For additional resources on these topics and others related to school health education and services,
visit the School Health Program web site at
www.dshs.state.tx.us/schoolhealth
Quote to Note:
“There can be no keener revelation of a society’s soul than the way in which it treats its children.” Nelson Mandela
Program Notices and Postings:
Funding for School-Based Health Centers – Deadline: March 31, 2008
The Department of State Health Services (DSHS) School Health Program announces the availability of Fiscal Year (FY) 2009 Title V Maternal and Child Health Block Grant funds. These funds can be used for the following purposes: 1) to start a school-based health center that delivers primary and preventive health services to a school-age population on a school campus within the school district or 2) to expand services to include dental or mental health services in existing school-based health centers. For more information and to download the RFP, visit: http://esbd.cpa.state.tx.us/bid_show.cfm?bidid=75233.
DSHS Child Health and Safety Group welcomes new Abstinence Program Coordinator
Melanie Babin received her Bachelor’s degree from the University of Oklahoma and Master’s degree in Public Health from the University of Texas. Melanie joined the Department of State Health Services in Region 6/5 in Houston, Texas as the Team Lead of both the Public Health Improvement and Minority Health programs in 2003. She worked with local county governments to achieve outcomes designed to create and enhance local public health systems and to increase capacity to carry out the ten essential public health services in rural counties with limited public health resources. Melanie joined the Abstinence Education program as the Program Development Coordinator in 2005 to assist in program development and implementation to ensure achievement of federal and state objectives. She now will serve as the Team Lead for the program.
DSHS Texas School Health Advisory Committee Meeting: March 3, 2008
The members of the Texas School Health Advisory Committee will meet Monday, March 3rd in Austin at the Brown Heatly Building, Room 1410, 4900 N. Lamar Blvd. The public is welcome. The link to the Texas Registry to access Monday’s agenda can be found at: www.dshs.state.tx.us/schoolhealth/shadvise.shtm. For more information contact Ellen Kelsey, TSHAC Contact, at .
Texas School Health Advisory Committee (TSHAC) Call For Applications for Membership – Deadline Extended: March 3, 2008
Currently, there are three membership appointments available on the TSHAC:
1. One School administrator/school board member – Examples include superintendent, assistant superintendent, campus principal, a school board member or school board trustee. Candidates must be currently working in a K-12 school setting and certified by the Texas State Board of Educator Certification in mid-level management or supervision or show proof of being a school board member.
2. One Organization or agency representative member – Examples include representative of an organization, coalition or agency that provides resources of time and/or money benefiting the health of school aged children as described in the “Categories of Membership and Criteria Definitions” document of the TSHAC.
3. One Physician member – A currently practicing physician, physician’s assistant or nurse practitioner in good standing of the licensing agency under which they practice that provides health services to school aged children.
For an application and additional information, please visit www.dshs.state.tx.us/schoolhealth/shadvise.shtm.
Health Education:
New Required Parenting Curriculum Offered Free from the Office of the Attorney General
Starting with the 2008-2009 school year, high school health teachers must incorporate a new curriculum into their classes. Required by HB 2176, the curriculum is called p.a.p.a., which stands for the Parenting and Paternity Awareness program. Developed by the Office of the Attorney General in collaboration with TEA and the State Board of Education, the curriculum and training are being made available free of charge to all health teachers and school nurses throughout the state. For more information and a training calendar, visit the child support section of the Office of the Attorney General’s Web site www.oag.state.tx.us and select Educators. You can also send an e-mail to to set up training.
The U.S. Department of Education is offering Character Education Grants – Deadline: March 31, 2008
Partnerships in Character Education grants are designed to implement character education programs that can be integrated into classroom instruction and consistent with state academic content standards. Such programs may be carried out in conjunction with other educational reform efforts, and must take into consideration the views of parents, students, students with disabilities (including those with mental or physical disabilities), and other members of the community, including members of private, nonprofit organizations or entities, including faith-based organizations and community organizations. Go to www.grants.gov/search/search.do?mode=VIEW&flag2006=true&oppId=16939 for more information.
You're Never to Young to Get Addicted
Most teen smokers believe they will not be smoking in five years. The fact is that 75 percent of them are still smoking five years later. This and other facts as well as tobacco laws and tips on how to get help are all on DSHS’s tobacco site targeted to youth. To get there go to: www.dshs.state.tx.us/tobacco/quityoung.shtm.
Parent and Community Involvement:
The Learning Compact Redefined: A Call to Action – A Report from the Commission on the Whole Child
The Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (ASCD) convened the Commission on the Whole Child in January and July 2006 and defined a successful learner from one whose achievement is measured solely by academic tests, to one who is knowledgeable, emotionally and physically healthy, civically inspired, engaged in the arts, prepared for work and economic self-sufficiency, and ready for the world beyond formal schooling.
This report calls on communities—educators, parents, businesses, health and social service providers, arts professionals, recreation leaders and policymakers at all levels—to forge a new compact with young people. One that ensures their complete healthy development supporting not only academic learning, but also the experiences that encourage development of a whole child—one who is knowledgeable, healthy, motivated, and engaged. To read the report click on: www.wholechildeducation.org/resources.dyn/Learningcompact7-07.pdf.
Building Healthy Teen Relationships: Open Calls for Proposals – Deadline: March 17, 2008
The Building Healthy Teen Relationships program will support the creation and evaluation of comprehensive community-based models of prevention that aim to decrease relationship violence and increase positive, protective relationship skills. Up to eight grants will be awarded for a period of up to 48 months. Each grant award will be up to $250,000 per year, with a maximum award of $1 million for the full grant period. Please visit the following for more details and application: www.rwjf.org/applications/solicited/cfp.jsp?ID=20202.
Healthy and Safe School Environment:
CDC Addresses Mass Casualty Events Specific to School Violence
In response to the tragic events at the Northern Illinois University campus, CDC's Injury Center has posted information on the Injury Center, and Emergency Preparedness and Response homepages specific to school violence, including mental health information for students, parents and school personnel. This event is a reminder of the need to be proactive in providing tools and information for mass casualty events specific to mental health, as well as to emergency care. You are encouraged to link to the Web pages that follow for this information.
Coping with Stress:
www.cdc.gov/ncipc/dvp/CopingWithStress.htm
Preparing for a Mass Casualty Event:
www.cdc.gov/ncipc/dir/MassCalPublic.htm
Coping With a Traumatic Event: Information for Health Professionals:
www.bt.cdc.gov/masscasualties/copingpro.asp
Nutrition Services:
From the American Diabetes Association: What’s Happening in Your Community?
Find out about diabetes community support where you live. Click on the link below, enter your zip code and find support in your neighborhood. http://diabetes.org/communityprograms-and-localevents/whatslocal.jsp
USDA’s MyPyramid Tracker Now Online
MyPyramid Tracker is an online dietary and physical activity assessment tool that provides information on your diet quality, physical activity status, related nutrition messages, and links to nutrient and physical activity information. The Food Calories/Energy Balance feature automatically calculates your energy balance by subtracting the energy you expend from physical activity from your food calories/energy intake. MyPyramid Tracker translates the principles of the 2005 Dietary Guidelines for Americans and other nutrition standards developed by the U.S. Departments of Agriculture and Health and Human Services. To access this tool go to: www.mypyramidtracker.gov.
Health Services:
New Report for Practitioners from the CDC on the Effects of Childhood Stress
The Effects of Childhood Stress on Health Across the Lifespan summarizes the research on childhood stress and its implications for adult health and well-being. Of particular interest is the stress caused by child abuse, neglect and repeated exposure to intimate partner violence (IPV). This publication provides violence prevention practitioners with ideas about how to incorporate information on childhood stress into their work. Go to: www.cdc.gov/ncipc/pub-res/pdf/Childhood_Stress.pdf to access this report.
Counseling and Mental Health Services:
A new Resource about sexual orientation and youth for school staff
Just the facts about sexual orientation and youth: A primer for principals, educators, and school personnel is a publication from the Just the Facts Coalition and supported by the American Psychological Association, the American Counseling Association, the Interfaith Alliance, and the National Education Association. The publication serves as a guide for employees who confront sensitive issues involving gay, lesbian and bisexual students. It is intended to help school administrators foster safe and healthy school environments, in which all students can achieve to the best of their ability. Just the Facts has been mailed to all 16,000 U.S. public school superintendents. This material may be reproduced and distributed in whole or in part without permission and can be downloaded at: www.apa.org/pi/lgbc/publications/justthefacts.pdf.
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External links to other sites appearing in the Friday Beat are intended to be informational and do not represent an endorsement by the Department of State Health Services. These sites may also not be accessible to people with disabilities. External email links are provided to you as a courtesy. Please be advised that you are not emailing the DSHS and DSHS policies do not apply should you choose to correspond.
For information about any of the programs listed, contact the sponsoring organization directly. For comments or questions about the Friday Beat, contact Ellen Kelsey at (512) 458-7111 ext. 2140 or by email at .
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