Wednesday, December 27, 2017

WEBINAR: Comprehensive Approaches to Suicide Prevention


Thursday, January 18, 2018
1:00 - 2:00 PM Mountain Time 

Please join us for this inaugural webinar of the ICRC-S 2018 webinar series. In this webinar, In this webinar, Eric Caine, M.D., Director of the ICRC-S and Co-Director of the Center for the Study and Prevention of Suicide at the University of Rochester Medical Center, will discuss the rationale for a comprehensive and highly coordinated approach to suicide prevention and describe the role that public health can play in the implementation of this approach.  This presentation will also consider what elements are necessary for creating and sustaining the mosaic of efforts that are needed for preventing suicide and its antecedent risks, as well as for preventing other related forms of premature death. Jarrod Hindman, M.S., Deputy Chief of the Violence and Injury Prevention-Mental Health Promotion Branch at the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, will talk about how the state of Colorado is adapting this approach in the planning and implementation of the Colorado National Collaborative, an initiative to develop, implement and evaluate a comprehensive approach to reduce suicide in Colorado 20 percent by 2024. Participants will be able to ask questions of the presenters.



Wednesday, December 13, 2017

FUNDING: Mini-Grants to Support Child Maltreatment Prevention Trainings

Coming in 2018, Illuminate Colorado in partnership with the Colorado Office of Early Childhood will be awarding mini-grants to support training in three curricula to prevent child maltreatment:

  • Nurturing Healthy Sexual Development
  • Stewards of Children
  • Bringing the Protective Factors to Life in Your Work 

Mini-grant funds can be utilized for expenses related to meeting space, child care, food, travel, and trainer fees. More details on the application process, eligibility, reporting requirements, and award amounts will be available in January at www.illuminatecolorado.org​.​

Youth Bullying Prevention Resource from HRSA

The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) released an evidence-informed and evidence-based Bullying Prevention Capacity Assessment and Change Package. According to the report, "approximately 21 percent of youth ages 12 through 18 reported being bullied at school in the United States during the 2014–15 school year, which translates to millions of youth being affected each year. Research shows that the results of bullying have serious, lasting effects, and prevention can improve the physical and mental health, safety, and well-being of children and their families."

Learn more about youth bullying prevention and access this resource here: https://mchb.hrsa.gov/sites/default/files/mchb/MaternalChildHealthInitiatives/MCHB_ChangePkg_8-24-17_sxf.pdf

Quick-Look: Youth Opioid-Related Deaths Since 2004

The National Center for Fatality Review and Prevention recently released a Quick-Look summary of opiate data from the in Child Death Review Case Reporting System. Since 2004, there have been 635 opioid-related deaths of children and teens, ages 10-17 reviewed by CDR teams. This Quick-Look will provide further detail about our data.

View the Quick-Look at https://www.ncfrp.org/resources/quick-looks/

Monday, December 11, 2017

safeTALK: Suicide Alertness Training in Wheat Ridge




2017 Governor's Award for School Health and Wellness - Manitou Springs School District 14


Learn more about the winner of the 2017 Governor's Award for School Health and Wellness!

Healthy School Champions logoManitou Springs School District 14 is the 2017 recipient of the annual Governor’s Award for School Health and Wellness for embedding health as a core component of their mission, vision, policies and instructional model.

Video story: 2017 Governor's Award for School Health and Wellness - Manitou Springs School District 14

Every year, the Healthy School Champions Recognition program recognizes K12 Colorado public schools for their success at creating a healthy school environment, implementing effective school health efforts and demonstrating how they comprehensively address health and wellness while embedding it in their culture and systems. CEI singles out schools that have excelled at creating health and wellness programs that support student learning.

The program is now in its eighth year and has awarded more than $300,000 in awards to Colorado schools who continue to demonstrate the critical link between student health and academic achievement. With the support of The Colorado Health Foundation, schools have received awards ranging from $300 to $7,500 per school.

Learn more about the Healthy School Champions Recognition program and the upcoming January 19 deadline at the Colorado Education Initiative.

Tuesday, November 28, 2017

Youth Suicide Prevention & Intervention Symposium


Register online: https://events.egov.com/eventreg/CO/registrant.htm?action=new&_event=yspis2018
Or visit the CSSRC trainings page for more information Colorado.gov/CSSRC/trainings

2018 *updated* Family-Friendly Workplace Toolkit


Employers play a critical role in the lives of their employees. After all, the average person in the United Sates spends 8.9 hours a day at work.[1] Employees in every stage of life should feel supported in the workplace.

The 2018 *updated* Family-Friendly Workplace Toolkit highlights employers who are leading efforts to ensure their workplaces support the lives of their employee, shares best practices, and defines the components of a family-friendly workplace.

Those who work to prevent child fatalities in Colorado can also work towards incorporating family-friendly workplace policies and practices. We encourage you to read more about what other organizations are doing on the Family-Friendly Workplace Toolkit as well as encourage your organization to take the Health Links Family-Friendly Assessment.

Together we can work to reduce work-life stress and ensure that employees feel supported!

[1] U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2017). Charts from the American Time Use Survey. Retrieved from: http://www.bls.gov/tus/charts/

Training Opportunity: From Positive Youth Development to Social Justice Youth Development


December 14, 12:00-1:00pm Mountain Time
Description
Positive youth development (PYD) is the preeminent theory and practice model for working with youth. In positive youth development, adults and communities seek to strengthen known protective factors among young people so that young people can thrive and become productive adults.

Social Justice Youth Development (SJYD) goes a step further to address the social and economic forces (racism, classism, sexism, adultism, homophobia, xenophobia, ableism) that oppress young people and complicate “normative” developmental patterns. Social justice youth development incorporates many aspects of positive youth development (knowledge and skill building), and also acknowledges and leverages youth’s experiences with discrimination, inequality, and negative stereotypes. A goal of SJYD is to understand power, privilege, and oppression in order to disrupt existing power structures and advocate for transformative change.

As a result of this webinar, participants will be able to describe two theories (PYD and SJYD) and consider their similarities, and differences.

Given the diversification of youth and communities, a SJYD framework is an important consideration to achieving health equity and justice for and with young people.

Learning Objectives
  • Describe positive youth development and social justice youth development theory
  • Explain similarities and differences between PYD and SJYD

Regional Positive Youth Development Training System (PYD-TS)

Are you looking for a Positive Youth Development training in your area? The regional Positive Youth Development Training System (PYD-TS) has formally launched with an exceptional group of regional trainers in the regions below excited to get started!

Region 1: Northwest Colorado
Eagle River Youth Coalition
Michelle Stecher
mstecher@eagleyouth.org
970-949-9250

Region 5: Southwest Colorado
School Community Youth Collaborative
Cindy Houston
chouston@scyclistens.org
970-394-9183

Region 8: Southeast Colorado
Boys & Girls Clubs of Pueblo County
Becky Medina
beckym@bgcpueblo.org
719-564-0055 ext. 111


If you would like to be trained, please contact these organizations directly. If there is a request outside of these regions, or the regions themselves do not have the capacity to fulfill a request, please contact Lorin Scott-Okerblom at Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (Lorin.Scott-Okerblom@state.co.us). 


Wednesday, November 22, 2017

CDPHE is Hiring!

The Violence and Injury Prevention - Mental Health Promotion Branch at the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) is hiring 3 full-time positions. Please see details below and share these opportunities widely!

Community Outreach Specialist (#800)
Classification: Public Health and Community Outreach III
Job Location: Denver, CO
Close Date: December 5, 2017  OR until we have identified an adequate applicant pool (i.e., 50 qualified applications).

TO APPLY:  Community Outreach Specialist (#800)


​Youth Suicide Prevention Coordinator (#1981)
​​Classification: ​Public Health and Community Outreach Professional III​
​​Job Location: Denver, CO
​​Close Date: ​Announcement will remain open until December 3, 2017 and will not be based on how many qualified applications are received.

TO APPLY: ​​Youth Suicide Prevention Coordinator (#1981)​


Communities That Care Coordinator (#1677)
Classification: Public Health and Community Outreach III
Job Location: Denver, CO
Close Date: December 7, 2017  OR until we have identified an adequate applicant pool (i.e., 50 qualified applications).

TO APPLY:  Communities That Care Coordinator (#1677)


Monday, November 13, 2017

Child Maltreatment Prevention - Community Planning Awards Announced


Fifteen Colorado communities were awarded funding and technical assistance to engage in an eight-month local participatory planning process using the Colorado Child Maltreatment Prevention Framework for Action (Framework). The Framework is designed as a tool to guide strategic thinking, align strategies, and maximize shared outcomes to prevent child maltreatment and promote child well-being at the state and local level. The Framework will guide community planning to mobilize action that protects children, and then track implementation and measure progress. This initiative is generously supported by the Colorado Department of Human Services and the ZOMA Foundation.

The community planning process requires cross-system collaboration, and local planning teams must bring participation from a variety of stakeholders. Community champions will convene teams of local stakeholders that include most of the following: social/human services, early childhood, k-12 education, family resource centers, parent support programs, parents, community mental health, public health, medical professionals, community centered board, economic security and workforce development, child fatality prevention coordinator, first responders, higher education/community college, business sector, local public officials, local philanthropy, and other community-based organizations.

Congratulations to the fifteen community champions selected!

  • Arapahoe County Early Childhood Council
  • Bright Futures
  • Catholic Charities Diocese of Pueblo
  • Community Partnership Family Resource Center
  • Early Childhood Partnership of Adams County
  • Mesa County Public Health
  • Morgan County Family Center
  • Mountain Family Center
  • Mountain Resource Center
  • Northwest Colorado Community Health Partnership
  • Peaceful Households
  • Piñon Project Family Resource Center
  • Prowers County Department of Human Services
  • Starpoint Fremont Family Resource Center
  • West End Family Link Center

Early Milestones Colorado is the lead agency supporting communities’ planning efforts and will provide facilitation and technical assistance support to grantees. At the end of the eight-month planning process, the fifteen grantees will have outlined a local maltreatment prevention plan by completing specific tasks outlined in the community planning toolbox. Communities across Colorado can use the free tools available at https://co4kids.org/community-planning to complete the community planning process on their own.

Tuesday, November 7, 2017

Strengthening Families Network Survey for CSSP, complete by November 10th

Strengthening Families Network Survey for CSSP

Please complete a survey from the Center for the Study of Social Policy (CSSP) about the Protective Factors Framework and how it is being implemented in your community. This information will be added to show what is happening across the country to build protective factors in families.  Take a few minutes to share information  and brag about the great work you are doing in your community.

Please respond by November 10th.

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/SFNN2017



SAVE THE DATE - 2017 Meeting Dates

December 1st 10:00 am - 1:00 pm
Mile High United Way Brad R. Busse Board Room
711 Park Ave W. 
Denver, CO 80205

2018 Strengthening Colorado Families and Communities Conference
September 26-28, 2018 Vail, CO

Co-Chairs Contact Information
Teri Haymond
Family Resource Center Association
303-388-1001 Ext. 102

Aaron Miller
Office of Early Childhood
303-866-5227



Strengthening Families Resources -  www.strengtheningfamilies.net

safeTALK: Suicide Prevention Alertness Training in Denver


Become suicide alert! 

safeTALK is a half-day alertness training that prepares anyone 15 or older, regardless of prior experience or training, to become a suicide-alert helper. Most people with thoughts of suicide don’t truly want to die, but are struggling with the pain in their lives. Through their words and actions, they invite help to stay alive. safeTALK-trained helpers can recognize these invitations and take action by connecting them with life-saving intervention resources, such as caregivers trained in ASIST.

Since its development in 2006, safeTALK has been used in over 20 countries around the world, and more than 200 selectable video vignettes have been produced to tailor the program’s audio-visual component for diverse audiences. safeTALK-trained helpers are an important part of suicide-safer communities, working alongside intervention resources to identify and avert suicide risks.

Learning goals and objectives

Over the course of their training, safeTALK participants will learn to:
  • Notice and respond to situations where suicide thoughts might be present
  • Recognize that invitations for help are often overlooked
  • Move beyond the common tendency to miss, dismiss, and avoid suicide
  • Apply the TALK steps: Tell, Ask, Listen, and KeepSafe
  • Know community resources and how to connect someone with thoughts of suicide to them for further help

Training features:
  • Presentations and guidance from a LivingWorks registered trainer
  • Access to support from a local community resource person
  • Powerful audiovisual learning aids
  • The simple yet effective TALK steps: Tell, Ask, Listen, and KeepSafe
  • Hands-on skills practice and development
  • safeTALK helps expand the reach of suicide intervention skills in communities around the world. Watch this video from the Ontario Hockey Association, one of the many organizations that have implemented safeTALK, or click the links below to participate in or support this life-saving program. 

Presenters: Dr. Timothy Brown and Dr. Sally Spencer-Thomas

Saturday, November 4, 2017

Office of Suicide Prevention, Annual Report


The Office of Suicide Prevention's latest annual report for 2016-2017 was published this week.  Please find it here.

Suicide prevention in Colorado would not be possible without partnership with our local counterparts.  We thank you for your continued collaboration.

Monday, October 30, 2017

WEBINAR: Mental and Emotional Well-Being

2017 Webinar Series
The National Prevention Strategy:
Health Across the Life Span

Presented by Region VIII Federal Partners

Mental and Emotional Well-Being
Thursday, November 16, 2017
2:00 – 3:30 pm, MT (4:00-5:30 ET)

2:00-2:05  Welcome and Adobe Connect Logistics
Speaker: Cherri Pruitt, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Health Resources and Services Administration, Region VIII Maternal and Child Health Consultant

2:05-2:20  What IS the National Prevention Strategy: Setting the Stage
Speaker: Charles Smith, Department of Health and Human Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration Region VIII Regional Administrator

2:20-2:40  Know A New Mom Who's Feeling Down?
Learn about Colorado's efforts to develop and implement a public awareness campaign as a component of their multi-pronged approach to address maternal mental health. The campaign is designed to improve awareness and knowledge of pregnancy-related depression and anxiety, as well as improve perceptions and attitudes toward seeking help.
Speaker: Mandy Bakulski, Maternal Wellness & Early Childhood Section Manager, Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment 

2:40-3:00  Expanding the Reach of Wellness Initiatives: A Communities of  Practice Model
New technologies are providing exciting distance learning opportunities to deliver capacity-building training and education for medical and behavioral health providers in rural and frontier communities.  In this presentation, you will learn how these technologies are being used by providers, including the ‘Build a Clinic Program’ case model.
Speaker: Jim Pavlik, MA, Program and Policy Analyst, Behavioral Health & Wellness Program, University of Colorado-Denver

3:00-3:20  SAMHSA’s 8 Dimensions of Wellness
Learn more about SAMHSA’s efforts to reduce the mortality gap for individuals with serious mental illness.
Speaker: Carlton Speight, HHS-Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration

3:20-3:30 Questions & Answers and Additional Resources

TO REGISTER, PLEASE GO TO:

 Please contact: RegionVIIIFedPartners@HHS.GOV with any questions, to be added to our direct webinar series distribution list, or to request a written transcript of this event.

CoVDRS updated report on Suicide in Colorado

The Colorado Violent Death Reporting System (CoVDRS), recently released a report on suicide death in Colorado. The report, Health Watch No.102: Suicide in Colorado, 2011-2015: A Summary from the Colorado Violent Death Reporting System, contains detailed information on the burden, characteristics, and overall profile of suicide deaths among Colorado residents. The goal of this report is to inform injury and violence prevention efforts, as well as raise awareness about the impact of suicide deaths in Colorado.

The data in the report comes directly from the enhanced public health surveillance system CoVDRS, which is part of the National Violent Death Reporting System (NVDRS). The NVDRS is funded and maintained by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and aims to collect detailed, multi source data on violent deaths throughout the United States.

Please feel free to pass the report on to any and all community stake holders, violence and injury prevention specialist, or anybody who would be interested in the content of this report.

The report can be found at the new Colorado Violent Death Reporting System website: https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/cdphe/colorado-violent-death-reporting-system

If you have questions or want more information about CoVDRS contact Ethan Jamison at: ethan.jamison@state.co.us or 303-692-2093

2nd Annual Shared Risk and Protective Factors Conference

2nd Annual Shared Risk and Protective Factors Conference
Keystone, CO, May 30-June 1, 2018 

We are excited to release the Call for Proposals to all potentially interested groups and individuals.

Apply here! Submission deadline is December 5th

Please put this conference into your schedules and share this information. Conference registration will open after the 1st of the year. 

Conference goals:

Creating Shared Understanding

  • At the end of this conference, participants will be able to:
  • Identify how different outcomes that they work on are linked to one another through shared root causes.
  • Describe the basics of approaching prevention at the root causes of issues, including shared risk and protective factors.
  • Identify effective strategies that impact multiple outcomes by addressing root causes.
  • Identify strategies to use prevention funding streams, resources and infrastructure to create sustainable programs and practices.

Moving Theory to Practice

  • At the end of this conference, participants will be able to:
  • Describe local examples of using the shared risk and protective factor approach across different sectors to promote connected communities and safe, healthy, and successful youth.
  • Identify effective strategies to impact root causes like pooling resources, coordinating efforts, and engaging new partners within their community.
  • Practice skills integral to a shared risk and protective factors approach including collaboration, Positive Youth Development, policy change, and prevention science.

Enhancing Collaboration

  • At the end of this conference, participants will be able to:
  • Identify new partners who share common goals and efforts that align with risk and protective factors that impact their work.
  • Identify ways in which they can collaborate and leverage funding with partners to achieve common goals.
  • Identify ways to broaden their existing efforts to address multiple and connected root causes.

Questions? Contact Garrett Sawyer (garrett.sawyer@ucdenver.edu) at the Rocky Mountain Public Health Training Center

Saturday, October 21, 2017

Suicide Prevention Toolkit for Primary Care Practices

Suicide Prevention Toolkit for Primary Care Practices, a new Resource for Primary Care Practices

The Office of Suicide Prevention, in partnership with the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education, has revamped the 2009 national toolkit. The updated toolkit is now specific for Colorado providers and highlights the services of the Colorado Crisis System. The goal of the toolkit revision was to provide actionable steps and resources to empower practices to directly address suicide prevention within their practice and focuses on identification, risk assessment, safety planning, lethal means counseling, and follow-up care.

The toolkit can be accessed on the www.coosp.org website and will include information on trainings and hard copy orders.

Please share widely with your colleagues.

Call for Abstracts: Shared Risk and Protective Factors Conference

We are excited to release the Call for Proposals  for our 2nd Annual Shared Risk and Protective Factor Conference

May 30-June 1st, 2017 |  Keystone Resort

The goal of this conference is to support Colorado organizations, initiatives and partners who share a vision of connected communities and thriving youth.
We hope to bring together Colorado organizations and partners and young people to share knowledge, collaborate, and best practices that promote a shared risk and protective factors approach.

Please apply and share with other potential presenters

Submission deadline is 5pm on Tuesday, December 5th.

Conference registration will be available in January 2018.

WEBINAR: Substance Use and Fatality Review Part I: Improving our understanding of substance exposed infants and Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS)

Our partners at the National Center for Fatality Review and Prevention are hosting an upcoming webinar: 

"Substance Use and Fatality Review Part I: Improving our understanding of substance exposed infants and Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS)"

October 31, 2017 12:00 - 1:00 PM MST (2:00 – 3:00 EST)

Have you wondered what the difference is between an infant born substance exposed and an infant born with neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS)? Join Dr. Nancy K. Young for an interactive webinar that will cover the picture of opioid use disorders; substance use during pregnancy; the difference between NAS and substance exposure; best practices for collaboration and plans of safe care; and suggestions for what fatality review teams can do to address the needs of families affected by substance use disorders.

Webinar will be recorded and posted with the slides on the NCFRP website: www.ncfrp.org




Tuesday, September 5, 2017

Honoring Black Breastfeeding Week

On her blog The Mommy in Shani, Shani James shares her perspective on breastfeeding in celebration of Black Breastfeeding Week (August 25 - 31, 2017). Breastfeeding is a known protective factor for sudden unexpected infant death (SUID), also known as sleep-related infant death, and is associated with a variety of positive health outcomes. Shani is a member of Colorado's Infant Safe Sleep Partnership and the Community Action Network collective impact initiative to prevent black infant mortality in Colorado, coordinated out of Families Forward Resource Center.  


Safe Schools for LGBTQ Students in Colorado


Looking to learn more about how Colorado creates safe school environments for LGBTQ students? Check out One Colorado's report: Safe Schools for LGBTQ Students: A Look Back at Colorado’s Anti-Bullying Efforts

Learn more at the One Colorado Safe Schools webpage: http://www.one-colorado.org/issues/safe-schools/.

New Positive Youth Development Trainings- Fall 2017

Adolescence is a time of change and opportunity. The physical, social and psychological changes young people undergo impacts their behavior, how they interact with the world and how the adults around them respond to this transformation. This Positive Youth Development (PYD) training will help you understand and learn the skills needed to integrate the evidence-based PYD approach into your current youth programming efforts. Positive Youth Development Trainings are available in Estes Park, Winter Park, Commerce City, Fort Collins, and Canon City.

Registration: http://bit.ly/PYD_17-18 

When & Where:

  • Sept 19th: Estes Park 
  • Sept 29th, Winter Park
  • Oct 20th, Commerce City
  • Nov 8th, Fort Collins
  • March 16th, Canon City

Who: Youth-serving professionals and anyone else interested in youth health and well-being.

What will you get: 

  • Training on Positive Youth Development 
  • An introduction to Adolescent Development
  • Tools to support your program, organization, or personal practice
  • Networking opportunities

Contact Rebecca Medina at rebeccam.medina@state.co.us with any questions.

FUNDING: Prescription Drug Overdose Prevention for Communities Grants


The Prescription Drug Overdose Prevention Unit at the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment is pleased to announce a request for applications (RFA) to provide financial and technical assistance to 8-10 agencies throughout Colorado looking to educate health care providers across selected counties.

This funding opportunity will support opioid prescriber education activities to improve local opioid prescriber knowledge and uptake of CDC’s Guideline for Prescribing Opioids as well as increase local capacity for multidisciplinary coalitions looking to address prescription drug overdose.

Timeline
RFA release date (8/31/17)
Question period (8/31/17-9/14/17)
Answers posted (9/15/17)
RFA due date (10/2/17 by 5:00 pm MST)
Estimated funding start date (11/1/17)

For more information and the full application packet, please visit https://www.colorado.gov/cdphe/pdo-funding.

"The Epidemiology of Firearm Injuries in Denver, Colorado" Report


On August 29, 2017, Denver Public Health released a new report entitled: The Epidemiology of Firearm Injuries in Denver, Colorado which presents information about firearm-related injuries and deaths in the City and County of Denver, focusing primarily on the period between 2011 and 2015.

While similar analyses have occurred at the state and national level, this is the first report of its kind describing fatal and non-fatal firearm injury data for Denver.

Key Findings

  • The rate of firearm deaths in Denver remained relatively flat through 2015.
  • The rate of non-fatal firearm related injuries has increased since then. It is too early to tell whether fatal injuries have followed the same trend.
  • More firearm deaths in Denver were suicides than homicides.


Suicide Awareness Week, Event in Pueblo on 9/14


Presentations by Dr. Scott Walmer and Donna Gonzales will occur Thursday, September 14 in the Ryals Room at the Rawlings Library, 100 E. Abriendo Avenue from 5:30-7:30p.m. about how to screen a loved one for suicide. Local resource booths and giveaways for suicide prevention, bullying prevention, and mental health will be available. The event is free and open to the public. For more information, call the Pueblo City-County Health Department at 719-583-4330.


Thursday, August 24, 2017

"Precious Loss" Screening and Discussion in Colorado Springs


Infant mortality is considered one of the most important indicators of the health of a community. The infant mortality rate in Colorado is the 5th lowest in the United States, so why is the rate of infant death for black babies triple that of white babies in our state?

The 30-minute documentary will be followed by a discussion with community members and professionals who have experienced or are involved in addressing the disparity. Light refreshments provided.

Friday, September 15 at 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM MDT
Penrose Library Carnegie Room
20 N. Cascade Ave., Colorado Springs, Colorado 80901

Please find details for the event here: https://www.facebook.com/events/227061764486472/


Denver Public Health is looking for Youth Leaders


Denver Public Health is looking to hire 10-12 youth in Denver to help inform our youth substance abuse prevention work. These are part-time positions that will work a few hours a month between October 2017and June 2018. We are specifically looking for youth who live in/are from Southwest Denver neighborhoods OR identify as part of the LGBTQ+ community.

Access the application here: https://tinyurl.com/ctcyouthleader

If you have questions about the work, duties, the time commitment or your eligibility please contact Kristen Ross, Communities That Care Facilitator, at 303-602-5749 or Kristen.Ross@dhha.org.

Let’s Talk Colorado/Hablemos Colorado


Metro Public Health Behavioral Health Collaboration (MPHBHC) has launched a new campaign in English and Spanish to help eliminate the stigma associated with seeking treatment for mental illness. “Let’s Talk Colorado/Hablemos Colorado” is funded by a State Innovation Model grant from the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation.

The purpose of the funding is to improve the health of Coloradans by providing access to physical and behavioral health care. The goal of the “Let’s Talk Colorado/Hablemos Colorado” media campaign is to reduce the stigma around mental illness so people who need treatment are more likely to seek it.

The campaign will be featured on billboards, bus shelters, in local community newspapers, and on Pandora from August through October. For more information about “Let’s Talk Colorado/Hablemos Colorado,” including a downloadable toolkit and other resources, visit www.letstalkco.org.  MPHBHC is grateful to our Project Partners, who all contributed greatly to the development of the campaign, and to our hospital partners for their financial contribution.

  • Tri-County Health Department
  • Douglas County Government
  • Jefferson Center for Mental Health
  • Mental Health Center of Denver
  • Community Reach Center
  • Aurora Mental Health Centers
  • Metro Community Provider Network
  • West Pines Behavioral Health
  • Children’s Hospital Colorado
  • Kaiser Permanente Colorado
  • Parker Adventist Hospital
  • Castle Rock Adventist Hospital
  • Littleton Adventist Hospital
  • Porter Hospital
  • St. Anthony North Medical Campus

Thursday, August 17, 2017

Families Forward Resource Center's 2017 Fundraiser


NIGHT of ACTIVITIES

Enjoy a night of live auctioning,  gaming, dancing, drinking and a selection of awesome food truck catering from Stanley Marketplace Vendors that will benefit Families Forward Resource Center and provide program support through 2018.

Without your help, FFRC would not be able to provide program support and work efficiently toward our mission to enrich families.

SPONSORSHIPS and TICKETS

There are various Sponsorship Packages. Please click on this link to receive detailed information about Sponsorship opportunities. All sponsorship deadlines October 16, 2017

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION

New CDC Resource for Violence Prevention

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released Using Essential Elements to Select, Adapt, and Evaluate Violence Prevention Approaches to help state and local partners with the implementation of evidence-based prevention approaches.

Because each setting for violence prevention strategies is unique, practitioners must make decisions about how to balance delivering prevention approaches as intended with the reality of their local context. The Division of Violence Prevention developed this guidance document to support a step of the implementation process.

How can the document be used?
This guidance will help anyone implementing violence prevention programs to:

  • Identify essential elements of approaches
  • Better understand what evidence-based approaches are and
  • Apply this knowledge to effectively select, deliver, adapt and evaluate approaches.

Although this guidance was designed with evidence-based approaches in mind, it may also be useful for approaches supported by promising or emerging evidence.

To learn more, join CDC and PreventConnect for a web conference Monday, August 28 at 12pm MST. For more information and to register, click here.

Free Screening of Milky Way breastfeeding documentary at Denver Health

Happy National Breastfeeding Month!

Denver WIC and Denver Health Inpatient Lactation are providing a free screening of the Milky Way breastfeeding documentary on Thursday August 31 from 6-9 pm at Denver Health in the Sabin Classroom (basement). 

Space is limited - click here to reserve your ticket! 


Colorado's Healthiest Places to Work - TODAY, August 17th



New Infographic on Opioid Medication Poisoning

This infographic created by the Children's Safety Network (CSN) covers poison control center calls about children and teens exposed to opioid medications.

How often are children and teens exposed to opioid medication?
Each year, opioid medication poisoning causes more than 300 deaths in children and teens. Every 45 minutes, poison control centers get a call about children and teens exposed to opioid medication. About 1 in 10 of these cases are admitted to health care facilities.

What ages of children and teens are most at risk?
Young children (ages 5 and younger) account for 60% of these calls. Most of these cases (86%) are unintentional, like when a child finds pills that are within reach. Teenagers (ages 13 through 19) account for 30% of the calls. Most of these cases (72%) are intentional, like when a teen takes their parents' medication.

View the full infographic and download a printable version here: https://www.childrenssafetynetwork.org/infographics/opioid-medication

Breastival at Cheesman Park in Denver on Sunday, August, 20


Bring the whole family for a day of FREE fun and activities at the Breastival on Sunday, August 20, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Cheesman Park in Denver!

The Colorado Breastfeeding Coalition hosts the Breastival each year as a free event to connect families to community goods and services and help support, normalize and celebrate breastfeeding.

This year's event features over 30 vendors, food trucks, face painting, bounce house, balloon animals and numerous activities, including music classes, yoga, story time, infant sign language, baby wearing dance class, chair massage, etc.

For prizes, register before the event here.

Mothers’ Milk Bank is kicking off the day’s events with a Stroller Push. Prizes will be awarded to the best decorated stroller - sign up here.

Plan to bring your families and please invite friends, coworkers, patients, clients, neighbors and others. Feel free to share the event Facebook page.

Upcoming Marijuana and Public Health Regional Workshops in Fountain, Colorado

Upcoming Marijuana and Public Health Regional Workshops in Fountain, Colorado hosted by the Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment and El Paso County Public Health Department.

Workshops cover the latest literature findings on health effects, state data on marijuana use and health effects, efforts to prevent youth marijuana use, plus resources and tools for you to educate your community about safe, legal and responsible marijuana use.

Both workshops are free to attend and allow opportunities to network with partners in your area.

The marijuana education workshop is split into two, half-day (4 hour) workshops:

#1: Youth, Young Adults, & Young Children Workshop
Thursday, August 24th
12pm - 4pm
Fountain, CO
Intended audience: youth-serving organizations, school health professionals, public health professionals, substance use/abuse professionals, prevention professionals

#2: Adult & Pregnant Women Focused Workshop
Friday, August 25th
8am - 12pm
Fountain, CO
Intended audience: clinical professionals, public health professionals, substance use/abuse professionals, prevention professionals, health care providers, those who serve pregnant and breastfeeding women

Register today, space is limited! Register here: http://bit.ly/MJPH_17-18

Monday, August 14, 2017

WEBINAR: Maximizing Impact: Implementing Medicaid-Reimbursed EBPs in Child Welfare

Our partners at the California Evidence-Based Clearinghouse are hosting the following webinar:

"Maximizing Impact: Implementing Medicaid-Reimbursed EBPs in Child Welfare"

Tuesday, September 19, 2017 from 11:00 AM to 12:00 MT

In a climate of increasing need and tightened budgets, child welfare agencies are constantly looking for ways to ensure not only access to services for children and families, but also their effectiveness and sustainability. This webinar will discuss how Medicaid-reimbursed Evidence Based Practices (EBPs) offer some solutions for the child welfare population, and explore how public child welfare agencies, advocates, and providers can collaborate with their Medicaid agencies to explore adding EBPs to their service arrays. Morgan Cole from the Annie E. Casey’s Child Welfare Strategy Group will provide insights into the process and considerations child welfare agencies should expect in pursuing Medicaid reimbursement for new evidence-based services, while Shannon Fagan and Ebonnie Simmons-Vazquez from Pennsylvania’s Department of Human Services will walk through their successes in doing so in Pennsylvania.

By the conclusion of this webinar, participants will be able to do the following:

  • Understand the benefits of Medicaid reimbursement for child welfare services
  • Establish familiarity with the process and considerations of collaborating with a state Medicaid agency to implement new services
  • Illustrate an example of successfully implemented Medicaid-reimbursed EBPs, including the approval process and financing structures

 Morgan Cole is a consultant for the Child Welfare Strategy Group at Annie E. Casey Foundation.

Shannon Fagon is the Director of the Bureau of Children’s Behavioral Health Services, Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services under the Department of Human Services of Pennsylvania.

Ebonnie Simmons-Vazquez is a Program Manager for the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services.



Interested in learning more about alcohol policy? New Resource Released by the CDC: Guide to Measuring Alcohol Outlet Density


A new resource was just released by the CDC called the "Guide for Measuring Alcohol Outlet Density."  The Regulation of Alcohol Outlet Density is an evidence-based strategy through The Community Guide to decrease excessive alcohol consumption.  If local data shows that excessive drinking is a problem in your community, you may want to consider measuring alcohol outlet density.  For more CDC alcohol resources on research in action, visit this website.

Have questions about this evidence-based strategy or need measurement support? Contact Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment's Alcohol Epidemiologist, Kacy Crawford at kacy.crawford@state.co.us.

Health Equity and Community Engagement Specialist

The Children, Youth and Families Branch of the Prevention Services Division at the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment is seeking someone dynamic, team-oriented and passionate about equity!  The Branch is looking for someone who can challenge our existing processes while generating motivation and excitement for change through the use of strong emotional intelligence, training and consultation skills, and lived experiences in being a part of and representing communities most impacted by our policies, practices and programs.

For more information and to apply, visit: www.governmentjobs.com/careers/colorado/jobs/1820478/health-equity-and-community-engagement-specialist-342

Please share this exciting opportunity widely!


WEBINAR: Successful Strategies for Preventing Fire and Burn-Related Injuries among Children

Our partners at the Children's Safety Network are hosting the following webinar: 


Wednesday, August 23, 2017 12:00 PM - 01:00 PM MDT

Due largely to an increase in public fire education and prevention efforts, including the use of smoke alarms and sprinkler systems, fewer children die in fires today compared to 10 years ago. (1,2) Among children and youth ages 0 – 24, those ages 1 – 4 are at highest risk of fire and burn- related injury and death. (2,3) With National Fire Prevention Week coming up on October 8 – 14, 2017, this webinar provides information about strategies to further reduce fire and burn-related injuries among children.

Marty Ahrens of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) will review the fire injury problem among children and progress made in this area. Regional NFPA specialist, Meredith Hawes, will provide an overview of materials and resources that are offered through NFPA to target these particular risks. Ernest Grant of the University of North Carolina (UNC) Hospitals in Chapel Hill will discuss prevention campaigns, fact sheets, tools and resources that will be beneficial for teachers, parents, and others interested in fire and life safety.

1. https://www.cdc.gov/homeandrecreationalsafety/fire-prevention/index.html
2. https://www.usfa.fema.gov/data/statistics/fire_death_rates.html
3. CDC WISQARS, 2017

Find more information and register here.

Tuesday, August 8, 2017

New Resource on Improving Social Emotional Skills in Childhood


Improving Social Emotional Skills in Childhood Enhances Long-Term Well-Being and Economic Outcomes, an issue brief created by The Pennsylvania State University with support from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, is one of a series of briefs that addresses the need for research, practice and policy on social and emotional learning (SEL). SEL is defined as the process through which children and adults acquire and effectively apply the knowledge, attitudes, and skills necessary to understand and manage emotions, set and achieve positive goals, feel and show empathy for others, establish and maintain positive relationships, and make responsible decisions. Learn more at www.rwjf.org/socialemotionallearning.

Colorado Safe Routes to School - Funding Opportunity

Is your community and/or school district working to get more students walking and bicycling to and from school?

The Colorado Department of Transportation announces a call for projects for Fiscal Year 2017-18 Safe Routes to School (CSRTS) Infrastructure and Non-Infrastructure Projects.  The guidelines and applications are posted on the CDOT website.

The goal of CSRTS is to help schools, school districts and local communities enable and encourage more children Kindergarten through 8th grade to safely bicycle and walk to and from school.

Safe Routes to School programs are sustained efforts by parents; school staff and administrators; representatives from law enforcement, public health and advocacy; community leaders and local, state, and federal governments to improve the health and well-being of children by enabling and encouraging them to walk and bicycle to school.

SRTS programs examine conditions around schools and conduct projects and activities that work to improve safety and accessibility, and reduce traffic and air pollution in the vicinity of schools. As a result, these programs help make bicycling and walking to school safer and more appealing transportation choices thus encouraging a healthy and active lifestyle from an early age.

Eligible activities include, but are not limited to:

  • Infrastructure - Planning, design, and construction of safe school routes and facilities for children to walk and bicycle to and from school
  • Non-Infrastructure - Educating children, parents, and communities about safe walking and bicycling practices and the health and academic benefits that result from walking and bicycling to and from school

To provide guidance on completing the application and understanding the requirements of a CDOT grant, the Colorado SRTS program manager will be hosting applicant training sessions at various locations throughout the state in August and September. Currently sessions are scheduled for Friday, August 25 from 1-3 pm and Wednesday, September 6 from 1-3 pm. Attendance is via webinar with some in-person space available. For more information or to register, email leslie.feuerborn@state.co.us. Additional sessions will be scheduled and information will be posted on the website.

Funds are awarded through a statewide competitive process and chosen by an appointed advisory committee. Up to $2M is available for infrastructure projects and $0.5M for non-infrastructure (education and encouragement) projects. Funding details are included in the application guidelines. Minimum funding level for Infrastructure projects is $50,000 and $350,000 will be the highest amount awarded to a single project. An education component is required with infrastructure projects.

Non-infrastructure projects have a $5,000 minimum but no maximum limit.

These reimbursement grants will be awarded statewide. Project selection will give consideration to schools with greater than 50% of students eligible for free- or reduced-lunch.

Applications are due to CDOT-SRTS by 4:00 p.m. Wednesday, November 1, 2017.   Both Word and PDF versions of the application are available on the website. NEW THIS YEAR – applications can be submitted electronically.

For more information, contact Leslie Feuerborn, Colorado SRTS Program Manager at 303.757.9088 or leslie.feuerborn@state.co.us.

Monday, August 7, 2017

Celebrate World Breastfeeding Week 2017

World Breastfeeding Week is an annual celebration of breastfeeding. The awareness campaign encourages families and community partners to support breastfeeding to improve the health of mothers and babies. Breastfeeding is an evidence-based approach to reduce chronic disease and prevent childhood obesity, and is a protective factor against sudden unexpected infant death (SUID) also known as sleep-related infant death.

The Colorado WIC Program’s theme for World Breastfeeding Week, traditionally held Aug. 1 through 7, and throughout the month of August is Find Your Village. The theme focuses on the important role each of us plays in creating a village of support around mothers, caregivers and families to ensure every family can meet their breastfeeding goals. This theme is an alternative to the 2017 World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action’s (WABA) theme of Sustaining Breastfeeding Together.

Breastfeeding support can, or should be found in seven focus areas within each community:


Click here for the 2017 Action Packet that contains ideas, graphics and handouts to use and share throughout your community. Visit www.breastfeedcolorado.com for more resources and information.


Thursday, August 3, 2017

PRAPARE Tool for Social Determinants of Health


The Protocol for Responding to and Assessing Patients’ Assets, Risks, and Experiences (PRAPARE) is a national effort to help health centers and other providers collect the data needed to better understand and act on their patients’ social determinants of health. As providers are increasingly held accountable for reaching population health goals while reducing costs, it is important that they have tools and strategies to identify the upstream socioeconomic drivers of poor outcomes and higher costs. With data on the social determinants of health, health centers and other providers can define and document the increased complexity of their patients, transform care with integrated services and community partnerships to meet the needs of their patients, advocate for change in their communities, and demonstrate the value they bring to patients, communities, and payers.

The National Association of Community Health Centers provides free information about PRAPARE including the assessment tool, an implementation toolkit, applications for the upcoming PRAPARE Train-the-Trainer Academy, recorded webinars on PRAPARE and an FAQ. Visit the PRAPARE website for more information.

Save the Date: Mile High Data Day



September 14, 2017 | Arvada Center for the Arts and Humanities

In today's open data culture, we have the ability to use data to tell stories, collaborate across organizations and make data-informed decisions that have the power to improve the lives of others. The Piton Foundation’s Shift Research Lab, formerly known as the Data Initiative, invites you to learn how to combine these elements and use open data to drive social change at the second annual Mile High Data Day, which is being held on Thursday, September 14 at the Arvada Center for the Arts and Humanities.

Join the Denver metro region's data community as we share best practices and strengthen our region's data culture. 2017 Mile High Data Day will feature keynote speaker, Erica Raleigh, owner and Executive Director of Data Driven Detroit, idea showcases and interactive breakout sessions. Visit our website for more information, and registration will open in mid-August.

Wednesday, August 2, 2017

WEBCAST SERIES: The Power of Language and Portrayals: What We Hear, What We See


SAMHSA's four-part educational webcast series, The Power of Language and Portrayals: What We Hear, What We See, focuses on substance use disorders (SUD) and how language and portrayals affect perceptions. Developed in partnership with the Entertainment Industries Council, the webcasts are designed to help journalists and entertainment creators use the best possible language in portrayals of people with SUD. Each webcast features panel discussions with behavioral health professionals, entertainment creators, and individuals in recovery.

The webcasts cover the following topics:

  • Trauma and Peer Engagement
  • Treatment and Recovery: Research to Practice
  • Inside Treatment and Recovery: A Look at the Transition
  • Substance Use Disorders and Other Health-related Issues in Primary Care

Access the webcasts here: www.samhsa.gov/power-language-portrayals/webcasts


Monday, July 31, 2017

Denver Public Health Grand Rounds: A Public Health Approach to Stopping the Revolving Door of Violence


Homicides are the third leading cause of death among all people aged 10-34 years in the United States. For survivors, violent injury becomes a major risk factor for subsequent injury with about 35 percent of injured patients suffering a subsequent injury nationally.

Please join us for a presentation and discussion with Rochelle Dicker, M.D., about the successful methods used by the Wraparound Project, a hospital-based violence intervention program to stop the revolving door of violent injuries in San Francisco.

Event Details

  • Friday, September 1, 2017
  • 7:30-8 a.m., continental breakfast and networking
  • 8-9:15 a.m., lecture and discussion
  • Sabin Classroom, Denver Health Pavilion C (790 Delaware St. Denver, CO 80204)

Space is limited. Register online today to reserve your seat. Please feel free to share this invitation with your colleagues and partners.

Hope to see you there,

Denver Public Health
denverpublichealth@dhha.org


FUNDING: Amendment 35 Grant Programs

The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment Prevention Services Division is pleased to announce the release of two new Request for Applications (RFAs):

  • State Tobacco Education, Prevention and Cessation Grants Program (STEPP) FY 19-21 Innovative Interventions RFA
  • Cancer Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Disease (CCPD) Grants Program FY 19 RFA

New - STEPP FY19-21 Innovative Interventions RFA Release

STEPP announces the release of the FY 19-21 Innovative Interventions Request for Applications (RFA) on July 17, 2017. The purpose of the RFA is to fund innovative approaches to addressing tobacco related inequities, with a focus on interventions that reach the remaining 15 percent of Colorado adults who smoke.

The initiatives funded through this RFA will focus on reaching and engaging priority populations with tailored approaches where they live, work, play, and receive medical and social services. You can find the full RFA announcement here.

Applicant webinar:
July 19, 2017, 2 - 3 p.m.
Login here
Call in: 720-279-0026 locally or 1-877-820-7831 toll-free
Participant passcode: 897463#.

Details of the program’s complete FY 19-21 funding portfolio, including additional future funding announcements, can be found on the STEPP website.

New - CCPD Grants Program FY19 RFA Release

The CCPD Grants Program announces the release of the FY19 Competitive Grants Request for Applications (RFA) on July 17, 2017. The purpose of the RFA is to reduce chronic disease in Colorado by providing a comprehensive approach that focuses on prevention, early detection and treatment for cancer, cardiovascular disease and chronic pulmonary disease.

The initiatives funded through this RFA will focus on further improving the health of Coloradans by building capacity and support for the implementation of chronic disease prevention and health promotion. This funding opportunity aims to fund organizations/agencies/collaborations across Colorado that will:

  1. Focus on further reducing chronic disease in Colorado, specifically in populations most burdened by cancer, cardiovascular and pulmonary disease;
  2. Put into practice evidence-based strategies and/or evidence-informed innovative approaches that advance the strategic direction of the CCPD Grants Program.

The deadline for application submission is September 15, 2017. Details of the funding opportunity and application materials may be found here.

Applicant webinar:
July 19, 2017,  3 - 4 p.m.
Login here
Call in: 720-279-0026 locally or 1-877-820-7831 toll-free
Participant passcode: 425524#.