Making it Better: Minnesota's Health Improvement Log

Minnesota Department of Health sent this bulletin at 07/25/2019 11:05 AM CDT

Making it Better: Minnesota's Health Improvement Log

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July 25, 2019

Registration for Every Kid Healthy Conference

Conference to be held Nov. 19

Planning for the school year? Register for the Every Kid Healthy Minnesota Conference in Brooklyn Center this fall. The conference will feature a keynote presentation, learning sessions from state- and local-level experts, an exhibit area, and plenty of opportunity for networking.

If you are in contact with school partners over the summer, please share this opportunity.

To learn more about the conference, visit the Action for Healthy Kids website.

Social media best practices

Use #MNSHIP

How often do you post to your social media platforms? Is the content directly SHIP related? If so, we have a hashtag! Use #MNSHIP or @mnhealth on your Twitter and Instagram posts to help track content, and it's a fun addition on Facebook, too.

And, if you tag Minnesota Department of Health on your message, there's a good chance that we'll share your message (MDH on Twitter; MDH on Facebook).

Events

Webinar: Celebrating Parks and Recreation Month - Launching Efforts to Create Safe and Equitable Access to Parks

Date: July 29
Time: 1 - 2 p.m.

Are you interested in launching efforts to improve safe and equitable access to parks in your community? Join this free webinar to learn how three different communities made improvements to bulb-outs, trail/bike paths, and streets using a variety of solutions, including artwork, paving and pedestrian-activated beacon lights. The panelists will share key planning and implementation steps, potential collaborations, funding and other resources and sustainability ideas to help you lead your own Safe Routes to Parks-related efforts in your community.

Webinar: Social Determinants of Health in the Workplace

Date: Aug. 6
Time: Noon - 1 p.m.

How can you talk to your employer partners about social determinants of health in the workplace? This webinar will take a look at social determinants and how employers can think about them from several perspectives, from understanding what they are and learning more about the concerns they bring to work, to exploring ways employers can become more in touch with their needs through wellness program efforts.

Join the webinar.

Webinar series: SHIP Schools

Date: Aug. 13
Repeats: Second Tuesday of each month until May 12, 2020
Time: 2:30 - 3:30 p.m.

The series will be an opportunity for local SHIP staff to network, share, learn and ask questions of others working on SHIP schools across the state. Additionally, the series will provide strategies on implementing SHIP activities, as well as news and updates.

This week's gem

The City of Dawson recently implemented a new walking route through the community to promote active lifestyles for their residents. The walking route was planned and installed by the City of Dawson, Dawson-Boyd Public Schools and Johnson Memorial Health Services in partnership with Countryside Statewide Health Improvement Partnership (SHIP).

The walking routes were designed to increase physical activity through the workday for Dawson residents and visitors. The route, titled “The Gnome Trail,” runs 3.7 miles long and includes two separate loops. The routes not only provide improved access to physical activity but also improved connection to local businesses, the centrally located Veteran’s Park, the community swimming pool and Dawson Farmers market.

Countryside Public Health SHIP funded the signage for the walking route. The hope of the signage was to be motivating, fun and to keep the historical gnome aspect that Dawson is well known for.

The story behind the Dawson Gnomes – the inspiration for the new walking route – has been told since 1988. Each year during the annual Riverfest Celebration, the community honors a citizen or group of citizens who have served the community in an exemplary way over the years, exerting a positive influence on the growth and well-being of the community as a whole. The city's gnomes put service to others before personal gain and give generously of time, talent and resources without recognition.