Virginia Partners in Prayer & Prevention, February 2024 Newsletter

Black History Month is observed every February to celebrate the accomplishments of Black and African Americans. It is an opportunity to recognize the many ways Black history, culture, leadership, and innovation have influenced all facets of life in the United States. This year, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Office of Minority Health (OMH) is celebrating Black History Month by acknowledging the role Black and African Americans have historically played in enhancing the health and well-being of all Americans and highlighting health equity promoting policies, programs, and practices focused on addressing the health disparities that affect this population. 

OMH is committed to Advancing Better Health Through Better Understanding for Black and African American individuals and communities by ensuring connections to culturally appropriate healthcare services, information, and resources. When patients are provided with culturally and linguistically appropriate information, they are better able to create healthier outcomes for themselves and their communities. 

February is American Heart Month, a time when all people—especially women—are encouraged to focus on their cardiovascular health. This Heart Month, the Division for Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention (DHDSP) is encouraging women to listen to their hearts and speak up for their health. Women in the United States are experiencing unacceptable and avoidable heart-related illness and death, and nearly half of U.S. women do not recognize that heart disease is the leading cause of death for women. Click the image for resources for Individuals and Patients!

Biden-Harris Administration Marks Two Years of Advancements in HHS’ Overdose Prevention Strategy with New Actions to Treat Addiction and Save Lives. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) marked two years of its Overdose Prevention Strategy (Strategy) by announcing bold new actions to combat overdoses. These actions include finalizing a rule that will dramatically expand access to life-saving medications for opioid use disorder, announcing that certain grant funds may now be used to purchase xylazine test strips (XTS), and releasing the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA) updated Overdose Prevention and Response Toolkit.    The toolkit, designed to augment overdose prevention and reversal training, provides guidance on the role of opioid overdose reversal medications, including naloxone and nalmefene, and how to respond to an overdose. It also contains appendices for specific audiences, including people who use drugs (PWUD), people who take prescription opioids, first responders, healthcare practitioners, and others.

DMV Faith in Action: Community Connections Webinar Series  Tuesday, February 27th 12:00 pm – 1:15 pm Breaking the Shackles in Your Mind: The Intersection Between Faith and Therapy   Each year millions of Americans face the reality of living with a mental illness and millions never seek the support offered in therapy. Faith leaders are positioned to play a vital role in advocating for early identification and intervention. You are invited to join this important conversation about the intersection between faith and therapy. There is an ongoing need to fight stigma, provide support, educate congregations and communities, and advocate for policies that support needed services. We must continue to promote mental health as a critical part of holistic wellness and comprehensive care.

As we settle into 2024, it’s a good time to consider new habits for a healthier year. February is American Heart Month. Heart disease is the number one leading cause of death in Virginia. The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) and its partners encourage you to think about making a few simple changes to your daily routine so that can help you reduce the risk of heart disease.

• Choose healthy meals and snacks.  Include a lot of fruit and vegetables in your diet, and choose foods lower in sodium and saturated fat. Try some heart healthy recipes and check out the MyPlate resources from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
• Make physical activity a regular part of your day.  Adults should get at least 2 hours and 30 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise per week, such as brisk walking, running, bicycling a week. Learn more about ways to increase your physical activity throughout the day on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s physical activity page.
• Take steps to quit smoking by contacting Quit Now Virginia, which offers free telephone or web-based counseling services and also offers Text2Quit support, self-help materials and referrals to local resources. 1-800- QUIT NOW (1-800-784-8669) or learn more at the Quit Now Virginia Website.
• Check your blood pressure.  Read more about ways to prevent and manage blood pressure. Here are some helpful tips for talking with a doctor to manage and check your blood pressure.

National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day #NBHAAD February 7 is National HIV/AIDS Awareness Day (NBHAAD), which was first observed in 1999. This observance is a day to acknowledge how HIV disproportionately affects Black people.   This year’s theme is "Engage, Educate, Empower: Uniting to End HIV/AIDS in Black Communities". Engage: Discussing ways to better involve the black community in HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment efforts. This can include outreach programs, community partnerships, and utilizing local leaders and influencers to promote HIV testing and destigmatize the conversation around HIV/AIDS. Educate: Focusing on improving HIV/AIDS education among black youth and adults. This could cover the latest research, treatment options, understanding of PrEP and PEP medications, and debunking myths that contribute to stigma and discrimination. Empower: Highlighting success stories and strategies that have effectively empowered black individuals living with HIV/AIDS. Empowerment can be through advocacy, policy change, access to care, and support systems.

February is Low Vision Awareness Month Millions of people in the United States are living with a visual impairment. A visual impairment can make it hard to do everyday activities, like getting around, reading, or cooking. And it can’t be fixed with glasses, contacts, or other standard treatments, like medicine or surgery.   The good news is that vision rehabilitation services can help people with a visual impairment make the most of the vision they have — and keep doing the things they love. Take some time this Low Vision Awareness Month to learn about vision rehabilitation and spread the word! Find materials about vision rehabilitation!

Train for the Moments That Matter

Red Cross offers a selection of online and in-person instruction-led course formats which makes it easy for your team to train when, how and where you want. Each student is issued a 2-year OSHA compliant certification upon successful completion of classes.

Call 1-800-937-8329 or fill out this form and select "Get Red Cross group training" to learn more.

Chronic Condition Information Can Lead to Services That Save Lives Did you know chronic health conditions are among the most common and costly health problems in the United States? They affect millions of Americans and require ongoing medical care and management. As a community leader, a faith-based organization, or a family member who knows someone with a chronic disease, you play a vital role in helping them improve their quality of life.   The Health Quality Innovation Network (HQIN) is dedicated to ensuring people who have chronic conditions have the most current information needed to help them stay healthy and out of the hospital. They are informing people about a Medicare service called Chronic Care Management (CCM). Here is a helpful website to explain what this service is, why it is important, and who is eligible to get it: What is a Chronic Health Condition, and How Can My Doctor Help? | HQIN.   Pass this information on to your congregation, coworkers, family, friends, and loved ones with Medicare whom you think would want to learn more about this service.

Integrate the Walk With Ease Self-Directed Program into your organization's resource or wellness website.  As a partner of the Virginia Arthritis Program, Insight Memory Care provides this evidence-based, self-guided program to encourage physical activity. Participants follow the program by reading the WWE book, walking three times weekly for six weeks at their own pace, and completing the online modules at their convenience. This program is free for Virginia residents. For integration support and tips, click here.

Have Questions? Contact the Virginia Arthritis Programs (VDH) at virginiaarthritisprograms@vdh.virginia.gov.

Buckle Up for Loved Ones  According to Virginia's 2022 seat belt observation survey, more than 20% of Virginians are not buckling up. DRIVE SMART Virginia needs your help to increase seat belt use and save lives on our roadways!

Physical Security Performance Goals for Faith-Based Communities Actionable recommendations and resources to help faith-based communities mitigate the threat of targeted violence. View Recommendations. CISA.gov

Just in Case You Missed it!

              Virginia Partners in Prayer & Prevention                 Partner Resource Webinar Series 

Everyone should have access to healthy, nutritious foods! Prepare for National Nutrition Month in March by learning about how the Virginia Family Nutrition Program encourages Virginians to eat smart by making healthy food and lifestyle choices.     Don't miss this opportunity to learn how you can participate and get involved with this Family Nutrition Program!

The Virginia Department of Health Presents:

Alzheimer’s, Dementia, and the Faith Community

This course will provide faith communities with the resources needed to empower caregivers with this inspiring training toolkit, thoughtfully designed for faith-based organizations and faith ministries. Learn about: warning signs, brain health & risk reduction strategies and caregiver tips and resources

If you interested in hosting a free interactive learning and growth opportunity for your church, community contact: Sharon Napper at 804-971-0933

Lead 101 For Parents & Caregivers

Join 100 Ways In 100 Days! To celebrate our 100-year anniversary, we have a gift for you! Join our FREE, exclusive program to get an email each week for the next 100 days providing you with valuable health tips on eating better, moving more, and improving overall wellbeing. Make 2024 your best year yet!

What is advanced care planning
and why is it so important for
those living with dementia?
Advanced care planning is the process
of learning of and taking action to prepare for future decisions about one’s care.
This includes informing one’s family and
healthcare providers about their preferences. An important part in this process is an advance directive, which is a legal document that states one’s preferences that will be followed if one is incapacitated or unable to speak for themselves. Advanced care planning is important because it allows individuals to plan and take control of their care and affairs before they are no longer able to voice their wishes. It is important for people living with dementia to be involved in these decisions while they are able to do so.

Public Health Strategies
in Dementia Caregiving

The purpose of this toolkit is to provide
potential strategies and interventions
that public health agencies can implement to support and elevate the work of family dementia caregivers in their jurisdictions, that are consistent with the Healthy Brain Initiative Road Map. This toolkit may be useful for all public health agencies as they set and pursue their dementia caregiving goals, but especially to public health departments that were awarded funding through the BOLD Infrastructure for Alzheimer’s Act as they implement their Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRD) strategies using the Healthy Brain Initiative Road Map as a guide.

Additional Community Resources

988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline

Need Support Now? If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org

Request Your Opioid Response Outreach Toolkit

Virginia P3 recognizes that faith-based and community partners eagerly and actively step in to fulfill the needs of their community, especially during a crisis. As a result, we aim to equip our partners to respond to the present opioid health crisis with Opioid Response Toolkits.

Trainings & Webinars 

Funding Opportunities 

Community Facilities Direct Loan & Grant Program in Virginia

This program provides affordable funding to develop essential community facilities in rural areas. An essential community facility is defined as a facility that provides an essential service to the local community for the orderly development of the community in a primarily rural area, and does not include private, commercial or business undertakings.

Application Deadline: Ongoing

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