Weekly Insider 16.07.2009

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 World Health Organization released the Global Status Report on Road Safety – Time for Action, which is the first broad assessment of road safety around the world through a standardized survey.

Programs for Children and Youth in a Community Context, an issue brief from Child Trends, discusses how communities are becoming increasingly aware of the importance of having quality out-of-school time programs for children and youth.

Sugar-Sweetened Beverage Taxes and Public Health, a policy brief from the Bridging the Gap National Program Office at the University of Chicago, reviews the recent consideration of taxing sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) such as fruit drinks, sodas, sweetened tea, and sports drinks in an attempt to curb the rising rates of obesity among US children and adolescents.


New from the Center

The Center has recently announced a job opening for a Senior Secretary. Duties include serving as office receptionist by greeting visitors, answering phones, and directing inquiries appropriately by understanding and providing detailed information on programs, functions, policies and procedures. Employee will collect, organize and present substantive information required by supervisor to assist with managing the organization's website content and electronic networks by: identifying relevant content to regularly update the website; locating resources for weekly newsletter; assisting with managing social networking site and managing electronic listservs. Individual will schedule meetings and conferences for the organization by arranging and reserving conference rooms, collect information to assist with developing visual and background materials; and assemble and distribute information related to agenda. To apply for this position, please visit: https://www.gwu.jobs/applicants/jsp/shared/frameset/Frameset.jsp?time=1248272712598

A year ago the Center published  “Screening and Assessing Immigrant and Refugee Youth in School-Based Mental Health Programs,” an issue brief that summed up what is known about mental health tools that support culturally competent mental health care.  The positive responses we’ve received encourages us to re-introduce the paper to make sure valuable information is available to health professionals across the country. We extend our deepest appreciation to the authors, Dina Birman, PhD, Associate Professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of Illinois at Chicago and Wing Yi Chan, a doctoral student at the University of Illinois at Chicago, for the fine quality of their work. To download this issue brief, click here.

The Center has released Issue Brief #2, Partnering with Parents and Families to Support Immigrant and Refugee Children at School, written by Eileen Gale Kugler. The issue brief provides background on the impact of the immigrant and refugee experience on children and youth and the importance of engaging the entire family in addressing the mental health needs of immigrant and refugee students to build a crucial home-school partnership that may open doors to student success. View Issue Brief #2 here under Publications for Caring Across Communities

On Thursday, May 21, 2pm EST the Center held its third webinar on Understanding the rise in suicide attempts in Latina teens presented by Dr. Luis Zayas, professor at the School of Social Work at Washington University in St. Louis. The webinar examined the high rate of suicide attempts by adolescent Latinas in the US and factors that may contribute to the rate. To access the archived webinar (PowerPoint and audio), click here.


Important Topics

West Nile Virus

Upcoming Meetings

  • Anaheim, CA: 22nd Annual National Prevention Network Prevention Research Conference. September 15-18, 2009. For more information and to register for the event, please visit: http://swpc.ou.edu/npn/ 
  • Alexandria, VA: The World Health Care Congress 4th Annual Obesity Congress: Combating the Economic Burden of the Obesity Epidemic Through Behavioral Modification Programs and Wellness Initiatives. September 30-October 2, 2009. For more information and to register for this event, please visit: http://www.worldcongress.com/events/HL09088/

Previously Posted Meetings

  • Honolulu, Hawai’i: 56th Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. October 27-November 1, 2009. For more information and to register for the event, please visit: http://www.aacap.org/cs/AnnualMeeting/2009
  • Minneapolis, MN: 14th Annual Conference on Advancing School Mental Health. November 2-4, 2009. For more information and to register for this event, please visit:    http://csmh.umaryland.edu/conf_meet/
  • Online CE Program: KySS Child and Adolescent Mental Health Fellowship Online CE Program. Application deadline: rolling. For more information and to apply to this fellowship, please click here.


Job opportunities

  • The Center for Health and Health Care in Schools – Senior Secretary (Washington, DC)
  • Illinois Coalition for School Health Centers – Project Director (Chicago, IL)
  • Playworks – City Director, Baltimore (Baltimore, MD)
  • New York League for Early Learning – School Nurse/Pediatric RN (New York, NY)
  • Anchorage School District – School Nurses (Anchorage, AK)
  • Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation – Technical Officer, Project Heart (Washington, DC)


    Grant Alerts

    Center of Excellence in the Elimination of Disparities at Chicago – CEED/REACH U.S. Legacy Projects      (Deadline: 8/10/09)
    CEED/REACH is looking to support projects aimed at reducing the burden and health determinants of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease formation in the Chicago community with the CEED/REACH U.S. Legacy Projects. CEED/REACH is looking for projects with a specific and strategic focus on promoting healthy eating and physical activity throughout the community.

    U.S. Department of Health and Human Services – 2009 Flu Prevention Public Service Announcement Contest     (Deadline: 8/17/09)
    The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced the 2009 Flu Prevention Public Service Announcement Contest. The goal of this contest is to create a public service announcement lasting 15, 30, or 60 seconds that informs and motivates people to take steps that prevent the spread of H1N1 flu.

    Jewish Community Endowment Fund - The Mount Zion Health Fund (San Francisco, CA) (Deadline: 10/1/09)
    The Jewish Community Endowment Fund supports the efforts of the Mount Zion Health Fund (MZHF). The MZHF makes health grants available to identify health-related needs in the community and to promote creative and responsive solutions.

    Local Initiatives Support Corporation and the National Football League - NFL Grassroots Program (Deadline: 10/30/09)
    The Local Initiatives Support Corporation and the National Football League (NFL) have created the NFL Grassroots Program to provide, non-profit, neighborhood-based organizations with financial and technical assistance. In particular, the program aims to improve the quality, safety, and accessibility of football fields to local youth and community members.  

    Walgreens – Walgreens Corporate Charitable Giving Grants (Deadline: Rolling)
    Walgreens makes Corporate Charitable Giving Grants available to organizations operating in Walgreens communities that focus on improving community access to health and wellness, civic and community outreach, and mentoring initiatives.

    The Nathan Cummings Foundation - Health Program Grants     (Deadline: Rolling)    
    The Nathan Cummings Foundation provides Health Program Grants as part of its commitment to improving people’s health and well-being, especially for those with low- to moderate-socioeconomic status and the disadvantaged.


    • News Alerts

    Uninsured Americans Account for One in Five Emergency Room Visits
    The latest data from the Nationwide Emergency Department Sample show that the uninsured accounted for nearly one fifth of the 120 million hospital-based emergency department visits in 2006. In announcing the information, Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services, Kathleen Sebelius, said, “Our health care system has forced too many uninsured Americans to depend on the emergency room for the care they need. We cannot wait for reform that gives all Americans the high-quality, affordable care they need and helps prevent illnesses from turning into emergencies.” 

    Obama Administration Announced Early Learning Challenge Fund Proposal
    President Obama proposes to dedicate $10 billion in competitive grants to states over the next 10 years to support new and innovative early education programs that would ensure more children are entering kindergarten ready to learn. The proposed fund would be administered collaboratively by the U.S. Department of Education and the Administration for Children and Families at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.


    New Resources

    The World Health Organization released the     Global Status Report on Road Safety – Time for Action, which is the first broad assessment of road safety around the world through a standardized survey. More than 90 percent of the road-related fatalities occur in low- and middle-income countries despite the fact they have just 48 percent of the world’s registered vehicles. The report points out that even high-income countries with lower rates of road traffic accidents have room for improvement. In all countries, the number of road traffic injuries disproportionately favored those from disadvantaged backgrounds such as socioeconomics. The report also points out that of the people dying from road traffic accidents, half are vulnerable road users such as pedestrians, cyclists, and motorized two-or thee-wheelers. This fact is particularly important for school children when considering they can often be vulnerable road users en route to school.

    Programs for Children and Youth in a Community Context,  an issue brief from Child Trends, discusses how communities are becoming increasingly aware of the importance of having quality out-of-school time programs for children and youth. This Roundtable discussion yielded a number of key themes for interventions, including: both evidence-based and evidence-informed interventions should be used, community extends beyond a geographic location, interventions need ongoing inputs over time, synergies should be expected, and evidence-based programs cannot completely replace local programs. This issue brief presents a list of issues for any community, agency, or funder to address prior to moving forward with programming. This brief will be of interest to any individual or organization working to improve or create community-based initiatives.

    Sugar-Sweetened Beverage Taxes and Public Health, a policy brief from the Bridging the Gap National Program Office at the University of Chicago, reviews the recent consideration of taxing sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) such as fruit drinks, sodas, sweetened tea, and sports drinks in an attempt to curb the rising rates of obesity among US children and adolescents. Studies have found that an increase in SSB consumption correlates to weight gain and obesity in children and adolescents. Other studies have found that increasing the prices of SSBs could reduce their consumption by as much as 11 percent. This policy brief concludes with recommendations for implementing effective price increases on SSBs and using the revenue to fund additional reduction and prevention programs. This policy brief will be of particular interest to policy makers working to reduce the proportion of children and adolescents who are overweight or obese. 
     

    Job opportunities

    The Center for Health and Health Care in Schools – Senior Secretary (Washington, DC)
    The     Center for Health and Health Care in Schools is seeking a Senior Secretary to support Center staff within the organization. Duties include serving as office receptionist by greeting visitors, answering phones, and directing inquiries appropriately. Additional responsibilities include collecting, organizing, and presenting substantive information required by supervisor to assist with managing the website content and electronic networks. For more information and to apply to this position, please visit: https://www.gwu.jobs/applicants/jsp/shared/frameset/Frameset.jsp?time=1248272712598

    Illinois Coalition for School Health Centers – Project Director (Chicago, IL)
    The Illinois Coalition for School Health Centers is seeking a Project director. Responsibilities include developing and implementing the organization’s strategic plan, staffing the steering committee, supervising the project coordinator, consultants and interns, and acting as the liaison between the National Assembly for School-Based Health Care and the Illinois Coalition for School Health Centers. For more information and to apply to this position, please visit: http://www.nasbhc.org/site/c.jsJPKWPFJrH/b.3092031/apps/cf/jobsoffered/view.asp?ad_id={E7A0F98D-DE46-4DA6-AD20-CC0BD8A2F94A}&category_bin_id={A9563DD7-ACB8-4FB1-ADBC-6B7077DEFE99} 

    Playworks – City Director, Baltimore     (Baltimore, MD)
    Playworks, a national nonprofit providing safe, healthy play and physical activity to low-income schools, is seeking a City Director. Responsibilities include program oversight, providing leadership for new staff, ensuring professional development opportunities, and work with program managers to support growth and development in new school districts. For more information and to apply to this position, please visit: http://www.idealist.org/if/i/en/av/Job/344450-273 

    New York League for Early Learning – School Nurse (Pediatric RN)      (New York, NY)
    The New York League for Early Learning is seeking a School nurse to administer first aid on site to all children, administer authorized medications, maintain medical and immunization histories, participate in case conferences, and provide trainings. For more information and to apply to this position, please visit:     http://www.idealist.org/if/i/en/av/Job/344190-252 

    Anchorage School District – School Nurses      (Anchorage, AK)
    The Anchorage School District is seeking nurses to fill three positions. First, school nurses to support student learning through screenings, assessments, and injury/disease prevention education. Second, health treatment nurses to provide individualized skilled nursing care in the school setting. Finally, substitute nurses to provide coverage for school and health treatment nurses. For more information and to apply to this position, visit:     http://www.nasn.org/Default.aspx?tabid=145 

    Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation – Technical Officer, Project Heart     (Washington, DC)
    The Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation is seeking a Technical Officer for Project Heart to provide project support, develop CDC-required requests and correspondence, and provide key programmatic proposals and communications requests. For more information and to apply to this position, please visit:     http://cfusion.sph.emory.edu/PHEC/phec.cfm (Search term: Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation)