Wednesday, November 27, 2019

Job Opportunity: Homeless Programs Specialist, Youth

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This Homeless Programs Specialist, Youth position is dedicated to guiding the statewide efforts to ensure homelessness for youth and other Coloradans is rare, brief, and one-time as a member of the Office of Homeless Initiatives (OHI). This position is responsible for administering the Office of Homeless Youth Services (OHYS) and provides leadership for the Advisory Council on Homeless Youth (ACHY), which identifies obstacles to the provision of services and connection to housing, as well as makes recommendations regarding solutions at both local and statewide levels.  The position oversees and coordinates homeless solutions recommendations with state and local planning and advisory groups and taskforces to ensure that youth experiencing homelessness connected to the limited housing and services resources. The position helps plan, organize, and provide local, regional, and statewide strategies and technical assistance regarding challenges and best practices regarding homeless solutions.
The position administers the Division of Housing (DOH) Family Unification Program (FUP) for youth and the various state-funded Youth Housing programs. This includes managing procurement selection processes; drafting and managing contracts; managing budgets and utilization; monitoring policies and regulations; managing program procedures, milestones, and outcomes; and providing technical assistance and trainings as needed. 
The Homeless Programs Specialist, Youth will work to further the efforts of OHI towards homeless solutions, particularly for special populations, and will focus on expanding the OHI's impact through strategic partnerships, including the state's Continuum of Care regions, other state agencies, and local government or non-government stakeholders, in order to provide additional housing opportunities for Colorado's residents living with complex needs and without housing. The position develops, prepares, and delivers presentations to organizations within public agencies and to the community about homelessness, and meets with and provides guidance to government departments and to the community on the housing and service needs of youth and others at risk of or experiencing homelessness.
For more information and to apply, please click hereOpen to Colorado residents only.

Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment is Hiring!



The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment is hiring! Please see details below for 4 open positions and apply or share in your networks.

Term-Limited Overdose Project Evaluator (#5217)
Classification: Statistical Analyst II
Status: Full time
Funding: Term-limited funding (funding cannot be guaranteed beyond August 31, 2022)
FLSA: Exempt (not eligible for overtime compensation)
Job location: Denver, CO
Application deadline: The announcement will close on December 15, 2019, or when an adequate pool (i.e., minimum of 30 qualified candidates or 50 total applications), whichever comes first.

Harm Reduction Grant Coordinator (#2403)
Classification: Grants Specialist III
Status: Full time
Funding: Permanent funding
FLSA: Exempt (not eligible for overtime compensation)
Job location: Denver, CO
Application deadline: The announcement will close on December 11, 2019, or when an adequate pool is identified (i.e., 50 total applications), whichever comes first. 

Naloxone Bulk Fund Coordinator (#2410)
Classification: Administrator III
Status: Full time
Funding: Permanent funding
FLSA: Exempt (not eligible for overtime compensation)
Job location: Denver, CO
Application deadline: The announcement will close on December 11, 2019, or when an adequate pool is identified (i.e., 50 total applications), whichever comes first.

Suicide Prevention Commission Coordinator (#1977)
Classification: Public Health and Community Outreach Professional III
Status: Full time
Funding: Permanent funding
FLSA: Exempt (not eligible for overtime compensation)
Job location: Denver, CO
Application deadline: The announcement will close on December 9, 2019, or when an adequate pool (i.e., minimum of 30 qualified candidates or 50 total applications), whichever comes first.

Applications will be considered from current Colorado residents. Please visit here for other jobs at the department.

Colorado Licensing & Zoning: Local Tools for Managing Alcohol Outlet Density in Colorado!


The Colorado State Epidemiological Outcomes Workgroup (SEOW) released a new resource with tools regarding the regulation of alcohol outlet density at the community-level to reduce excessive alcohol use and related harms, such as alcohol-involved violence and injury.

The resource entitled "Licensing & Zoning: Local Tools for Managing Alcohol Outlet Density in Colorado" was created through a partnership with the SEOW Alcohol Policy Work Group and ChangeLab Solutions, an external technical assistance provider for public health legal support. This resource provides an overview of local mechanisms to regulate alcohol outlet density, potential advantages and disadvantages of each approach, and relevant stakeholders to engage in implementation efforts. 

For more information, please contact Kacy Crawford at kacy.crawford@state.co.us.

Thursday, November 21, 2019

Motor Vehicle Injury Prevention in Eight American Indian/Alaska Native Communities

New Article on Motor Vehicle Safety: Motor vehicle injury prevention in eight American Indian/Alaska Native communities: results from the 2010–2014 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Tribal Motor Vehicle Injury Prevention Program

The article shares promoting results, including the following highlights:

  • Four projects exceeded their goals for percentage change increases in seat belt (SB) use.
  • SB use significantly increased in three projects (10–43% average annual increase).
  • Motor vehicle injuries significantly decreased in three projects (10–21% average annual decrease).
  • Proven strategies to increase SB use and decrease motor vehicle injury can be tailored to American Indian/Alaska Native communities.

The publication link can be found on the IHS IP Resources - Motor Vehicle Safety page.


Wednesday, November 20, 2019

ECLC Communications Guidelines for Engaging Parents & Caregivers

Thoughtful and strategic communication with parents and caregivers is critical to providing information and resources to help them as they make the best choices to support the children in their care.

To aid early childhood professionals in creating communication efforts such as messaging campaigns or public awareness efforts directed toward parents and caregivers, the Early Childhood Leadership Commission (ECLC) has published a new tool  - Communications Guidelines for Engaging Parents & Caregivers. Based on research, these practical tips and guidelines will help early childhood professionals reach and connect with the parents and caregivers in your community.

This new communications resource is based on three major areas for improvement outlined in the 2016 report Early Childhood Communications Efforts in Colorado:

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  • Reduce communication “noise” resulting from inconsistencies or duplicate efforts that are unevenly targeted to families and caregivers in regions with different communication needs.
  • Increase the quality of communication, including the use of effective content, enhanced communication training for trusted messengers that connect with parents and caregivers, and a heightened focus on effective tactics. 
  • Provide greater emphasis on the two-way, responsive engagement of parents and caregivers that will generate more positive outcomes for children’s cognitive and social development.
To download a printable checklist and review the ECLC Communications Guidelines for Engaging Parents & Caregivers visit the Tools & Resources section at www.earlychildhoodframework.org and be on the look out for more resources in 2020!

Tuesday, November 19, 2019

Training: Locating and Understanding Data for Suicide Prevention


Effectively preventing suicide requires an understanding of who is attempting and dying by suicide, where the problem is most severe, and under what circumstances attempts and suicide deaths occur. But how do you find the data you need to answer these questions and others? Offered by the Suicide Prevention Resource Center (SPRC), Locating and Understanding Data for Suicide Prevention presents a variety of data sources that are useful for finding information about suicide deaths, suicide attempts, and suicidal ideation. This course also explains key concepts that will help you better understand the data you find.

After completing this course, you will be able to:

  • Define and understand the difference between suicide deaths, suicide attempts, suicide ideation, and risk and protective factors for suicide.
  • Explain key terms that are essential to accurately interpreting data and making meaningful comparisons; this includes counts, rates, and trends.
  • Identify some commonly used and readily accessible online national data sources, and the type of data that is available from each source.
  • Identify some alternative data sources that may be available in states and communities, the type of data available from these sources, and considerations when approaching organizations and agencies for these data.
  • Think critically about the strengths and limitations of a given data source.

Monday, November 18, 2019

Prevalence and Factors Associated With Safe Infant Sleep Practices


New Article on Infant Safe Sleep: Prevalence and Factors Associated With Safe Infant Sleep Practices

OBJECTIVES: To examine prevalence of safe infant sleep practices and variation by abstract
sociodemographic, behavioral, and health care characteristics, including provider advice.

METHODS: Using 2016 Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System data from 29 states, we
examined maternal report of 4 safe sleep practices indicating how their infant usually slept:
(1) back sleep position, (2) separate approved sleep surface, (3) room-sharing without bedsharing, and (4) no soft objects or loose bedding as well as receipt of health care provider
advice corresponding to each sleep practice.

RESULTS: Most mothers reported usually placing their infants to sleep on their backs (78.0%),
followed by room-sharing without bed-sharing (57.1%). Fewer reported avoiding soft bedding
(42.4%) and using a separate approved sleep surface (31.8%). Reported receipt of provider
advice ranged from 48.8% (room-sharing without bed-sharing) to 92.6% (back sleep
position). Differences by sociodemographic, behavioral, and health care characteristics were
larger for safe sleep practices (∼10–20 percentage points) than receipt of advice (∼5–10
percentage points). Receipt of provider advice was associated with increased use of safe sleep
practices, ranging from 12% for room-sharing without bed-sharing (adjusted prevalence ratio:
1.12; 95% confidence interval: 1.09–1.16) to 28% for back sleep position (adjusted
prevalence ratio: 1.28; 95% confidence interval: 1.21–1.35). State-level differences in safe
sleep practices spanned 20 to 25 percentage points and did not change substantially after
adjustment for available characteristics.

CONCLUSIONS: Safe infant sleep practices, especially those other than back sleep position, are
suboptimal, with demographic and state-level differences indicating improvement
opportunities. Receipt of provider advice is an important modifiable factor to improve infant
sleep practices.

Read the whole article here: pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/pediatrics/early/2019/10/17/peds.2019-1286.full.pdf.

Thursday, November 14, 2019

FUNDING: Child Sexual Abuse Prevention Mini Grant



In partnership with the Colorado Department of Human Services Office of Early Childhood, Illuminate Colorado is awarding mini grants to support approved curricula to prevent child sexual abuse on a rolling basis until all funds are expended. All trainings must be complete by June 30, 2020.

At the time of this announcement, the approved curricula are: Nurturing Healthy Sexual Development and Darkness to Light, Stewards of Children.

Mini grants are being provided to support in person delivery of the approved child sexual abuse prevention curricula across the state with the following aims:

  • Increase adult knowledge, attitudes, and skills to prevent child sexual abuse
  • Improve adult understanding of healthy development in children

Mini grants and applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until all funds are expended. All trainings must be complete by June 30, 2020. Application decisions will be made within 2 weeks of submission. A final report of financial expenditures, including receipts, will be due within 2 weeks of training completion.

Application Details
Mini grant requests may be submitted online at www.illuminatecolorado.org/minigrants. Requests submitted in any other manner will not be considered.

If you would like more information about becoming an authorized facilitators or certified trainer or would like to get more involved in preventing child sexual abuse in Colorado, contact:

 Alissa Kalish,
Child Sexual Abuse Prevention Program Manager
akalish@illuminatecolorado.org

Wednesday, November 13, 2019

WEBINAR: Rural Suicide Prevention in Farm and Ranch Communities

Rural Suicide Prevention in Farm and Ranch Communities

3:30 – 4:45 pm ET/1:30 - 2:45 pm MT, Tuesday, November 19 |  Join the webinar.
Dial-In: 888-989-7695; Participant Passcode: 6473800

This webinar, hosted by HRSA's Office of Regional Operations-Denver, is designed for rural providers, organizations, and communities. The purpose of the webinar is to enhance knowledge of stress and suicide in rural areas, with a focus on farm and ranch communities, and to highlight stress/suicide prevention activities. The webinar will feature examples of suicide prevention programs designed to address agricultural stress and suicide from a community-based perspective. Suicide prevention resources will be provided.  No registration is required.

For more on National Rural Health Day, November 21, 2019, click here.

WEBINAR: Proactive Traffic Safety - Communication Tools to Reach Our Shared Vision of Zero Deaths and Serious Injuries

Proactive Traffic Safety - Communication Tools to Reach Our Shared Vision of Zero Deaths and Serious Injuries

Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2019
12:00 pm (MST)

In this webinar, Dr. Kari Finley will introduce a variety of communication tools that can be implemented immediately to build the capacity of critical stakeholders to grow proactive traffic safety. Proactive traffic safety is proactive behaviors demonstrating commitment to a safe roadway transportation system. Examples of proactive behaviors include: supporting existing traffic safety efforts, planning a safe way to get home before driving alcohol, speaking up about other people’s unsafe behaviors like driving distracted, establishing family rules like never texting while driving, and establishing workplace policies like always wearing a seat belt in a company vehicle.

Speakers:
Sue Sillick, Research Programs Manager, Montana Department of Transportation
Dr. Kari Finley, Research Scientist, Center for Health and Safety Culture

Register here: montana.webex.com/montana/onstage/g.php?MTID=e3f529247a60d5a64d983c464a5a029bc 

Tuesday, November 12, 2019

Resource: City Gun Violence Reduction Insight Portal (CityGRIP)


City Gun Violence Reduction Insight Portal (CityGRIP) is an online clearinghouse of data-informed gun violence reduction strategies. Create a custom blueprint for gun violence reduction for your city by selecting at least one of the filters: 1) Jurisdiction Population; 2) Population Density; 3) Number of Gun Homicides; 4) Types of gun violence you'd like to explore; 5) City proficiency using data to drive services; and 6) Gun violence in my community is clustered. The more filters you select, the more comprehensive your blueprint. Practices with a check mark  are ‘Essentials’ recommended for every city. Learn more about CityGRIP.

Friday, November 8, 2019

WEBINAR: Beyond the Numbers: Access to Reproductive Health Care for Low-Income Women in Five Communities


"Beyond the Numbers: Access to Reproductive Health Care for Low-Income Women in Five Communities"

As policy debates over the future of access to reproductive and sexual health services heat up at the national and state levels, understanding how these policies are playing out on the ground requires getting beyond the statistics.

Earlier this year, Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF), working with Health Management Associates, conducted interviews with local clinicians, social service providers, community-based organizations, researchers, and health care advocates as well as a focus group with low-income women in five different communities. The study addressed how national, state, and local policies, as well as cultural factors, shape access to contraception, maternity care, abortion, STIs, and other services. 

At 9:30 AM EST/7:30 AM MST on Thursday, November 14, KFF will host a briefing to release findings from this study and share perspectives from local stakeholders in the study communities.  Usha Ranji, an associate director of KFF’s Women’s Health Policy program will present an overview of the case studies and focus groups conducted in St. Louis, MO; Erie, PA; Selma, AL; Tulare County, CA; and the Crow Tribal Reservation, MT. The presentation will be followed by a roundtable discussion moderated by Alina Salganicoff, Senior Vice President and Director of Women’s Health Policy, with health care leaders from these communities.  Participants include:

  • Katie Plax, Medical Director, the SPOT, Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine, MO
  • Keshee Dozier-Smith, CEO, Rural Health Medical Program in Selma, AL
  • Susan Scriven, Nurse Practitioner at Adagio Health in Erie, PA
  • Caity Meader, CEO, Family Services of Tulare County, CA
  • Brocade Stops Black Eagle, RN, Indian Health Service in Crow Tribe, MT

Training: Recruit PYD Trainers in your community!

What is PYD? 
Positive youth development (PYD) is an approach, not a program, that can be used to complement and enhance current models of care across the spectrum of prevention, intervention and treatment. Conceptually, this evidence-based public health approach guides communities and organizations as they organize services, opportunities and supports so that all youth can be engaged and reach their full potential. PYD cuts across multiple high-risk behaviors and threats to health and well-being and may be applied to multiple social groups of youth. It is rare to find an evidence-based approach that jointly reduces risk factors and promotes protective factors. In practice, positive youth development incorporates the development of skills, opportunities and authentic relationships into programs, practices and policies so that young people reach their full potential.

This practical lens depicts youth and young adults as resources (and not problems!). This approach depends on the use of five guiding principles.

Why become a PYD Trainer? 
Positive Youth Development Trainers are highly sought after resources in your community. Not only do all systems, organizations, and individuals whose work impacts young people need an introduction to PYD, they need access to culturally relevant and locally meaningful examples of PYD in action. That's you! 

Submit an application here: http://bit.ly/PYD-TOT-Application

Have more questions? Email us at Jessica.Neuwirth@state.co.us and Lorin.Wakefield@state.co.us

A note...the next PYD Train the Trainer will be offered late Spring 2020 in Southern Colorado.
 


Thursday, November 7, 2019

CDC to host panel on Murdered and Missing Indigenous Women and Girls

"Changing Directions: Protecting communities and preventing violence"

Panel members:
Elizabeth Carr, Senior Native Affairs Advisor, National Indigenous Women’s Resource Center
Antony Stately, Chief Executive Officer, Native American Community Clinic
Phyllis Holditch Niolon/NCIPC, Behavioral Scientist, Division of Violence Prevention
Delight Satter/CSTLTS, Senior Health Scientist, Office of Tribal Affairs and Strategic Alliances

Moderator:
Dana P. Williams, Dispute Resolution Manager, OEEO

Date: November 13, 2019
Time: 10 to 11 am MST

Facebook Live: www.facebook.com/cdc

FUNDING: Overdose Data to Action RFA released


The new Overdose Data to Action grant, housed at the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, Request for Applications (RFA) has been released! More information is included below, and please share widely with your networks.   

Purpose: The purpose of these funds is to prevent opioid misuse and overdose using existing data to inform proven public health approaches. In 2019, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Overdose Data to Action Program awarded funds to Colorado's Opioid Overdose Prevention Program at CDPHE to reduce opioid overdose in Colorado. The Overdose Data to Action grant allows the Opioid Overdose Prevention Program to partner with organizations across the state to start local, proven prevention initiatives to support prevention strategies. CDPHE will distribute up to 10 awards to offer more services at the local level by supporting proven community coalition efforts over the next 2 1/2 years.

Eligibility: Community-based organizations; non-profit entities; Governmental entities such as county, city, local health or human services departments; other public entities; and federally recognized Native American tribes in Colorado, or a nonprofit organization providing services to eligible tribes on a reservation or federally recognized tribal land with a letter of support from the applicable tribal council are also eligible to apply.

Access the RFA and related documents: www.colorado.gov/pacific/cdphe/opioid-prevention  

Due Date: December 6, 2019 at 5 p.m. MST

New Report on the Impact of Housing Security on Health


A new analysis of housing trends in Colorado reveals that the health of Coloradans is closely tied to access to affordable, stable, accessible and quality housing. Residents across the state have been harmed by the rapid increase in housing costs, and that pinch has been acute for seven distinct demographic groups, the report found.

The report details how housing instability has a direct negative effect on the health and well-being of people of color, Coloradans with low incomes, families with children, people in rural areas, people with disabilities, immigrants without documentation and Coloradans experiencing homelessness. The report, “Home Equity: A Vision of Housing Security, Health and Opportunity” was produced by the Colorado Health Institute in partnership with a cohort of 18 Colorado nonprofit organizations. The average Colorado home price increased 77 percent in the past decade, researchers found, yet the state’s median income increased just 4.5 percent.

To improve housing opportunities throughout the state, the report outlines 11 promising policy ideas created in partnership with affected communities that state and local policymakers should consider. They range from local to state-level solutions and include ways to correct historic and current policies that have created today’s inequitable systems.

Tuesday, November 5, 2019

Volunteers Wanted for Tribal Crash Reporting Toolkit Pilot

Tribal Crash Reporting Toolkit

Tribes are invited to participate in a pilot project that will develop a Tribal Crash reporting Toolkit. The project is intended to help Tribes save lives and reduce injuries resulting from motor vehicle crashes by improving the collection and use of crash data. Development of the toolkit is underway and expected to be complete in Fall 2020. The  tribal Crash Reporting Toolkit will provide these tools:
  • A ready-to-use electronic and printable crash report form based on a subset of  the Model Minimum Uniform Crash Criteria (MMUCC).
  • A database that works with the included form to establish electronic storage of crash data in the Tribe’s internal systems.
  • Guidance documents:
    • Toolkit manual describing the Tools
    • An overview of the importance of Tribal crash data collection, describing how crash data can be used and dispelling misunderstandings concerning crash data collection
    • Crash form instructions and data definitions
    • Data analysis tool for identifying problem areas and applying for grant funding
    • Quality control tool outlining edit check procedures
The pilot project is starting soon. Tribal employees who want to participate or have questions about participating should contact Tom Bragan (tom.bragan@dot.gov) of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration or Adam Larsen (adam.larsen@dot.gov) of the Federal Highway Administration as soon as possible.

Helping Schools Support Student Health

 

Helping Schools Support Student Health

Schools play an important role in screening student health and providing critical support, but they often lack the capacity to best serve all students in need. Two federal agencies - the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services - partnered up to develop this guide for schools regarding options within and beyond Medicaid to get funding for mental health and substance use services for students. In addition, The Trevor Project has developed a Model School District Policy for Suicide Prevention to help schools prevent, assess, intervene in and respond to suicidal behavior.

 NIHCM Webinar || Communities for Change: Preventing Suicide

Millennials: Not As Healthy As You Think

Though 83% of millennials consider themselves to be in good or excellent health, millennials overall are not as healthy as the previous generation, according to the Blue Cross Blue Shield Health Index. Older millennials (age 34-36) have higher rates for the top 10 health conditions than Generation Xers did at their age, and 6 of the top 10 conditions are behavioral health conditions. Due to the higher than average rates of depression among millennials in their member states, Wellmark convened a forum to identify barriers to solving this issue. Participants highlighted stigma, lack of an identified primary care doctor and pressure to exceed expectations as challenges for millennials in managing their behavioral health.

 NIHCM Webinar || Turning the Tide on Mental Health Trends

REPORT: Reviewing Deaths of Children in Disasters and Mass Fatality Events




The National Center is pleased to announce the publication of a new guidance, Reviewing Deaths of Children in Disasters and Mass Fatality Events This guidance provides working definitions for fatality review professionals to help them understand disasters, the types of deaths attributable to disasters, best practices in reviewing disaster-related fatalities, the partners teams should engage, additional documentation that supports effective review in these types of cases, and community resources for disasters and community care.

The National Center extends its most sincere thanks to disaster preparedness and responses colleagues at the CDC, and fatality review partners from Clark County, Nevada; Connecticut; and Puerto Rico for their needed input in the crafting of this resource.

The guidance can be found on the National Center’s website at www.ncfrp.org/wp-content/uploads/NCRPCD-Docs/Guidance_Deaths_of_Children_in_Disasters.pdf 

Monday, November 4, 2019


Understanding "implementation science" is daunting but can lead to improved program outcomes. This free online mini-course led by the Center for Implementation provides easy-to-follow guidance on how to use the best practices from implementation science to inform your own projects and work. The Inspiring Change course is open for enrollment for a limited time (until November 11). Go here to enroll: thecenterforimplementation.teachable.com/p/inspiring-change.

This free mini-course will help you:

  • Gain an overview of evidence-based implementation so you can plan your change initiative more proactively
  • Discover how process models, theories, and frameworks can be the backbone of your change plan
  • Be inspired to use behavior change theory
  • Be more purposeful with your time, by addressing high-priority areas and anticipating resistance to change
  • Learn simple tricks and tips that can set you up for success

Want a more comprehensive course on implementation?

Check out Designing for Implementation, our new 6-week online course that comprehensively guides you through the process of designing interventions using best practices and approaches in implementation science. Enrollment for Designing for Implementation opened on October 28.

Friday, November 1, 2019

Toolkit: How To Fix An Unsafe School Zone In Your Community



Take Action Toolkit: How To Fix An Unsafe School Zone In Your Community 

Find strategies, advocacy tips, model documents, and resources provided by our Public Policy team to help you work in your community to make safety changes to your school zone. Changes covered in our action plans can improve safety for pedestrians, bike riders and all of us near schools.You can learn more about child safety risks in our report, "Alarming Dangers in School Zones," which led to the development of our Take Action Toolkit.