Welcome to the Health Promotion & Prevention Newsletter, released by Marion County's Health Promotion & Prevention Team! Each quarter we highlight selected programs, share information about events & resources, and share ways to increase the health of ourselves, our families, and our community. Together, we can connect and come together to enhance the health of all communities in Marion County! Our hope is to increase communication with our many diverse partners, educators, parents, and communities.
What's in this Article: Table of Contents
FREE Training for Marion & Polk Elementary School staff
The PAX Good Behavior Game is an evidence-based universal preventive intervention applied by teachers in the classroom. This evidence-based practice consists of a set of research-based strategies helps to build children’s self-regulation. Teachers implement these strategies as part of their daily routines and research has shown it actually increases instructional time.
Other outcomes from the Good Behavior Game have shown improved focus and attention, improved test scores and other academic outcomes, reduced alcohol and other drug use, and reduced suicide. Visit www.Paxis.org for more information.
*additional trainings may be requested for your school .
Other Upcoming Trainings:
- March 3 (various dates): HEART School-Based Mental Health Learning Series
- March 4: The Intersection of Brain Injury and Substance Use Disorder
- March 8: Gardening for Mental Health (Chemeketa)
- March 9: Cannabis in the Era of Commercialization
- March 10: Hiking for Beginners (Chemeketa)
- March 15: Finding Fulfillment in Life & Work for Caregivers
- March 17: Preventing Substance Use Disorder Related Stigma
- March 17: Collective Trauma, Collective Healing, and the New Normal in Behavioral Health
- March 23: Understanding Organizational Implicit Bias and its Impacts on BIPOC Populations
- April 27: Mindfulness for Teachers During Difficult Times: Building Resilience with Compassionate Teaching
- May 25: What’s Going On: Choosing Understanding over Escalating and Punishing
Public Health Training Organizations
Prevention Technology Transfer Center (PTTC) Network: A variety of health promotion and prevention focused webinars from health experts nationwide.
Mental Health Technology Transfer Center (MHTTC) Network: A variety of mental health specific webinars from health experts nationwide to reduce mental health stigma and increase resiliency across the lifespan.
Chemeketa Community Wellness & Recovery Workshops: Through free online webinars, Chemeketa Community College hosts a variety of health and wellness subjects.
Know of another organization that provides great trainings and want to share with our network? Let us know at MCHDPrevention@co.marion.or.us.
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COVID-19 Updates
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Governor Brown to Lift COVID-19 Restrictions
Governor Kate Brown announced that she will be lifting Oregon’s COVID-19 emergency declaration, effective April 1 (Read on for details). She also announced lifting of indoor mask mandates effective March 12 (Read on for details in English & Spanish). COVID-19 hospitalizations and case numbers continue to drop rapidly across Oregon as the Omicron variant recedes.
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COVID-19 Effects on Oregon Adults Report
The Oregon Health Authority, Oregon Council on Problem Gambling, and Problem Gambling Solutions conducted a survey examining the effects that COVID-19 has had on Oregon Adults.
This representative survey shows how Oregon Adults have changed their alcohol, cannabis, gambling, and gaming habits due to pandemic stress. Specifically, people with high stress had increased rates of alcohol and cannabis misuse, and problem gambling and gaming.
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More COVID-19 Information
While the State of Oregon's Emergency Declaration may be coming to an end, Marion County's Health Promotion & Prevention Team will continue to provide information on the lasting effects of COVID-19. More information about COVID-19 vaccinations, testing, data, and resources in various languages can be found on Marion County's website.
The Marion County Commissioners on March 2nd Proclaim March Problem Gambling Awareness Month
March has been recognized as Problem Gambling Awareness Month nationally and through the State of Oregon. The Marion County Commissioners have joined the call to increase awareness around Marion County through a Proclamation making March 2022 Problem Gambling Awareness Month locally in Marion County. Click here to see the proclamation presentation starting at 33:25.
Problem Gambling Prevention Coordinator Michael Keuler presents information to the Marion County Board of Commissioners on March 2nd.
Gambling is an activity that carries risk. It is the only current Behavioral Addiction/Disorder recognized by the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. In Oregon, it is estimated that 2.6% of Oregon Adults have a Gambling Disorder, and an additional 5.4% show signs of a problem. Problem Gambling can negatively affect health, relationships, finances, and employment. There is free and confidential help for people who gamble and their loved ones through www.OPGR.org.
See below resources to bring action in our local communities:
- Share the March 2022 PGAM Flyers with your networks
- Learn the signs and symptoms of problem gambling:
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Workplaces: FREE Workplace Problem Gambling Toolkit
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Healthcare Providers: screen clients for problem gambling
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Retirement Communities & Senior Centers: Incorporate responsible gambling guidelines into activities.
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Educators & Parents:
- Request technical assistance: mkeuler@co.marion.or.us or 503-576-2867
2020 Problem Gambling Art Search Winner Emmanual Sandoval's artwork.
Be sure to like the Marion County Health & Human Services Facebook Page for more facts, videos, and information throughout March.
This year’s theme - Public Health is Where You Are - aims to celebrate what we know is true. The places where we are, physically, mentally, and societally, affect our health and lives. Take a moment to realize all the intersections that affect your health and well-being. Encourage everyone to step in and do what they can to make our world a more equitable, safe, healthy, and just place. That includes public health professionals, students, leaders, and the public.
The following are some of the daily themes for National Public Health Week:
Be sure to like the Marion County Health & Human Services Facebook Page for information on each of the subjects in April.
We have been beset with many challenges, past and current, to our mental health. But arising from these difficulties, we are in a time now where the stigma and obstacles of getting mental health care are being chipped away.
988, the new national crisis help line, will be live in July. This new, easy to remember and quick dial number will help facilitate care for those in need. In addition, more than 21 states are enacting various laws to expand telehealth access and prevent suicides. Oregon is addressing youth mental health with specific youth suicide prevention measures and funding.
Activities in May:
May is Mental Health Awareness Month. Let us continue the effort to ensure we all have access to mental wellness! Please see below for activities being offered:
Be sure to like the Marion County Health & Human Services Facebook Page for more information and resources in May.
Every May, the Administration for Community Living (ACL) leads the nation’s observance of Older Americans Month (OAM). In 2022, ACL will be focusing on aging in place – how older adults can plan to stay in their homes and live independently in their communities for as long as possible. The 2022 theme is Age My Way.
Ask An Expert: Patrick Brodigan, Older Adult Behavioral Specialist
We talked with Marion County’s Patrick Brodigan about what that means to “age your way." We learned of local workshop and training opportunities, regional initiatives, and resources!
Patrick Brodigan is a Qualified Mental Health Professional – Certified, with a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology from Oregon State University. Patrick has 37 years of continuous work in the mental health field, with a focus on adults. For the last 33 years he has worked in multiple positions with Marion County Health & Human Services, Adult Behavioral Health.
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We would like to thank Patrick for his expertise! If you have more questions for Patrick or want to nominate another expert to spotlight for our Summer 2022 Prevention Newsletter released in June, contact us at MCHDPrevention@co.marion.or.us.
It is important for us to de-stress and take a deep breath, relax, and laugh. We hope this helps brighten up your day!
Source: www.punpedia.org
Members of the Marion County's Health Promotion & Prevention Team prepare the teacher appreciation baskets. From left to right: Kelly Martin, Susan McLauchlin, Margaret McNamara, Michael Keuler, Laura Sprouse, and Scott Vu.
On Monday February 7th the Health Promotion & Prevention Team from Marion County in collaboration with Willamette Education Service District made care baskets in appreciation to all the public schools in Marion County. Thanking & showing their appreciation for the dedication staff and educators have shown through these unprecedented times.
The baskets had a lot of great goodies, such as motivational materials, snacks, fun games, and resources to make staff and educators lives a little easier. Over 130 baskets were created and delivered in partnership with the Salem Leadership Foundation. Who helped deliver the baskets and their own pies in the Salem/Keizer area.
We appreciate all the volunteers, partners, and staff who helped celebrate Marion County educators and school staff, it was a team effort!
Here are some extra photos of this appreciation project overall!
Kelly Martin Poses with an appreciation poster developed from the Willamette Education Service District
All 72 baskets for the Salem-Keizer School District ready to go for distribution.
If the past two years of COVID-19 has taught us anything, it is that it takes a village to get through difficult times. A village to prop up our neighbors, community, family, and friends. The Salem Leadership Foundation is one of those organizations that brings together local communities throughout Salem.
Jennifer Palanuk with the Salem Leadership Foundation provided her insights into how they make communities better! We are excited to present SLF with our community spotlight for March 2022.
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"Our mission at Salem Leadership Foundation is to engage people of faith and people of goodwill to transform the community for good – neighborhood by neighborhood.
"It really just takes one person, passionate about an idea, to make something happen in a neighborhood or the community. Most recently, a Community School Outreach Coordinator approached the Community and Partners of East Salem with an idea for boosting staff morale at Swegle Elementary School. It took one person to say to the group, “Why would we stop at one school. All the teachers and staff in the district are struggling.” Three weeks later, 6,000 Willamette Pie Company pies were delivered to every staff member in the district along with a blessing basket to each school from Marion County. It was an amazing collaboration between several organizations, businesses and volunteers! Read more about this amazing project at https://www.salemreporter.com/posts/6009/volunteers-help-salem-educators-de-stress-with-personal-pies
Volunteers prepare pies and appreciation baskets for all Salem-Keizer School District staff.
"Getting involved is easy. Salem Leadership Foundation organizes the Community Partnership Teams by the high school boundary map. All you need to do is live, work or worship in a specific area and have a desire to partner with others to make that area more livable. Contact me at jennp@salemlf.org and I can get you added to the email invites for your area."
Scott Vu with Marion County Prevention poses with Pie Project Organizers Jackie Frankie, Beth Sorenson, and Jennifer Palanuk.
In 2018 and 2019 work was started to form a Marion County Substance Use Coalition. Using data on youth alcohol use, listening sessions were held around the county to learn what factors might be contributing to youth alcohol use in communities, what resources were available and additional information needed to address the issue. This work was paused in 2020 at the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Coalition work is starting again. This time, we are partnering with the 2021 Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP). The CHIP includes substance use priority areas and goals which include:
- Decrease the percentage of 11th graders who drank alcohol in the last month
- Decrease the percentage of 11th graders who used e-cigarettes in the last month
- Decrease the percentage of 11th graders who used marijuana in the last month
- Decrease the percentage of adults who use tobacco
- Decrease opioid overdose death rate
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The coalition may also identify other substance use issues in the community to address.
The Substance Use Coalition meets approximately every other month with a goal of having some action items and interventions identified by later this year.
For more information about the coalition and how to be involved, contact Diana Dickey, Substance Use Prevention Coordinator at ddickey@co.marion.or.us.
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Did you know with a few clicks you can have available new updated resources for FREE!
Posters, infographics, pamphlets, magazines, Web content, tip sheets available for Parents, Health Educators, Health Care Professionals, and of course youth.
The FDA Tobacco Education Resources Library has these resources and more. Go here for these resources and more! https://digitalmedia.hhs.gov/tobacco/.
Travel Safely: Download NHTSA App to Stay Informed
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is the agency responsible for car seat safety regulations and recalls for vehicles, tires, car seats and other equipment. You can download this app to your phone today (the apple store or google play store) and report safety problems, check for recalls, find information about proper car seat installation and use as well as searching for 5-star safety ratings
Safe Routes to School
Marion County supports Safe Routes to School for healthier families, less traffic congestion, a stronger sense of community, safer streets, and creating better commuters.
Find out more information about programs:
With a time change right around the corner (March 13) and days getting longer, it is important to remember to be responsible. Wear reflective gear, dress for the weather, and expect the weather to impact or alter your route. Consider downloading the FEMA app or Everbridge app to make sure you are up to date on emergency weather alerts and planning. In Marion County, look for increased water/drainage and make sure to keep storm drains clear.
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Food Preservation & Emergency Preparedness
Rain makes the garden grow! Now, how do you keep that harvest all year round? OSU extension offers information for you on how to preserve your favorites year round. The preserving class covers the basics you need to know about wet canning, steam canning, freezing, drying, and how to make sure your food is safe to eat. Knowledge is power, empower your food supply by ensuring proper harvesting and storage.
For more information, check out these resources:
Marion County Health Promotion & Prevention will be highlighting various programs and health topics to keep you connected to the most important Health Promotion Topics in Summer 2022. If there is a subject you would like covered, please let us know through the email below.
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