DSHS School Health Program Friday Beat - January 6, 2023

Friday Beat
January 6, 2023 Edition

The newsletter that takes a Whole School, Whole Community, Whole Child approach. The Friday Beat is a free publication of the Texas Department of State Health Services. It is edited and compiled by the School Health Program.

Announcements
January is National Radon Action Month
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recognizes January as National Radon Action Month. A nationwide survey of radon levels in schools estimates that one in five have at least one room with short-term radon levels above the recommended action level. Read more about radon and how to test schools on the EPA website.

Professional Development
Technical Assistance Sessions for Operationalizing School Behavioral Threat Assessment
The Texas School Safety Center is offering technical assistance sessions on Operationalizing School Behavioral Threat Assessment. This assistance is open to districts that have a School Behavioral Threat Assessment Team and conduct threat assessments at campuses. The technical assistance sessions will include answers to implementation questions and action plan creation. Read more about the technical assistance session and sign up.

Funding Opportunities
2023-2024 Nita M. Lowey 21st Century Community Learning Centers (CCLC), Cycle 12 Grant
The Texas Education Agency (TEA) is accepting applications for the 2023-2024 Nita
M. Lowey 21st CCLC, Cycle 12, Year 1 grant. The federal Nita M. Lowey 21st CCLC program supports the creation and expansion of community learning centers that provide academic and enrichment opportunities during afterschool and summer programming particularly for students who attend high-poverty and low-performing schools. Independent school districts, open-enrollment charter schools, regional education service centers, community-based organizations, and Indian tribe or tribal organizations are eligible to apply. Review the full Program Guidelines for eligibility and application information. Apply on the TEA Grant webpage by January 23, 2023.

Oliver Foundation Healthy Choices Grants
The Oliver Foundation’s goal is to encourage children, families, and communities in Texas to improve eating and physical activity patterns. The Oliver Foundation has several Healthy Choices grants available for schools ranging from $750 to $5,000. Physical activity and nutrition education components are required for the grants. The grants have rolling deadlines up to April 15, 2023. Learn about eligibility for the Oliver Foundation’s grants and how to apply.

Health Education
Texas Say What! Action Summit Registration
The Texas School Safety Center is hosting several Say What! Action summits during the spring. Summits utilize service learning to train 6th grade through 12th grade students in effective tobacco prevention activities aimed at reducing the harmful effects of tobacco, nicotine, and e-cigarette use in Texas. Each Summit also includes a local community action event which each participant receives community services hours for. View summit dates and register.

National Drug and Alcohol Facts Week March 23-26, 2023
The National Institute on Drug Abuse will recognize March 23-26, 2023 as National Drug and Alcohol Facts Week. The week encourages dialogue about the science of drug use and addiction among youth. The goal is to improve prevention and awareness of substance misuse in local communities and nationwide. Start planning activities and find free resources when you subscribe.

Health Services
Infectious Diseases and Public Health Resources
The threat of infectious diseases in kindergarten through 12th grade (K-12) school communities can present potential impacts to the safety, health, and well-being of students and staff. It’s important for K-12 schools and districts to implement and strengthen public health and safety measures to help reduce the spread of infectious diseases, maintain safe in-person learning for students, and protect the health of community members. View the infographic from SchoolSafety.gov to learn strategies to prevent the spread of disease.

Counseling, Psychological and Social Services
Trauma-Informed Care Workshop for Educators 
The Texas School Safety Center is hosting virtual training for Trauma Informed Care. Attendees will learn about the role of mental health in daily functioning, how trauma impacts the brain, the importance of unrecognized executive function deficits, and the role neuro diverse complexities play in student behavior. Throughout the workshop, participants will be provided with concrete strategies that can be implemented in a school and/or classroom setting to support all learners through a trauma informed lens. Register for the Elementary (K-5) or Secondary (6-12) training.

Community Involvement
Texas Mental Health Creative Arts Contest
The Texas Health and Human Services Commission, Texas System of Care, in collaboration with the Texas Institute for Excellence in Mental Health at the University of Texas at Austin, is excited to announce the return of the Texas Mental Health Creative Arts Contest in 2023. The contest will accept individual and group submissions through March 10, 2023. The contest seeks to raise awareness of mental health experiences, challenge stigma, and provide an opportunity to express complex emotions through creative outlets. For more information, including past winners, rules, and how to submit artwork, visit the Texas Mental Health Creative Arts Contest webpage.

Quote to Note

“Don't be afraid to give up the good to go for the great.” - John D. Rockefeller

---

Become a Friday Beat subscriber by signing up on the Friday Beat webpage.

The articles and hyperlinks to external websites appearing in Friday Beat are intended to be informational and do not represent an endorsement by the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS). Other websites may not be accessible to people with disabilities or server restrictions. External email addresses may also be provided as a courtesy. If you choose to correspond, please be advised that DSHS policies may not apply. For information about any of the programs listed, contact the sponsoring organization directly. For comments or questions about Friday Beat, email the School Health Program at schoolhealth@dshs.texas.gov or call (512) 776-7279.

Public Domain. Permission granted to forward or make copies as needed.

You received the above message because you are subscribed to the School Health Program's Friday Beat free email list.