RE-LINK Grants Awarded | August 2016 Newsletter

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August 2016

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HHS Office of Minority Health awards $2.4 million to support re-entry programs 

New grant awards to seven organizations will improve health outcomes for minority and/or disadvantaged individuals in transition from jail to their communities. The Re-Entry Community Linkages (RE-LINK) program will connect individuals who are formerly incarcerated to community-based organizations that provide links to health care, including behavioral health care services, health care coverage and social services such as housing, adult education and employment assistance programs. View the press release. 

In this issue:

The Latest on the Zika Virus: Your State's Status, Zika and Pregnancy

zika resources. map of us in black and white with image of mosquito. zika alert.


Missed the podcastZika and Pregnancy: What Pregnant Women need to Know 

Know your state’s status for Zika virus infections. Visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website for updates on new cases.   

Visit our Zika resource pagesin English and Spanish for: 

  • Information about who’s at risk 
  • Links to maps and surveillance data 
  • Resources for health care professionals 
  • Multi-lingual materials 

August 7-13 is National Health Center Week #NHCW16

One in 14 people in the U.S. receive their care at a health center. Supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), health centers treated approximately 23 million people in 2014, 50 percent of whom are members of minority groups. Health centers deliver high quality, cost effective and accessible care while serving as critical economic engines helping to power local economies.  

During National Health Center Week August 7-13, we celebrate 50 years of health centers in the U.S. and their critical role in increasing access to affordable, cost effective and high quality care. Visit the National Health Center Week website to learn more. 

National Immunization Awareness Month

National Immunization Month graphic


National Immunization Awareness Month (NIAM) highlights the importance of vaccination for people of all ages. NIAM, sponsored by the National Public Health Information Coalition (NPHIC), was established to encourage everyone to make sure they are up to date on the vaccines recommended for them. It is important to raise awareness about the important role vaccines play in preventing serious, and sometimes deadly, diseases. Help spread the word and visit NPHIC’s website to download the NIAM communications and outreach toolkit.

The #First31 Days of Breastfeeding: Daily Tips for New Moms

During National Breastfeeding Month this August, the HHS Office on Women’s Health is celebrating by sharing 31 breastfeeding tips — one for each day of the month. 

Check out the #First31 Days of Breastfeeding series for a new tip every day to help new moms prepare for breastfeeding and get off to a great start. 

Use #First31 to follow the series on Pinterest, Facebook and Twitter or share with other new moms!

First31 Days graphic

Fighting Hepatitis and HIV in Minority Communities Webinar Series

Hepatitis and HIV in minority communities. hand holding an awareness ribbon.


The Office of Minority Health Resource Center recently kicked off a five-part webinar series designed to help health professionals, agencies and clinics address the rising rates of hepatitis and HIV co-infection in their communities.

Next webinar: September 1 at 2 pm EDT
Hep B among African Immigrants: Knowledge, Attitudes, Behavior

Register for this webinar. 

Sign up to be notified via email of dates and agendas for all webinars in this series.

NPA Newsletter: Health Equity News from Around the Country

The National Partnership for Action (NPA) Quarterly Newsletter highlights the actions and achievements of the Regional Health Equity Councils, Federal Interagency Health Equity Team, NPA Partners and stakeholders. Don’t let summer pass you by without catching the latest on health equity advances and check out the NPA Summer Newsletter.

Health Equity Change Makers: Inspiring Change One Story at a Time

In honor of our 30th anniversary, the HHS
Office of Minority Health has launched a
new digital storytelling project to highlight
powerful and inspiring stories of advancing
health equity from across the nation.

Health Equity Change Makers. Faces of six people profiled. #ImAChangeMaker www.minorityhealth.hhs.gov/ChangeMaker

Health Equity Change Makers illustrates the far-reaching impact of health disparities, and the ways that we all, as individuals, in our families and communities, and as a nationare making change happen every day. 

Visit www.minorityhealth.hhs.gov/ChangeMakers to learn more, share your own stories of change and get ideas for accelerating health equity in your own community!


Margot headshot

Margot, who lost her young daughter, channeled her frustration and grief into a platform to help other HIV positive women. Hear her story.  


Elk supports youth of the Northern Arapaho tribe to find their voice to help end the epidemics of suicide and substance abuse that threaten their well-being. Hear his story.

Elk Sage headshot

Maria Schinstock headshot

Maria was inspired to become a promotora to help members of her community get information and support they need to cope with chronic illnesses. Hear her story.


PATHWAY is a unique program that is helping young men at-risk forge a new path for their future. Hear the story.

Reed Daniel headshot

Kiki Stinnett Headshot

Kiki is carrying on a legacy of women leading change to help all women in Chuuk, Micronesia, achieve their best health and well-being. Read her story.  


Brenda became an advocate for ending lupus disparities after nearly losing her daughter to the disease. Hear her story.

Brenda Blackmon headshot

The 100-Day Challenge to End Youth Homelessness

Many young people do not have a have a safe place to lay their heads and sleep for the night. The Administration for Children, Youth and Families (ACF) found that most older youth become homeless when they are asked by a parent or caregiver to leave their home. Furthermore, nearly 30 percent identified as gay, lesbian or bisexual, and nearly 7 percent identified as transgender. About half of the youth had been in foster care, and those who had been in foster care had been homeless for much longer than youth who hadn’t. 

Join HHS in supporting the 100-Day Challenge to help catalyze community action to establish bold, creative and innovative ways to help homeless youth find stable housing. The challenge launches on September 7, 2015, in the cities of Austin, Cleveland and Los Angeles. Learn more about the challenge at www.awayhomeamerica.org. 

What's New in the Knowledge Center

Indian Blood, written by Andrew J. Jolivette, examines the correlation between mixed-race identity and HIV/AIDS among Native American gay men and transgender people. This book uses surveys, focus groups and community discussions to explore historical and contemporary experiences of members of the two-spirit community in San Francisco. To view this title and find additional information, search our online catalog. 

OMHRC logo. Knowledge Center. Laptop propped up by books. See our latest acquistions.