Making it Better, Your Minnesota's Health Improvement Log

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March 9, 2017

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
• Foundational Skills | Community Leadership Team
• Grants Available to Help Grocery Stores and Others Improve Access to Healthy and Affordable Foods
• School Grant Opportunities
• Active Places Grants
• New Funding Opportunity | Safe Routes to Transit
• New Healthy Food, Safe Food Action Guide Available
• Event | Breastfeeding Management & Counseling for the Health Care Team | May 25
• Changes in Cigarette Expenditure Minimizing Strategies Before and After a Cigarette Tax Increase
• Resource | Supports Work with Property Managers and Residents of Public Housing
• MPHA Annual Conference | April 19-20
• Fire and Fall Prevention Workshop | April 10
• Minnesotans for Healthy Kids Coalition | Day at the Capitol 2017 | April 6
• Save the Date | SHIP Statewide Meeting | July 26 & 27
• Webinar | Recruiting Employers for Your Collaborative | March 27
• Webinar | Evaluation | REDCap PSE and Reach Training | March 23
• Second Annual Conference on Native American Nutrition | Sept. 18-20

Don't forget!

Webinar | Supporting the Success of Local Community Gardens Through Local Laws and Policies | March 13

Time:  12-1:30 p.m.
Date:  March 13

Register:
http://www.publichealthlawcenter.org/webinars/upcoming

Description:

Gardening season is fast approaching and community gardeners are gearing up for the next growing season.  In anticipation of spring, the Public Health Law Center is excited to announce the release of its new and improved Community Garden Policy Reference Guide. The Guide, organized around the steps of creating a garden, is designed to help community gardeners, advocates, and policy-makers navigate potential legal and policy issues related to community gardening, with a primary focus on policy and legal issues at the local level.

This webinar will build off of the Guide, providing local gardeners and community partners with valuable information about the benefits of community gardens and the role of local policies in developing and maintaining successful gardening efforts.  Local community garden experiences will illustrate how local gardeners have worked with local laws and policies to create vibrant community gardens in Minnesota.  Specifically, the webinar will highlight the successes of Heart & Soil, a grassroots community-driven effort to encourage locally-sourced and accessible healthy food, sustainable gardening education and connections between community members in neighborhoods across Mankato.

Speakers:

• Mary Marrow, Senior Staff Attorney, Public Health Law Center
• Erica Idso, Heart & Soil Community Gardens, Mankato
• Additional speakers to be announced

Moderator:

Leoma Van Dort, Policy Analyst, Public Health Law Center.

Webinar | Working with the Media | March 14

Working with the Media: Media Relations Tools

Time: 1-2 p.m.
Date:  March 14

Join us to learn about media relations tools and more best practices from Steve Kinsella, who will share his wisdom from working in the business for nearly 35 years. We’ll break down some of the elements of a press release, media advisory, letters to the editor and more. You’ll also hear from two SHIP staff who have worked on both sides of the news/communications desk: LaReesa Sandretsky (from Healthy Northland) and Bethany Venable (Living Healthy in Washington County).

Objectives:

• Understand the range of media relations tools and when to use them
• Review basics of what makes news and how to work with the media
• Learn some tips about how to weave in a credit to SHIP
• Discover what colleagues have learned from their own experiences working with the media

Session number: 634 090 682
Session password: Winter2017*

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To join the webinar:
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1. Go to https://health-state-mn-ustraining.webex.com/health-state-mn-ustraining/k2/j.php?MTID=t7ed6bbb1a5ea8d82a65321ccc67481f7
2. Enter your name and email address.
3. Enter the session password: Winter2017*
4. Click "Join Now".
5. Follow the instructions that appear on your screen.

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To join the teleconference:
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Call-in toll-free number:       1-888-742-5095 (US)
Conference Code:                  982 114 1691

Training | How to Talk with Clients about Tobacco Use | March 16

CHW Peer Network Training on: How to talk with clients about tobacco use

Time:  11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. (light buffet lunch served at 11:30 a.m., program starts at Noon)
Date:  March 16
Location: Wellshare International, Assembly Room - 122 West Franklin Ave., Minneapolis
Presenter:  Heidi Larson, Manager, Tobacco Control American Lung Association
Sponsored by: MN CHW Peer Network and Wellshare International

At the conclusion of this session participants will have answers for the following questions:

• What are non-intimidating ways to bring up smoking with clients?
• How do I know when clients are ready to talk about smoking?
• How do I help empower clients based on their readiness to quit?
• What types of services are offered to help clients if they are ready to quit?

To register email Mailee Nguyen, CHW Peer Network Program Liaison, mnguyen@wellshareinternational.org

Please include:

• your full name
• organizational affiliation (if any)
• any dietary restrictions
• if you need ASL interpretation

This activity is made possible by a grant from the Eliminating Health Disparities Initiative (EHDI) of the Minnesota Department of Health's Office of Minority and Multicultural Health, through an appropriation from the Minnesota State Legislature.

Gems

Grant Awarded to Further Partnership Between Primary Care and Local Public Health

The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) has awarded a learning community grant to the Morrison-Todd-Wadena Community Health Board in partnership with CentraCare clinic in Long Prairie, MN.

Through this learning community opportunity, the Morrison-Todd-Wadena Community Health Board will focus on the work in Todd County and CentraCare-Long Prairie Clinic.  Staff from both agencies and key community partners will work with a facilitator hired by Minnesota Department of Health to work on strengthening their relationship through expanding understanding of each agency’s role, capacity, and responsibilities, and develop a plan that includes implementation with community partners.  In developing this plan they will use their community health needs assessment and primary care clinic data.  The plan will specifically focus on addressing the needs of the Latino community.  The award is for $50,000 for a seven month project through the end of September 2017.

This project is part of a $45 million State Innovation Model (SIM) cooperative agreement, awarded to the Minnesota Departments of Health and Human Services in 2013 by The Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation (CMMI) to help implement the Minnesota Accountable Health Model.

Buffalo Baby Café Featured on WCCO-TV

Breastfeeding guidance is available at the Buffalo Baby Café, a free drop-in breastfeeding group at Wright County Heritage Center and Historical Society. It started with support from Buffalo Hospital, Wright County Public Health and SHIP.

WCCO-TV featured Buffalo Baby Café on its news last week. Watch the clip here.   

More information about the Buffalo Baby Café is available here.

Tobacco-Free Grounds Policy Adopted

The East African Smoke-Free Project through WellShare International worked with Nicollet Senior Center to adopt a tobacco-free grounds policy for their business, which includes prohibiting the use of electronic cigarettes.

Nicollet Senior Center provides services that are directed at maintaining and improving older adults’ ability to self-care, including health, social and nutritional services. Making their grounds tobacco free serves to protect the health, safety and welfare of all employees, members, and visitors.

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 community specialists for:

• SHIP Meredith Ahlgren, Allison Heinzeller, Ari McHenry, Nora Shields-Cutler or Dan Taylor
• SHIP Menthol Intervention Cassandra Stepan
  
• Tobacco-Free Communities and Technical Assistance Pa Khang
• American Indian LaRaye Anderson or Sarah Brokenleg
• Community Wellness Rachel Mahon Bosman

Foundational Skills | Community Leadership Team

Every other month, MDH hosts a call to support SHIP grantees to build strong leadership for health through Community Leadership Teams. A recording and materials from the February Community Leadership Team Call are posted on Basecamp. The call focused on a review and interpretation of data collected about CLTs through December 2016 REDCap reporting, and on orientation of new CLT members. Please share additional materials that are used to orient new CLT members on Basecamp. See below the dates for the remaining 2017 CLT calls. Each call will be held from 3-4 p.m. April 3 June 5 Aug. 14 Oct. 9 Dec. 4 If you would like meeting invitations forwarded to you, please contact Jeannette.raymond@state.mn.us

Grants Available to Help Grocery Stores and Others Improve Access to Healthy and Affordable Foods

Minnesota Department of Agriculture Makes Grants Available to Help Grocery Stores and Others Improve Access to Healthy and Affordable Foods The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) is requesting proposals for grants to increase access to healthy and affordable foods for Minnesotans. The grants are being made available under the Good Food Access Program, which the Minnesota Legislature created last year due, in part, to a lack of access many Minnesotans have to such foods. The grants are designed to stimulate sales of foods – including fruits and vegetables – by assisting grocery stores and small food retailers in making physical improvements or purchasing equipment.  Grant funds may be used to purchase retail display coolers and freezers, storage coolers and freezers, shelving, mobile food trucks, permanent infrastructure at farmers markets, architectural work, and costs associated with the installation of equipment for physical improvements. For-profit and not-for-profit small food retailers and grocery stores (including farmers markets) are eligible recipients.  Apply here.  Proposals must be received no later than 4 p.m.  Wednesday, April 19.

School Grant Opportunities

Fuel Up to Play 60 School Nutrition Equipment Grant of up to $5,000 per school is now available until April 28. For more information, visit the Fuel Up to Play 60 website.

Action For Healthy Kids has two different grant opportunities available – School Breakfast Grants ($2,500 per year) and Game On Grants ($500-$2,500 per year). The deadline for both Action for Healthy Kids grants is April. For more information, visit Action for Healthy Kid’s website.

Active Places Grants

The Center for Prevention at Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota delivers on Blue Cross’ long-term commitment to improve the health of all Minnesotans by tackling the leading root causes of preventable death and disease: tobacco use, lack of physical activity and unhealthy eating.

The Center is pleased to announce a new funding initiative to support the planning and completion of Active Places projects. The Center looks forward to applications from across Minnesota for projects that will be completed during 2017.

Active Places projects are temporary, low-cost projects that help community members influence long-term community changes. They must contribute to a long-term goal of making a community more accessible to all types of physical activity, including walking and biking. There are two distinct types of Active Places projects – community engagement projects and demonstration projects. More detail about the project types can be found here, and examples of past projects are available here.

The application deadline is Tuesday, April 4 at 1 p.m. Central time.

An optional webinar will be held on Wednesday, March 15 at 1:00 p.m. Central time. This webinar will offer details about different kinds of projects and will also provide an opportunity to ask questions. The webinar will not be about contract requirements. Applicants are strongly encouraged to participate. Additional details about the webinar will be posted on the Available Funding page of our website.

To apply for the Active Places funding and review the required materials, visit the Available Funding page of our website.

Food Hub Grants

Funds available to develop community-based food systems. The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) is now accepting applications for the Agricultural Growth, Research, and Innovation (AGRI) Food Hub Grant Program. Grants are intended to stimulate purchases of locally grown and raised foods by developing or expanding food hubs and other alternative community-based food distribution systems. The MDA will only offer Food Hub Grants once. “There’s a lot of interest in using food hubs as a way to help aggregate and distribute locally produced foods,” said Paul Hugunin, Interim Director of the MDA’s Agricultural Marketing and Development Division. “In the last few years, Minnesota has seen lots of innovative, community-based approaches that are working toward offering more locally produced foods to consumers, and providing additional market opportunities to farmers. This grant program will provide much needed financial assistance to help further these efforts.” A 2016 report on food hubs commissioned by the MDA indicated that Minnesota is home to approximately 15 food hubs of varying size and business structure, and that nationwide there are at least 300 food hubs engaged in some form of local food aggregation and distribution. Like elsewhere, most Minnesota-based food hubs are in the early startup phase, often sponsored or supported by nonprofit organizations. Food hubs vary in scale, stage of development, definition of “local,” seasonal versus year-round operation, market channels, and more. For-profit and not-for-profit food hubs and other alternative community-based food distribution businesses may apply for grants to develop or update their business plans, conduct feasibility studies, or create marketing plans. Grants are also available for equipment purchases or physical improvements to allow more purchasing, processing, and distributing of Minnesota grown and raised foods. Proposals for this one-time grant must be submitted by April 19. To learn more and to apply online, visit http://www.mda.state.mn.us/grants/grants/agrifoodhub.aspx.

New Funding Opportunity | Safe Routes to Transit

Minnesotans want and need safe places to walk and roll. In Minnesota Walks, transit was identified as one of the top five destinations people want to be able to walk to. That is why the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MNDOT) Office of Transit is pleased to release applications for the 2017 publicly funded program year in the Rural and Small Urban areas. This application includes building accessible paths to a bus stop that is currently inaccessible; including curb cuts, sidewalks, and accessible pedestrian signals. Applications are for the 2017 contract year and are posted on the MNDOT Office of Transit Website at: http://bit.ly/2ljstVa The Elderly and Persons with Disabilities Capital Grant Program, FTA Circular 9070 Page III—14 FTA, is a capital assistance grant program providing 80 percent funding for the following eligible sub-recipients:   Tribal Governments State or local units of government Private non-profit agencies For further information about this application please contact: Jasna Hadzic-Stanek, jasna.hadzic-stanek@state.mn.us or John Groothuis, john.groothuis@state.mn.us

New Healthy Food, Safe Food Action Guide Available

Care about healthy food access and food safety? The University of Minnesota Extension and the Minnesota Department of Health are pleased to share the newest Minnesota Food Charter companion resource, the “Healthy Food, Safe Food Action Guide.” The guide offers resources and tools to help food safety professionals and healthy food advocates with information, proven strategies and contacts to support partnerships that seek to ensure access to safe, healthy food for all in settings such as farmers markets to schools to food shelves. The guide is available at the University of Minnesota Extension website. Want a toolkit to help support you and your partners as you implement strategies from the Guide? Go to the Minnesota Food Charter website to sign up for the Healthy Food, Safe Food Action Guide toolkit. You’ll receive an email with a set of tools to use with your partners to implement strategies to ensure healthy, safe food in places where people work, live, learn and play.

Event | Breastfeeding Management & Counseling for the Health Care Team | May 25

Breastfeeding Management & Counseling for the Health Care Team: A Deep Dive Time:  9 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Date:  May 25 Place: Holiday Inn, 200 W 1st St., Duluth, MN Cost:  $80/person This continuing education event provides lactation training for health care providers to address breastfeeding management needs in hospitals, clinics, community and tribal settings. We'll provide great information for SHIP grantees and their health care partners. Additional information about the event and registration will be posted to the MBC website events page www.mnbreastfeedingcoalition.org Questions? mnbfcevents@gmail.com

Changes in Cigarette Expenditure Minimizing Strategies Before and After a Cigarette Tax Increase

Changes in Cigarette Expenditure Minimizing Strategies Before and After a Cigarette Tax Increase – Tobacco Control. Key Findings: Data from the 2010 and 2014 Minnesota Adult Tobacco Survey was analyzed to determine smokers’ cigarette exposure minimizing strategies (CEMS) before and after a $1.75 cigarette tax increase took effect in 2013. In 2014, more smokers rolled their own cigarettes, used other tobacco products, and bought cigarettes from cheaper retailers compared to 2010, while fewer smokers used coupons and bought cigarettes by the carton. Researchers also note that CEMS prevalence varied by sociodemographic status, with more socially disadvantaged smokers being more likely to continue smoking and utilize CEMS after the tax increase took effect.

Resource | Supports Work with Property Managers and Residents of Public Housing

MDH and the technical assistance providers are excited to share a new resource to support your work with property managers and residents of public housing during their transition to smoke free. The web portal below includes new and updated smoke-free policy implementation resources specifically for use with public housing managers and residents. We encourage you to visit the site often as new materials will be added in upcoming weeks. As always, if you have questions or need additional support, feel free to reach out to your tobacco TA providers!  http://sfpublichousingmn.org/

MPHA Annual Conference | April 19-20

Moving Health Equity Forward: Critical Conversations and Bold Action

Date: April 19-20
Host: The Minnesota Public Health Association
Location: The Commons Hotel, 615 University Ave SE, Minneapolis

Join the Minnesota Public Health Association (MPHA) for an opportunity to:

• Further advance efforts to achieve health equity
• Lay the foundation for a culture of health in communities
• Meet new colleagues and network with fellow professionals
• Celebrate the 110th anniversary of MPHA

Watch for more information on the MPHA website.

Fire and Fall Prevention Workshop | April 10

Remembering When

Time:  10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Date:  April 10 (just prior to the State Fire Marshal Conference)
Location: Brooklyn Center Fire Department, 6250 Brooklyn Blvd., Minneapolis
Cost: Free
Host: The Minnesota State Fire Marshal Division

Around the year 2020, Minnesota’s 65+ population is expected to eclipse the K-12 population for the first time in history. In the fire service we already see the 65+ population has a higher risk of dying in a residential fire and fall injuries are disproportionately high in Minnesota compared to many of our neighboring states.

The Remembering When program, from National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), is a complete fire and fall education program that fire department, health care providers and other safety professionals can use in their own communities to help reduce death and injuries due to fires and falls. Meredith Hawes along with Kelly Ransdell, Regional Educators with NFPA, present the program.

Registration for Remembering When will be on the State Fire Marshal website.

If you would like more information on the Remembering When program visit the NFPA website.

Minnesotans for Healthy Kids Coalition | Day at the Capitol 2017 | April 6

MHK Day at the Capitol: Fight for Healthy Kids and Communities...

Time:  9:30 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Date:  April 6
Location: Minnesota History Center, 345 Kellogg Blvd. W, Saint Paul

• Doors open 9 a.m.
• Training 9:30 a.m. - noon
• Legislator meetings in the afternoon
• Lunch will be provided
• No cost to attend but advance registration is require
• Networking and other activities in the Capitol Rotunda between legislator visits

Minnesotans for Healthy Kids Coalition partners will speak with Minnesota legislators in a strong, unified voice about the importance of fighting childhood obesity and promoting healthy communities.

Register here: http://www.mnhealthykids.org/events

Save the Date | SHIP Statewide Meeting | July 26 & 27

SHIP Statewide Meeting Date: July 26 & 27 Location: Eagan Community Center, 1501 Central Parkway, Eagan, MN 55121 More information coming soon!

Webinar | Recruiting Employers for Your Collaborative | March 27

Time:  Noon - 1 p.m. Date:  March 27 Learn how to recruit employers for your work place collaborative.  Log in information: Topic: Recruiting Employers For Your Collaborative Host: Kris Haugen/Mary Egan Session number: 637 522 507 Session password: Winter2017* ------------------------------------------------------- To join the webinar session: ------------------------------------------------------- 1. Go to https://health-state-mn-ustraining.webex.com/health-state-mn-ustraining/k2/j.php?MTID=te3ebed837f56f8fd78032ad4727a01ff 2. Enter your name and email address. 3. Enter the session password: Winter2017* 4. Click "Join Now". 5. Follow the instructions that appear on your screen. ------------------------------------------------------- To join the phone conference: ------------------------------------------------------- Call-in toll-free number: 1-888-742-5095 (US) Conference Code: 982 114 1691

Webinar | Evaluation | REDCap PSE and Reach Training | March 23

Time:  10 - 11 a.m. Date:  March 23 Please save the date for a webinar training on the updated Reach and PSE forms. This training is strongly encouraged for all people submitting SHIP data into REDCap in year 2. An agenda and instructions on how to join the webinar will be emailed to evaluation points of contact closer to the webinar training date.

Second Annual Conference on Native American Nutrition | Sept. 18-20

Date:  Sept. 18-20
Location: Mystic Lake Casino Hotel, Prior Lake

This annual conference brings together tribal officials, researchers, practitioners, and others to discuss the current state of Indigenous and academic scientific knowledge about Native nutrition and food science and identify new areas of work.

A reception will be held in the evening of Sept. 17 for those who are traveling to the conference. Registration begins in March. 

Visit website or email to learn more.

The conference is co-sponsored by the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community and the University of Minnesota's Healthy Foods, Healthy Lives Institute.

No announcements this week.