Making it Better: Minnesota's Health Improvement Log

Minnesota Department of Health

Making it Better: Minnesota's Health Improvement Log

July 6, 2017

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Funds to Promote Healthy Eating Work

Grants to highlight positive, results-based initiatives

The Center for Prevention at Blue Cross and Blue Shield recently announced a funding opportunity for Healthy Eating Success Stories. They are seeking to fund organizations with $10,000 each to highlight innovative, successful- healthy eating work.

For more details including the RFP, details regarding an upcoming information session, and the link to the online application, visit the Available Funding page at the Center for Prevention for Blue Cross and Blue Shield.

The application deadline is Monday, Aug. 7, at 1 p.m.


Apply Now for Seed Grant

Rural cooperatives encouraged to apply

Food Co-op Initiative Seed Grant applications are being accepted for up to $10,000. 

We depend on the generosity of other organizations to support this grant program and only a limited number of awards can be offered. To qualify for a Rural Seed Grant, your co-op must be in a location recognized by the USDA as rural, defined as a community with a population less than 50,000 and not contiguous to an urban area. The grant money must be matched in equal dollars by the newly forming co-op.

Applications are due on July 17 and you are encouraged to log on to this document to learn more and apply.


New Tobacco Resources Available

A new fact sheet, blog posts and more 

The Tobacco Control Legal Consortium has new content including a fact sheet providing guidance on Synar compliance for states with new laws to reduce youth access to tobacco and archived webinar recordings.

You can find them, and other resources, on the Public Health Law Center's website.


Bike Grants Available

People for Bikes

Funds for bike infrastructure projects

The PeopleForBikes Community Grant Program is now accepting applications for grants of up to $10,000. The funds will support bicycle infrastructure projects such as bike paths, lanes, trails, and bridges; mountain bike facilities; bike parks and pump tracks; BMX facilities; and end-of-trip facilities such as bike racks, bike parking, and bike storage.

Letters of intent must be received by July 21.

See the PeopleForBikes website for complete program guidelines and application instructions.


Truth Truck Takes on Tobacco

Shakopee stop planned during the tour

The Truth Initiative new truth campaign #STOPPROFILING will be in Shakopee on July 23. The goal of the campaign is to shine a light on how the tobacco industry deliberately singles out communities that already face adversity and inequality with aggressive marketing tactics that equal profiling. The #STOPPROFILING campaign underscores that tobacco use is more than a public health issue, it’s a social justice issue.

Here is a link to the Vans Tour site with some additional information.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

QUITPLAN Mock Teleconference

Registration closes TODAY for teleconference

Date: Tuesday, July 11

Time: 3 p.m. - 4 p.m.

Register now for the mock call that will provide an overview of what tobacco users experience when they call QUITPLAN Services. Participants will hear a recording of a mock registration call and a coaching session. Following the calls, there is a question and answer session with staff from QUITPLAN Services.

RSVP by Thursday, July 6, to Pamela Jensen at pjensen@clearwaymn.org.


Tobacco Cessation Webinar

Counting Quitting: Tobacco Cessation and Quality Measures

Date: Wednesday, July 12

Time: 1 p.m. – 2 p.m.

Did you know only a little over half of smokers receive advice to quit from their doctor, despite the majority of smokers wanting to quit? Newer provider payments models, attempting to pay for value rather than volume, try to incentivize healthy behaviors and prevention.

Register now for the webinar, which will explain what quality measures are, why they are important for tobacco cessation and how Oregon implemented them in their Medicaid program.


SHIP Meeting Registration Closes Soon

Meeting Logo

Registration closes Wednesday, July 12  

There is less than a week left to register for the 2017 SHIP statewide meeting.

Slated for July 26-27 at the Eagan Community Center, it promises to be filled with informative, timely sessions and compelling speakers.

This page has information on breakout sessions, registration and much more. 


Grantee Webinar on REDCap

Refresher course offered next week

Date: Thursday, July 13

Time: 9 a.m. to 10 a.m.

Grantees will get a refresher about how to enter Reach and PSE information into REDCap, as well as basic information on how to use REDCap.

To join the training session:
Go MDH WebEx
Enter your name and email address.
Enter the session password: REDc@p12
Click "Join Now".
Follow the instructions that appear on your screen.

Please use the “call me” function if you can.

Alternative way to join the teleconference:
Call-in number: 888-742-5095
Conference Code: 885 604 3562


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This Week's Gem

Countryside Bikes

If a smiling face is the sign of success, then the Countryside SHIP Bike Share Program is a glowing example of how wheels put in motion can have a positive impact on a community. The ever-growing Bike Share Program has more than 15 bikes placed in public spaces throughout the towns of Benson, Milan, Graceville, and Granite Falls.

 

Amanda Ness, an employee of Swift County, lives quite a distance from her workplace.  The faces in the photo are of her two kids, Jake and Gracie, and the joy they’ve discovered with each use of the bikes.

 

“Many times my kids have had to come to my office after school or during the summer between activities or appointments.  Sometimes they go to the library but if it’s nice outside they don’t always want to be indoors,” said Amanda.  “They like having the option (of using the bikes) and have used them to ride around with friends who live in town,” she added.

 

This is another example of how SHIP supports communities and help provide opportunities for living a healthy and active lifestyle through environmental change.