Friday Beat
August 9, 2024, 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
National Immunization Awareness Month
The Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recognizes August as National Immunization Awareness Month. The Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) has put together a Back-to-School Outreach Toolkit for the 2024-2025 school year, which can be found on the DSHS Back-to-School webpage. This toolkit provides resources to promote vaccine efforts on campus.

Children’s Eye Health and Safety Month
The National Institutes of Health National Eye Institute (NEI) observes August as Children’s Eye Health and Safety Month. Visit NEI for Kids as a space for children to learn about eye health and safety. Resources include information about vision, an “Ask the Scientist” video series, first aid and healthy vision tips, and related games for kids. To learn more about vision screenings for your school, visit the DSHS Vision and Hearing Screening webpage.

Professional Development
Web-Based Asthma Education In-Service Training  
The American Lung Association (ALA) is partnering with Southern Texas Asthma Coalition (STAC) and San Antonio Kids Building Relationships, Effective Asthma Teaching in Home Environments (SA Kids BREATHE) to provide a teaching workshop to those that may find it beneficial for those caring for students/patients with asthma. The training will take place on August 13 from 12:00 – 2:00 p.m. Topics include asthma basics, stock albuterol guidance, and updates to the STAC Asthma Action Plan. Share this training with school nurses, nurses, nurse aids, and other school staff. Register on the ALA webpage.

Funding Opportunities
Healthy Meals Incentives Recognition Awards
As part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service, the USDA and Action for Healthy Kids are recognizing School Food Authorities (SFA) that have made operational improvements to improve the nutritional qualities of their school meals and involve students and families in nutrition education. SFAs meeting the Recognition Award criteria will receive national and local recognition, along with an awardee toolkit that includes digital assets and travel stipends to attend a national Healthy Meals Summit. Apply by August 30 to be able to attend the Fall 2024 Healthy Meals Summit.

Health Education
Turn To Campaign
The Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) launched the ‘Turn To’ substance use prevention media campaign in collaboration with FleishmanHillard and The University of Texas’ Center for Health Communication. HHSC will host back-to-school activities and distribution of back-to-school supplies, along with sharing resources on mental health and well-being and preventing substance abuse and related issues. More information, resources, and materials can be found on the campaign webpage, available in English and Spanish.

Reducing E-Cigarette Use Among Youth and Young Adults Toolkit for Health Care Provider
The DSHS Texas Tobacco Prevention and Control Program and Texas Comprehensive Cancer Control Program launched Reducing E-Cigarette Use Among Youth and Young Adults Toolkit for Health Care Providers, which provides current information on youth and young adult e-cigarette use as well as tobacco prevention resources available to Texas residents. Healthcare providers working with youth and young adults who use e-cigarettes are encouraged to use this resource.

Physical Education and Physical Activity
Move Your Way Campaign
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services launched the Move Your Way campaign. This campaign offers tools, videos, and tips that make it easier for both kids and adults to get more active. Families are encouraged to move together, so everyone gets health benefits.

Nutrition Environment and Services
Back to School Resources
The USDA Food and Nutrition Service is providing resources to help USDA Child Nutrition Programs (CNP), serve nutritious and tasty school meals during School Year 2024-2025 and beyond. You can find menu planning, nutrition education, and school meal promotion resources on their webpage. These resources are for the whole school community to prepare for the coming year.

Health Services
It's That Time of Year Again! Catch Your Child Up on Routine Immunizations for Back-to-School
The DSHS Immunization Program has information about immunization schedules for school-age children. View the 2024-2025 Immunization Requirements for Schools and the Texas Vaccines for Children Program for more details. Share this information with families before the start of the next school year to make sure everyone is ready to go back to school.

Physical Environment
Guide for Developing a High-Quality Emergency Operations Plan (EOP)
CDC provides resources and information about developing an Emergency Operations Plan to protect students and staff from threats, including natural disasters, extreme heat, violence, and infectious disease outbreaks. Visit the online Guide for Developing High-Quality EOPs. Share with school administration and staff.

Community Involvement
Transition to Adulthood Learning Collaborative Quarterly Meeting: Back to School Special
The Transition to Adulthood Learning Collaborative (TALC) at DSHS is hosting its quarterly webinar meeting on August 14 from 12:00 PM to 1:30 PM. The meeting will focus on helping youth with special healthcare needs develop skills to be more independent as adults. Participants can share knowledge, information, and strategies to support youth transitioning to adulthood. Providers, youth, parents, caregivers, and representatives from healthcare plans, hospitals, universities, schools, and community organizations are invited to participate. More information can be found on the TALC meeting registration page.

Quote to Note
“What would life be if we had no courage to attempt something?” –Vincent Van Gogh

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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. 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.

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