November 6, 2009

News From The Commonwealth

Department of Health Provides Update on H1N1 Vaccine Distribution

The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, or CDC, has allocated a total of 964,100 doses of H1N1 vaccine to Pennsylvania to date, the state Department of Health announced.

Department of Health: National Delays in H1N1 Flu Vaccine Distribution Highlight Need for Continued Prevention Efforts

Responding to delays in the nationwide distribution of the H1N1 flu vaccine, Department of Health officials urge Pennsylvanians to continue to take steps to prevent the spread of illness.

Events and Trainings

November is National Epilepsy Awareness Month. Epilepsy, which affects nearly 2.5 million persons in the United States, is characterized by recurrent, unprovoked seizures.

ARRA and Rural Broadband Partnership Opportunities Webinar

Thursday, November 19, 2009 2:00 pm ET

This webinar will offer an overview of private, nonprofit and public sector partners that are interested in partnering with counties on broadband deployment projects. For more information about broadband funding opportunities and advantages of broadband in rural areas, go to http://www.broadbandusa.gov.

Spotlight on National Library of Medicine Racial Ethnic Resources and Scenarios for Racial Ethnic Health
This presentation provides information on Racial Ethnic Resources from the National Library of Medicine and includes handouts.

Resources and Tools

Each week CDC analyzes information about influenza disease activity in the United States and publishes findings of key flu indicators on this website.

Podcast and slides for improving seasonal & H1N1 influenza vaccination program, developed in coordination with the Joint Commission.

Flu is Here: Take Action to Protect Yourself
Every year, flu season occurs in the United States – but did you know that flu seasons can be different each year?  This resource provides important steps you can take to protect yourself.

What You Should Know About Vaccine Safety
Vaccines are one of the greatest success stories in public health and have put an end to smallpox, nearly rid the world of polio, and greatly reduced cases and outbreaks of many infectious illnesses, such as measles, to all-time low levels. This resource provides information on what you should know about vaccine safety.

2008 State Snapshots

The State Snapshots provide State-specific health care quality information, including strengths, weaknesses, and opportunities for improvement. The goal is to help State officials and their public- and private-sector partners better understand health care quality and disparities in their State.

Data and Statistics

Perceived Insufficient Rest or Sleep Among Adults

This is the first published report to present state-based estimates of perceived insufficient sleep or rest by adults for the 50 states, DC, and three U.S. territories. The insufficient rest or sleep question was included on the 2008 BRFSS core questionnaire in response to an Institute of Medicine recommendation that CDC expand surveillance of population sleep patterns.

Childhood Maltreatment Linked to Adulthood Economic Problems
Childhood maltreatment is known to affect both physical and mental health in adulthood. A new study found that the long-term impacts of child maltreatment also include higher rates of unemployment, poverty and use of social services.

Burden of Poverty in Rural America
Discusses how poverty impacts health. Identifies key rural economic development areas and how they may strengthen the health and wellness of rural communities.

New Data Reveal Insight into Moms' Complex Infant Feeding Decisions
CDC's data from the Infant Feeding Practices Study II illustrate several factors that influence pregnant women and new moms when they make decisions about feeding their babies.

KIDS COUNT Indicator Brief: Reducing Infant Mortality
Examines U.S. infant mortality trends by race/ethnicity and among industrialized nations. Outlines strategies to improve women's health, ensure timely prenatal care, address racial/ethnic disparities, and continue prevention efforts past the first month.

Funding Opportunities

Research Grants for Preventing Violence and Violence–Related Injury (R01)

Letter of Intent Due: December 18, 2009

Application Deadline: January 22, 2010

The purposes of the NCIPC extramural violence prevention research program are to build the scientific base for the prevention of violence, encourage professionals from a wide spectrum of disciplines to perform research to prevent violence more effectively, and for investigators to develop and test primary prevention strategies among individuals, organizations, or communities.

Service Area Competitions

Deadline: December 21, 2009

The Service Area Competition funding opportunity is a request for financial assistance to provide comprehensive primary health care services to an underserved area or population that has been competitively announced in Appendix F of the guidance and/or Grants.gov.

FY2010 AmeriCorps State and National Grants

Deadline: January 26, 2010

The Corporation for National and Community Service has announced that it is accepting applications for the fiscal year 2010 AmeriCorps State and National Grants. Up to $363 million may be available for new, re-competing, and continuation grants. Governments, schools, nonprofits and others may apply for funding.

FY10 Announcement of Anticipated Availability of Funds for Family Planning Services Grants (Central Pennsylvania)

Deadline: March 1, 2010

This announcement seeks applications from public and nonprofit private entities to establish and operate voluntary family planning services projects. Family planning services include clinical family planning and related preventive health services; information, education, and counseling related to family planning; and referral services.

Amy's Courage Fund

Deadline: Ongoing

The Amy's Courage Fund was established to alleviate the financial constraints that often prevent a victim from escaping abuse. Amy’s Courage Fund provides emergency financial assistance of up to $2,000 to victims of domestic violence and their children to meet their immediate needs after escaping an abusive home.

Please contact the funder directly for the most complete and current information, including eligibility criteria.

SHIP Partnership Spotlight

Tell us about your partnership accomplishments

We would like to use this section of our weekly bulletin to highlight your accomplishments and allow you to share them with other SHIP Partners. If you have news, successful programs, new plans, or other important milestones that you would like to share please send a condensed, print-ready article to the SHIP Coordinator.

Comments? Suggestions?

Please send any comments or suggestions for this and future Bulletins to the SHIP Coordinator. Your input is valued and appreciated.

Disclaimer:

The information provided in this bulletin is intended to be of general information to the Pennsylvania's SHIP-affiliated partnerships.  It is not intended as an endorsement or recommendation of any specific process, service, product, company or funding source outside of the Department of Health auspices.  Further examination and research of information is recommended.