Weekly Bulletin 8/17

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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 26th, 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 HereThe 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. 

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.

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?

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. 

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.

Weekly Bulletin 8/10

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The following bulletin includes information regarding the Well Connected Communities initiative for the week of August 10, 2020:

In this Edition

  • Quarterly PI Call Friday, August 21, 2020
  • 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

  • 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

PD Calendar

  • 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 26th, 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 HereThe 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:

Tuesday, August 11, 2020, 1:00 PM ET, Register here.

Learn the results of an important new study, “Mentoring During COVID-19”,  and how mentors are employing ways to stay in contact with mentees during this time of social distancing and technological interventions. 

Wednesday, August 12, 2020, 12:00 PM ET, Register here.

This webinar is for those interested in accelerating data-driven solutions to improve the prevention, treatment, and management of resources to fight COVID-19 and support the recovery effort.  

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. 

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.

  • NEW 4-H Epidemiology Project Training

Want to help 4-H members test their investigative skills and help 4-H adapt to this pandemic? Interested in epidemiology (how we can track and prevent the spread of germs and diseases)? Consider leading the 4-H Virtual Disease Detectives: Operation Outbreak Project! The Virtual 4-H Disease Detectives Project will help youth learn about disease outbreaks, virus transmissions, public health investigations and how protective actions like hand washing, wearing masks, vaccinations, and herd immunity help manage negative public health outcomes. This project is designed for virtual delivery to 4-H members that are at least 12 years old.

For more information and training on leading this project, please join the UC 4-H Healthy Living Leadership Team for a webinar on August 13, 2020 from 7:00 – 8:30 PM PT

  • Healthy People 2030 Launch

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, you’ll learn about the new Healthy People 2030 goals and objectives and the process of their development.  Guest speakers from HHS will also discuss Healthy People 2030 data, social determinants of health, and health equity.

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

Which neighborhoods in America offer children the best chance to rise out of poverty?The Opportunity Atlas answers this question using anonymous data following 20 million Americans from childhood to their mid-30s. Now you can trace the roots of today’s affluence and poverty back to the neighborhoods where people grew up. See where and for whom opportunity has been missing, and develop local solutions to help more children rise out of poverty.

National Equity Atlas indicators track how communities are doing on key measures of inclusive prosperity. We define an equitable community as one where all residents — regardless of their race, nativity, gender, or zip code — are fully able to participate in the community’s economic vitality, contribute to its readiness for the future, and connect to its assets and resources. Our indicators track change over time, are comparable across geographies, and are disaggregated by race and other demographics as much as possible.

A new commentary in The Journal of Rural Health examines the relationship between substance use and coronavirus in the Southern Mountains region of Appalachia.  Authors cite recent data showing greater and faster-increasing COVID-19 rates in Appalachia and the South and rural-specific challenges to programs for overdose prevention and infection control.

Weekly Bulletin 7/13

posted in: Weekly Bulletin | 0

The following bulletin includes information regarding the Well Connected Communities initiative for the week of July 13, 2020:

In this Edition

  • WCC Health Action Plans
  • Quarterly PI Call Friday, August 21, 2020
  • PD Calendar
  • Youth Leadership Resources
  • News, Research, and Resources from the Field

WCC Health Action Plans

  • DUE THIS WEEK! The new date for communities to submit their draft action plans to Shay McNeil (smcneil@fourhcouncil.edu) is July 15, 2020. We hope that this added time has allowed you and your community coalitions the time and space to develop your action plans. We ask that you continue to keep us posted on your progress as well as any challenges you may be experiencing as that will help us to provide appropriate technical assistance and support. If your community will not be able to submit your Health Action Plan by July 15, 2020, please let Shay know as soon as possible as well as any additional support you might need to complete the health action plan. Please review the email “Coalition Engagement and Action Planning Resources” sent July 2, 2020 for community engagement and action planning resources.

Quarterly PI Call Friday, August 21, 2020

  • 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

PD Calendar

  • THIS WEEK! Dialogue as a Change Tool: Understanding Community Needs Peer Circles– 2 Part Series

Part 1: was June 23, 2020

Attached:

  • Slide deck
  • WIN Dialogue Guide

Part 2: July 15, 2020, 1:00 – 2:00 PM ET – Please register here for the second part (July 15) of this two-part peer circle.

Recommended for WCC field staff, valuable addition for master volunteers.

Building the civic muscle needed for creating change starts by listening deeply to one another. Learn more about the practice of dialogue for building relationships, learning together, and understanding community needs. Across the two peer circle sessions you’ll build/on your foundational understanding of the practice of dialogue, create an opportunity to host a (virtual) session in your community, and return to reflect on what you heard and learned. 

  • Youth-Adult Volunteer Leadership Team Office Hours – Building and Maintaining Your CV (Cohort of Volunteers)

July 20, 2020, 1:00 – 2:30 PM ET

Your Cohort of Volunteers is very important to this work, but don’t forget about your other CV in the process! Trained volunteers can not only help advance Extension education in your communities but they can also help advance your Extension career. In addition to answering your questions about master health volunteers, youth involvement, youth-adult partnerships, and other WCC matters, we will also discuss incorporating your work with and through volunteers into your professional documents. Although the main theme of the 90-minute ZOOM session will be “Building and Maintaining Your CV (Cohort of Volunteers)” questions of any kind related to Youth Leadership, Youth-Adult Partnerships and the Master Volunteer Program are welcomed. Newly added…Those that are able to join the Office Hours will spend part of the time in a discussion around the possibility of some youth webinars. Some topics that might be offered are Mental Health, Food Security, Youth Led Civil Discourse, and Emergency Preparedness.

Register Here

  • Community Health Needs Assessment Webinar

August 6, 2020, 2:00 – 3:00 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. Those communities who do not have a CHNA or are in the early stages of the process are strongly encouraged to attend.

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

Youth Voice and Leadership

  • Youth-Adult Partnership Self-Assessment Rubric for Out-of-School Time 

Does your WCC Community need to assess the strength of its Youth-Adult Partnerships (YAP)?  Maybe YAP has been around for a while in theory, but are the relationships within your community authentic?  YAP fosters youth leadership and engagement, requirements of the Wave 2 WCC.  Attached is a rubric from Michigan State University that will help your community see where it stands with YAP.  It is based on the work of Dr. Shep Zeldin who stands as an international authority in YAP.  This rubric is designed to do the following:

  1. To formalize the concepts of youth-adult partnership in youth settings
  2. To be used as a low-stake peer/self-assessment tool for strengthening youth-adult partnership practices
  3. To be used as a formative or summative evaluation tool for assessing the structures and processes of youth-adult partnership in youth settings

It captures the four critical elements of YAP:  (1) authentic decision-making, (2) natural mentors, (3) reciprocity, and (4) community connectedness.

  • Other Youth-Adult Partnership Resources

News, Research and Resources from the Field:

  • NEW Voices for Healthy Kids Advocacy Training Series

This webinar-based training series is for staff of current and former grantees and other advocacy organizations. Attendees will build capacity and skills, strengthen their mobilization efforts and amplify the important work they do while also creating connections with one another. Using the Power Prism® approach to advocacy as our guide, we will explore topics ranging from grassroots engagement and communications to advocacy and lobbying.

The basics:

  • Free, no-cost webinars
  • Sessions will be held every other Wednesday starting July 15th at 3 p.m. EST/2 p.m. CST/1 p.m. PST
  • Run by leaders in the field, including renowned consultants and experts…and you!
  • Topics range from grassroots and communications to advocacy and lobbying
  • Short, 30-to-45-minute session with an opportunity for further mentorship afterwards

In the first session, we’ll teach attendees how to use the Power Prism® in the important work they do. Lori Fresina, executive director and vice president and Allyson Frazier, Director Policy Engagement of Voices for Healthy Kids will lead this not-to-be-missed training. At its core, the Power Prism® is a step-by-step framework for recognizing and acting on opportunities to build momentum in an advocacy campaign. It’s all about learning to make it easier for decision-makers to give you what you want!

Register here for the July 15th webinar.

  • Mark your calendars – Our second webinar will be Wednesday, July 29th at 3pm EST “Using Email for Digital Advocacy” with Nick Dean from Burness Communications. This training will cover the dos and don’ts and what makes an email great for sparking action; building and maintaining your email lists for advocacy; and creating various content formats that drive online advocacy actions, including a focus on writing, phrasing, formatting, and a variety of email styles.

 

·       From eXtension

 

  • NEW A Conversation with Anthony Fauci from the Aspen Ideas Festival 
    Roger Rennekamp, Extension Health Director, ECOP

Anthony Fauci, the nation’s leading infectious disease expert and Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, joins CNN Senior Medical Correspondent, Elizabeth Cohen, to discuss the current state of the Covid-19 pandemic and the recent surge in cases as the US reopens…Learn More

 

Updated guidance and tools to help community and faith-based organizations make decisions, communicate with their communities, and protect their employees, volunteers, and members. In Spanish and other languages.

Fri.,  July 17, 2020, 11:00 AM ET, Register here

As part of Path Forward, a series produced by the U.S. Chamber Foundation to help business and community leaders find the answers they need to execute a responsible reopening strategy and plan for a post-pandemic world, NIAID Director Dr. Anthony Fauci will talk about the state of the pandemic, when he expects to see a vaccine, and what businesses should be doing to prepare for the coming months.

July 23, 2020, in English 1:00 PM ET or in Spanish: 2:00 PM ET

Are members of your community feeling scared, worried or overwhelmed? They are not alone. Promote this opportunity to talk – in English or Spanish – about coping during the pandemic. 

  • From Community Health Rankings and Roadmaps

County Health Rankings & Roadmaps has added a new COVID-19 resources page to our website. As communities across the nation transition from response to recovery, the County Health Rankings & Roadmaps team has pulled together a “one-stop shop” on where people and organizations can find:

  • What Works for Health COVID-19 Strategies: Curated evidence-informed strategies— pulling across Rankings factors including income, education, housing, and more—that communities can consider as they respond to and recover from COVID-19. 
  • Action Learning Guides on Data and Equity: Resources designed to provide communities with the guidance, tools, and examples to develop a deeper understanding of data and the underlying factors that create inequities in communities. 
  • The US COVID Atlas: An interactive open-source map produced in collaboration with the University of Chicago that allows users to compare county-level COVID-19 data, see how the virus has spread in communities over time, and explore key Rankings measures that provide important context about community conditions. 
  • Special Webinar Series: The Health Equity and Social Solidarity in the Time of Pandemic: Strategies for COVID-19 Response and Recovery webinar series shines a light on challenges facing specific communities and populations affected by COVID-19 and how people are responding with equitable approaches. 
  • US COVID Atlas: Exploring Data to Move to Action

Series: COVID-19July 21, 2020 3:00 PM ET

As the COVID-19 pandemic has gripped the nation, an endless stream of data has flooded our inboxes, news outlets, and social media. But as communities navigate the crisis, response, and recovery, it’s more crucial than ever to connect this data with our own community contexts. The US COVID Atlas, developed by the Center for Spatial Data Science at the University of Chicago and coalition partners, is a helpful tool to assess your county’s past, current, and projected COVID-19 data and social and economic data. Layering these data points can provide additional context about a community’s conditions and can help guide services, resources, and policies to where the need is greatest. 

During this webinar, County Health Rankings & Roadmaps will be joined by Marynia Kolak, Assistant Director for Health Informatics at the Center for Spatial Data Science, as we: 

  • Explore the features of this unique mapping tool, including county-level COVID-19 data over time
  • Examine the County Health Rankings social and economic measures included in the Atlas, which provide a more complete picture about overall community health
  • Share tools and strategies to better understand data and find ways to take action locally

Register Here

WCC Weekly Bulletin 6/22

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The following bulletin includes information regarding the Well Connected Communities initiative for the week of June 22, 2020:

In this Edition

  • WCC Health Action Plans
  • Q2 Reporting
  • PD Calendar
  • Youth Leadership Resources
  • News, Research, and Resources from the Field

WCC Health Action Plans

  • The new date for communities to submit their draft action plans to Shay McNeil(smcneil@fourhcouncil.edu) is July 15, 2020. We hope that this added time will allow you and your community coalitions the time and space to develop your action plans. Please ensure that youth are engaged as equal partners as you work through and draft your action plans. Also, we ask that you continue to keep us posted on your progress as well as any challenges you may be experiencing as that will help us to provide appropriate technical assistance and support. We shall continue to monitor the situation and keep you informed of any changes.

RWJF Culture of Health Blog, 21 Jan. 2020

We combed through our research and identified the top five things your community can do to thrive in the next decade:

  • Set a shared vision
  • Use big data locally
  • Practice resiliency
  • Foster radical collaboration
  • Lift up marginalized communities

Set your community up for success by taking on one or more of these strategies to promote health equity.

Q2 Reporting

  • The Q2 report is due June 30, 2020. There are three components to the reporting. Each participating community will submit a community report (submitted here), and each LGU will submit one financial report (submitted through WebGrants) and one Tobacco Separation Protocol staff validation (emailed to smcneil@fourhcouncil.edu).

Please refer to the email “Reminder Q2 Reporting Due 6/30” that was sent June 17, 2020 for more information on how to submit your Q2 report. Included in that email are a sample completed community report, a TSP validation letter template, and a Q2 FAQ document.

PD Calendar

  • Dialogue as a Change Tool: Understanding Community Needs Peer Circles – 2 Part Series

June 23, 2020, 1:00 – 2:00 PM ET – This Week! Please register here for the first part (June 23) of this two-part peer circle.

July 15, 2020, 1:00 – 2:00 PM ET – Please register here for the second part (July 15) of this two-part peer circle.

Recommended for WCC field staff, valuable addition for master volunteers.

Building the civic muscle needed for creating change starts by listening deeply to one another. Learn more about the practice of dialogue for building relationships, learning together, and understanding community needs. Across the two peer circle sessions you’ll build/on your foundational understanding of the practice of dialogue, create an opportunity to host a (virtual) session in your community, and return to reflect on what you heard and learned. 

  • Youth-Adult Volunteer Leadership Team Office Hours – Building and Maintaining Your CV (Cohort of Volunteers)

July 20 at 1:00 – 2:30 PM ET

Your Cohort of Volunteers is very important to this work, but don’t forget about your other CV in the process! Trained volunteers can not only help advance Extension education in your communities but they can also help advance your Extension career. In addition to answering your questions about master health volunteers, youth involvement, youth-adult partnerships, and other WCC matters, we will also discuss incorporating your work with and through volunteers into your professional documents. Although the main theme of the 90-minute ZOOM session will be “Building and Maintaining Your CV (Cohort of Volunteers)” questions of any kind related to Youth Leadership, Youth-Adult Partnerships and the Master Volunteer Program are welcomed. 

Register Here

Youth Voice and Leadership

  • Youth-Adult Partnership Self-Assessment Rubric for Out-of-School Time 

Does your WCC Community need to assess the strength of its Youth-Adult Partnerships (YAP)?  Maybe YAP has been around for a while in theory, but are the relationships within your community authentic?  YAP fosters youth leadership and engagement, requirements of the Wave 2 WCC.  Attached is a rubric from Michigan State University that will help your community see where it stands with YAP.  It is based on the work of Dr. Shep Zeldin who stands as an international authority in YAP.  This rubric is designed to do the following:

  1. To formalize the concepts of youth-adult partnership in youth settings
  2. To be used as a low-stake peer/self-assessment tool for strengthening youth-adult partnership practices
  3. To be used as a formative or summative evaluation tool for assessing the structures and processes of youth-adult partnership in youth settings

It captures the four critical elements of YAP:  (1) authentic decision-making, (2) natural mentors, (3) reciprocity, and (4) community connectedness.

News, Research and Resources from the Field:

Black Americans are dying from COVID-19 at more than double the rate of other groups, which experts say is due in part to pollution in Black communities.

Wed., June 24, 2020, 3:00 p.m., EDT, Register here.

Join the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy and Senior Administration Officials for a virtual launch of the Rural Community Toolbox website, a new resource for rural communities that will serve as a clearinghouse for funding and resources to support rural leaders in building strong, healthy, and drug-free communities.

Farming is a stressful job — even in good times. Farm Credit recognizes the COVID-19 outbreak and resulting economic turmoil have only added to farmers’ and ranchers’ stress. To help producers cope, Farm Credit created a free online farm stress training course for farmers and rural community members in partnership with the American Farm Bureau Federation, National Farmers Union, Michigan State University Extension and University of Illinois Extension. The partnership was initially launched on Capitol Hill last December, and today, we’re pleased to announce this free online Rural Resilience course, originally available to Farm Bureau and Farmers Union members, is now available to everyone.

Our organizations will host a virtual press briefing Tuesday, June 23 at 9 a.m. EDT, to discuss our collaboration and the Rural Resilience course. Please join if you are interested in learning more. Click here to register.

Speakers:

  • Todd Van Hoose, President and CEO, Farm Credit Council
  • Zippy Duvall, President, American Farm Bureau Federation
  • Mike Stranz, Vice President of Advocacy, National Farmers Union
  • Cheryl Eschbach, Director of the Health and Nutrition Institute, Michigan State University Extension
  • Courtney Cuthbertson, Assistant Professor and Extension Specialist, Department of Human Development and Family Studies, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

To register for the training and learn more about Farm Credit’s commitment to farmers’ and ranchers’ wellbeing, visitfarmcredit.com/rural-resilience.

From ChangeLab Solutions

The legal concept of preemption may have little resonance outside of courts and legislative chambers, but what it describes — the authority of a higher level of government to limit, or even eliminate, the power of a lower level of government to regulate an issue — has profound significance for public health.

From RWJF

Residents of Broward County, Florida, are working together to heal the wounds of racism and achieve health equity for everyone. It’s one of the many reasons they won the RWJF Culture of Health Prize. If your community is working to tackle health equity obstacles, consider a few tangible lessons that helped Broward County achieve lasting change:  

  • Racism is a public health crisis that puts the entire community’s health at risk, not just people of color. Addressing systemic racism must be a part of the conversation.
  • Look closely at the achievement and education gaps in your community. The process could be the problem.
  • Use a racial equity lens to improve outcomes in such areas as health, economic well-being, and mental health-and apply it to policy decisions.

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) provides data on social and economic factors that contribute to poor health outcomes in communities of color.  A separate issue brief from SAMHSA presents recent data on the prevalence of opioid misuse and death in the Black/African American population.

The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) released a brief for state and local leaders with considerations for health equity in the public health response to the pandemic. 

WCC Weekly Bulletin Week of 6/15

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The following bulletin includes information regarding the Well Connected Communities initiative for the week of June 15, 2020:

In this Edition

  • WCC Health Action Plans
  • Q2 Reporting
  • PD Calendar
  • Youth Leadership Resources
  • News, Research, and Resources from the Field

WCC Health Action Plans

  • The new date for communities to submit their draft action plans to Shay McNeil (smcneil@fourhcouncil.edu) is July 15, 2020. We hope that this added time will allow you and your community coalitions the time and space to develop your action plans. Please ensure that youth are engaged as equal partners as you work through and draft your action plans. Also, we ask that you continue to keep us posted on your progress as well as any challenges you may be experiencing as that will help us to provide appropriate technical assistance and support. We shall continue to monitor the situation and keep you informed of any changes.

RWJF Culture of Health Blog, 21 Jan. 2020

We combed through our research and identified the top five things your community can do to thrive in the next decade:

  • Set a shared vision
  • Use big data locally
  • Practice resiliency
  • Foster radical collaboration
  • Lift up marginalized communities

Set your community up for success by taking on one or more of these strategies to promote health equity.

Q2 Reporting

  • The Q2 report that was originally due June 15, 2020 has now been extended to June 30, 2020. The reporting will consist of each community submitting a community report (submitted here), one LGU financial report (submitted through WebGrants) and one Tobacco Separation Protocol staff validation (emailed tosmcneil@fourhcouncil.edu).

Please refer to the email “Q2 Reporting Due 6/30” that was sent May 29, 2020 for more information on how to submit your Q2 report.

PD Calendar

  • Dialogue as a Change Tool: Understanding Community Needs Peer Circles – 2 Part Series

June 23, 2020, 1:00 – 2:00 PM ET

July 15, 2020, 1:00 – 2:00 PM ET

Recommended for WCC field staff, valuable addition for master volunteers.

Building the civic muscle needed for creating change starts by listening deeply to one another. Learn more about the practice of dialogue for building relationships, learning together, and understanding community needs. Across the two peer circle sessions you’ll build/on your foundational understanding of the practice of dialogue, create an opportunity to host a (virtual) session in your community, and return to reflect on what you heard and learned. Please register here for the first part (June 23) of this two-part peer circle.

  • Youth-Adult Volunteer Leadership Team Office Hours – Building and Maintaining Your CV (Cohort of Volunteers)

July 20 at 1:00 – 2:30 PM ET

Your Cohort of Volunteers is very important to this work, but don’t forget about your other CV in the process! Trained volunteers can not only help advance Extension education in your communities but they can also help advance your Extension career. In addition to answering your questions about master health volunteers, youth involvement, youth-adult partnerships, and other WCC matters, we will also discuss incorporating your work with and through volunteers into your professional documents. Although the main theme of the 90-minute ZOOM session will be “Building and Maintaining Your CV (Cohort of Volunteers)” questions of any kind related to Youth Leadership, Youth-Adult Partnerships and the Master Volunteer Program are welcomed. 

Register Here

Youth Leadership Resources:

  • Rural Youth Engagement Toolkit

The content contained in Rural Youth Engagement Toolkit was created to address substance misuse in rural communities through the meaningful engagement and involvement of rural youth in the process to enact lasting change that will contribute to healthy and safe communities throughout America. Much of the content was developed and refined by CADCA through three decades of experience in building capacity and creating change through community coalitions from all 50 U.S. states and 30 countries globally. In addition, significant contributions were provided by the Rural Youth Advisory Council, composed of rural youth trained by CADCA from throughout the country, through a series of focus groups and discussions. The contributions from the council assured that youth were involved in every step of the creation of this tool kit and were paramount to assure of the relevancy and quality of the content.

The toolkit was created by CADCA (Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America) in partnership with The National Grange of the Order of Patrons of Husbandry with the generous support of the Rx Abuse Leadership Initiative (RALI), with content contributions from the STAND Coalition of Scott County, TN and the Rural Youth Advisory Council, composed of rural youth throughout America who care about positive community change.

Tool Kit Structure

  • Part I: Background and How to Meaningfully Engage Rural Youth .  The first section discusses the protective factors and risk factors that exist for rural youth and how to meaningfully engage them in the community change process.
  • Part II: Application of CADCA’s Seven Strategies .  The second section will discuss CADCA’s Seven Strategies for Community Change as a vehicle for increasing youth engagement and working to address substance misuse in rural communities.
  • Part III: Policy and Advocacy . Section three is a guide for youth and organizations on how to systematically analyze and take specific actions through advocacy to achieve policy change to create safer and healthier communities.

URL for the Toolkit: https://www.cadca.org/resources/rural-youth-engagement-toolkit

URL for Introductory Webinar on YouTube, including what the toolkit is, how to use it, etc.:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kL5RNHbhSeM

News, Research and Resources from the Field:

·      NEW Preemption & Public Health – Public Health Law Academy training

From ChangeLab Solutions

The legal concept of preemption may have little resonance outside of courts and legislative chambers, but what it describes — the authority of a higher level of government to limit, or even eliminate, the power of a lower level of government to regulate an issue — has profound significance for public health.

 

From RWJF

Residents of Broward County, Florida, are working together to heal the wounds of racism and achieve health equity for everyone. It’s one of the many reasons they won the RWJF Culture of Health Prize. If your community is working to tackle health equity obstacles, consider a few tangible lessons that helped Broward County achieve lasting change:  

  • Racism is a public health crisis that puts the entire community’s health at risk, not just people of color.Addressing systemic racism must be a part of the conversation.
  • Look closely at the achievement and education gaps in your community. The process could be the problem.
  • Use a racial equity lens to improve outcomes in such areas as health, economic well-being, and mental health-and apply it to policy decisions.

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) provides data on social and economic factors that contribute to poor health outcomes in communities of color.  A separate issue brief from SAMHSA presents recent data on the prevalence of opioid misuse and death in the Black/African American population.

The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) released a brief for state and local leaders with considerations for health equity in the public health response to the pandemic. 

  • National Extension Response Resources Site to Include Resources for Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion
    eXtension Foundation

eXtension has updated virtual.extension.org with a collection of resources related to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. This is just the start, if you have other similar resources to share, we invite you to submit them to contact-us@extension.orgLearn More

  • ICYMI: A Virtual Tour – Explore Nutrition Tools & Resources from USDA & HHS Websites
    eXtension Foundation
    During the webinar, these panelists guided participants through the different nutrition tools and resources found on the USDA and HHS sites. There were a TON of resources that they covered, and as promised – we wanted to share that list here…Learn More
      

Please let me know if you have any questions about anything found in this week’s bulletin.

Q2 Reporting Deadline – June 30, 2020

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This is a reminder that the Q2 Reporting Deadline is June 30, 2020

There are three components to the reporting:

  1. Status (Financial) Report (submitted through WebGrants) – each LGU will submit one financial report: Since this is an initial financial report, you will need to report on your grant spending from December 1, 2019 through May 31, 2020.
    • PIs, you will need to ensure that the person submitting your financial report has access to your WCC grant in WebGrants. To grant access to team/colleagues: Go to My Grants > Click the title of your grant > General Info> Edit at the top> Highlight names of team under Additional Contacts.
    • To access the Status Report: Go to My Grants > Click the title of your grant > Status Reports > Click on ID # > Detail of Expenditures. You will need to enter your line items in the appropriate budget category according to your current approved budget in WebGrants. Then, you will need to report your spending through May 31, 2020 against your approved budget.
  2. Community Report (submitted here) – each community will need to submit a report. The reporting period is March 1 – May 31, 2020. An example of a completed community report is attached.
  3. Quarterly Tobacco Separation Protocol (TSP) Staff Validation letter (email to smcneil@fourhcouncil.edu template attached) – each LGU will submit one TSP Staff Validation letter.

Please find attached to this email the following:

  • WCC Quarterly Reporting_Example – a sample community report
  • TSP Validation Template
  • Q2 Reporting FAQs – Frequently asked questions around the community report, WebGrants, and the Tobacco Separation Protocol.

Meigs County Youth-Adult Team Presents at National Volunteer Conference

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Well Connected Community members from Meigs County, Tennessee delivered a panel presentation on “Youth Volunteers Leading Community Change” as part of the National Extension Conference on Volunteerism in Billings, Montana from May 14-16, 2019.

Meagen Brown, Extension Agent for 4-H and Family Consumer Science, led the group which included Connye Rowland, Community Health Coordinator for Meigs County Public Schools, and 4-H teen leaders Keyshawn Tatum and Austin Blackmon. Together they told the story of their Well Connected Community project that went from having no teens involved to teens taking the lead. National 4-H Healthy Living Project Director, JoAnne Leatherman, set the stage for their story by telling about Well Connected Communities where 13 pilot states are working with 3 communities each to develop Community Wellness Councils and address a prioritized leading health issue.

There were 275 Extension staff and community partners from all over the country to learn best practices and research related to recruiting, training, recognizing and sustaining volunteers in Cooperative Extension Programs at the biannual event. Besides attending the conference, the Meigs County group visited Yellowstone National Park, and learned much about Western US culture and geography.