Colorado News

2006 Colorado School-Based Health Care Excellence Awards

The 2006 awards were announced at the Annual CASBHC meeting last month. Lynn Bakken, RN, MSN, PNP from Stein Wellness Center was recognized for her excellence as a provider. The Southwest Open School SBHC was acknowledged for its contribution to and leadership in adolescent health in Cortez. Also recognized were the staff of the Southwest Open School: Shannon Wells, Sherrod Beall, and Diane Detloff.

Senator Betty Boyd, Representative Andrew Kerr, and Senator Abel Tapia were recognized for their leadership role in the passage of legislation for funding School-Based Health Centers and their contribution to the well-being of Colorado’s children.

2007 SBHC Planning Grantees have been announced.

The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment has awarded planning grants to Jefferson Center for Mental Health, North Colorado Health Alliance, Montrose County School District RE-1J, Durango School District 9-R, and Teller County Health Department.  Planning Grantees will assess need and explore school and community interest in developing school health services in one or more schools in their district. Planning will culminate in grant applications to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment for Maternal and Child Health or School-Based health Center funds in the Spring 2007

SBHC Operations Grant Recipients

SBHC Operations Grants funded through Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment for 2007 have been awarded to existing school-based health center programs. Programs will conduct an updated community needs assessment and a quality review. Funds are authorized under the new Colorado School-Based Health Center Program.

Foundation Study of School Health

Look for a study of school health care in Colorado to be completed by January, 2007. The Colorado Health Foundation and the Colorado Trust have contracted a study of the strengths and unmet needs in Colorado’s school health environment. The study is being led by Bruce Guernsey. Others participating in the study are Chris Perrault, Judy Harrigan, Debbie Costin, Ginny Trierweiler and Barbara Ford.

SBHCs and the Decline in Black Teen Fertility in Denver

Sue A. Ricketts, MA, PhD and Bruce P. Guernsey, MSW, have authored a study on School-Based Health Centers and the Decline in Black Teen Fertility During the 1990s in Denver. See http://www.ajph.org/cgi/content/abstract/96/9/1588 for abstract. Full text is available to American Journal of Public Health Online subscribers.
 

On October 10th. Dr. Ricketts and Mr. Guernsey were featured on Colorado Public Radio's Colorado Matters. They discussed their research as well as SBHCs in general. The interview is accessible from http://www.kcfr.org.

Legislative Update

California SBHC Funding

Last month, California joined Colorado in passing SBHC funding legislation in 2006. Governor Arnold Schwartznegger has expressed a desire to more than double California’s current 123 school health centers.

Transitional Medical Assistance Program

Please contact your Congressional representative Toll-Free 1-800-828-0498 about Transitional Medical Assistance (temporary Medicaid) and the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP). Ask them to reauthorize and fund Transitional Medical Assistance, a program that provides temporary Medicaid for families leaving welfare for work which expires at the end of December. Also, although Colorado is not affected, 17 states are facing SCHIP funding shortfalls and will not be able to continue their current programs unless Congress acts to pass additional funds. SCHIP has had a major impact in reducing the number of uninsured children in the United States

Child Health News

The Campaign for Children's Health Care National Essay Contest

The Campaign for Children's Health Care has announced its national essay contest for children and young adults When an Apple a Day Isn't Enough,  a contest to give our nation’s youth a voice on this issue of health care. The contest begins on Tuesday, September 5th, 2006, and ends on Tuesday, October 31st, 2006. Essays must be received or postmarked by 11:59 PM Eastern Time on October 31st. You can find contest rules and information at: http://www.childrenshealthcampaign.org/events/national-essay-contest/

Call for Abstracts: 2007 National School-Based Health Care Convention, Washington, DC, June 28-30, 2007.

Deadline: October 20th. Login to submit an abstract: Go to the NASBHC Login Screen Click http://www.nasbhc.org/Abstract/abs_login.asp. NOTE: From www.nasbhc.org, click NASBHC Login. Enter your login name and password. Select 2007 Abstract Menu.  If you do not have a login name or password, contact NASBHC at info@nasbhc.org or 888-286-8727, ext. 204

SAMHSA Cites ADHD Medication Misuse

In its latest Drug Abuse Warning Network release, SAMHSA notes that almost 8,000 visits to hospital emergency rooms in 2004 involved methyphenidate (marketed as Ritalin or Concerta) or amphetamine-dextroamphetamine (marketed as Adderal). One-third of patients ingested ADHD medication alone and two-thirds used it in combination with other drugs, including alcohol, illicit drugs, and other pharmaceuticals. See http://www.healthinschools.org/2006/sept26_alert.asp.

CDC Recommends Routine HIV Screenings in Healthcare Settings

New recommendations released today by the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) would make voluntary HIV screening a routine part of medical care for patients aged 13 to 64. See http://www.healthinschools.org/2006/sept21_alert.asp.

SAMHSA Cites ‘Fundamental Shift’ in Teen Drug Use

Current illicit drug use by young people 12 to 17 years old is continuing to decline, representing “a fundamental shift in drug use among young people,” according to the acting deputy director of the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). See http://www.healthinschools.org/2006/sept7_alert.asp.

Training Opportunities

Techniques for Effective Public Participation, October 19 and 20, 2006

Techniques for Effective Public Participation, October 19 and 20, 2006 and Facilitation Skills for Public Participation Practitioners, November 6, 2006. Additional information is available online at http://iap2.org/calendar.cfm. All courses will be held at Western Area Power Administration, 12155 West Alameda Parkway, Lakewood.

Wellness In Action - Celebrate Success, November 3, 2006

The 2006 Healthy Schools Summit "Wellness In Action - Celebrate Success!" and will take place Friday, November 3, 2006. INVESCO Field at Mile High. See http://www.cde.state.co.us/cdeprevention/download/pdf/Colorado Healthy School Summit 2 Save the Date.pdf

Funding Information

The Nick Traina Foundation -- Mental Health Grants

The purpose of this program is to support organizations involved in the diagnosis, research, treatment, and/or family support of people with bipolar illness, suicide prevention and children in jeopardy. Deadline: Rolling http://www.healthinschools.org/grants/ops767.asp

Protective Foundation -- At-Risk Youth Grants

The Protective Foundation is accepting applications for its At-Risk Youth Grants program to support the education and healthy development of young people. Deadline: 11/25/06  See http://www.healthinschools.org/grants/ops772.asp

Grants Available to Promote Healthy School Communities

The Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development will award 10 grants of $10,000 each to help schools and communities work together to create a healthy school environment. Grant applications are available online at http://www.ascd.org/healthyschoolcommunities and are due November 15, 2006.

Albertsons -- In the Community Grants

The purpose of this program is to support organizations that work in the areas of hunger relief, youth and education, and health and nutrition. Preference is given to organizations that offer volunteer opportunities. Deadline: Rolling. Visit http://www.albertsons.com/abs_inthecommunity/default.asp

Fidelity Foundation -- Strengthening Nonprofit Organizations Grant

The Fidelity Foundation is accepting applications for its Strengthening Nonprofit Organizations grant program to strengthen the effectiveness of nonprofit organizations and to help nonprofits build their organizational capabilities. Deadline: Rolling. See http://www.healthinschools.org/grants/ops775.asp.

CDC National Prevention Information Network's (NPIN) Funding Database

For information about HIV, STD, and TB funding opportunities, please contact the CDC NPIN at 1-800-458-5231, or visit  http://www.cdcnpin.org/scripts/locates/LocateFund.asp.

Web Resources

CDC Updates STD Treatment Guidelines

In a comprehensive 144-page set of guidelines for the prevention and treatment of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) released earlier this month, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) details steps to be taken by healthcare providers in treating and counseling individuals. http://www.healthinschools.org/2006/aug31_alert.asp

Updated HPV vaccine Q&A available

The Advisory Commission on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommendation that the newly licensed quadrivalent HPV vaccine be given routinely to girls 11-12 years old, beginning at nine years of age, as well as catch-up vaccination of girls/women ages 13-26. The ACIP also voted to include the HPV vaccine in the Vaccines for Children (VFC) program. It is available at http://www.cdc.gov/std/hpv/STDFact-HPV-vaccine.htm.

Back to School: Medication Management At School

Reducing Risk and Strengthening Quality in Medication Management at School. See http://www.healthinschools.org/parents/medmgmt.htm.