July 4, 2008

News From The Commonwealth    

The Pennsylvania Department of Health is pleased to announce the Pennsylvania Cancer Education Network (Network) as a new cancer control initiative in the commonwealth. The Network, under the direction of the Pennsylvania Department of Health, is designed to educate the public about colorectal, prostate, ovarian, and skin cancers. These four cancers combined account for almost 30 percent of the cancer burden in the state, which is why the Department of Health has undertaken this extraordinary initiative.

Free, community-based education focused on the importance of cancer prevention and early detection is now available in all 67 counties of the commonwealth. Presentations are arranged to fit the time that your organization, group, school, or worksite has available, from 20 minute lecturettes to expanded seminars addressing one or more of these cancers. The ultimate goal of the Network is reduce the number of people who are diagnosed with late stage cancer, and ultimately to reduce the number of deaths from colorectal, prostate, ovarian, and skin cancers in Pennsylvania.
For more information on what is happening in your area, please visit the website. To speak with someone directly, please contact Charlotte Greenawalt, Network Manager (717) 787-5251.

Upcoming events              

The Pennsylvania Office of Rural Health  is hosting a free Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) and Office of Rural Health Policy (ORHP) Grants Technical Assistance Workshop on August 7, 2008 from 10:00am-2:00pm at the Toftrees Golf Resort and Conference Center in State College.  The workshop is designed to educate rural health providers and advocates about ORHP’s upcoming community-based grant funding opportunities, encourage community organizations to apply for these funds and increase organization’s capacities in obtaining future grant funds made available through ORHP.  Participants are responsible for their own travel expenses.  For more information or to register, call the Pennsylvania Office of Rural Health at (814) 863-8214 or email Kathy at krb16@psu.edu.

How to Approach a Foundation

This free webinar will cover strategies for effective communications with grantmakers, taking you through initial contact to what happens after you receive funding. You will learn how to initiate contact with potential funders; plan calls and meetings; communicate during and after a grant decision; and, ultimately, how to build lasting partnerships with grantmakers.

Call for Model Communities

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Terrorism Injuries Information, Dissemination and Exchange (TIIDE) Project is seeking examples of “model communities” in which the relationship between the emergency care community and public health is well-established and operate at levels that effectively respond to events that may cause large numbers of injuries. Selected communities will be recognized on the CDC website and may be invited to participate in a TIIDE Project conference at which they can present their community.   Responses are due by September 15, 2008.  Applicants will receive e-mail notification that their application has been received within one week of submission. The selected communities will be notified before October 15, 2008. 

Resources and Tools          

The Physical Activity Guidelines Advisory Committee Report, 2008

The report presents and summarizes the Advisory Committee’s review of science relating physical activity to a variety of health outcomes. It also addresses the benefits of physical activity for particular subgroups of the population such as children and youth, pregnant and postpartum women, persons with disabilities, and individuals with some chronic conditions. The report will be a valuable resource for students, researchers, or anyone interested in the health benefits of physical activity. It provides the scientific basis for the Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans, which is currently being developed by the Department of Health and Human Services for a planned fall 2008 launch.

Far From the City: Community Orientation and Responsiveness of Rural Hospitals
Reports the findings of a national study focused on variation in hospital community orientation and responsiveness across differing rural contexts.

Updated SAMHSA Directory of Drug and Alcohol Abuse Treatment Programs Now Available

A new, updated guide to finding local substance abuse treatment programs is now available from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).  National Directory of Drug and Alcohol Abuse Treatment Programs 2008 provides information on thousands of alcohol and drug treatment programs located in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and five U.S. territories.

Funding Opportunities                                                                   

2009 Healthy Vision Community Awards Program

Application deadline: August 29, 2008

NEI is pleased to announce that applications for the 2009 Healthy Vision Community Awards (HVCA) program are now available. This program provides funding up to $10,000 for the implementation of eye health education and promotion activities that support the Healthy Vision 2010 objectives and the Healthy People 2010 goals to reduce health disparities and improve quality of life. The focus of each program must be eye health education. The 2009 HVCA funds are not intended for research projects or to provide direct medical care. Nonprofit organizations are encouraged to apply, including community-based organizations and agencies, minority-based organizations, schools, faith-based organizations, civic and fraternal groups, community clinics, local Agencies on Aging, and state and local health departments and agencies. Universities and university affiliations, such as medical centers and schools of optometry and ophthalmology, are precluded from receiving an award directly, but are welcome to collaborate with eligible groups, such as community-based organizations. The final selection of award recipients will be based on a combination of the evaluation score, geographic and racial/ethnic representation, and project innovation. All applications must be postmarked by Friday, August 29, 2008. Awards will be announced in January 2009.

Child Care Center Enhancement Grants
Application deadline:  December 31, 2008
The Terri Lynne Lokoff Child Care Foundation awards Child Care Center Enhancement Grants to child care programs for the purpose of implementing specific changes designed to improve the quality of care provided to children. Nonprofit, non-sectarian child care facilities in Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, and Philadelphia counties are eligible to apply.  Individual centers can request a grant up to a maximum of $4,000. 

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

Comments? Suggestions?                

Please send any comments or suggestions for this and future Bulletins to Amy Rothenberger. 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.