
• Cincinnati, OH: Healthy Youth Conference. November 5-7, 2009. For more information and to register for this event, please visit: http://searchconference.org/index.html
• Las Vegas, NV: Leveling the Odds: Using the Child and Adolescent Service Intensity Instrument. December 3-4, 2009. For more information and to register for this event, please visit: www.nacbh.org
Job Opportunities
• Chicopee Public Schools - School Nurse (Chicopee, MA)
• Smithfield Public Schools - School Nurse (Smithfield, RI)
• Corporate Accountability International - Senior Researcher (Boston, MA)
• The National Association of County and City Health Officials - Program Associate for Public Health Informatics (Washington, DC)
• LifeNet - Director of Crisis and Behavioral Health Technology and Innovation (New York, NY)
• Community Access Project - Dental Access Project Director (Boston, MA)
Grant Alerts
Robert Wood Johnson Foundation - Community Health Leaders Program (Deadline: 10/10/09)
The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) Community Health Leaders (CHL) program each year honors 10 outstanding individuals who overcome odds to improve health and health care, especially to underserved populations in communities across the United States. The program aims to elevate the work of these individuals through enhanced recognition, technical assistance and new leadership opportunities.
Kids Consortium - The Dara J. Kaufman Fund Service Learning Grants (New England) (Deadline: 10/23/09)
The Dara J. Kaufman Fund is proud to offer several grants for service-learning projects that strive to solve problems and improve communities throughout New England. This program is intended to encourage young people to take action to make their schools and communities caring, supportive, and environmentally sustainable places.
The Atlanta Falcons Youth Foundation and Ashoka's Changemakers - 60 Ways to Play 60 (Georgia) (Deadline: 11/4/09)
The Atlanta Falcons Youth Foundation and Ashoka's Changemakers have teamed up to discover at least sixty imaginative ways K-12 schools in Georgia can get all of their students engaged in physical activity for 60 minutes a day. Program partners seek revolutionary ways to integrate regular physical activity into Georgia schools. The program invites nominations of individuals, schools, or organizations that have innovative solutions for engaging all students in daily physical activity.
Robert Wood Johnson Foundation - Health Policy Fellows (Deadline: 11/13/09)
The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) Health Policy Fellows program provides the nation’s most comprehensive experience at the nexus of health science, policy, and politics in Washington DC. The fellowship is an opportunity for mid-career health professionals and behavioral and social scientists with an interest in health and health care policy to experience and participate in the policy process at the federal level and use that leadership experience to improve health, health care, and health policy.
DoSomething.org - The Do Something Awards 2010 (Deadline: 12/15/09)
Since 1996, Do Something has honored some of America's best young "world-changers" with the Do Something Awards. Award winners will have identified a problem and have devised clear and measurable methods for addressing the problem; made a significant long-term commitment to improving the lives of others; cultivated long-term and respectful relationships within their community; demonstrated that they have directly and individually fueled the success of their work; extensively and tangibly improved the lives of others; created great awareness about their issues or causes; serve as program founders and/or leading activist/advocates; have a clear growth plan for their work that ensures sustainability and continued impact; and already be recognized as top leaders within their issue or cause.
The United Nations Foundation - Powered by Service (various locations) (Deadline: Rolling)
Powered by Service is aimed at encouraging young people around the world to become involved in addressing the most pressing problems facing their communities — from preventing malaria and stopping the spread of HIV/AIDS to ending gang violence and increasing access to clean water.
News Alert
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Awards $40 Million to States to Find, Enroll Children in CHIP, Medicaid
Awards of $40 million in grants to 69 grantees in 41 states and the District of Columbia to help states find and enroll find and enroll uninsured children in Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) and Medicaid were announced on September 30th by U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius.
Fewer Schools in the U.S. Selling Less Nutritious Snacks and Beverages, According to CDC Report
The report "Availability of Less Nutritious Snack Food and Beverages in Secondary Schools--Selected States, 2002-2008" published in the CDC Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, indicates that during 2002-2008, the percentage of schools in which students could not purchase candy or salty snacks not low in fat increased in 37 of 40 states.
CDC Observes Get Smart About Antibiotics Week to Promote Appropriate Antibiotic Use, Especially During Flu Season
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is observing the second annual Get Smart About Antibiotics Week October 5-11, 2009. Pharmacists around the U.S. are partnering with CDC to educate consumers about the proper use of antibiotics during this influenza season -- a time when doctors often feel the most pressure from patients or parents to prescribe antibiotics.
New Resources
The Child Health Insurance Research Initiative (CHIRI), funded by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), The David and Lucile Packard Foundation and the Health Resources and Services Administration, was created as an effort to supply policymakers with information to help them improve access to, and quality of, health care for low-income children. CHIRI funded nine studies of public child health insurance programs and health care delivery systems. This issue brief highlights some of the CHIRI findings that were featured in the series of CHIRI Issue Briefs developed for policymakers. The findings focus on the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP), a Federal program implemented in 1997 and reauthorized in 2009 as the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP).
H1N1 Flu: A Guide for Community and Faith-based Organizations, produced by the Center for Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships with support from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, gives tips on staying healthy during the flu season. In addition, the guide provides specific action steps you can take to help keep your community healthy by: communicating health information effectively; supporting vaccination efforts; linking vulnerable and hard-to-reach populations to vital information and resources; and expanding and adjusting organizational activities to help people stay healthy.
The Community Tool Box in Spanish, produced by the Work Group for Community Health and Development at the University of Kansas, is a Spanish language resource tool containing more than 7,000 pages of how-to information for the work of bringing about community change and improvement. The tool box contains useful information for people who are committed to making a difference by addressing important issues in their communities including chronic disease, child health and development, violence prevention, and substance abuse.
Job Opportunities
Chicopee Public Schools - School Nurse (Chicopee, MA)
Chicopee Public Schools has an immediate opening for a full-time nurse. The school nurse is responsible for the health and safety of the students within the assigned building. Applicants must be a licensed registered nurse, certified in CPR, and have citizenship, residency or a work VISA in the United States. For more information and to apply to this posting, please visit: http://www.schoolspring.com/job.cfm?jid=31679
Smithfield Public Schools - School Nurse (Smithfield, RI)
Gallagher Middle School, part of the Smithfield Public School District, has an immediate opening for a full-time nurse. Applicants should have a Bachelor's degree and citizenship, residency or a work VISA in the United States. For more information and to apply to this posting, please visit: http://www.schoolspring.com/job.cfm?jid=31735
Corporate Accountability International - Senior Researcher (Boston, MA)
For more than 30 years, Corporate Accountability International has challenged large corporations to halt abusive practices that threaten public health, the environment and democracy. The company has an immediate opening for a senior researcher who will assist in providing the information necessary to develop and carry out campaigns. Applicants should have three years experience in corporate research, excellent written and oral communication skills, experience in quantitative analysis and experience in fact-checking. For more information and to apply to this posting, please visit: http://www.idealist.org/if/i/en/av/Job/348593-150
The National Association of County and City Health Officials - Program Associate for Public Health Informatics (Washington, DC)
The National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO), a national organization representing approximately 3,000 local health departments (LHDs) nationwide, has an immediate opening for a Program Associate for Public Health Informatics. Responsibilities include providing research assistance; participating in project planning and coordination; project promotion; and providing logistical support to and assistance in planning workshops, meetings, and other education events. Eligible applicants should have a Bachelor's degree and a minimum of two years related experience. A Master's Degree in Public Health or closely-related field is preferred. For more information and to apply to this posting, please visit: http://www.naccho.org/careers/
LifeNet - Director of Crisis and Behavioral Health Technology and Innovation (New York, NY)
LifeNet is the leading call center for support, information, and referrals to treatment for mental health and substance use issues and is staffed exclusively by trained mental health professionals. The center has an opening for a Director of Crisis and Behavioral Health Technology. Responsibilities include providing clinical and administrative program direction, identifying partnerships and avenues to expand the use of technology and develop academic and research partnerships to promote analysis and evaluation of trends and service utilization. Applicants must have a Masters Degree, minimum ten years experience in senior level management, and experience working with advanced degree counselors and therapists. For more information and to apply to this posting, please visit: click here
Community Access Project - Dental Access Project Director (Boston, MA)
Community Catalyst, Inc. is a national nonprofit advocacy organization that builds consumer and community participation in the shaping of the U.S. health system to ensure quality, affordable health care for all. The Dental Access Project seeks to expand access to dental care to underserved populations by initiating and supporting campaigns to change state scope of practice laws to establish a new dental therapist practitioner. The project has an immediate opening for a Project Director who will manage overall political strategy, state field operations, and create strategic and operational relations with collaborating partners. Applicants should have experience planning and running public policy campaigns, working with strategic communications firms, an understanding of health policy issues and at least five years of health advocacy experience. For more information and to apply to this posting, please visit: http://www.idealist.org/if/i/en/av/Job/353440-239