National Minority Health Month
Be the Source for Better Health: Improving Health Outcomes Through Our Cultures, Communities, and Connections
April is National Minority Health Month (NMHM), a time to raise awareness about the importance of improving the health of racial and ethnic minority communities and reducing health disparities. Learn more about NMHM. Join NIMHD, our partners across NIH, and the HHS Office of Minority Health (OMH) to Be the Source for Better Health as we share resources to improve health outcomes through our cultures, communities, and connections.
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The Partnership Center is Proud to Release the
National Faith in Action Guide on Maternal Health!
Center for Faith-based & Neighborhood Partnerships U.S Dept. of Health and Human Services
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The National Faith in Action Guide on Maternal Health is a comprehensive resource that provides vital information to pregnant women, their families, healthcare providers, and faith and community leaders. The guide offers a detailed course of action to combat mortality and morbidity rates and reduce racial inequities in maternal health by addressing the factors contributing to maternal mortality, including intimate partner violence (IPV), mental health challenges, and substance use disorder (SUD). Furthermore, the guide examines the different factors and circumstances that can affect a pregnant person's decision to seek care. It provides guidance on recognizing maternal warning signs and taking early action, along with a detailed outline of the steps that faith and community leaders can take to address the maternal health crisis. |
Distracted Driving Awareness Month
In April, DRIVE SMART Virginia and other safety groups observe Distracted Driving Awareness Month to bring attention to the serious threat manual, visual and cognitive distractions pose to the safety of all road users. For too many, the issue of distracted driving is personal.
Watch our recent Partner Resource Session with DRIVE SMART Virginia to learn how to raise awareness about the dangers of distracted driving and eliminate preventable deaths and injuries on our roadways.
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 VDEM Seeks Additional Applications for FY23 Emergency Shelter Upgrade Assistance Grant Fund
RICHMOND –The Virginia Department of Emergency Management (VDEM) is seeking additional applications for the FY23 Emergency Shelter Upgrade Assistance Grant fund (Shelter Upgrade Fund). This funding source was approved as a result of Senate Bill 350, introduced by Senator Lucas, which went into effect July 1, 2020. The General Assembly approved $2,500,000 for this grant fund in state FY23. The Shelter Upgrade fund shall be used solely for the purposes of providing matching funds to localities to install, maintain, or repair infrastructure related to backup energy generation for emergency shelters, including solar energy generators, and to improve the hazard-specific structural integrity (wind retrofit) of shelter facilities owned by the locality.
Application Submission
All project applications, and supporting documentation, must be submitted through the application portal by May 1, 2024.
Program Guidelines
For more information on the application process and eligibility criteria, please visit www.vaemergency.gov/divisions/finance/grants or contact Lauren Tanner, Hazard Mitigation Grants Administrator, at Lauren.Tanner@vdem.virginia.gov or by phone at 804-659-1030.
April is Alcohol Awareness Month
An opportunity to update your knowledge about alcohol use disorder (AUD) and the adverse impact of alcohol misuse on health and society. Alcohol-related problems continue to take a heavy toll on individuals, families, and communities. Researchers estimate that each year there are more than 178,000 alcohol-related deaths, making alcohol a leading preventable cause of death in the United States. In addition, more than 200 disease and injury-related conditions are associated with alcohol misuse.
NIAAA offers a wealth of research-based resources related to alcohol misuse. These resources are free, cover many topics, and are available in multiple languages. Read about these resources HERE!
DMV Faith in Action Webinar Series
Tuesday, April 30th 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
Black Genes Matter™: Eliminating the Generational Impact of Cancer
Hosted by the Maryland Department of Health, the DC Department of Health, and the Virginia Department of Health
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STI Awareness Week, observed the second full week in April, provides an opportunity to raise awareness about STIs and how they impact our lives; reduce STI-related stigma, fear, and discrimination; and ensure people have the tools and knowledge for prevention, testing, and treatment.
CDC estimates that about 20 percent of the U.S. population – approximately one in five people in the U.S. – had an STI on any given day in 2018, and STIs acquired that year cost the American health care system nearly $16 billion in health care costs alone.
Partner Resource Webinar Series
Unlocking Health & Safety: Alcohol Awareness & Stroke Prevention in Focus
Just in case you missed it! During Alcohol Awareness Month in April, communities had the opportunity to deepen their understanding of alcohol use and its impacts, while also accessing resources and support for individuals struggling with alcohol use. Simultaneously, faith-based organizations took strides towards becoming Stroke Smart, educating their members about the signs and symptoms of stroke and the importance of immediate action by calling 9-1-1. As May approaches, these organizations prepared to further their impact by focusing on hypertension awareness, paving the way for Stroke Awareness Month. Now, you can watch this past event on YouTube to learn more about both initiatives and how they intersect in promoting health and well-being.
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Virginia Fresh Match is a nutrition incentive program that matches funds to help SNAP shoppers buy more healthy, local food at farmers markets. When shoppers use their EBT cards at a SNAP-eligible farmers market, the incentive matches the value (usually up to a certain amount). Farmers markets with the Virginia Fresh Match program will double SNAP dollars, allowing shoppers to buy more fresh, local fruits and vegetables.
Look for the Virginia Fresh Match logo at a farmers market near you, or visit the market manager table to find out if they have a SNAP matching program. Visit Virginia Farmers Market Association’s website to learn more about Virginia Fresh Match.
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ROOTED
IN POWER
DOWNLOAD THE 10TH ANNIVERSARY 2024 TOOLKIT NOW
Use the No Menthol Sunday 2024 Toolkit to equip your community against the tobacco industry's predatory tactics. This toolkit provides strategies, facts, and talking points for a tobacco-free future. When people of faith remain vigilant, educate youth, and inspire community action, we move closer to total health justice. Lead the way toward a tobacco-free world.
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Share the Fun…not the Germs, and Make a Healthy Splash!
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 Order for FREE. These brochures can be ordered for free thanks to the generous financial support of the American Chemistry Council.
National Child Abuse Prevention Month
Doing Things Differently: Moving from the Challenge to the Change National Child Abuse Prevention Month recognizes the importance of families and communities working together to prevent child abuse and neglect. Prevention services and supports developed by this collaboration can help parents, other caregivers, and communities protect children and strengthen families.
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 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.
 The Commonwealth of Virginia offers several incentive programs to attract health professionals to Virginia’s underserved areas. These programs not only assist with paying down outstanding medical education debt but also afford individuals an opportunity to become part of a community and provide care to deserving populations.
 MedsMatter! is a Health Quality Innovation Network (HQIN) initiative to highlight the impacts of safe medication practices, and patient engagement through education, resources and quality improvement best practices.
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Vaccines Are More Important Than Ever
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Vaccinations play an important role in protecting individuals and decreasing/preventing infections that can lead to avoidable emergency department (ED) visits, readmissions and deaths. As a result of the pandemic, vaccination rates have declined, and are now more important than ever. We are not just talking about COVID-19 vaccines, this also includes flu, pneumococcal and RSV vaccines. Learn more.
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IBS Awareness Month
Since 1997, the International Foundation for Gastrointestinal Disorders (IFFGD) has designated April as Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) Awareness Month. Additionally, since 2019, April 19th has been officially known as World IBS Day. Throughout the month, health care practitioners, industry partners, patients, family members and caregivers are encouraged to help increase public awareness and educate the public on the chronic gastrointestinal (GI) disorder that impacts millions of people in the United States and worldwide.
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Ways to Get Better Seizure Control
Many people with epilepsy continue to have seizures even though they are taking medicine. Learn four ways to help you get better control of epilepsy and seizures.
Epilepsy is a brain disorder that causes repeated seizures. About 3.4 million people in the United States have active epilepsy—that means a doctor has told them they have epilepsy and they are currently taking medicine for it, or they have had at least one seizure in the last year. Learn more here.
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 Danville Church Based Tutorial Program
Danville, VA
Pictured are students enrolled in the Danville Church and Community Tutorial Program. Students are enjoying the fresh produce they grew using an Aeroponic Garden System.
God's Anointed Touch Ministries
Windsor, VA
God's Anointed Touch Ministries host a sewing class as part of their A.C.E.S. program, Advancement with Cooking, Exercise, & Sewing. The goal of this class is to allow participants the opportunity to create two projects they can use personally. Additionally, this allows the development of a creative skill which helps relax the mental state by improving focus and concentration.
 Healthy Heart Plus II
North Chesterfield, VA
Healthy Heart Plus II works and advocates for maternal health in under resourced and underserved populations, by increasing the flow of information about nutrition and COVID-19 that extends the reach of public health initiatives and reverses the negative impacts of mistrust or hesitancy toward under resourced communities. The Food Is Medicine program provides stronger links between local agencies and communities through accessibility to healthy fresh food, interventions, and culturally appropriate information, referrals and resources, stronger social safety nets, and partnerships to promote COVID-19 testing and vaccination, information, and prevention, achieving optimal continuity of care for managing overall maternal health.
Xodus III Community Development Corporation
Norfolk, VA
Xodus III Community Development Corporation partnered with JenCare Senior Center to promote healthy hearts at their Healthy Hearts + Healthy Minds = Healthy Souls event. This event had several activities including conversations centering cardiology, motivational speakers for seniors, and demonstrations for chair exercises, line dancing, and healthy cooking.
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