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northeast center for healthycommunitiesE-Newsletter
a program of the Greater Lawrence Family Health Center
August 2003
In this issue
Feature Topic: Collecting Local Data - Archival Data
NCHC Resource Library
Professional Development Opportunities
Grants
Web Links & Other Resources
Job Postings
Feature Topic: Collecting Local Data - Archival Data
Data is the foundation for any type of assessment. In all stages of a coalition or program, local data is needed to identify needs and resources, mobilize the community, serve as a baseline for evaluation and apply for funding. Obtaining local data can be difficult even though much of the information has already been collected. This article will hopefully provide you with a few reliable and accessible data collection resources.
Archival data is essentially any information that is collected and stored, or archived, on a regular basis. Various national, state and local agencies collect local level data and many of them provide access to their data online. The most useful database for local level data is the U.S. Census. Available online as an interactive database, the 2000 U.S. Census provides basic demographic data as well as a variety of other data including housing, economic, and educational data. State departments also provide access to local level data online. The Massachusetts Department of Public Health, Department of Education and the Department of Employment and Training, for example, all have interactive databases on their websites that provide local level data. Visit the community resources section of our website, www.nc4hc.org, for a list of available online data sources.
Lastly, local government agencies and non-profit organizations collect a variety of data. Police departments, school departments, health departments, local Housing Authority, and local human service agencies can provide data on a variety of issues. For example, police departments can provide local crime statistics. Local health departments can provide data on local policies and regulations. Licensing boards will be able to provide information on the number of tobacco and alcohol outlets. Human service agencies, such as substance abuse treatment providers and crisis centers, may be able to provide some information about their services and the number of people they serve.
References:
Determine Prevention Needs and Assets http://about.preventiondss.org/html/documents/ACETools/ch1.pdf
Assessing Local Needs and Resources in Your School and Community
Beyond Anecdote: Using Local Indicators to Guide Your Community Strategy to Reduce Substance Abuse http://www.jointogether.org/sa/files/pdf/surveykit.pdf
Southeast CAPT: Community-level Indicators http://www.secapt.org/flash/science7_V_sup9h.html
NCHC Resource Library
FREE LIBRARY MATERIALS AVAILABLE IN OUR HALLWAY. STOP BY AND TAKE WHAT YOU WOULD LIKE!
The following resources are available at the NCHC's Resource Library in Lawrence. Patrons may borrow materials at no charge for a period of two weeks. Library hours are from 9-5 pm; we encourage patrons to call ahead.
New Books:
Collaboration - what makes it work, 2nd Edition What makes the difference between your collaboration's failure or success? This book answers this question with an up-to-date and in-depth review of collaboration research.
Collaboration Handbook: Creating, Sustaining, and Enjoying the Journey is your complete guide to putting together a collaboration that gets results.
Coping with Cutback: The Nonprofit Guide to Success When Times are Tight tells you what to expect and how to succeed when funds are short.
Developmental Assets: A Synthesis of the Scientific Research on Adolescent Development highlights what research has learned about how the assets are built for and with different populations of youth and serves as an invaluable reference for people who seek to build assets for youth in their organizations and communities.
Professional Development Opportunities: Workshops, Conferences, & Trainings
Grant Writing: Tips for Writing a Winning Proposal
In this workshop the participants will learn about the key components of writing a successful grant. Topics will include determining community need, developing collaborative relationships, creating successful program designs, finding grant resources on the web, collecting supportive data, and designing a feasible evaluation. Participants will also get tips on common grant writing pitfalls and learn about proposal formats.
This is the first in a training series offered by the NCHC for 2003-2004 season. Visit our website, www.nc4hc.org, for more information on other trainings offered.
When: September 12, 2003 9am - 12:30 pm
Where: NCHC in Lawrence
Contact: Register online or call 978-688-2323
Link: http://www.nc4hc.orgHepatitis C: Addressing the Epidemic
Sponsored by the Massachusetts Health Council, this conference addresses various issues regarding Hepatitis C, including costs, preventable hospitalizations, access to care and disparities, medical management and prevention. Medical CME's, Nursing CEU's, Pharmacy CEU's, Social Work CEU's pending.
When: September 17, 2003, 9-2:30
Where: Westin-Waltham Hotel, 70 Third Avenue, Waltham
Contact: Susan Servais 617-965-3711Link: http://www.mahealthcouncil.org
4th Annual National Leadership Conference - Uniting for Success: Next Steps in Enforcing the Underage Drinking Laws
Presented by Enforcing Underage Drinking Laws Program, this conference is for State Coordinators, enforcement officers and executives, youth, government officials, staff of community organizations, and other concerned individuals. Virtually every topic relevant to underage drinking will be covered in one of our workshops. Leave the conference with messages, skills and tools to assist you in your work locally. Extensive peer-to-peer interaction will provide you with new ideas and solutions, as well as the beginning of many valuable relationships that will continue far beyond the conference.
When: September 18-20, 2003
Where: Hyatt Regency Atlanta, Atlanta, GA
Contact: nlcinfo@dixongroup.comLink: http://www.udetc.org
Racial and Ethnic Disparities
Sponsored by the Massachusetts Hospital Association in collaboration with MDPH Office of Multicultural Health. Highlights include: Our changing population and its influence on healthcare; How to raise and address ethnic and racial issues; A look at the issues regarding a diverse healthcare workforce; Interpretive services panel discussion. Cost is $199 for MHA members and $279 for non-members.
When: September 24, 2003
Where: Conference Center at Waltham Woods, Waltham, MA
Contact: education@mhalink.org or visit link below.Link: http://www.mhalink.org/public/education/prog-2003-09-24/index.shtml
Snapshot of Public Health
For CHNA 13 - people who live and work in Beverly, Essex, Gloucester, Hamilton, Ipswich, Manchester, Rockport, Topsfield and Wenham.
Come join us for an informal discussion regarding the state of public health work in our communities. Network with others facing common issues. We hope to cover several issues including the current capacity of your community to address public health issues; Pressing health issues in your community; Gaps in pubic health services; Projects you would like to work on given the current reality.
When: September 25, 2003 Time: 3:00 to 5:00PM
Where: Beverly Senior Center, 90 Colon Street, Beverly
Contact: Jim Ryan at (978) 688-2323 x519
BioSecurity 2003This conference, developed by Harvard Medical International, Harvard Medical School and Harvard School of Public Health, will feature in-depth educational sessions presented by globally recognized experts. Topics include The Status of National Preparedness; The Current Status of Tools and Technology; Stress, Terror and Communications; Smallpox as a Case Study; Living and Working with SARS. Continuing medical education credits will be provided.
When: October 20-22, 2003
Where: Omni Shoreham Hotel, Washington, D.C.
Contact: 888-882-8971 or biosec@key3media.com
Grants
Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy - 2004 National Grant Competition
Description: The goal of the national grant program is to develop and expand family literacy efforts throughout the United States, and to support the development of literacy programs that build families of readers.
Funds: A total of approximately $650,000 is awarded each year; no grant exceeds $65,000
Eligible: See website
Deadline: September 5, 2003
Link: http://www.barbarabushfoundation.com/nga.html
Environmental Justice: Partnerships for Communication
Description: The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences/ National Institute for Occupational Safety & Health have issued an RFA for local environmental justice projects seeking to address environmental and/or occupational hazards harming the health of low-income people, immigrants and minorities, such as lead poisoning and/or asthma prevention or other healthy homes issues.
Funds: $1.67 million to fund five to six new and/or competitive continuation grants and $500,000 to fund two to three new grants.
Eligible: See website
Deadline: Letter of intent due September 17, 2003, full proposals due on October 17, 2003
Link: http://grants1.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-ES-03-007.html
The National Organization on Disability - Accessible America Competition
Description: The winner of the Accessible America 2003 competition will be a city or town where citizens with disabilities have opportunities for full and equal participation in the life of their community, including access to education, jobs, voting, transportation, housing, religious worship, and others. In the post-September 11 era, NOD is giving special focus to emergency preparedness for people with disabilities. The program is sponsored by United Parcel Service.
Funds: $25,000
Eligible: America's mayors and chief elected officials can enter on behalf of their community - open to all U.S. cities and towns
Deadline: October 31, 2003
Link: http://www.nod.org/
Hasbro Children's Foundation
Description: The Hasbro Children's Foundation is committed to improving the emotional, mental, and physical well-being of children from birth through age twelve and their families through the support of innovative direct service programs in the areas of health, education, and social services.
Funds: Depends on grant
Eligible: See website
Deadline: Rolling
Link: http://www.hasbro.org/hcf/
The Home Depot Foundation
Description: The Home Depot Foundation invests in nonprofit organizations and programs throughout the United States and Canada. Through our investments, we work to: Create or rehabilitate affordable housing; Assist at-risk youth; Protect the environment; Prepare for and respond to disasters. The Home Depot Foundation gives first priority to organizations that have been invited to apply for a grant. However, The Foundation also will consider unsolicited requests that match its eligibility requirements (see link below for requirements).
Funds: $5,000 to $25,000
Eligible: see website
Deadline: Rolling
Contact: Toll-Free Phone: 1-866-593-7019
Additional Web Links & Resources
Health of the Merrimack Valley, 2003 Full report is now available!
This is the second report on the health status of the population of the three Community Health Network Areas (CHNAs 10,11 and 12) that represent 24 communities of the Merrimack Valley. The report covers demographic changes, maternal and infant health, child health, adolescent health, adult health (by 3 age groups) and overall community performance. Visit the NCHC website, www.nc4hc.org, to download the full report.
New Flashpoint Curricula from the Eastern District DA's Office
Flashpoint III: Life Skills through the Lens of Media Literacy: Close-up on Underage Drinking
Flashpoint IV: Life Skills through the Lens of Media Literacy: Close-up on Internet Intelligence
Flashpoint V: Live Skills through the Lens of Media Literacy: Close-up on Cliques and Stereotypes
Flashpoint for Parents: Close-up on Gangs
The Eastern District Attorney's Office has added three new curricula to the Flashpoint Program and a new program for parents examining gangs and prevention methods. Flashpoint III, IV, and V use media education to help youth develop responsible attitudes and make responsible decisions about important issues in young people's lives: alcohol use, internet use, and individual and group behavior. Like their predecessors, they provide essential critical thinking skills through the use of interactive exercise, commercial video segments, and meaningful group discussion. Most important, they provoke adolescents to rethink their own decision-making processes about these critical issues and gives them the skills necessary to make more informed choices in their own lives. Flashpoint for Parents: Close-up on Gangs is designed for parents and other adults who are concerned about gang activity and want to learn effective strategies for preventing adolescents from joining gangs. For more information or information about trainings, please call Ruth Budelmann, Kate Keyes, or Liz Glotch at (978) 745-6610.
Tobacco Treatment Services
Lynn Community Health Center provides FREE individual and group counseling to the Latino community, including low cost nicotine patches. Call Ann Marie Bettencourt at 781-599-3925.
VNA Care Network serving North Andover/Danvers/Haverhill/Newburyport provides fee for service individual and group counseling available. Call Laura Beal, 888-663-3688 x6103
AlcoholScreening.org
AlcoholScreening.org is a service of Join Together as part of its Demand Treatment! initiative. Take the test to determine if your drinking patterns are harmful, risky or within safe limits. Receive personalized feedback about drinking and your health. Learn about alcohol and health and find a local treatment program. Join Together, a project of the Boston University School of Public Health, is supported by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.
http://www.alcoholscreening.org
DATA2010 ...the Healthy People 2010 Database
DATA2010 is an interactive database system developed by the National Center for Health Statistics, and contains the most recent monitoring data for tracking Healthy People 2010. Data can be obtained for specific objectives, or objectives identified by focus areas, data source, or by select population. A new feature "Steps to a HealthierUS" lists data objectives by state.
Job Postings
Merrimack Valley Community Organizer
Massachusetts Public Health Association (MPHA)
The Community Organizer will engage community members and organizations in the Merrimack Valley, MA area to promote public health through changes in public policy and institutional practices at the local and state levels. This position will combine community-based organizing and advocacy on a broad range of public health issues. This is a full time position requiring ability to work occasional evenings and weekend hours. About half time will be focused on work to prevent childhood obesity as part of a new, statewide, MPHA campaign in partnership with FoodPlay Productions, a nutrition education group.
To Apply: Send resume, cover letter to Roberta Friedman, Massachusetts Public Health Association, 434 Jamaicaway, Jamaica Plain, MA 02130 or e-mail application to rfriedman@mphaweb.org.
Link: http://www.mphaweb.org/employ.html
Project Victory Coordinator Position available at Roca
We are seeking a capable, energetic and visionary professional to join our program coordination team leading Project Victory. This project targets 12-16 year old multicultural youth enrolled in the Chelsea Public Schools, Northeast Regional Vocational and/or who reside in Chelsea, Massachusetts. The aim of the Project is to keep young people in school and support them through their transitions between middle school and high school. Given the nature of our community conditions, the Project Victory Coordinator will lead a team of highly competent youth and adults staff members in the daily operations of a youth center, daily family and street interventions, ongoing relationship building and problem solving with DYS, DSS, Probation and other service delivery systems and personnel involved in these young people's lives.
To Apply: Visit link below or contact Anisha Chablani, Co-Director and Youth and Young Adult Programming (617) 889-5210 x257 anicha@rocainc.com
Link: http://www.rocainc.org
Program Director
Building Educated Leaders for Life (BELL)
BELL is a non-profit educational organization that works to increase the educational opportunities and life achievements of children living in low-income urban communities. BELL operates two educational programs targeting children performing below grade level: BASICs, an after-school tutorial; and the BELL Summer Program, an intensive six-week academic camp. The goal of both programs is to measurably improve the academic performance of elementary school children by developing their basic skills in reading, writing, and math. BELL also seeks to raise scholars' self-esteem and develop their awareness of community service and its importance.
The Program Director is responsible for all aspects of managing these programs in Boston. BELL-Boston currently educates 600 scholars in 11 schools.
To Apply: Send resume to Nelie Casimir, Director of Personnel, BELL 60 Clayton Street, Dorchester, MA 02122 Phone: 617-282-1567, ext. 117 FAX: 617-282-2698 Email: ncasimir@bellnational.org
Link: http://www.bellnational.org
Other excellent Job Links for Public Health Positions
Idealist Nonprofit Career Center www.idealist.org/
Massachusetts Public Health Association www.mphaweb.org/employ.html
American Public Health Association - Career Mart www.apha.org/career/
Association of Schools of Public Health's Employment Council http://www.sph.emory.edu/ASPH/students/index.html
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