In this Edition

• This Friday! Quarterly PI Call Friday, August 21, 2020
• Upcoming Wave 1 Community Evaluation Activities
• PD Calendar
• Youth Voice and Leadership

• 2021 RWJF Culture of Health Prize
• From National 4-H Council
• News, Research, and Resources from the Field

Quarterly PI Call Friday, August 21, 2020

• This Friday! Quarterly PI Calls are an opportunity to disseminate information and updates related to the WCC grant. The next Quarterly PI Call will be Friday, August 21, 2020 from 1:30 – 3:00 PM ET. We will be meeting via Zoom. PIs should refer to the Outlook Calendar invite from Shay McNeil for the link and password to connect to the meeting. An agenda for the meeting will be provided closer to the next call.

Quarterly PI Call Schedule:

• August 21, 2020
• November 20, 2020
• February 19, 2021
• May 21, 2021
• August 20, 2021

Upcoming Wave 1 Community Evaluation Activities

• The  Center for Community Health and Evaluation, the evaluation partner for WCC, will be conducting their first major evaluation data collection effort at the community level. This first year of the evaluation, CCHE will be focusing on communities that participated in Wave 1 of WCC. In the coming weeks, CCHE will be reaching out to PIs who started in Wave 1 for support on the following evaluation activities:

• Community coalition surveys – CCHE will launch a survey at the end of August/beginning of September to collect information on how community collaboration is going, what is working well, and where there might be opportunities to strengthen partnerships. You will receive a report that includes the survey results for all of your communities that complete the survey for your use and so that you can share back with your communities.
• Youth interviews – CCHE would like to ask PIs of Wave 1 communities to help identify 1 youth who would be willing to talk about their experience with WCC. The youth could be from any of your communities that engaged in Wave 1; ideally they have been participating in WCC for at least one year, but that’s not required. CCHE aims to conduct the youth interviews in early September.

PD Calendar

• This week! Food Security Webinar

August 20, 2020, 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM ET

Presenter: Rich Pirog

Mr. Pirog is the Director for Center for Regional Food Systems at Michigan State University (MSU). Pirog has more than 25 years of experience in sustainable food systems research and outreach. His research and collaborative work on food value chains, food hubs, economic impacts of local foods, food networks and communities of practice has been cited in magazines and media outlets across the globe, used by local food practitioners and are often referenced in books and college courses.

Communities around the country are working every day to see that no child, elder, or family goes hungry. This webinar on food security will: 

• Offer an overview of equity and food systems along with data metrics to build and monitor food access and security.
• Point to programs and policies being adapted to meet the changing needs.
• Share community and youth led solutions to bring the programs/policies to life.
• Look forward, identify opportunities to leverage the disruption to the status quo to strengthen food systems and reduce food insecurity.

Register Here

• Leading Together for Equity and Inclusion Webinar

September 17, 2020, 1:00 – 2:00 PM ET

Presenter: Dorothy Freeman, PhD

Dr. Freeman is the Director of Equity at National 4-H Council whose role is to lead Council to strategically align its programmatic priorities and vision with the Equity, Access and Belonging Committee. Dr. Freeman has a distinctive career in 4-H Extension where she was Associate Dean and State 4-H Director with the University of Minnesota Extension Center for Youth Development and 25years Virginia Cooperative Extension at Virginia Tech University. 

Dr. Freeman will delve into the topics listed below and her presentation will be followed by a panel discussion with some Wave 2 grantees:

• How are we defining equity and inclusion? Holding it as a value? [CES & 4-H]
• What is Extension/4-H learning about equity during this time of multiple pandemics (COVID-19 and widespread calls for racial justice)
• How are we adapting/moving to action?
• What are the unique challenges and opportunities related to WCC? What is our unique role?
• The Extension Model as a community engagement model.

Register Here

Youth Voice and Leadership

• Youth LGU Introductions

August 26, 2020, 7:00 – 8:30 PM

On Wednesday, August 26. 2020 at 7:00 PM ET, there will be a WCC-wide ZOOM meeting for youth to introduce themselves and their communities to each other.  The meeting will last no more than 90 minutes depending on how many LGUs are represented and how much the youth want to share.

Several WCC PI’s have indicated that they would like to see the youth connect across communities and LGUs especially in light of the COVID effects on our program.  It may help youth to feel more connected by chatting and sharing about their communities and their issues.  There have also been requests for youth professional development since so many communities are working on similar topics (food insecurity and nutrition, and mental health are major ones), so we are looking at additional bi-weekly dates throughout September and October where youth and their adult community mentors can participate depending on the issues of their communities.

For the 26^th, the youth from your LGU will be asked to prepare 1-2 slides about their communities to share with everyone.  I thought that may be better than asking for a slide per community as not all communities have youth engaged yet due to COVID and it could take a lot more time with 30+ communities than 17 LGUs.  The slide(s) should reflect their answers to the questions:

• What excites you about your community?
• What are your health concerns affecting your peers and families?
• What can youth do about those health issues?

Slides are due to Hayat Essa (hessa@fourhcouncil.edu) by August 19, 2020.

Register Here: The registration is organized by LGU so one adult will register youth and adults (The adult that registers everyone from their LGU will need to share the ZOOM link with all participants.) 

Please direct any questions to JoAnne Leather (jleatherman@fourhcouncil.edu)   

• Youth Mental Health Peer Circle

September 2, 2020, 7:00 – 8:00 PM ET

Mental health is important at every stage of life. This peer session on mental health will explore the impact of mental health from youth and adult perspectives. Beyond the examining the impact of COVID-19 on the mental health of youth and adults alike, we will be learning from our peers their experience and opportunities available to lead people to mental well-being. We are inviting two youth leaders who are working in the area of mental health to co-present and co-facilitate this session. The following topics will be discussed: 

• What do youth have to say about mental health; learn about the results of a recent Youth Mental Health Survey that included the effects of COVID-19 on how youth see their own mental health during this time
• Opportunities to engage community members to destigmatize public health crisis on the mental health of teens- from the perspective of teens themselves.  
• What do WCC youth and adult community leaders have to say about this public health issue and what they can do within their own communities to open up dialogue about mental health.

Register Here for Part 1: The registration is organized by Community so one adult lead from the community will register all youth and adults (The adult that registers everyone from their community will need to share the ZOOM link with all participants.)

A second follow up session is planned for October 7, 2020, 7:00 – 8:00 PM ET. The session will be based on the September 2, 2020 discussion. Register for Part 2

• Community Health Needs Assessment Webinar for Youth and Community Leaders

September 9, 2020, 7:00 – 8:00 PM ET

This webinar will provide participants with an overview of the community health needs assessment process, demonstrate the WCC CHNA tool, and learn about best practices, youth engagement, and common pitfalls. This webinar is open to all communities and will be especially targeted at youth  with examples of ways they can lead the CHNA for their communities.

Webinar Outline:

• Introductions & Housekeeping
• Overview of the CHNA Process
• WCC CHNA Tool Demonstration
• Discussion of Best Practices, Youth Engagement, and Common Pitfalls
• Q&A/Closing

Register Here: The registration is organized by Community so one adult lead from the community will register all youth and adults (The adult that registers everyone from their community will need to share the ZOOM link with all participants.)

2021 RWJF Culture of Health Prize

• The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation is officially accepting applications for the 2021 RWJF Culture of Health Prize. An annual award, the RWJF Culture of Health Prize elevates and honors communities that are at the forefront of advancing health, opportunity, and equity for all. Winners receive a $25,000 prize and the chance to share their accomplishments with the nation. The application deadline is October 15, 2020. Visit https://rwjf.ws/3gpC5G3 to learn more. 

Prize communities continue to inspire the nation with real-life examples of local leaders and community members bringing partners together to transform neighborhoods, schools, businesses, and more so that better health flourishes for everyone. 

From National 4-H Council

• Sharing of 4-H Resources

How is your 4-H program meeting the learning needs of children and families during COVID-19? National 4-H Council is curating a list of free 4-H resources offered by 4-H programs across the country. Explore and share these activities found at 4-H at Homeand then submit your efforts for an opportunity to be featured. 

• Collecting Youth Stories

Tell us how your 4-H’er(s) are doing amazing things to make the world a better place during this time of COVID-19. We’ll bring these incredible stories to the forefront, inspiring kids everywhere to make a difference too. As you come across the stories of young people doing something positive to help their communities, making a difference, or even just making people smile, tell us their story via this quick form. It can be completed by an Extension professional, parent or 4-H’er. 

News, Research and Resources from the Field:

·       NEW From eXtension

 

• FEMA Set to Open Large Grant Program For Community Resilience Projects
  Paul Lachapelle, Professor, Montana State University
  Subgroup: National Extension Climate Initiative

FEMA is offering a large amount ($600 million) of funding under their Building Resilience Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) program. The funding is for states, tribal governments, and communities investing in pre-disaster mitigation activities…Learn More

• Input Wanted – Rural Resilience Module #1, Content #2
  Mark Megalos, Extension Professor, North Carolina State University
  Subgroup: National Extension Climate Initiative 

Good news at last!  I’m writing to update you on the progress with the Resilient Rural America Project (RRAP) that you generously contributed to as an expert project advisor last year…Learn More

• Broadband Internet Access is a Social Determinant of Health
  Pat Bebo, Assistant Director Extension, Family and Consumer Sciences
  Subgroup: Health and Well-Being
  A recent article published in the American Journal of Public Health argued that in our new world order, lack of interent access affects the health of people and communities…Learn More

• New Health Equity Blog Series from the National Health Law Program
  David Young, Professor & Community Health Specialist, Montana State University
  Subgroup: Health and Well-Being
  The Coronavirus pandemic has upended life for people across the United States and the world. But the experience and severity are not equal. In the United States, deep inequities, rooted in a history of exploitation and maltreatment of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC), are making the COVID crisis worse…Learn More
  
• NEW USDA Rural Placement Innovation Challenge – September 10. 

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will make five awards from a total investment of $1 million to assist with community planning efforts that support local economies and quality of life.  Possible uses for funds include increasing broadband access, preserving cultural and historical structures, and supporting the development of transportation, housing, and recreational spaces.  Eligible applicants are public and private entities that can provide technical assistance to cities or towns with up to 50,000 residents. 

• NEW GHPC’s Collection of Rural Health Strategies for COVID-19

With support from the Federal Office of Rural Health Policy (FORHP), the Georgia Health Policy Center (GHPC) provides reports, guidance, and innovative strategies gleaned from their technical assistance and peer learning sessions with FORHP grantees.

• NEW COVID-19 Community Response: Emerging Themes Across Sentinel Communities

From RWJF

What can we learn at the intersection of resilience, well-being, and equity?

The coronavirus pandemic has elevated and exacerbated deep-seated inequities in communities across the United States. Localities large and small, urban and rural, well resourced and under resourced, are responding to distinct challenges. It’s been five months since a national emergency was declared in the United States in response to COVID-19 and communities across the country have been mobilizing to respond. RWJF is studying nine communities to gain ongoing insights on how a commitment to health and well-being, collaboration, data, and equity can help recovery and response efforts. What can these diverse communities teach us about shaping a COVID-19 response grounded in equity?

• Using Data to Measure Social Capital and Build Social Connections for Vulnerable Youth

Thursday, August 20, 2020, 2:30 PM ET, Register here.

This interactive training will discuss the latest research on social capital, or the value we get from our relationships with others, as well as lessons from the field. 

• New Reports from Rural Health Advisory Committee

The National Advisory Committee on Rural Health and Human Services convenes twice each year for close examination of issues by a panel of more than 20 experts.  The most recent recommendations to the Secretary of HHS come from its March 2020 meeting in Atlanta.  They are: HIV Prevention and Treatment Challenges in Rural America, and Maternal and Obstetric Care Challenges in Rural America.

• Healthy People 2030 Launch

On August 18, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) will unveil the latest edition of Healthy People! Healthy People 2030 is a set of science-based, 10-year national objectives for improving health and well-being in the United States. During the webcast, they’ll highlight the new Healthy People 2030 goals and objectives and provide an overview of the development process. Guest speakers from HHS will discuss Healthy People 2030 data, social determinants of health, health equity,  and more.

No registration is necessary. Just visit hhs.gov/live on August 18 at 1 PM EDT.