September 2020 Newsletter

Oklahoma Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust sent this bulletin at 09/30/2020 03:00 PM CDT

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September Newsletter

September 30, 2020

TSET Food Systems Impact Grants help provide relief with the increased need for food during the COVID pandemic.

TSET Helps Fight Hunger in Oklahoma

The TSET Board of Directors recently approved funding for seven grants to address food insecurity and increase Oklahomans' access to healthy and nutritious food. The board allocated $1 million to support projects that enhance food access and distribution systems in Oklahoma and other programs that will increase access to nutritious foods. Recipients are Hunger Free Oklahoma, Gateway to Prevention and Recovery in Shawnee, Boys and Girls Club of Ottawa County, Harper County Development Authority, Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma, RSVP Enid and Urban Strategies, Inc. in Tulsa. Read more.

TSET virtually welcomed staff of the organizations that began a new 5-year cycle of the TSET Healthy Living Program.

TSET Rolls Out Virtual Welcome to New Grantees

Earlier this month, 35 organizations met virtually to learn about the TSET Healthy Living Program. The TSET Healthy Living Program, now in its second five-year grant cycle, is designed to help prevent cancer and cardiovascular disease by preventing and reducing tobacco use and obesity on a local level. The program was created with input from former TSET grantees, partner organizations and nationally recognized experts.

"This virtual orientation was a great example of how TSET grantees and TSET staff are working together despite a pandemic," said Julie Bisbee, TSET executive director. "TSET continues to engage with Oklahomans in a useful way."

TSET Board of Directors Formalizes Support

The TSET Board of Directors recently passed two resolutions encouraging the adoption of policies and laws to curb obesity in Oklahoma and to protect Oklahomans from the dangers of tobacco. The board unanimously agreed to urge the adoption of policies and laws to curb obesity because Oklahoma places 46th in U.S. health rankings. The second resolution states that all Oklahomans should be protected from the dangers of tobacco. Currently, Oklahoma laws do not include full protections from tobacco use and secondhand smoke for adults and children. The TSET Board of Directors periodically makes formal, evidence-based recommendations to the state. Previous board recommendations.

An educational campaign by Tobacco Stops With Me addresses secondhand smoke and how it affects kids. As it stands, Oklahoma kids are not protected from secondhand smoke inside vehicles.

Tobacco Stops With Me Highlights 'Oklahoma Standard'

This fall, Tobacco Stops With Me, a program of TSET, continues educating Oklahomans about the benefits of comprehensive tobacco policies that have proven to positively impact populations in neighboring states. The public education campaign now will feature the "Oklahoma Standard" demonstrating the need for tobacco policy change to increase quality of life and better health for the citizens of Oklahoma. Check it out. "Oklahoma Standard."

A TSET Healthy Incentive Program grant helped the city of Haileyville secure playground equipment that is ADA compliant.

TSET Grants Help Haileyville Build Parks, Farmers Market

Haileyville, Oklahoma, is a great example of how the TSET Healthy Incentive Program for Communities is designed to work. This year, the town finalized a new farmers market and built three new parks. It wasn't easy. In 2017, TSET had awarded Haileyville a grant for $20,000 to build a new farmers market. A tornado damaged the new facility just months after opening. In 2019, the city was awarded a TSET grant for $16,000. The funds helped build three new parks that city workers and residents completed earlier this year during the coronavirus pandemic. Read more.

"The completion of the three parks and a farmers market in Haileyville truly shows the commitment that residents have made to healthy living," said Julie Bisbee, TSET executive director.

Representatives from the Regional Food Bank, Hunger Free Oklahoma and the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services are featured in Episode 7.

New TSET Better Health Podcast Now Available

Episode 7 of the TSET Better Health Podcast features interviews and resources for those affected by food insecurity and COVID-19. Representatives from the Regional Food Bank and Hunger Free Oklahoma talk about resources available to struggling Oklahomans, including senior meal boxes, prescriptions, food pantries and more. The Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services details services that they provide in the age of COVID-19. Podcast hosts James Tyree and Cate Howell also look at TSET’s new healthy youth and food access initiatives. Visit tset.ok.gov/podcast or anywhere you listen to podcasts.

Kelli Brodersen (top right), TSET health communication manager, and Ann Freeman (bottom center), marketing strategist, presented at the Oklahoma Public Health Association Annual Meeting and Conference.

TSET Resources Topic at Virtual Meetings

TSET sponsored a virtual keynote speaker at the Oklahoma Public Health Association (OPHA) Annual Meeting and Conference on Sept. 22-23. Jeff Jordan, the founder of Rescue Behavior Change Agency, whose agency is the lead contractor of the new TSET Healthy Youth Initiative, spoke about youth marketing strategies and reaching youth in ways that lead to behavior change. Jordan also presented a breakout session on what data is showing about youth vaping and ways to prevent youth from vaping. Kelli Brodersen, TSET health communication manager, and Ann Freeman, marketing strategist, also discussed resources provided by Shape Your Future, a program of TSET. Tips and tools to live healthier.

During September, TSET also spoke at several other virtual conferences including the Oklahoma Dental Hygienist's Association and the Public Relations Society of America Oklahoma City.

"Outreach is a big part of what TSET does and we're glad to be able to continue participating in conferences and workshops despite the coronavirus," said Julie Bisbee, TSET executive director. "During this time of enhanced public health needs we want to make sure that Oklahomans are aware of the many free resources that TSET provides."

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