Making it Better Log

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Making it Better: Minnesota's Health Improvement Log

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Oct.12, 2017

Basecamp 3 Launching Soon

Basecamp 3 logo of a mountain

Add yourself to a team

The Minnesota Department of Health will upgrade from Basecamp 2 to Basecamp 3 on Nov. 1. The new format includes additional features including smart phone and tablet capabilities.

Here is what you need to know: watch for an email inviting you to join Basecamp 3 then go to the link provided in the email and yourself to that Team. If the link doesn't work, try using a different browser. If you have questions, please email the Basecamp support team  at support@basecamp.com.


Crunch an Apple Today

apple with bite taken out of it

Great Lakes Great Apple Crunch

At noon today, a million people in the Midwest are expected to participate in the Great Lakes Great Apple Crunch. 

Whether you are a registered participant or not, if you and/or your organization or classroom are crunching, please share photos using social media and spread the word by using the hashtags #GreatAppleCrunch, #MNAppleCrunch, #F2SMonth or #farmtoschool.


Farm to School Grants

farm to school

Apply now for federal grant dollars

Farm to School month is underway, but it's not too early to begin planning for next year. The USDA awards competitive grants for training, supporting operations, purchasing equipment, developing school based agriculture products and implementing farm to school programs.

The Office of Community Food Systems encourages you to visit the FY 2018 Farm to School Request for Applications (RFA) for details.


Smoking Cessation and Reduction Training

pregnant woman sitting in the sun

Focus on pregnant women

Enhance your knowledge and assist your pregnant patients by taking part in the upcoming Smoking Cessation and Reduction in Pregnancy Treatment (SCRIPT®) Training Workshop. It's designed to be a component of a patient education program for prenatal care providers.

Learn more about the workshop and register for the SCRIPT® program by visiting this page.


Reminder to SHIP Grantees

SHIP Community Specialist hired 

The SHIP team is happy to announce that Chelsea Tufts will join the Community Initiatives Unit as the Community Specialist for the northwest area of the state beginning Oct. 25. 

Chelsea has a Masters in Public Health, is a Licensed Dietician and currently is the WIC Program Coordinator for North County CHB. She will work primarily from her home in Detroit Lakes. 

Welcome Chelsea!


Register for Your SHIP Regional Meeting

Four trainings remain

Register now for the remaining SHIP trainings that grantees are expected to attend.  Work sites and health care are the topics this round, with each training scheduled from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Visit the MDH website to register for the training in your region.

Remaining locations and dates:

Oct. 17, Metro

Northern Service Center, One Mendota Rd. W., West St. Paul

Oct. 19, Northeast

Duluth Public Safety Building, 2030 N Arlington Ave, Duluth

Oct. 24, Central

St. Joseph Government Center, 75 Callaway St. E, St. Joseph

Nov. 2, Southwest

Redwood Falls Public Library, 509 S Lincoln St., Redwood Falls

Calendar of Events

Motivational Interviewing Workshop

Date: Thursday, Oct. 19,  and Thursday, Nov. 2
Time: 10:00 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.

Bloomington-based Institute for Clinical Systems Improvement (ICSI) will train participants on motivational interviewing, which engages patients to clarify their strengths and hopes, evoke their motivation for change and promote autonomy in decision-making.

Sign your team up today by visiting the ICSI website.


Tobacco Cessation Webinar

Date: Tuesday, Oct. 24 
Time: Noon - 1:00 p.m. 

The webinar, Developing a Community Based Tobacco Cessation Program; Lessons Learned from the Primary Care-Public Health Learning Community, will help participants understand the benefit of reviewing electronic health record and community data to identify a common community health priority and at-risk population; learn how staff and resources were shared across public health and healthcare system; and learn new methods to conduct tobacco cessation outreach and increase community awareness of tobacco use.

Learn more and register at the MDH Tobacco Cessation Program webinar site.


2017 ACT on Alzheimer’s Learning Summit

Date: Tuesday, Oct. 24
Time: 8:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

The 2017 Learning Summit is full of meaningful community engagement topics aimed at ACTing together for a stronger dementia friendly Minnesota. Join us for the day-long event held at the St. Cloud River’s Edge Convention Center.

Registration, directions and information is found on the Action Communities Learning Summit website.

This Week's Gem

Foley students and walk to school day

A first-timer to International Walk to School Day - Oct. 4 - Foley Public Schools had more than 70 students participating.  The kids joined parents, teachers, school staff and administrators on the walk, but it didn't stop there. Foley City Council members, the mayor and city administrator, public health educators, and local law enforcement joined in the fun by volunteering to help walk kids safely to school, which included walking across Highway 23. 

Aside from the benefits that come with being active,  the smiles provided by the participants and volunteers made this a great inaugural event for Foley!