CPHA Health Education Committee minutes:
Date: September 14, 2011 8:30 am – 12:00 pm
Attendees: Lou Carta, Kara O’Brien, Susan Davis, Molika Chea, Lea Crown, Celeste Yanni, Susan Yurasevecz, Marlene McGann, Tracy Van Oss and Kimberly Ploszaj.
I. Introductions
v All committee members had the opportunity to introduce themselves.
II. Program A – “Comprehensive Cancer Control Program”
Susan Yurasevecz from the State of CT Department of Public Health presented an overview of the Comprehensive Cancer Control Program.
Keypoints from Susan’s presentation:
- The Comprehensive Cancer Program is a program within DPH.
- The Connecticut Cancer Partnership is a consortium of members of which DPH is one of the founding members.
- The Early Detection Programs are grounded in federal and state law and funded by federal and state resources.
- The Early Detection Programs are integral within Connecticut Cancer Partnership’s State “Cancer Plan”.
- Connecticut currently administrates early detection programs for breast, cervical, and colorectal cancer and modifiable risk factors for heart disease and stroke prevention.
- The future focus of these early detection programs may shift from the delivery of direct services to the un-and under-insured populations toward education and population based surveillance of the utility of early detection services for all Connecticut residents.
Background (from DPH website):
- The Comprehensive Cancer Control Program, CCCP, is housed in the Health Education, Management and Surveillance Section of the Public Health Initiatives Branch. The CCCP includes the Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program and the WISEWOMAN Program and is funded through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Cooperative Agreements and state funds. The CCCP provides leadership for and coordination of statewide cancer control efforts.
- CDC defines comprehensive cancer control as an "integrated and coordinated approach to reducing cancer incidence, morbidity, and mortality of cancer through prevention (primary prevention), early detection, treatment, rehabilitation, and palliation." Comprehensive cancer control involves a systematic process that begins by mobilizing support among key stakeholders and organizations committed to cancer prevention and control.
- The CCCP collaborates with community partners to share resources to promote cancer prevention; improve early detection; increase access to health and social services, and reduce the burden of cancer.
- Accomplishments: continued funding, web based data management tool, invited to speak at the 20th anniversary for NBCCEDP, awarded participation in coordinated care demonstration project.
- In 2002 the CCCP has 5 founding member and now has over 300 partner.
Websites
http://ct.gov/dph/cwp/view.asp?a=3124&q=388824 (breast and cervical cancer)
http://ct.gov/dph/cwp/view.asp?a=3134&q=436234 (colorectal cancer)
http://www.ct.gov/dph/cwp/view.asp?a=3124&Q=456420&PM=1 (colorectal control program)
http://www.ct.gov/dph/cwp/view.asp?a=3124&Q=413640&PM=1 (comprehensive cancer)
http://ct.gov/dph/cwp/view.asp?a=3124&q=388828&dphNav_GID=1601 (WiseWoman)
http://www.ct.gov/dph/lib/dph/comp_cancer/pdf_files/ctcancerplan_2009_2013_cdversion.pdf (cancer control plan)
f Additional notes:
- Susan can be reached at .
Program B – “Regional Action Councils”
Marlene McGann from the Meriden and Wallingford Substance Abuse Action Council provided an overview on the services offered by the Regional Action Councils statewide.
Keypoints from Marlene’s presentation:
- There are 13 RACs statewide.
- RACs began in CT in 1989.
- RACs receive funding from the CT Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services.
- Many of the RACs are freestanding organizations and some are housed by other organizations.
- All RACs have community boards.
- RACs do not provide counseling or direct services.
- RACs services encompass drugs, alcohol and other high risk behaviors, such as suicide and gambling.
- RACs offer services for the entire age spectrum.
- Programs offered by RACs are almost always free. Some specific programs offered by MAWSAC include BABES, Congregational Assistance Program and inhalants trainings.
- RACs are members of many statewide task forces targeting a variety of issues.
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f Additional notes:
- Marlene can be reached at .
III. Member Announcements
1) Member updates included:
· No specific member updates were shared.
2) Lea Crown said that there is a sanitarian position open at QVHD and that there will be one shortly in Meriden.
IV. New / Old Business
1) The next Health Education Committee meeting will be held Wednesday, November 9, 2011.
2) The CPHA Annual Meeting will be held on 10/21/11 at the Aqua Turf in Southington.
3) Ideas for presenters for next year were discussed.
4) Ideas for the annual meeting table exhibit were shared/discussed.