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June 27, 2019
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Happy July 4!
With the holiday next week, we will not be sending out a newsletter. Look for the next Making it Better log on July 11.
Have a safe and happy holiday!
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Registration for Food Justice Summit will be available in August
There was an error in last week’s story about the Food Justice Summit. Registration for the Food Justice Summit is not available until August. We apologize for the error.
Food Justice Summit presentation request extended until July 2
The deadline for the request for presentation proposals has also been extended to Tuesday, July 2. Please share this opportunity with your networks and consider co-creating. Contact Julie Anderson or Nicole Chimbetete with any questions.
Timeline for next fiscal year
As we approach the end of another fiscal year, it is time to start planning for next year. Below is a timeline to help us prepare for year 5.
Contact your community specialist with any questions.
Reminder for SHIP spending requirements
Currently, all SHIP Year 3 funds have been spent and all grantees are drawing from SHIP year 4 funds.
SHIP Year 4 funds must be spent by June 30, 2020. We will know the total amount available to carry forward after we receive your final invoice in December 2019. We will process the invoices and have the final numbers for you in the new year 2020.
As you know, the current SHIP grants end on Oct. 31, 2020. With that, Year 5 funds are required to be spent by Oct. 31, 2020. This deadline is firm due to it being the end of the grant.
Center for Prevention Catalyst Funding round two
The Center for Prevention at Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota announced a second round of Catalyst Funding. The Catalyst Funding Initiative is designed to support the implementation of creative solutions to health inequities and jump-start community initiatives. Blue Cross is seeking to fund projects that lead to sustainable community health changes related to the Center for Prevention’s core issue areas: increasing access to physical activity, increasing access to healthy eating, and decreasing commercial tobacco use.
The application deadline is Friday, Aug. 23, at 1:00 p.m. Applications must be submitted via Blue Cross’ online application system. Partial submissions will not be accepted.
There will also be an informational webinar about this opportunity. See below for details.
Learn more about the Catalyst Funding Initiative at the Center for Prevention website.
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New study shows SHIP boosting Minnesota employers’ workplace wellness efforts
Employers participating in Minnesota’s Statewide Health Improvement Partnership (SHIP) overwhelmingly reported positive changes in healthy eating and physical activity among their employees, according to a new study conducted by the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH). These findings are encouraging for employers looking to improve workers’ health and productivity and to reduce health care costs down the road.
According to the study, 73 percent observed improvements in healthy food and beverages consumed by employees, and 67 percent noticed increases in physical activity. The study evaluated the impact of workplace wellness efforts, including strategies to support breastfeeding mothers and help employees quit smoking, eat healthier and be more physically active.
Employers credited SHIP, with 92 percent of workplaces indicating that their organization’s wellness goals have advanced due to SHIP.
Learn more about the SHIP workplace wellness study.
Form moved online
The application for Breastfeeding Friendly workplaces has been changed to make it easier to complete online.
This is the first Breastfeeding Friendly application to use that format. Workplace partners will be able to access the application directly from the MDH website, instead of using a PDF.
As part of a test of the new system, two workplaces completed their applications through the new online format. All remaining Breastfeeding Friendly applications will eventually move online.
The new format also makes it easier to collect data and meets accessibility standards.
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SHIP Financial Guide questions answered
Q: Is out-of-state travel an allowable SHIP expense?
A: Out-of-state travel is an allowable SHIP expense that requires MDH prior approval. You must provide a detailed description of the purpose of travel and provide a breakdown of relevant costs including number of persons travelling, conference registration fees, transportation expenses, lodging and per diems. Contact your community specialist for MDH prior approval.
See pages 8, 9, 17 & 20 of the Financial Guide (PDF) for more information.
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