Making it Better: Minnesota's Health Improvement Log

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Making it Better: Minnesota's Health Improvement Log

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Feb. 15, 2018

Safe Routes to Parks

kids on a playset in a park

Apply now for planning grant

The program provides grant funds to local communities in addition to training, coaching and technical assistance to support the development of action plans to improve safe and equitable park access.

Apply before Feb. 23 to be eligible to receive one of 10 grants in 2018 to implement the Safe Routes to Parks framework in your community. 

Application information is found on this Safe Routes Partnership link.


Health Equity Awakened

human impact partners health equity logo


Human Impact Partners is accepting applications for anyone interested in participating in the leadership institute. The Institute centers on the idea that advancing health equity means explicitly identifying and systematically addressing the intersecting root causes of unfair health outcomes.

The deadline to apply is Feb. 28, and details are found on the Human Impact Partnership website.


Connect Communities with MN Growers

the Minnesota Grown directory front page

Minnesota Grown Directory

The Minnesota growing season is quickly approaching, and orders are being taken for the guide that can help connect local farm products with your communities. From CSA opportunities to farmers markets to fresh berries, the Minnesota Grown Directory is printed each April so it's current, and it's free.

Fill out the order form at the Minnesota Grown link to pre-order the 2018 Minnesota Grown Directory.


Bi-Monthly Grantee Calls

SHIP logo

Tips and strategies

To assist SHIP grantees in preparing and executing successful bi-monthly calls, we continue weekly tips, developed by the SHIP Community Specialist team to help create a culture of efficient, effective and collaborative calls.

Week 2: Use your work plan as a guide when completing the call form. Describe how you are progressing on your work plan objectives.

Helpful suggestion: One of your fellow grantees completes the call form by creating topic headings, then using the work plan project number for reporting: 

Example: Schools

Project 1: Washington Elementary - 10/11 - met with nutrition director…

Project 2: Jackson Middle School – 12/2 - left a voicemail message…

Example: Active Living

Project 1: Jones City Biking and Pedestrian Plan – 1/3 – attended City Council meeting…

Next week, we will feature more tips. If you would like the complete document, please email your Community Specialist.

Reach out to your Community Specialist with any questions.


Quarterly Reports Due Soon

SHIP quarterly reports due Feb. 28

A friendly reminder that your report is due in two weeks, and will include:

  • Proposed year 2 carryforward budget form
  • Updated Year 3 work plan (should incorporate proposed carryforward work)
  • Updated Year 3 budget (should incorporate proposed carryforward funds)
  • Updated contact list
  • Updated mini-grant tracker  

Reach out to your CS with any questions.


2018 SHIP Statewide Meeting

Save the date

The dates and location are set: July 25-26, at the Eagan Community Center. Please block your calendars and start preparing for another informative and innovative meeting.

Watch for details in the MiB in the future.

Calendar of Events

Workplace Wellness Webinar

Date: Thursday, Feb. 22
Time: 12:30 p.m. 

Participants will get ideas on how to effectively wrap up collaborative meetings with  examples of transitioning from meetings to networking phase, how to engage local employers, and how to best use the presentations and exit interview to maintain momentum moving forward.

Go to this WebEx link to join the webinar session, the session password: is Winter2018*

Or, call by first logging in to the WebEx link above, choose "I will call in."

Dial: 844-302-0362       Access Code: 636 271 507  

Enter your Attendee ID Number provided in the audio conference box window in the WebEx desktop session.


This Week's Gem

several kids kayaking on a lake

Whether you are embracing the last vestige of winter or preparing for summer fun, this video presents images and ideas to help embrace active living in Scott County Regional Parks.

Two years ago, a partnership started between Scott County SHIP and Shakopee High School students in the Advanced Professional Studies (CAPS) program. The Scott County Parks and Trails team came to the table with an idea: identify a project that highlights regional parks as well as a SHIP priority of increasing accessibility to the parks.

The result: a video produced by Shakopee HS senior  Yusuf Khairulhuda, with classmate Kaleb Cardona a key contributor.  

Scott County SHIP was at the table from inception to completion - a four month process - and the end result was released last month.

So, grab your winter boots and hit the parks here or in your area, or dream about pulling out those flip-flops and getting outside. Whatever your preference, please take a minute and watch this video. Nice work Shakopee High, Scott County SHIP and all of the partners who made this project a reality.