Making it Better: Minnesota's Health Improvement Log

Minnesota Department of Health sent this bulletin at 11/08/2018 11:00 AM CST

Making it Better: Minnesota's Health Improvement Log

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Nov. 8, 2018

OSHII welcomes Public Health fellow from CDC

Say hello to Elizabeth Bina

Elizabeth Bina joined OSHII on Oct. 1. She is a CDC Public Health Associate Fellow and will be supporting both active living and healthy eating strategies, with a goal of developing tools and resources to support Safe Routes to Healthy Foods for the next two years. Elizabeth comes from Bangor, Pa., has a B.S. in Biology, and a certificate in Community Health Assessment.

Schoolyard Garden Conference call for proposals

Deadline for presentation proposals approaching

The 2019 Schoolyard Garden Conference Planning Committee is currently looking for proposals that will cover a wide range of topics, including horticulture, program sustainability and essential paid staff, non-traditional audiences, hands-on activities and specific audiences (small community, urban community, advanced gardening program curriculum). This opportunity is available to any schools, speakers or possible contacts who would be interested in presenting at the 2019 conference on Friday, March 1.

The deadline for proposals is Dec. 1. More information is available on the call for proposals form.

Calendar

Webinar: WIC retail webinar

Date: Thursday, Nov. 15
Time: 1:00 - 2:00 p.m.

This webinar is designed for local SHIP staff working with food retailers. Join us as representatives from Minnesota WIC discuss an overview of the WIC program, provide information about the eWIC transition schedule and explain how to find accurate resources about WIC.

Webinar: New tool for grantees - sample slide deck on e-cigarettes and vapes

Date: Friday, Nov. 16
Time: 10:00 - 11:00 a.m.

Join this webinar as we run through a slide deck that briefly describes increasing e-cigarette use in Minnesota as well as harms of nicotine exposure in youth. We will also outline where and how this tool can be used as you work to educate adult stakeholders. Grantees and partners will be able to use the deck (or parts of it) as you give presentations in your community.

Join the webinar at the Minnesota Department of Health WebEx page.

Webinar: Bicycle friendly university - how to make the grade in Minnesota

Date: Monday, Nov. 19
Time: 2:30 - 3:30 p.m.

Tune in to this webinar to learn what Minnesota State University, Mankato, has done for bicycling over the years and how they made the grade as a Bicycle Friendly University. We have 5 universities in Minnesota that have been recognized as bicycle-friendly by The League of American Bicyclists and many more universities statewide who might qualify for the Bicycle Friendly University designation. Seek out recognition for what you're already doing to be bike-friendly and set goals to improve the bike culture for students, staff and visitors at your school.

To join the monthly active living webinar visit the MDH WebEx page.

Webinar: Active Transportation for Healthy Communities

Date: Thursday, Nov. 29
Time: 1:00 - 2:00 p.m.

Activity-friendly and walkable communities are designed in ways that make physical activity easier and more accessible for everyone. In alignment with the Center for Disease Control’s Connecting Routes + Destinations materials, this webinar will highlight work being done by three communities of various sizes that are working to create more activity-friendly connections for all.

This weeks Gem

What better way to learn about agriculture than with hands-on experience growing fruits and vegetables? Chanhassen High School successfully started a school-based agriculture project this year that has given rise to successful harvests with produce that has been used in school lunches.

Chanhassen High School students have been involved from the start of the garden, taking active roles in the planning process, leading fundraising efforts for garden supplies and equipment and taking on leadership roles to care for the garden during summer months.

Adaptive tools and raised beds allow special education students to play an active role. “It is an inclusive garden,” said Erin Swoboda, assistant principal. “The goal is to make sure all of our students are able to access the garden and be a part of that work, and embed this into the culture or the fabric of who we are.”

Carver County SHIP provided resources and support such as assistance with creating the action plan and connecting staff with local partners, as well as funding to get the school garden project underway.

The high school will track the amount of produce harvested and used in school lunches to be able to plan for next year’s planting season. The goal is to expand the garden so more produce can be used in school meals during the summer and fall.