Making it Better, Your Minnesota's Health Improvement Log

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December 4, 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

• Don't forget!
• Gems
• Grantee Feedback Form
• Basecamp Tip ~ Classes & Guide
• Process Measurement ~ Minnesota Department of Health
• New Rules ~ US Food and Drug Administration
• Parks and Trails Legacy Advisory Committee ~ MNDNR
• Report ~ Walking is Going Places ~ America Walks
• Resource ~ Implement Smart Snacks in School ~ Illinois Public Health Institute
• Webinar ~ Safe Routes to School as a Tool to Address Chronic Absenteeism ~ Safe Routes to School National Partnership ~ Dec 15, 1:30pm
• Funding Opportunity ~ Presidential Youth Fitness Program ~ General Mills Foundation ~ Due Feb 9
• Webinar ~ Creating and Enforcing Smoke-Free Multiunit Housing ~ Dec 16, 12pm
• Resource ~ 2014 Legislative Spotlight: Electronic Cigarettes E-Liquids and Child-Resistant Packaging ~ Public Health Law Center
• Archived Webinars ~ Tobacco Control Legal Consortium
• Resources ~ Tobacco Control Legal Consortium
• Funding Opportunity ~ Health in All Policies ~ NACCHO ~ Due Dec 19
• Save the Date ~ Strategy Listening Session Conference Call/Webinars ~ Dec 2014
• Canceled ~ School Strategy Webinar ~ Dec 9
• Evaluation Update ~ SHIP Data Use

Don't forget!

• Today ~ Dec 4 ~ 1pm ~ Webinar ~ Who Benefits from Federal Tax Studies 
• Tuesday ~ Dec 9 ~ 3:30pm ~ Reading Group: Considering Health Equity in the Food System ~ Contact Jeannette Raymond
• Wednesday ~ Dec 10 ~ 9am ~ Reading Group: Considering Health Equity in the Food System ~ Contact Jeannette Raymond

Gems

Kudos to those communities who were recently recognized for bicycle friendliness. Every spring and fall, the League of American Bicyclists recognizes towns, cities and metropolitan areas for their commitment to outstanding bike friendliness. Eight communities from across Minnesota were recognized by the League with awards or honorable mentions, including:

New Bicycle Friendly Communities
Fargo / Moorhead Metro
Frazee
Greater Grand Forks / East Grand Forks 
Hutchinson

Renewing Bicycle Friendly Communities
Rochester

Honorable Mentions
Hopkins
Lake City
Northfield

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:

• SHIP/CTG Allison Heinzeller, Rachel Mahon Bosman, Sarah Small or Jessica Smith
• Tobacco Christine Godwin
• American Indian Donna Isham

Grantee Feedback Form

Do you have a suggestion or general feedback (good or bad) you would like to share with MDH? If so, you can now submit an online Grantee Feedback Form to OSHII. To access the form, click here.

Basecamp Tip ~ Classes & Guide

Every week, someone from the Basecamp Support team teaches a live 30-minute online class that you and your team can sign up for. It’s absolutely free. Click here and scroll to the bottom to sign up today. 

You can also find the MDH intro to Basecamp recorded PowerPoint and the pdf of the guide here.

Remember: Basecamp is a great place to hold discussions and share resources and events that focus on Health Improvement. Local Public Health and Tribal Governments may sign up to use Basecamp by sending an email to the Making it Better Log account.

Process Measurement ~ Minnesota Department of Health

One of the more challenging pieces of quality improvement work is learning how and what to measure for process improvement.   One good way to start is to list the things you do regularly on your job.  For example, facilitate community leadership team meetings; provide mini-grants to community partners; and write reports to MDH.   The next step is to start collecting data on these activities.  These can often be categorized based on cost, time, complexity, production, quality and value.   A process measure could be as simple as asking leadership team members in a survey how well the meetings are facilitated (quality measure).  A production measure may be the number of grants given in the community in the last quarter and a time measure may include the total time it takes to write and submit your quarterly report to MDH.  

Process measurement focuses specifically on how well you are doing in your activities or processes that may help or hinder your ultimate goal.   The Office of Performance Improvement at MDH has launched a new “Process Improvement Measurement” training.  For more information or to schedule training, please contact susan.brace-adkins@state.mn.us or call 651-201-3875.  

New Rules ~ US Food and Drug Administration

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration last week finalized two rules requiring that calorie information be listed on menus and menu boards in chain restaurants, similar retail food establishments and vending machines with 20 or more locations to provide consumers with more nutritional information about the foods they eat outside of the home.

The two final rules are available in the Federal Register:

• Final Rule: Nutrition Labeling of Standard Menu Items in Restaurants and Similar Retail Food Establishments
• Final Rule: Calorie Labeling of Articles of Food in Vending Machines

For More Information

• Menu and Vending Machine Labeling Requirements
• Consumer Update: How Many Calories? Look at the Menu
• FDA Voice blog: Providing Consumers More Information with Menu and Vending Labeling

Parks and Trails Legacy Advisory Committee ~ MNDNR

The Department of Natural Resources, the Metropolitan Council and the Greater Minnesota Regional Parks and Trails Commission are seeking qualified applicants to serve on the Parks and Trails Legacy Advisory Committee.

“The Parks and Trails Legacy Advisory Committee plays a critical role in helping us achieve the vision Minnesotans have for use of the Parks and Trails Legacy Funds and creates an accessible and equitable, integrated system of state and regional parks and trails in Minnesota,” said DNR Commissioner Tom Landwehr.

The committee is made up of 17 members, including, to the practical extent possible, geographical and demographic representation. The committee has a mixture of park and trail professionals and citizens. Committee members should have expertise in two or more of the four strategic pillars of the plan:

• Connect people and the outdoors.
• Acquire land and create opportunities.
• Take care of what we have.
• Coordinate among partners.

Interested individuals should complete the application form online here. The deadline for applications is Monday, Dec. 22.  

Report ~ Walking is Going Places ~ America Walks

As America Walks continues its commitment to promoting safe, convenient and accessible walking conditions, we see firsthand the trend to walking as part of developing physically and economically fit communities.

America Walks once again partnered with Jay Walljasper, author and speaker, to be able to offer access to his latest report Walking is Going Places on their website.   

Resource ~ Implement Smart Snacks in School ~ Illinois Public Health Institute

In October, the Illinois Public Health Institute released the five tip sheets below to help schools implement Smart Snacks in School while minimizing negative financial impact. 

Tip Sheet 1: Finances: Strategies to Maintain Revenues with Healthier Competitive Foods Standards

Tip Sheet 2: Creating and Implementing Policies for Healthier Competitive Foods Standards

Tip Sheet 3: Improving Access to Healthy Foods and Beverages Through Healthier Competitive Foods Standards

Tip Sheet 4: Student Education and Engagement to Support Healthier Competitive Foods Standards

Tip Sheet 5: Improving Cafeteria Strategies to Support Healthier Competitive Foods Standards

Webinar ~ Safe Routes to School as a Tool to Address Chronic Absenteeism ~ Safe Routes to School National Partnership ~ Dec 15, 1:30pm

What is the relationship between student transportation and attendance? The National Partnership is teaming up with Attendance Works to explore how we can help students get to school every day. This webinar will discuss how transportation can be a barrier to school attendance and highlight Safe Routes to School as a resource to help communities address chronic absenteeism. Panelists will share community based solutions, best practices, and opportunities to partner with organizations and groups that can be allies in ensuring students have access to safe and reliable transportation to school.

This free webinar is part of a series of National Learning Network webinars on topics related to Safe Routes to School and other policy and program initiatives that can increase walking and bicycling to school and in daily life.

To register for this free webinar, click here. 

Funding Opportunity ~ Presidential Youth Fitness Program ~ General Mills Foundation ~ Due Feb 9

The Presidential Youth Fitness Program provides resources and tools for physical educators to enhance their fitness education process within a comprehensive, quality physical education program. The funding will provide eligible schools with select supplemental resources to support the program’s implementation for three years. The three areas of focus include professional development, a health-related fitness assessment, and motivational recognition to empower students to adopt and maintain an active lifestyle. Public and private schools employing a certified physical education teacher are eligible to apply. Applications will be accepted online from January 1 through February 9, 2015. Click here for more information. 

Webinar ~ Creating and Enforcing Smoke-Free Multiunit Housing ~ Dec 16, 12pm

Smoke-free multiunit housing benefits residents and property owners alike. With smoke-free policies in place, more residents become non-smokers and they breathe air free of second- and thirdhand smoke. Property owners benefit from lower costs to turn over units, increased demand from prospective residents, and lower insurance premiums due to decreased risk of fire. Health departments have a role in working with housing agencies and private owners to promote the policies. Join this webinar hosted by the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO) and National Association of County & City Health Officials (NACCHO) to learn how to prepare, implement, and enforce smoke-free policies for multiunit housing.

The intended audience for this webinar includes public health and housing officials, residential property owners and managers, and community assistance organizations.

Register here.

Resource ~ 2014 Legislative Spotlight: Electronic Cigarettes E-Liquids and Child-Resistant Packaging ~ Public Health Law Center

Beginning January 1, 2015, the liquids (more commonly referred to as "e-liquids," "juice," or "e-juice") sold for use in electronic delivery devices must be in child-resistant packaging.

This resource provides a brief overview of this new requirement, including:

• What "child-resistant" packaging means;
• Retailer compliance; and
• Local enforcement

Archived Webinars ~ Tobacco Control Legal Consortium

• If you missed Tobacco Control Legal Consortium’s (TCLC) Oct 30Webinar, "Smoke-free Policies Redux: Current Status & Current Challenges,” an archived recording and slides of this Webinar are available here.
• If you missed TCLC’s Nov 13 Webinar, “Making a Move on Menthol: Regulating Flavored Tobacco Products in Your Community,” an archived recording and slides of this Webinar are available here. 

Resources ~ Tobacco Control Legal Consortium

• Regulating Electronic Cigarettes and Similar Devices (2014).
• Regulating Flavored Tobacco Products - Tips & Tools (2014).

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Funding Opportunity ~ Health in All Policies ~ NACCHO ~ Due Dec 19

Through support from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, NACCHO has released a competitive funding opportunity for Health in All Policies (HiAP) led by local health departments (LHDs). The aim of this project is to advance the progress of HiAP at the local level by LHDs and to encourage sustainable strategies for embedding health considerations into governmental structures and processes that will result in improved community health.

Details: NACCHO will award 2 to 3 LHDs up to $10,000 each to engage in activities that will lead to the implementation of a HiAP approach or significant progress in implementing a HiAP approach. The projects should be focused on an environmental health-related topic during the project period of January 2015 to August 2015. Please review the Request for Proposal (RFP) carefully before proceeding.

• Download a copy of the RFP here
• Download a copy of the Application Reference Document (Word document) here 

Applications will only be accepted online here.

Informational call: Optional teleconference call for interested applicants will be held on Dec 8, 2014 from 1-2 pm. Register for the call here. A recording of the teleconference call will be made available here afterwards for those that cannot attend.

Save the Date ~ Strategy Listening Session Conference Call/Webinars ~ Dec 2014

Community Specialists sent an email to SHIP Coordinators on Dec 3 detailing the grantee input process for SHIP Planning. As described in the previous email, here are the upcoming Strategy Listening Session dates and times. You may participate via conference call and/or webinar. Please refer to the Dec 3 email for more detailed information.

Please note that registration information will be sent in the Dec 11 Log. Any local SHIP staff are welcome to attend.

Monday 12/15 at 1:30 pm – Child Care

Monday 12/15 at 3 pm – Clinical/Health Care

Tuesday 12/16 at 3 pm – Healthy Eating in Communities

Thursday 12/18 at 1 pm – Tobacco Free Living/Tobacco Control/Tobacco Free Grounds

Thursday 12/18 at 3 pm - Active Living for Community (Includes SRTS)

Monday 12/22 at 9:30 am – Schools (Healthy School Food, Active School Day)

Monday 12/22 at 3 pm – Worksite Wellness

Staff who are unable to attend the calls or who feel they did not have enough time to express their ideas on the calls may provide written feedback through a Vovici survey to be sent Dec 11 through the Making It Better Log. 

Canceled ~ School Strategy Webinar ~ Dec 9

SHIP School strategy webinar will be cancelled on Dec 9, 1:30-2:30, as there is a required CDC training in Atlanta that Terri  will be attending.  In place of this webinar, SHIP school coordinators may find the webinar below of interest and importance.  Please note, it is scheduled from 1:00-2:30 on Tuesday, Dec 9.  Thanks for your understanding in this short cancellation notice.  If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to reach out to Terri. 

Two Awards in One: Achieve Dual Recognition with USDA and the Alliance for a Healthier Generation

Tuesday, December 9, 2014, 1:00-2:30 PM

Description: USDA/FNS HealthierUS School Challenge: Smarter Lunchrooms and Alliance’s Healthy Schools Program want to recognize schools for all the ways they make school environments healthier places for students and staff to learn and work. Now, these two national recognition programs have come together to make it easier for schools to earn not just one, but two awards. Join the USDA and the Alliance for an interactive overview of the process of earning dual recognition based on newly updated criteria.  Learn tips for success from Jackson-Madison County School System in Tennessee, a district that has achieved awards through both programs.   

Target Audience: Regional Office, State Agency Staff, District/School Staff

Click here to join the webinar.

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.

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