Weekly InsiderFebruary 24, 2010

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

Children’s Emotional, Behavioral, and Developmental Well-being: New Data and Tools for the Field was a webinar from February 9, 2010, sponsored the Health Resources and Services Administration Maternal and Child Health Bureau, that examined the prevalence of adolescent emotional, behavioral, and developmental conditions, and the role that the public health community has in addressing pediatric mental health.

Parent Involvement in School: Engaging Immigrant Parents, released by the Amherst H. Wilder Foundation, cites studies that have found that immigrant parents are less likely to be involved in their child’s education and school than parents born in the United States.

Strengthening Families and Communities: 2009 Resource Guide, released by Child Welfare Information Gateway, is a guide specifically created for service providers who work with parents, other caregivers, and their children with the common goal of strengthening families.

New from the Center

A Healthy Future for All Our Children, a Caring Across Communities video presentation, has been posted to the Center for Health and Health Care in School's website. From 2007 – 2010, 15 school-connected community partnerships funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation have helped immigrant and refugee children with mental health needs. These partnerships, supported through RWJ’s Caring Across Communities multi-site grant initiative, bring together students, educators, mental health agencies and other community organizations to build emotional and behavioral health services for immigrant and refugee children and youth. The Center
for Health and Health Care in Schools, located at the GW School of Public Health and Health Services, has served as the program manager. To view the video, click here.

Supporting Immigrant & Refugee Communities (SIRC) Listserv is now active! The listserv provides an opportunity to pose questions to the field, share information, and network with colleagues nationwide. We will also share lessons learned, tools, and information gained during the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation’s Caring Across Communities grant initiative. For more information and to sign up, click here.

Congratulations! We want to share the news that Brandi Robinson, Research Associate with the Center, has accepted a new position at Partnership for Prevention here in Washington, DC. Long-time colleagues know that Brandi has been a member of the CHHCS team since she was a grad student in the GW School of Public Health and Health Services in 2004.  We deeply appreciate her commitment to the Center and to the field. And we are delighted she will be only 3 blocks away in her new position. We know you will join us in wishing her great success in this next step in her professional journey. Best wishes, Olga, Julia, Donna, Theresa and Sarah

Addressing the Legal Issues Impacting Refugee and Immigrant Families, a video presentation by Mr. Fred Tsao, has been posted to the website. Mr. Tsao presents information on legal issues facing immigrants in the US including legal immigration categories, how immigrants can become citizens, sponsorship, public benefit eligibility, the impact of 1996 Welfare Reform, rules on public charge, and constitutional rights of illegal immigrants. Mr. Tsao is Policy Director at the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights. To view the video presentation, click on: http://healthinschools.org/en/Immigrant-and-Refugee-Children/Tools-and-Documents/Understanding-the-Legal-Issues-Impacting-Immigrant-Families.aspx

Important Topic

Physical Activity in Schools

• Robert Wood Johnson Foundation: The State of Play-Gallup Survey on Schools Recess Issue Brief, February 2010

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Physical Activity and Health for Adolescents and Young Adults

• CHHCS: Keeping Kids Healthy - Overweight, Nutrition, and Physical Exercise

Upcoming Meetings

• Chapel Hill, NC: 31st Annual Minority Health Conference. February 26, 2010. for more information and to register for this event, please visit: http://www.minority.unc.edu/sph/minconf/2010/

• Loma Linda, CA: Healthy People 2010 Conference. March 9-10, 2010. For more information and to register for this event, please visit: http://www.llu.edu/public-health/cpe/healthypeople/index.page

• Alexandria, VA: Health Effects Institute 2010 Annual Conference. April 25-27, 2010. For more information and to register for this event, please visit: http://www.healtheffects.org/annual.htm

• Webinar: A Growing Hunger:  The Nation’s Demand for Food Safety and Nutrition Information. April 8, 2010 at 4:00 PM EDT. For more information and to register for this event, please visit: http://www.nalboh.org/Ned_E_Baker_Lecture.htm

• Atlanta, GA: Reproductive Health 2010. September 22-25, 2010. For more information and to register for this event, please visit: http://www.arhp.org/professional-education/annual-meetings/rh2010

• Washington, DC: 13th Annual Health Education Advocacy Summit. March 6-8, 2010. For more information and to register for this event, please visit: http://www.sophe.org/annual_health_meeting.cfm

Previously Posted Meetings

• Savannah, GA: 21st Annual National Youth-at-Risk Conference. February 28 - March 3, 2010. For more information and to register for this event, please visit: http://ceps.georgiasouthern.edu/conted/nationalyouthatrisk.html

• Indianapolis, IN: Society of State Directors of Health, Physical Education and Recreation. March 13-15, 2010. For more information and to register for this event, please visit: http://wg.thesociety.org/events.asp?Cid=4

• National Harbor, MD: Moving Ahead Together: Celebrating the Legacy, Shaping the Future of Maternal and Child Health. March 6-10, 2010. For more information and to register for this event, please visit: http://www.amchp.org/Events/amchp-conference/Pages/default.aspx

• Omaha, NE: 18th Annual National Association of Local Boards of Health Conference. August 5-7, 2010. For more information and to register for this event, please visit: http://www.nalboh.org/NALBOH_Conference.htm

• Atlanta, GA: International Conference on Healthcare-Associated Infections. March 18-22, 2010. For more information and to register for this event, please visit: http://www.decennial2010.com/index.php

Job Opportunities

• Inwood House - Youth Development Counselor Supervisor (New York, NY)
• The Urban Nutrition Initiative - Garden Educator/Manager (Philadelphia, PA)
• Harlem Children's Zone - Fitness Specialist (New York, NY)
• Village for Families and and Children, Inc – Social Worker II (Hartford, CT)
• F.L. Chamberlain School – School Nurse (Middleboro, MA)
• Dodgeville School District – School Nurse (Dodgeville, WI)

Grant Alerts

Kohl's Cares for Kids - Kohl's Kids Who Care Scholarship Program (Deadline: 3/15/10)
The Kohl's Cares for Kids program recognizes and rewards young volunteers whose efforts have made a positive impact on their communities. The award is granted to youth ages six to 18 who are working to make a positive difference in their communities.

NFL Network - Keep Gym in School (Deadline: 3/1/10)
The NFL Network is offering grants to middle schools in order to improve physical education programs and to raise awareness for the important role that physical education plays in the lives of our nation's children.

Robert Wood Johnson Foundation - Public Health Law Research: Making the Case for Laws That Improve Health (Deadline: 4/14/10)
The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) seeks to build evidence for and strengthen the use of regulatory, legal and policy solutions to improve public health. RWJF is also interested in identifying and amending laws and legal practices that unintentionally harm health. Through the Public Health Law Research: Making the Case for Laws That Improve Health Grant, RWJF seeks to build a field of research and practice in public health law.

Sunflower Foundation – Health Focused Grants (Kansas) (Deadline: 10/28/10)
The Sunflower Foundation seeks to serve as a catalyst for improving the health of Kansas.  The foundation has released three new requests for proposals of health related grants.  The Bridge Grants provide transitional funding for new or expanded services for medical, behavioral, or dental care.  Capacity Building Grants fund proposals to develop or strengthen organizations effectiveness, efficiency, quality, safety, impact and sustainability.  The Sunflower Trails Grants provide funding to increase access to physical activity by building community-based or school-based walking/multi-purpose trails.  

Bank of America – Neighborhood Builders Grants (Deadline: 6/1/10)
The Bank of America is accepting proposals for its Neighborhood Builders program which addresses neighborhood needs and priorities.  Grantees are awarded general operating support and leadership training through this program.  Neighborhood Builder organizations focus on local neighborhood priorities.

Qwest Foundation – Teachers and Technology Grants (Colorado) (Deadline: 3/4/10)
The Qwest Foundation is seeking applications from Colorado teachers for their Qwest Teachers and Technology Grant Program.  The grant program highlights Pre-Kindergarten through 12th grade teachers that use technology in the classroom in new and innovative ways.  Projects will use technology to engage students, enhance student performance, and prepare them for life in a technologically advanced world. The funds may be used to purchase supplies or for professional development.

New Resources

Children’s Emotional, Behavioral, and Developmental Well-being: New Data and Tools for the Field was a webinar from February 9, 2010, sponsored the Health Resources and Services Administration Maternal and Child Health Bureau, that examined the prevalence of adolescent emotional, behavioral, and developmental conditions, and the role that the public health community has in addressing pediatric mental health. According to the National Survey of Children’s Health, nearly one quarter of children suffer from a mental disorder before the age of 18. These conditions include depression, anxiety, ADD/ADHD, conduct disorders, developmental delay, autism spectrum disorders, and Tourette Syndrome.

Parent Involvement in School: Engaging Immigrant Parents, released by the Amherst H. Wilder Foundation, is an issue brief that discusses studies indicating that immigrant parents are less likely to be involved in their child’s education and school than parents born in the United States. This brief discusses the impediments to parental involvement and describes strategies to engage immigrant parents. See also an archived CHHCS webinar, Helping Immigrant and Refugee Students Succeed: Partnering with Families to Support Student Mental Health Needs, found on the Immigrant and Refugee Tools and Documents page.

Strengthening Families and Communities: 2009 Resource Guide, released by Child Welfare Information Gateway, is a guide specifically created for service providers who work with parents, other caregivers, and their children with the common goal of strengthening families. The guide contains resources gathered from federal partners, national organizations, and the public to promote community awareness of five important protective factors that can help families protect children from the risk of child abuse and neglect. This guide is available in English and Spanish.

Job Opportunities

Inwood House - Youth Development Counselor Supervisor (New York, NY)
Inwood House is dedicated to helping young people achieve healthy adulthood and self-reliance. Inwood House is seeking a Youth Development Counselor Supervisor to supervise the Youth Development Staff and daily operation of youth development services in the maternity residence. The Youth Development Counselor Supervisor is responsible for developing, coordinating, and implementing daily living routines, procedures, and schedules; providing training, orientation, supervision, and scheduling for youth development counselors; and maintaining reports, records, and logs as required.  Applicants should have a Bachelor of Social Work or Bachelor’s Degree in a related field and at least two years of supervisory experience working with youth and families. For more information and to apply to this position, please visit: http://www.idealist.org/if/i/en/av/Job/362353-239

The Urban Nutrition Initiative - Garden Educator/Manager (Philadelphia, PA)
The Urban Nutrition Initiative (UNI) seeks to engage youth in an active, real-world problem-solving curriculum that strives to improve community nutrition and wellness. UNI is searching for a Garden Educator/Manager to lead two teams of up to ten high school aged students in the provision of an intensive garden education program. This position is part of an ecological approach towards nutrition education that provides teens with hands-on experiences in growing, cooking and selling healthy foods. Applicants should have experience working with teenagers. A knowledge of nutrition and bicycle mechanics is preferred. For more information and to apply to this position, please visit: http://www.idealist.org/if/i/en/av/Job/369001-22

Harlem Children's Zone - Fitness Specialist (New York, NY)
Harlem Children’s Zone, Inc (HCZ) is a multi-site, multi-program organization that works to enhance the quality of life for children and families in neighborhoods throughout New York City. Harlem Children's Zone is seeking a fitness specialist to focus on health and wellness for middle and high school aged students and their families. The fitness specialist will conduct fitness assessments and provide educational opportunities for students and their families to assist in the promotion of health and control of preventable disease; provide one-on-one fitness sessions with parents; and provide weekly assessments and progress reports on fitness and sports programs. Applicants should have a Bachelor’s degree in physical education, exercise science, or related field, and must have experience working with adolescent populations in either a community based organization, health center or school-based setting. For more information and to apply to this position, please visit: http://www.idealist.org/if/i/en/av/Job/368991-22

Village for Families and and Children, Inc – Social Worker II (Hartford, CT)
The Social worker will provide mental health services to urban children, adolescents, and families in an outpatient setting.  Candidates should have experience in individual, family, and group therapies with an emphasis on strengths-based and trauma-focused treatment.  Experience working with children and/or adolescents is required. Eligible applicants must be a MSW/MFT/MA or PhD licensed in State of Connecticut or eligible for licensing.  Bilingual/bicultural in Spanish preferred. For more information and to apply to this position, please click here.

F.L. Chamberlain School – School Nurse (Middleboro, MA)
F.L. Chamberlain School is private special education boarding school that specializes in meeting the therapeutic and educational needs of adolescents who present with a variety of learning and emotional issues.  The school is seeking a full-time school nurse with strong communication skills and the ability to handle emergency and crisis situations effectively.  Position duties include assessment of daily health and medical needs of students, medication management, lab work, and case management.  Applicants must have a general knowledge of the needs of behaviorally and emotionally challenged adolescents. For more information and to apply to this position, please click here.

Dodgeville School District – School Nurse (Dodgeville, WI)
The Dodgeville School District seeks a full-time school nurse to serve students and staff in four schools.  Responsibilities include oversight of district policies and procedures and state requirements in areas of emergency nursing, blood born pathogens, and oversight and trainings.  Additional duties include screenings, staff inservices, parent contacts, and home visits.  A Bachelor Science in Nursing is required. Experience in public health and/or school nurse experience preferred. For more information and to apply to this position, please click here.

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