The Local Public Health Association of Minnesota (LPHA) is currently seeking proposals for presentations/workshops at our fall conference which fit our theme of “Healthy Leaders, Healthy Community”. 

Highlights are:

A new bill passed during the 2021 Minnesota legislative session expands medical assistance to cover “enhanced asthma care services.” Services include home visits and allergen-reducing products. Children who have poorly controlled asthma, as defined in the statute, and who are enrolled in medical assistance or Minnesota Health Care Programs are eligible for these benefits.

Home visits will only be covered if provided by “a registered environmental health specialist or lead risk assessor currently credentialed by the Department of Health or a healthy homes specialist credentialed by the Building Performance Institute.” Products will be covered if “identified as needed and recommended” by the professionals authorized to perform the home visits or by health care professionals providing asthma care for the child. 

The new provisions, in MN Stat. section 256B.0625, subd. 67, are now in effect.

Overdoses are the #1 cause of accidental deaths in America. According to the CDC, there were over 107,000 fatal overdoses in the U.S. in 2021. This epidemic has only gotten worse during the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition to overdose-related deaths, more than 175,000 deaths in the U.S. can be attributed to the use of alcohol and other drugs. This makes substance use the third largest cause of death in the nation.

Leveraging our expertise in public health outreach and culturally competent care, WellShare is providing immediate community-based mental health intervention to address trauma recovery, substance abuse, and the increasing frequency and severity of mental health distress.

Your engagement and support has a direct impact on our urgent programming needs. Join us in our response to the urgent needs of the people we serve.

Register Now!

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, legislators in every state have introduced bills that would limit public health authority to respond to the current pandemic or future public health emergencies. Many of these bills have been enacted into law. This legislation could have harmful impacts on public health by restricting the ability of a governor, or state or local health official, to respond to a health emergency in a swift and flexible way. 

By attending this webinar, you will:

• Learn about collaborative efforts to track state bills that address public health authority, including those that would limit the authority of a governor, state health official, or local health official; shift authority from state or local executives; address pandemic-related public health measures such as mask mandates, vaccine mandates, or testing requirements; or preempt localities from imposing public health measures
• Hear about current trends in legislation impacting public health 
• Be directed to resources that highlight the legal landscape on these topics 

Register Now! 

Public health work often involves dealing with complicated ethical questions. Approaching ethical issues requires intentional strategies and a dedication to upholding ethical practice.

This live webinar discusses approaches to identifying and addressing ethical issues in public health practice, and the role of an ethics committee in this process.

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There is a critical need to support the health and mental wellbeing of the public health workforce during a pandemic and national vaccination campaign to prevent high turnover, chronic absenteeism and low productivity and morale. Addressing the identified and significant mental health challenges public health workers experience remains crucial to grow the public health infrastructure and workforce. 

Join the Region V Public Health Training Center and the National Council for Mental Wellbeing as we introduce a graphic essay that outlines data recorded from the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) and Public Health Workforce Interests and Needs Survey (WINS), on the mental wellbeing and challenges faced by the public health workforce as well as stories and recommendations from colleagues in the field. We will also hear from Joan King, RN, MSN, Senior Consultant at the National Council for Mental Wellbeing, who will share practices and resources related to self-care and staff wellness. 

Register Now! 

The Minnesota Society for Public Health Education (MNSOPHE) announces a call for nominations for 2022 MNSOPHE awards. This is an opportunity to recognize and acknowledge the efforts of public health colleagues, champions, and/or students.

We hope you consider submitting nominations for the following awards: 

Health Educator of the Year Award: This award exists to recognize a public health educator who exemplifies MNSOPHE’s mission to “provide leadership to the profession of health education and promotion, and to promote our communities’ health.” Nominees are preferred CHES/MCHES and required to be a MNSOPHE member, which can be established at the time of nomination. Nominations must be received by August 15, 2022.

Outstanding Contributions to Public Health Education Award: This award exists to recognize any person who has made significant contributions to the public health field. Examples of nominees can be health professionals, elected officials, or any individual who has demonstrated leadership to advance community health. Nominees are NOT required to be a MNSOPHE member. Nominations must be received by August 15, 2022.

(NEW!) Student Recognition Award: This newly established award exists to recognize a student who has demonstrated exceptional individual and professional growth, demonstrated inclusion of various cultures and values in their studies, and contributed to the promotion of health in their community. Nominees are NOT required to be a MN SOPHE member. Nominations must be received by September 2, 2022.

Out of courtesy, please ask a colleague or student’s permission before submitting a nomination. Please direct any questions to PH Moua, MNSOPHE Awards Chair, at moua.pahoua@co.olmsted.mn.us. 

Winners will be announced at MNSOPHE's 2022 Health Education Summit in October. Thank you for taking an active role in this year’s nomination process!

Ampact is looking for a talented individual to serve as its Program Coach to support AmeriCorps Members and the launch of Public Health Corps in Minnesota. Applicants with experience in public health are highly encouraged to apply. Public Health Corps is an AmeriCorps program places AmeriCorps members within public health agencies to help meet emerging public health needs and to grow the public health workforce.  Public Health Corps is a program of Ampact. Ampact is a national nonprofit headquartered in Minneapolis, MN that implements evidence-based AmeriCorps programs.

The Program Coach will facilitate program implementation to ensure all stakeholders have an exceptional experience. The Program Coach is responsible for developing, maintaining, and sustaining effective relationships with key site contacts to ensure successful program implementation and site engagement with programs. Additionally, the Program Coach maintains and cultivates relationships and manages AmeriCorps Members and community stakeholders. The Program Coach provides service sites and members the training, coaching, and technical support necessary to ensure the successful implementation of programs with high fidelity to the model and successful completion of each AmeriCorps member term of service. Finally, the Program Coach will work to facilitate and support career pathways in the sector, supporting members in their career pathways after their term of service. This position will observe confidentiality of all member, program and organizational information.

Application Deadline: Resumes will be accepted and reviewed on a rolling basis; applicants are encouraged to submit their resume no later than Friday, June 10. 

Apply Now!

The National Maternal Nutrition Intensive Course focuses on the improvement of maternal and infant health through the delivery of risk-appropriate high-quality nutrition services. This continuing education program is designed for dietitians, nutritionists, certified nurse midwives, registered nurses and nurse practitioners, physicians, and public health professionals who serve pre-conceptual, pregnant, postpartum, and breastfeeding women, infants, children, and families. This program is pending approval for up to 0.9 CEUs/9.0 contact hours of professional continuing education from the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR).

There will be two registration options available:

The first option is an in-person hybrid program in August, designed for those who are ready to come back in person. This session will be meeting in person on August 1, 2022, in Minneapolis, and will continue the second part online via Zoom on August 3, 2022. Registration is $60.00 per person and lunch is included on August 1. Student rates are available for this session. Please email cpheo@umn.edu if you are interested in student rates.

The second option is the fully online distance program that begins in September. This program will include all 6 recorded presentations from the in-person hybrid program and is a fully online self-led course. Participants have from September 1 to December 31, 2022, to complete this course. Registration is $35.00 per person.

For additional information on the programs please visit z.umn.edu/MNIC.

SITE APPLICATION OPEN!  

Public Health Corps is now accepting applications for local organizations delivering public health servics to be host sites for Public Health Project Coordinators! Public Health Corps harnesses the power of AmeriCorps to help meet the emerging public health needs and grow the public health workforce. Each host site will be matched with at least one (1) full-time Public Health Corps member (40 hours/week for 11 months per member) and will benefit from activities that support community engagement, data collection, project coordination, and sustained COVID-19 response and recovery. In addition to enhancing local capacity, Public Health Corps is also working to build a pathway for developing future public health workers. Host sites must be public or non-profit organizations, have a focus in public health initiatives that support standard public health operations or those related to acute need, and commit to hosting the member(s) in a full-time capacity (40 hours/week) beginning in August, October, or January. Apply now to become a site partner. 

SEEKING AMERICORPS MEMBERS!  

Public Health Corps is now accepting applications for the inaugural cohort of Public Health AmeriCorps members beginning this August! The Public Health Corps is a program designed for people aspiring to launch their career in public health. AmeriCorps members will make an impact at a local public health agency by implementing capacity building projects designed to solve pressing community health challenges. Members of the Public Health Corps will receive generous AmeriCorps benefits including a $1,100 stipend every two weeks and an education award of over $6,000 to pay for school or federal student loans. Members are also offered free health insurance and industry leading training developed by the University of Minnesota to prepare you for a public health career. Apply soon to have the best chance of securing a spot in this exciting new program!