Making it Better: Minnesota's Health Improvement Log | March 16, 2017

Making it Better, Your Minnesota's Health Improvement Log

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Making it Better: Minnesota's Health Improvement Log logo

March 16, 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!

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.


Gems

bike

Active Living is Building Momentum in the Workplace (Isanti, Kanabec, Mille Lacs, Pine Co.)

Nearly 230 Kanabec County employees are benefiting from a new bike fleet system. Three bicycles and helmets were purchased and are available for employees to utilize when traveling to other buildings for business  as well as for use during their break time.

Another partner, FirstLight Health System, installed bike racks at the Pine City and Hinckley locations, making it easier for 450 employees to ride their bike to work rather than driving a car. In addition, Isanti County installed a quarter mile and half mile map routes that is available to its 320 employees. Allina Health’s Cambridge Medical Center implemented a biking program available to its 951 employees.



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:

 
 

Foundational Skills | Community Leadership Team

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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

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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.

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


Food Hub Grants

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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

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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


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

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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
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


National Bike Month | Resources Available | May

May is National Bike Month, sponsored by the League of American Bicyclists and celebrated in communities from coast to coast.

Established in 1956, National Bike Month is a chance to showcase the many benefits of bicycling — and encourage more folks to giving biking a try. 

Bike Month can be a way for coalitions, CLT's and partners to encourage people to increase usage of the built environment changes SHIP communities have been working on.

National Bike to Work Week 2017 will be held on May 15-19. Bike to Work Day is May 19!

A Bike Month guide, promotional materials and fact sheets can be found here to help you and your partners plan a strategic event during Bike Month.  http://bikeleague.org/bikemonth


Separated Bike Lake Training | March 30

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Time:  8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Date:  March 30
Location: Courtyard Marriott, 404 W St Germain Street, St. Cloud

MnDOT will be hosting a training seminar on Separated Bike Lanes / Cycle Tracks and how to use them for improving bicycle networks.

For more information and to register here.

 
 

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.

 
 

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

 
 
SHIP GRANTEE ANNOUNCEMENTS

SHIP Partners with Super Bowl LII Legacy Grant Committee

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Minneapolis is hosting Super Bowl LII in February 2018.

During the next year, communities across Minnesota – including some SHIP grantees and partner sites -- will receive grants from the Minnesota Super Bowl Host Committee’s Legacy Fund to help improve the health and wellness of our state’s children.

These grants are focused on improving access and creating healthy behaviors for a lifetime, whether it's access to physical activity or nutritious food. The 52 Weeks of Giving campaign kicked off in February.

With its statewide reach and presence in every county in the state, SHIP was in an ideal position to connect communities with the Super Bowl grant opportunity. The Super Bowl Committee provided MDH with a list of cities it would be interested in funding. MDH alerted its SHIP grantees in those cities, and local communities and SHIP staff convened local stakeholders and partners to identify capital investment opportunities that would advance the Legacy Fund's mission.

Grants were not open for public application. Proposals were approved by the Legacy Fund Advisory Committee.

Unfortunately, not all SHIP grantees are receiving an award. When MDH considered whether or not to partner with the Super Bowl on this opportunity, it was determined that the benefit to the state of participation outweighed not participating in the grant opportunity.

To learn more, visit the Legacy Fund website.


Evaluation | Media Relations Webinar

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We want your feedback!

Thanks for participating in the Media Relations webinar on March 14. We’d like to get your feedback. Please complete the survey here.


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

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SHIP Statewide Meeting

Date: July 26 & 27
Location: Eagan Community Center, 1501 Central Parkway, Eagan

More information coming soon!


Making it Better Spring 2017 Regional Meetings

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Health Equity Data Analysis (HEDA) | School Wellness Policy

8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.

April 10
Southeast | Rochester
MDH DO Rochester, 18 Wood Lake Dr SE, Rochester

April 13
Northwest | Bemidji
MDH DO Bemidji, 705 5th St NW, Suite A, Bemidji

April 20
Northeast | Duluth
Duluth Public Safety Building, (Training Rm), 2030 N Arlington Ave, Duluth

April 27
Southwest | Redwood Falls
Redwood Falls Public Library, 509 S Lincoln St., Redwood Falls

May 4
Metro
Northern Service Center (Rooms 110A and 110B), One Mendota Rd. W., West St. Paul

May 11
Central | St. Joseph
St. Joseph Government Center, 75 Callaway St. E, St. Joseph


Register here.


Webinar | Recruiting Employers for Your Collaborative | March 27

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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*

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To join the webinar session:
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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.

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

 
 
tribal grantee announcements

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.