TSET November Newsletter

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TSET Newsletter

November 28, 2016

TSET Board of Directors Elects Officers for 2017

Millican BOD

The TSET Board of Directors elected new officers for 2017 during their November meeting. Don Millican, of Tulsa, was elected to serve as chair. Bruce Benjamin PhD, of Claremore, was elected as vice chair.

Millican was appointed to the TSET Board of Directors by Treasurer Ken Miller in July 2012. Millican is the Chief Financial Officer for various interests of George B. Kaiser, including Kaiser-Francis Oil Co. Millican is also on the board of Tulsa Educare, Oklahoma Policy Institute and Tulsa Neighborhood Networks.

Bruce Benjamin


Benjamin, who was appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, began serving on the TSET Board in 2015. Benjamin is the vice provost for graduate programs, associate dean for biomedical sciences and associate professor of physiology at Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences. Dr. Benjamin is also head of the OSU Center for Wearable Electronic Sensing Systems and Technologies, an interdisciplinary team working to develop wearable smart garments for use in health and wellness.


Appointed members to the TSET Board of Directors serve staggered seven-year terms. Board members represent each congressional district, are politically diverse and oversee the expenditure of the earnings from the Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust, as specified by the Constitution.


Learn more about the TSET Board of Directors’ members by clicking here


TSET Board of Directors Approves $21,000 in Healthy Schools Incentive Grants

HSIG Photo

The following school districts and school sites were awarded incentive grants at the Board of Directors November meeting:

  • Clayton Public Schools 
  • Lone Grove Public Schools 
  • Seminole Public Schools 
  • Ardmore Middle School 
  • Coyle High School 
  • Jenks East Elementary


The school districts that received incentive grants plan to purchase playground and exercise equipment, automated external defibrillators (AED) devices, and a hydration station to provide fresh, clean drinking water.


Two school sites plan to use funds for Action Based Learning equipment which combines learning and physical activity. Research shows that children who are physically active perform better academically. 

To learn more about TSET’s Healthy Schools Incentive Grants, click here


Community, Schools Honored for Work to Promote Health

Collinsville

Community

The City of Collinsville was recently honored for its ongoing commitment to improving health and quality of life for residents.

In 2012, Collinsville received an incentive grant in the amount of $5,000 and was awarded another grant in 2013 for $20,000. The city is now being recognized for its 2015 Gold Level achievement and $25,000 grant.

Collinsville has utilized all $50,000 of the Healthy Communities Incentive Grant funds to make improvements to its city park. Some of these improvements include adding another 3 miles of all-weather walking and mountain bike trails. Funds also paid for improvements to the tennis courts, parking area, restrooms and signage. 

Brushy PSD

Schools 

Three school districts were honored in November for their efforts to improve health through the TSET Healthy School District Incentive Grant program. 


Moffett Public Schools, Brushy Public Schools and Greasy Public Schools each received a $1,500 incentive grant. The schools plan to use the grant funds to purchase physical activity equipment, playground equipment and other items to encourage students, staff and faculty to eat better, move more and be tobacco free.  

Incentive grants for school districts are based on district enrollment and strategies implemented. Grant funds may be used for projects that advance health.

To learn more about TSET’s Healthy Schools Incentive Grant program, click here


Statewide Events Celebrate GASO

GASO Image

TSET grantees and partners celebrated the Great American Smokeout (GASO) with events to promote quitting tobacco statewide.

In Cherokee County, the TSET Healthy Living Program grantee, the Cherokee County Health Services Council, facilitated quit events across the county including events at local hospitals, a grocery store, a university and tribal health facility. The events included information from the Oklahoma Tobacco Helpline and quit kits for those wanting to quit tobacco.


The Helpline supports those interested in learning more about quitting tobacco, on GASO or any other day by guiding them through “mini-quits” that can train body and mind, build endurance and help develop the skills needed to manage cravings and maintain a smokefree course. Think of it as conditioning, much like training for a marathon — because quitting IS a marathon.

 

Remember, tobacco users looking to learn more about quitting are not alone. Support is always available through the Oklahoma Tobacco Helpline. The Helpline offers a community of support and accountability — a cheering section to provide encouragement along the way. 

 

Visit OKhelpline.com to learn more and create a customized Quit Plan.


Simple Changes Can Reduce Diabetes Risk

Diabetes Awareness Month


Diabetes is a growing concern across Oklahoma. In the last 20 years, the diabetes rate among Oklahoma adults has more than tripled. 

It’s a disease that affects more than 330,000 people in the state, leading to pain, suffering and early death and is the 7th leading cause of death in the United States.

November is National Diabetes Month. Click here to learn how healthy lifestyle changes can reduce your risk of type 2 diabetes by eating better, moving more and being tobacco free. 

 
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