RAMP Digest – October 5
GENERAL
1) Award Opportunity: EPA’s Indoor Air Quality Tools for Schools Awards Program
3) Resource: Free bilingual Guide to Health Programs in California
5) Resource: “Healthy, Equitable Transportation Policy: Recommendations and Research”
6) Resource: BARHII “Healthy Planning Guide”
NORTHERN CALIFORNIA
8) Event: Free training for the Healthy Development Measurement Tool in San Francisco, October 29th
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GENERAL
1) Award Opportunity: EPA’s Indoor Air Quality Tools for Schools Awards Program
The U.S. EPA’s Award Program for the Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) Tools for Schools (TfS) Program was initiated to recognize schools and school districts that have demonstrated a commitment to improving children’s health by promoting good indoor air quality (IAQ) practices. From schools and districts just beginning to implement IAQ management plans to those who have mature, sustainable, district-wide IAQ programs, EPA offers two non-competitive awards. Applications are accepted year-round. The IAQ TfS National Great Start Award recognizes U.S. schools and districts that are in the initial stages of implementing the IAQ TfS Program. The IAQ TfS National Leadership Award recognizes U.S. schools and districts that have shown significant progress in implementing an IAQ management program. Visit //www.epa.gov/iaq/schools/awards.html for award applications, instructions, and summaries of past award winners.
2) Funding Opportunity: Cornerstone Funding of the $650 Million Recovery Act Community Prevention and Wellness Initiative
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has created a comprehensive initiative for the $650 million allotted for chronic disease prevention efforts in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. The goal of this initiative – Communities Putting Prevention to Work – is to reduce risk factors, prevent/delay chronic disease, promote wellness in children and adults, and provide positive, sustainable health change in communities.
Communities Putting Prevention to Work will address the leading preventable causes of death and disability, namely obesity and tobacco use, by expanding the use of evidence-based strategies and programs, mobilizing local resources at the community-level, and strengthening the capacity of states. As a result of these efforts, powerful models of success are expected to emerge that can be replicated in other states and communities. For more information, visit: //www.hhs.gov/recovery/.
3) Resource: Free bilingual Guide to Health Programs in California
This guide was created by The Health Initiative of the Americas, a program of the UC Berkeley School of Public Health for families and community organizations. It provides descriptions of the public and private programs that exist to increase access to health care services for low-income individuals in California. Free copies of this guide (publication No. 2371) can be ordered by phone and via the Internet: 1-888-430-2423; //www.chcf.org/salud.
4) Resource: “School Indoor Air Quality: State Policy Strategies for Maintaining Healthy Learning Environments”
The Environmental Law Institute has published a new report that discusses the role that can be played by state policy in advancing best IAQ management practices in schools, profiles leading state policies in this area and discusses key considerations for developing an effective policy. The report is available at: //www.elistore.org/reports_detail.asp?ID=11357 or //eli.org/Program_Areas/indoor_environments.cfm. If you would like additional information and/or have questions or comments, contact: Tobie Bernstein, bernstein@eli.org, Environmental Law Institute, 202-939-3869.
5) Resource: “Healthy, Equitable Transportation Policy: Recommendations and Research”
PolicyLink and the Prevention Institute published this resource in an effort to further illuminate the opportunities and barriers transportation policy creates for building healthy communities. With details and depth into the intersection of transportation, equity and health, this publication is composed of chapters written by leading academics and advocates from across the nation covering topics from public transportation, walking and bicycling, to safety and economic development. The book highlights key policy solutions and provides background on the federal surface transportation policy. To view this book, please visit: //www.convergencepartnership.org/atf/cf/%7B245a9b44-6ded-4abd-a392-ae583809e350%7D/HEALTHTRANS_FULLBOOK_FINAL.PDF.
6) Resource: BARHII “Healthy Planning Guide”
The Healthy Planning Guide was developed by Bay Area Regional Health Inequities Initiatives (BARHII) and Planning for Health Places (PHLP) to help public health departments engage in the planning process and work with planners to develop policies that can create healthier environments and support health equity. The information is organized according to key risk factors, highlighting some associated health outcomes and how they relate to the built environment. Please visit //www.barhii.org/resources/downloads/barhii_healthy_planning_guide.pdf to download additional copies of the Healthy Planning Guide.
NORTHERN CALIFORNIA
7) Event: California School Environmental Health and Asthma Collaborative (CSEHAC) Meeting in Sacramento, October 27th
The California Department of Education and the California School Boards Association invite participation in a meeting of the newly formed California School Environmental Health and Asthma Collaborative (CSEHAC). The collaborative was established to implement the school section of the 2008-2012 State Strategic Plan on Asthma with an emphasis on indoor air quality and asthma management in schools. The agenda includes: an overview of the history, background, and purpose of the CSEHAC and the State Strategic Plan for Asthma in California. The goals and objectives of the Collaborative will be discussed, and breakout sessions will be held for its various subcommittees. Hosted by the California Teachers Association, a continental breakfast and lunch will be provided. For more information, please contact Joan Edelstein, CSBA, at 510-853-6869 or jedelstein@csba.org.
8) Event: Free training for the Healthy Development Measurement Tool in San Francisco, October 29th
The San Francisco Department of Public Health announces The Healthy Development Measurement Tool (HDMT), which is a comprehensive evaluation metric to consider health needs in land use development plans and projects. The training objectives are to: provide an introduction to the HDMT and website; demonstrate how HDMT indicators and data can be used; illustrate how HDMT development targets can be applied to land use projects; and, help consider the ways that the HDMT framework and content is relevant to your work. SFDPH developed the HDMT in 2007 and maintains it as a publicly accessible website at: //www.TheHDMT.org. For more information, contact: Lili Farhang, SF Department of Public Health, lili.farhang@sfdph.org; 415.252.3988.
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