Tuesday, March 28, 2017

Building Better Babies Symposium, Wed May 31, 2017

Funding: Early Childhood Systems Alignment Capacity Building Grants

The Early Childhood Colorado Partnership supports partners to identify areas of alignment for Colorado early childhood systems efforts to support cross-sector collaboration and engage in shared learning at the agency, community, and statewide level, using the Early Childhood Colorado Framework as a guide.

The 2017 Capacity Building opportunity will award up to $7,500 to up to seven applicants whose work in Colorado aligns with the ECCP’s 2016-2017 priority areas:
Priority will be granted to applicants which:

  • Cover remote and underserved geographic areas and/or populations
  • Clearly demonstrate using and/or embedding ECCP resources or tools
  • Develop products, resources or approaches which hold potential to benefit a broad range of early childhood partners and/or children and families

Informational Webinar:

All partners considering application must send at least one team member connected to the application to attend an informational webinar on the work of the ECCP and background on the grant. This will also be a time for questions from applicants about the application process and the grant. The following options are available (register for one option via the link provided):



The deadline to apply is 5:00 pm MDT on Monday, April 17, 2017.

Monday, March 27, 2017

WEBINAR: Advocacy 201: Utilizing child death review data to improve public policy

In honor of Child Abuse Prevention month the American Academy of Pediatrics, Section on Child Death Review and Prevention (Provisional) is hosting a 1.5 hour CME bearing webinar:

"Advocacy 201: Utilizing child death review data to improve public policy"

April 18, 2017 at 11am MT

Drs. Mary Rimsza and Tami Brooks will discuss pediatrician-led advocacy and evidence-based public policy with examples of effective strategies and common challenges. They will share their success stories, encountered challenges, and answer your questions. There will also be time to create your own prevention recommendations based on case studies.

Register here: https://cc.readytalk.com/r/fmc0rivsghsh&eom

Friday, March 24, 2017

Social Determinants of Health Resources


The Healthy People 2020 Social Determinants of Health website includes definitions, data search tools, interventions, related webinars and events and much more.

In addition, A New Way to Talk About Social Determinants of Health, developed by the RWJ Foundation is an outstanding resource that includes suggestions for:

  • Best practices in language and framing of social determinants
  • Using data to support your case
  • The role of mind, body, and emotions in developing messages. 

"Speak Now Colorado” campaign offers effective strategies to talk about youth drug and alcohol use


Spring is an exciting time for students, with events like prom and graduation quickly approaching.  It is also the perfect opportunity for caregivers to start a conversation with their youth about the use of alcohol and marijuana and the misuse of prescription drugs and other drugs. The Speak Now Colorado campaign, developed by the Colorado Department of Human Services Office of Behavioral Health, provides parents and caregivers evidence-based information and resources regarding youth substance abuse prevention.

Research has found that parents can have an enormous influence on their children’s drinking and drug use, especially during the preteen and early teen years. This is supported by 2015 Healthy Kids Colorado Survey data, which found:

Youth who can ask a parent, guardian, or other adult for help are 1.5x LESS likely to binge drink.
Youth are 3x LESS likely to binge drink if a parent feels it’s wrong.

Speak Now Colorado is launching a statewide public awareness campaign in English and Spanish that will air April-June consisting of public service announcements on television and radio, digital advertising, and newspaper ads in outlying markets including Baca, Cheyenne, Kiowa, La Plata, Moffatt, Montezuma, Prowers, Rio Blanco and San Miguel counties.

For more information and downloadable resource materials, go to www.speaknowcolorado.org.

Funding: School Health Professional Grant Application Now Available

Applications are now available for the 2017-2018 School Health Professional Grant (SHPG) through Colorado Department of Education

This matching grant program exists to help secondary schools (grades 7-12):

1)      Increase the presence of school health professionals (Licensed School Nurses, School Social Workers, School Counselors and School Psychologists) in secondary schools to provide substance abuse and behavioral health care to students who are enrolled in secondary schools and have substance abuse or other behavioral health needs;

2)      Provide training and resources for the newly hired school health professionals, other behavioral health school team members, and school staff on the implementation of evidence-based programming (defined as programming that evaluation research has proven to be effective) on substance abuse prevention education and behavioral health education for all students who are enrolled in secondary schools; and

3)      Allow school health professionals to provide care coordination and connect students who are enrolled in secondary schools with services that are provided by community-based organizations for treatment and counseling for students who are at risk for substance abuse.

Approximately $9.4 million is available for the 2017-2018 school year. Grants will be awarded for a three-year term beginning in the 2017-2018 fiscal year. Additional grant funding for subsequent years will be contingent upon annual appropriations by the State Legislature and grantees fulfilling all program and fiscal reporting requirements. Funded applicants for the 2017-2018 school year are not guaranteed any additional funding beyond the 2017-2018 year at this time.  Applicants must demonstrate a match of 10% of the funds requested. This may include both in-kind and cash matches.

Important Dates:


For more information, including eligibility, and to apply, visit:
https://www.cde.state.co.us/healthandwellness/schoolhealthprofessionalgrantprogram 

National Poison Prevention Week March 19-25, Safe Kids Report and Infographic


In honor of National Poison Prevention Week, March 19-25, 2017, Safe Kids has released a new report and infographic titled Safe Medicine Storage: A Look at the Disconnect Between Parent Behavior and Knowledge.

This report highlights the difference between what parents know they should do to prevent unintentional medication poisonings and what they actually do. The survey found that although 9 out of 10 parents know that it is important to store medicine up, away, and out of sight from children, 7 out of 10 parents report that they often store their medicine where children can see and sometimes reach it.

Read the Safe Kids report
View the Safe Kids infographic

Thursday, March 23, 2017

WEBINAR: Data Driven Strategies for Drowning Prevention

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

"Data Driven Strategies for Drowning Prevention"

Wednesday, April 12, 2017 from 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM MDT

Among unintentional injuries, drowning is a leading cause of death of children. Almost 800 children fatally drown each year between the ages of 0-17 in the United States. This webinar will highlight three settings in which many drownings occur – in and around the home; swimming pools; and open bodies of water. Age, gender, and race vary considerably according to each of these settings. Prevention strategies for each of these settings will be discussed. Fatality review data has been instrumental in shaping our understanding of fatal drownings.

Speakers include:
Diane Pilkey, RN, MPH
Senior Nurse Consultant at the Maternal and Child Health Bureau/Health Resources and Services Administration and the federal project officer for the National Center for Fatality Review and Prevention cooperative agreement

Angela Steel, MPHE
Injury Epidemiologist in the Research Department at Safe Kids Worldwide

Elizabeth ‘Tizzy’ Bennett, MPH
Director, Guest Services and Community Benefit at Seattle Children’s Hospital

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

WEBINAR: Supporting Grieving Students: Free Resources for School Professionals from the Coalition to Support Grieving Students

"Supporting Grieving Students: Free Resources for School Professionals from the Coalition to Support Grieving Students"

Date: Thursday, March 23, 2017
Time: 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM MDT


Virtually all children experience the death of a friend or family member at some point in their childhood.  Even though bereavement is a normative experience, a significant loss can have a significant impact on children’s psychological adjustment, academic achievement, and personal development.  This presentation will provide insight into how children come to understand and adjust to a loss and practical suggestions on how adults can talk with children and provide needed support.  The free resources developed by the Coalition to Support Grieving Students (of which ASHA is a Supporting Organizational Member) will be highlighted.

WEBINAR: Childhood Adversity: Data to Help Advocate for Change


"Childhood Adversity: Data to Help Advocate for Change"

Date: Wednesday, March 29, 2017
Time: 11:30 am to 12:30 pm MDT

Childhood adversity, such as child abuse and exposure to violence and poverty, can have negative long-term impacts on health and well being. In this webinar, panelists will discuss how to describe the burden of childhood adversity in your community, how to frame your message most effectively, and how to engage and mobilize your community to address the roots and effects of childhood adversity.

Panelists will also lead participants on a virtual tour of Kidsdata's Childhood Adversity and Resilience data, research, and policy recommendations.

Wednesday, March 15, 2017

A Message from the Safe to Sleep Campaign

A Message from the Safe to Sleep Campaign
Resources available, including free-to-use, high resolution infant safe sleep and breastfeeding images

Image result for safe to sleep campaignStaying informed of all the latest developments in the world of safe infant sleep can be a lot of work, and we strive to show you our appreciation by making medically accurate information easily accessible.

Share the “love” by spreading this information through your networks and contacts on your networks. The Safe to Sleep® campaign offers several free resources to help you do this:


We appreciate all that you do to keep families and babies safe and healthy.

Sincerely,
Safe to Sleep® Campaign
Office of Communications
Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development
National Institutes of Health
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

Two funding opportunities from YouthPower

Are you a member of a youth-serving or youth-led organization? YouthPower Learning has launched two grants about advancing the evidence base for #gender-transformative positive #youth development and filling the gaps in research on youth civic engagement in effective #peacebuilding for mitigating violent extremism. Submit any questions by March 13, 2017, 21:00 GMT and apply by April 13, 2017, 21:00 GMT!

·         YouthPower Learning Grant for Advancing the Evidence Base for Gender-Transformative Positive Youth Development (RFA#002-2017)

·         YouthPower Learning Grant for Advancing the Evidence Base for Youth Civic Engagement in Effective Peacebuilding for Mitigating Violent Extremism (RFA#003-2017)

WEBINAR: Suicide Prevention Legislation and Our Schools

Interested in learning about suicide prevention legislation for schools? Watch this recorded webinar:

Youth suicide is the second leading causes of death among children and young adults between the ages of 10-24. Numerous states have enacted legislation to address the role of schools in suicide prevention, often as the result of efforts initiated by survivors. Examples include the Jason Flatt Act, Pennsylvania’s Act 71 and Jamie’s Law in West Virginia.

The webinar was presented by, Scott Poland, Ed.D., and included the following content:
  • Examined the status and variability of such legislation in America
  • Outlined comprehensive best practice recommendations for state legislation
  • Provided a brief review of the lawsuits against schools after student suicides with a lessons learned summary.
View slides and webinar recording here: www.kognito.com/news/?p=2026 

Friday, March 10, 2017

OBH Announces RFP for Persistent Drunk Driving and Law Enforcement

Image result for obh colorado

The Colorado Office of Behavioral Health has announced a Request for Proposals for Persistent Drunk Driving and Law Enforcement Fund Grants. Funds will be used to support primary prevention efforts to impaired driving and/or the local conditions that facilitate this behavior at all levels of the community, especially among young drivers. Proposals should focus on comprehensive primary prevention programs and practices that target both general population and subgroups that are at high risk for substance misuse and abuse for those ages 15-34.

Goals to be achieved within 5 years:
● Identify and prioritize risk factors related to impaired driving in the identified community
● Create a comprehensive and collaborative community strategy to change local conditions related to identified risk factors
● Mitigate the effects of local conditions related to identified risk factors within target population. Of critical importance to this project is the ability to implement an environmental strategy. A primary goal of this effort is to create policy change.

Who may apply: Organizations eligible to submit a proposal include governmental entities, such as county, city, schools and school districts, universities, local health or human services departments; other public entities; tribal entities; private non-profit entities; community based organizations; and faith based organizations.

Proposals are due by March 31, 2017 by 2pm.

Application documents can be found at www.colorado.gov/vss. Click on the public access tab. Type 2017000217 in the search field.  Click on the details tab, then click on the attachments tabs for all documentation relative to this RFP.

**Are you interested in information about motor vehicle crash prevention?? Visit Colorado Teen Driving Alliance blog: www.teendrivingallianceco.com**

Denver Public Health is hiring a part-time Violence Prevention Specialist


The Health Promotion Division (HPD) at Denver Public Health is hiring a Violence Prevention Specialist (contractual position) to support the Youth Health team and Behavioral Health team complete deliverables related to youth violence prevention. See the full job description here.

To Apply: send a resume and cover letter by email, with “Violence Prevention Specialist” in the subject line, to Maritza Valenzuela, Youth Health Manager, at maritza.valenzuela@dhha.org.

Denver Preschool Program is hiring Director of Data and Evaluation

The Denver Preschool Program (DPP) is seeking candidates for the Director of Data and Evaluation. The Director of Data and Evaluation is responsible for effectively overseeing and managing DPP’s customer service, enrollment and billing processes, managing DPP’s partnership efforts to expand preschool capacity in Denver, overseeing DPP program operations and child outcome evaluation efforts, managing and communicating DPP program data, and managing ongoing and new data sharing agreements. The Director of Data and Evaluation reports to the DPP Deputy Director and is a critical member of the DPP team.

Click here for the full job description. Please submit a letter of interest and resume to hr@dpp.org. Denver Preschool Program will consider applications on an ongoing basis until the position is filled.

"Waiting for Health Equity" graphic novel

Colorado Coalition for the Medically Underserved has released a graphic novel that explains how health inequities persist in Colorado's communities. The project, Waiting for Health Equity: A Graphic Novel, is being released in installments and includes accompanying materials to facilitate discussions of health equity including a facilitation guide and pre- and post-evaluation surveys to assess knowledge gained by viewing the graphic novel's content. View the graphic novel and resources here: http://www.ccmu.org/our-work/education-initiatives/waiting-for-health-equity/?no_redirect=true

Tuesday, March 7, 2017

Adult and Youth Commissioners needed for the Mayor’s Youth Commission

The deadline to submit applications for the Mayor’s Youth Commission has been extended to Friday, March 10th. Denver is currently looking for both Adult Commissioners and Youth Commissioner to fill vacant seats on the Mayor’s Youth Commission. Each year the Mayor’s Youth Commission determines what content areas they will focus on, and creative ways to educate or improve outcomes to critical issues faced by Denver’s youth. This year youth commissioners focused on the following topics:
  • Youth Mental Health Awareness & Suicide Prevention
  • Equity in Education
  • Youth/DPD Partnerships
Commissioners are appointed by the Mayor and City Council to 3-year terms, and requires attendance at two meetings a month September-May of each calendar year. There is a very strict attendance policy, so it is imperative to keep this in mind prior to recommending a youth or adult for the role of Commissioner. Below you will find some of the basic criteria for both youth and adult Commissioners.

Youth Commissioner Eligibility:
Entering grade 9-12 (Fall 2017)
Must either reside in Denver and/or attend a DPS school

Adult Commissioner Eligibility:
City and County of Denver employee
OR
Employee of a youth serving organization

One of the goals of the Mayor’s Youth Commission is to be reflective of the diverse population of both the youth and adults that comprise Denver, and to work collaboratively to accommodate the needs of Denver’s diverse population when selecting Commissioners. 

Applications have been attached, but can also be found by following this link: https://www.denvergov.org/content/denvergov/en/office-of-childrens-affairs/mayors-youth-commission1.html

Thursday, March 2, 2017

WEBINAR: A New Youth-Focused PYD in Action Tool

Join this webinar to learn about Positive Youth Development and the new tool created by youth for youth. A previously released PYD in Action tool was created to allow organizations to improve PYD skills. When youth were asked to review their organizations using the tool, they found that the current tool was difficult to use and not as relevant as they would like, and so the youth participant PYD tool was created to address this gap. Organizations can use both tools together to facilitate on-going conversations between staff and partners and improve PYD skills levels of all participants. 

Wednesday, March 15th 11:00-12:30

You can access the webinar and audio at  https://cdphe.adobeconnect.com/youth_pyd/

For any questions or if you prefer a call in option for audio please contact danielle.tuft@state.co.us.

Preventing Suicide: A Technical Package of Policy, Programs, and Practices


This Preventing Suicide technical package represents a select group of strategies based on the best available evidence to help communities and states sharpen their focus on prevention activities with the greatest potential to prevent suicide. These strategies include: strengthening economic supports; strengthening access and delivery of suicide care; creating protective environments; promoting connectedness; teaching coping and problem-solving skills; identifying and supporting people at risk; and lessening harms and preventing future risk. The strategies represented in this package include those with a focus on preventing the risk of suicide in the first place as well as approaches to lessen the immediate and long-term harms of suicidal behavior for individuals, families, communities, and society. The strategies in the technical package support the goals and objectives of the National Strategy for Suicide Prevention and the National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention’s priority to strengthen community-based prevention.

Preventing Sexual Violence: Stories from the Field


With funding from CDC’s National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO) and Safe States Alliance have been working on a joint project to enhance the role of state health leadership in sexual violence prevention and help promote the visibility of the Rape Prevention and Education (RPE) Program both within states and at the national level.

Preventing Sexual Violence: Stories from the Field, a collection of 20 states’ RPE programs’ approaches to sexual violence prevention across the country, highlights state program successes, underscores the importance of RPE funding, and provides examples for sexual violence prevention practice. Colorado's sexual violence prevention program at the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment is one of the featured states. Access the report from Colorado here.