Making it Better: Minnesota's Health Improvement Log

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Making it Better: Minnesota's Health Improvement Log

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March 14, 2019

SPAN Grant funding opportunities

MEDA and Good Food Guidelines funding from CDC grant

MDH is excited to announce two new funding opportunities through the CDC funded State Physical Activity and Nutrition Program: Moving Health Equity to Action and Good Food Guidelines Pilot Project.

During the Healthy Food Guidelines project, local public health partners will engage community and stakeholders to assess community food environments, develop shared goals and identify opportunities to implement food guidelines and support implementation of food guidelines in locations prioritized to support identified populations.

Application materials and more information are available on Basecamp.

If you have any questions, please contact the Healthy Eating team.

The Moving Health Equity Data to Action (MEDA) project will fund a cohort of three LPH agencies and their community partners to identify, develop and implement physical activity and/or nutrition strategies to address inequities for specific target populations. The MEDA requires that LPH agencies and their community partners build on the HEDA projects they conducted for their Statewide Health Improvement Partnership grant.

MEDA application materials are located in the HEDA Basecamp Docs & Files Folder.

If you are unable to access this folder, please contact Kim Edelman.

The application deadline for both projects is April 8, 11:59 p.m.

See below for information on the SPAN Grant webinar on March 20.


New Catalyst funding available

BCBS logo

New opportunity for advancing health equity

The Center for Prevention at Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota has announced a new funding opportunity to advance health equity. The "Catalyst Funding Initiative" will fund community-driven, culturally specific efforts that support commercial tobacco control, healthy eating or physical activity, especially those impacting social determinants of health.

For more information on eligible activities for funding and other requirements for the application, visit the Blue Cross Blue Shield website.

The application deadline is April 12, at 1 p.m.


Funding opportunity: Healthy Connections

BCBS grant for healthy communities

The Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota Foundation’s mission is to make a difference in communities by advancing health equity and improving conditions where people live, learn, work and play. They have announced a new funding opportunity for applicants focused on creating safe, welcoming and connected communities. A total of up to $1.4 million is available over two years.

The deadline for this funding opportunity is Friday, March 29, at 4 p.m. Visit the Blue Cross Blue Shield website for full details and information about how to apply.


Action for Healthy Kids funding opportunities

actionforhealthykids

School grants for healthy kids

School Breakfast Grants 

School breakfast is more than a meal: It helps fight hunger, improves student focus and reduces absenteeism. Your school can introduce or expand a school breakfast program with grants for $1,000, $2,000 or $3,000. Whether it's breakfast in the classroom, grab-and-go breakfast or another breakfast program, help your students start their day right. 

Game On Grants 

In order to get every kid healthy and ready to learn, the Game On grants provide funding and resources for schools to improve or introduce new nutrition and physical activity programs. With a $1,000 grant, you can build a school garden, get equipment for active recess, host taste tests, start a before- or after-school activity club and more.

Parent-led Grants 

Parents can make a mark on school health! Apply for a $1,000 parent-led school grant that will provide funds and resources to revamp or introduce fitness or nutrition programs so that all students have access to healthy choices. 

Applications are open until April 5. Work with your state coordinator or regional manager and visit the Action for Healthy Kids website to learn more and submit your application today! 


APA MN Conference call for presentations

Submit presentation proposal for local conference

Have a community active living planning-related project you want to share? Consider presenting at the APA Minnesota 2019 Planners Conference happening Sept. 25-27 at Breezy Point Resort.

APA MN is now accepting proposals for sessions at the fall conference. Four different presentation formats are available. Submitters are encouraged to review presentation guide before completing the online submission form.

For more information and to apply, visit the APA MN website. Submissions are due April 5.


Tobacco Regional Meetings

SHIP Tobacco Regional Video Conference Calls

There is an impressive tobacco prevention movement occurring across the state. MDH plans to convene regional video conference calls for local and state SHIP staff to share local and state policy progress, grant updates and helpful tobacco prevention resources. This time is dedicated to strategic TA and peer-to-peer discussion. Join us for coffee and conversation!

Regional map

To Register:

Northwest Region - Date: April 3, Time: 1:00 p.m.

Northeast Region - Date: April 4, Time: 10:00 a.m.

Southwest Region - Date: April 4, Time: 1:00 p.m.

Central Region - Date: April 10, Time: 1:00 p.m.

Metro - Date: April 11, Time: 10:00 a.m.

Southeast Region - Date: April 11, Time: 1:00 p.m.


SHIP Financial Guide FAQ

SHIP Financial Guide questions answered

Q:   Who should I contact at MDH if I have questions on expenses?

A:   Per the Financial Guide (PDF), all finance related questions should be sent to your community specialist.

Calendar

Webinar: Blue Cross Blue Shield Catalyst Funding Initiative

Date: March 15
Time: 10:00 a.m.

This webinar will offer more details about the Catalyst Funding Initiative and provide an opportunity to ask questions. The "Catalyst Funding Initiative" will fund community-driven, culturally specific efforts that support commercial tobacco control, healthy eating or physical activity, especially those impacting social determinants of health. Applicants are strongly encouraged to participate.

Learn more and register.


Webinar: 2019 SHIP Monitoring partner sites REDCap project

Date: March 19
Time: 11:00 - Noon

The Evaluation Team is having a webinar that will focus on the 2019 SHIP Monitoring Partner Sites REDCap project, and briefly on other evaluation projects in REDCap. Contact your evaluation liaison if you have any questions.

The webinar will cover:

  • Statewide Findings from SHIP 4, Year 3
  • Brief Overview of REDCap Basics
  • Details about the 2019 SHIP Monitoring Partner Sites project
  • 2019 Evaluation Reporting Requirements
  • 2019 Due Dates

Join the webinar on the WebEx training site.


Webinar: SPAN Grant opportunities

Date: March 20
Time: 11:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

This webinar will offer more details about the funding opportunities available for both SPAN grants, Moving Health Equity Data to Action (MEDA) and Good Food Guidelines (GFG), and provide an opportunity to ask questions. Applicants are strongly encouraged to participate.

Join the webinar on the WebEx training website.

If you have any questions about the MEDA opportunity, please submit them to Kim Edelman.

If you have any questions about the GFG opportunity, please submit them to the Healthy Eating team.


Webinar: Private insurance and tobacco cessation - an update

Date: March 22
Time: 1:00 p.m.

Join the American Lung Association to learn about the current landscape of private health insurance market and its coverage of tobacco cessation treatment. This webinar will explore some surprising changes in private health insurance and what private insurance companies are covering in terms of tobacco cessation coverage. Additionally, the webinar will feature Amanda Jansen, who will share her experiences in Minnesota working with self-insured employers on improving their cessation coverage. 

Register with the American Lung Association and email Ranjana Kodwani with questions.


Webinar: Tobacco 21 - What you need to know about policy initiatives, FAQs and impact

Date: April 2
Time: 11:00 a.m. - Noon

This webinar will share the rationale behind local Tobacco 21 policies and the positive impact they have had on reducing youth smoking rates. Questions will be answered about building community support on this topic and how to work with local decision makers who might not be convinced of the benefits. An update on state legislative activity on this policy will also be shared. 

Learn more and register.

This week's gem

Three rivers healthy bevs sign

Hennepin County Parks offering healthier beverages

In 2018, French and Fish Lake Parks, part of the Three Rivers Regional Park System, stopped offering sugar-sweetened beverages in their concession venues. Now the parks sell sugar-free sparkling water and diet soda along with 100-percent fruit juices. Hennepin County Public Health, supported by the Statewide Health Improvement Partnership (SHIP), has been working with the Three Rivers Regional Park System for several years to increase the availability of healthier food and beverages in their concessions. French and Fish Lake Park went the extra step to phase out sugary beverages completely.

Dan Fjell, French Park facility supervisor, remarked, “Sparkling water was a great addition to our beverage options at French and Fish Lake – we’ve received many positive comments about our concession offerings.” Fjell went on to say that park patrons appreciate the parks’ efforts to provide healthy, easy options that are kid- and parent-friendly.