Making it Better: Minnesota's Health Improvement Log | 11-13-14

Making it Better, Your Minnesota's Health Improvement Log

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MDH Making It Better

November 13, 2014

Current and archived issues available at www.health.state.mn.us/divs/oshii/log

 

To be added to the distribution list please email Health.MakingitBetter@state.mn.us.

In This Week's Issue

 
 
General Information

Don't forget!

Gems

Arrowhead Regional Development Commission (ARDC) has developed a Regional Sidewalk Inventory Database.

The Northeast Regional Sidewalk Inventory has been established to serve as a universal database of sidewalk information that is easily accessible.  ARDC has taken inventory of 19 cities and towns within the Arrowhead Region. Information was collected regarding existing sidewalk conditions in order to identify aspects including areas that require improvement and missing connections.The data include: sidewalk width, boulevard width, boulevard material, and notes about problem areas.

They have uploaded the current Regional Sidewalk Database to ArcGIS online and it is available to view through an ArcGIS Online Story Map: Map Journal. Click HERE to see regional sidewalk data.

Do you have a resource or success story (“gem”) to share for a future issue?  Submissions for each week’s Thursday publication are due by noon every Tuesday to Health.MakingitBetter@state.mn.us or grant managers for:

 
 
Foundational Skills Resources

Webinar ~ Introducing the National Equity Atlas ~ PolicyLink ~ Nov 18, 2pm

America’s economic future depends on everyone being able to participate, prosper, and reach their full potential. The National Equity Atlas is a first-of-its-kind online resource for data and policy ideas to build an equitable economy--in your region, state, and nationwide.

Please join us for a tour of the National Equity Atlas and learn how you can use this unique new data and policy tool to advance inclusive growth in your community. 

Register now.

 
 
Obesity, Physical Activity and Nutrition ResourcesMDH Logo

Training Opportunity ~ League Cycling Instructor ~ Bicycle Alliance of Minnesota

Interested in becoming a League Cycling Instructor?

Sign up for the seminar next May. Registration and more information is available at BikeMN.org. League Cycling Instructors (LCIs) are certified to teach Smart Cycling classes to children and adults. They are also better equipped to talk about the importance of safe places to bike (and walk) in a community because of their training.

The Bicycle Alliance of Minnesota will be soliciting ideas for a fall 2015 LCI training location soon. If you have a network of folks interested in this, please look for an upcoming announcement to apply. 

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Funding Opportunity ~ Safe Routes to School Grants ~ Minnesota Department of Transportation ~ Due Jan 9

Minnesota schools and their partners are invited to apply for $1.25 million in Safe Routes to School grant funds for projects that will help more children safely walk and bicycle to school. Applications are due Jan 9, 2015.

 All non-profit organizations and government entities in Minnesota may be eligible partners, including tribal nations, schools, school districts, cities, counties and regional planning organizations. 

Solicitation webinar

Would you like additional information about the solicitations? Or maybe you're curious about a question that's not yet on our list? On Nov 17, from 3-4pm the MnDOT SRTS program will give a short presentation on each of the solicitations and be on the line to answer questions.

Information (and any updates will be posted on the SRTS grants page.

Call in Info- phone number: 888-742-5095, conference code: 9282086172

Click here to join the Lync meeting. 

Infographic ~ Youth Sedentary Time Infographic ~ Active Living Research

The new  Youth Sedentary Time infographic features evidence on trends in sedentary behaviors, such as watching TV, playing video games, and other screen time activities, among youth and their impact on obesity. The infographic can be downloaded for free for print or electronic dissemination. Findings presented in this infographic come from a related ALR research review

Resource ~ Making Children’s Meals Healthier: A Model Ordinance ~ ChangeLab Solutions

American children consume 19 percent of their daily calories at fast food restaurants and casual dining outlets. Many studies link eating out with higher caloric intakes and obesity; children eat almost twice as many calories when they eat out as they do when they eat at home.

NPLAN, a project of ChangeLab Solutions, has developed the Model Healthy Children’s Meals Ordinance to help jurisdictions regulate the nutritional quality of children’s meals served at restaurants in their communities. The ordinance can be customized to apply to entire meals, or it can be used to address beverage options as part of children’s meals. In addition to providing specific findings and policy language, this model ordinance helps localities think through assessment and implementation.

Funding Opportunity ~ Smart from the Start Awards ~ Discovery Education

Funding available to support physical activity and nutrition in child care centers, preschools and Head Start programs!

These awards are designed to encourage teachers and caregivers to create practical, long-term improvements in nutrition and physical activity for preschoolers.

The winning preschool will be awarded $20,000 and ten runners-up will each receive $2,500. 

Grant Deadline: Feb 27. Click here for additional information, rules, and an online application. 

Fact Sheet ~ Improving the Inventory at Food Banks ~ ChangeLab Solutions

In recent years, food banks have become an important resource for an increasing number of Americans. These valuable agencies serve the most vulnerable members of communities, many of whom are at high risk for diet-related chronic health conditions.

Because food banks' services directly affect the health of low-income families and individuals, public health departments that work closely with local food banks can help improve the health of these populations. To foster collaboration between these agencies, CA4Health, in partnership with ChangeLab Solutions, has developed a new resource.

The Banking on Health fact sheet is intended to help food banks and public health departments implement healthy beverage and/or nutrition standards in food banks. It provides general information about food banks, outlines the components of strong beverage and nutrition standards, and profiles several food banks that have successfully implemented nutrition policies.

 
 
Tobacco Resources

Video Training ~ Store Audit Center Campaigns ~ Counter Tools

Counter Tools has created a short series of three videos to guide local grantees on setting up campaigns for store assessments. 

  • The first video demonstrates how to add team members and load stores into the Store Audit Center.
  • The second video shows you how to create audit forms, create campaigns, and assign team members to audit specific stores using the Store Audit Center.
  • And the third video describes how to enter data and generate reports in the Store Audit Center.

Counter Tools' staff is always available to answer questions and provide assistance. Contact Justin Bailey or Stephanie Walton with questions.

 
 
Community-Clinical Linkages Resources

No resources

 
 
Related Events Around Minnesota and Beyond

Q&A ~ FoodCorps ~ Nov 17, 6pm

FoodCorps is a national service organization that seeks to give all children the opportunity to grow up in a vibrant, healthful food environment. 

Want the scoop on what it's like to serve with FoodCorps? Join 5 of our alumni for a Q & A all about their time with FoodCorps and what life has been like since they finished their service.

Join a live Google Hangout, Nov 17 at 6pm.

    And if you can't join us on the 17th, you can always watch a recording of the conversation later, right on our Google+ page.

    Applications to be a service member will open Jan 9, 2015. In the meantime, join the Hangout! Don't worry if you don't have a Google+ account. Just save this link and click on it at 6pm on Nov 17, and you'll be all set. 

     
     
    Ship Grantee AnnouncementsMDH Logo

    New Supplement to Grant Monitoring & Evaluation Guide: Guidance for New Intake Field “Date Partnership Ended”

    MDH announces the release of a one-page supplement to the SHIP Grant Monitoring and Evaluation Guide. It provides guidance for the new Intake field “Date Partnership Ended” that was added to grantee Intake and Reach Trackers in mid-October. The addition of this new field to the PDF Intake form is pending and will be announced at a later date. This Supplement has been posted to the SHIP evaluation webpage. Contact your Evaluation Liaison if you have questions.

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    Evaluation Update ~ SHIP Data Use

    • MDH anticipates a number of legislative requests for SHIP data and reports during the upcoming 2015 Legislative Session.  We strongly encourage grantees to update their Intake and Reach Trackers and to actively communicate with their liaisons to correct current errors.  MDH will be using the Intake and Reach data that will be submitted in December, 2014 to answer any 2015 legislative questions about SHIP strategies and specific grantee work. 
    • MDH runs many reports based on the Strategy Start Date Tab of the Intake & Reach Tracker.  A number of grantees have not updated this tab as of the September submission.  Please be aware that if your data is not entered we cannot report it.
     
     
    Tobacco-Free Communities Grantee AnnounecementsMDH Logo

    Policy Trackers ~ Due Nov 30

    Reminder for TFC grantees only: Your quarterly policy trackers (August – October) are due by November 30. Please contact Christine Godwin with questions.