New Look for HIP Happenings
Welcome to the new HIP Happenings e-newsletter! Instead of
sending out a PDF that you have to open separately, we will now simply email
HIP Happenings to our members. Click on the articles that you want to
read and you will be linked to the full article. We hope that this is a more
convenient way to access information about HIP and the community. Regular
features will include:
Links to key parts of the HIP website are included at the bottom of the newsletter. We want to hear from you about features you’d like to see! Please send us article ideas and events you’d like listed and let us know what you think of our new format.
Yours in health,
Melissa Fochesato (fochesam@ewashtenaw.org) and Jenna Bacolor (bacolorj@ewashtenaw.org)
Ann Arbor Schools Assess Districts Health Environment
In November, the Ann Arbor District School Improvement Team (SIT) completed the Healthy School Action Tool (HSAT) as part of the larger Ann Arbor Healthy Schools Project. (more)
Reality Check Debuts
“Reality Check was developed by youth for youth,” shares Michele Baukema, Washtenaw County Health Educator and Reality Check Coordinator. “Youth are learning how to be voices for change in their schools and communities and will play an integral role in the success of this substance abuse intervention.” (more)
Partnerships in Progress: Several Ypsilanti Schools to Receive Greenhouses
Freezing temperatures and snow accumulation will no longer be obstacles to gardening education at several schools in Ypsilanti, thanks to Growing Hope, a local community gardening organization. Growing Hope has partnered with the University of Michigan College of Engineering to design and construct greenhouses at… (more)
Committee Updates
Senior Health Analyst Adreanne Waller, MPH & Health Officer Ellen Clement, MPH, MSW presented Washtenaw Uncovered at the January Community Health Committee meeting. This special presentation shared preliminary findings regarding the uninsured, Medicaid and other medically needy populations and the “safety net” providers that serve them.
The HIP Implementation Team is making its final recommendations on survey questions to include in the next HIP phone survey to be completed in the fall of this year.
Community Resources
The Michigan Department of Community Health has several physical activity & healthy eating assessment tools located on the Michigan Health Tool web site: www.mihealthtools.org If your school, congregation or community would like assistance with any of these assessments, contact Melissa Fochesato, 544-3083.
Moving more, eating better, and not smoking are three key behaviors that lead to longer life and improved health in citizens statewide, according to a new, coordinated effort designed by state Surgeon General Kimberlydawn Wisdom to create a healthier Michigan. The Michigan Steps Up initiative’s website, www.michiganstepsup.org, contains all of the tools citizens need to start improving their health, including personal planning tips, ideas for making healthy choices when eating out, daily health tips from Wisdom, and links to hundreds of health-related resources. Citizens can also call 1-877-422-4244 for additional information about the Michigan Steps Up initiative.
Upcoming Events
The next Community Health Committee meeting is March 8, 2005. The agenda includes:
The meeting will be at the Library Learning Resource Center (in the county service center at the corner of Hogback and Washtenaw), room A, from 12:00 – 1:30. Feel free to bring a bag lunch; coffee, tea and water are available.
For more information about the CHC meeting, please contact Jenna Bacolor at (734) 544-2969 or bacolorj@ewashtenaw.org
The Colorectal Awareness Network of Washtenaw County will be hosting the first annual colorectal awareness forum on Tuesday, March 22 from Noon - 1:30. (details)
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What do you think of the new HIP Happenings e-newsletter format? Let us know here: bacolorj@ewashtenaw.org.