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Press Release - FAITH COMMUNITY NURSING: SCOPE AND STANDARDS OF PRACTICE

Helpful Link

Supporting Rural Family Caregivers

PURPOSE: The purpose of this satellite broadcast is to conduct a discussion of
the difficulties faced by rural family caregivers and how to support them in
areas with limited provider agencies, manpower shortages, and
transportation challenges. With assistance from USDA/CREES and other
organizations, this session will highlight creative responses to rural
family caregiving such as consumer directed care. This broadcast will
feature family caregivers who have applied innovative means to be
effective caregivers in rural areas. A segment of this broadcast will be devoted
to taking questions from the audience that would be answered by panelists.

OBJECTIVES: The objective of these broadcasts is to increase awareness and
sensitivity to challenges and opportunities in caregiving in rural areas, and
improve the coordination of resources and services for family providers,
caregivers..

* Present core messages about caregiving.
* Foster greater collaboration Network and exchange information.
* Increase awareness of caregiver support activities and resources
in rural areas.

More info & Registration at: http://registration.casals.com/cms/

The Health Mission on the Move mobile health education unit provides health
education resources and congregational program models and arranges for the
involvement of local health services and health-related providers.

http://www.pcusa.org/nationalhealth/news/missiononmove.htm

HMA Conference Review - A Review of HMA's Building Bridges conference by Rev. Jennifer Rund-Scott, Chaplain, Carle Foundation Hospital.

• Family Strengthening Project
  
  Did you know that "According to the Council on Crime and Justice, about 85
  percent of marriages that have one spouse incarcerated for a year or more
  end in divorce."
  
  Sixty families are participating in The Family Strengthening Project, a
  program that provides incarcerated fathers and their families access to
  parenting and relationship classes, as well as counseling. Additionally,
  both inmates and their partners receive job training. The project was
  established by the Minnesota Council on Crime and Justice through a
  five-year grant from the US Department of Health and Human Services.
  
  Full story at: http://www.innovations.harvard.edu/news/76651.html?p=1

   

• Grant Opportunity for Faith-Based Organizations

  USDA Announces $1 Million in Food Stamp Outreach Grants
  WASHINGTON, Nov. 19, 2007 - Under Secretary for Food, Nutrition, and Consumer Services Nancy Johner today announced the availability of at least $1 million in grants for public and private nonprofit community and faith-based organizations to improve awareness of USDA's Food Stamp Program for low-income households. Specifically, these grants will target the two most significantly underserved populations in the Food Stamp Program, seniors and Hispanics.

  "Those in need also need to know if they qualify for food stamps, how the nutritional guidance can help their well-being," said Johner. "Public and private, faith-based and community groups all serve an important role in the President's commitment to educate those in need about USDA's food and nutrition assistance programs."

  The Food Stamp Program, administered by USDA's Food and Nutrition Service (FNS), is the cornerstone of federal nutrition assistance programs and provides crucial support to needy households. The program serves more than 26 million people each month, and currently reaches about 65 percent of those who are eligible for benefits.

  Seniors represent 9 percent of total participants and Hispanics represent 19 percent of total participants in the program. In addition to directly helping individuals and families, food stamp benefits provide a boost to local economies since every dollar in new food stamp benefits generates nearly twice that in community spending.

  The overall purpose of food stamp outreach is to inform and educate potentially eligible low-income persons about the nutrition benefits of the program, the eligibility rules and how to apply.

  State and local food stamp offices and for-profit organizations are not eligible for these grants. Applicants will be eligible to receive up to $75,000 per grant. The grant period will range from 1 to 2 years, depending on the project.

  USDA encourages community and faith-based organizations to participate in this competition for grants. Checklists, templates, tools and lists of resources to assist potential applicants complete their proposals can be found online at http://www.grants.gov or on the FNS website at http://www.fns.usda.gov/fsp/outreach/grants/2008/default.htm.

  Applications are due February 19, 2008.

  Announcement at:
  http://www.fns.usda.gov/cga/PressReleases/2007/PR-0344.htm
  

• Church-Relatd Groups Will Be Vital Partners in Getting Ready for Influenza Pandemic
  by Scott Santibanez, M.D.
  
  Health Progress, November-December 2007
  
  
• Friday, October 19, 2007
  
  HHS Awards $57.8 Million Through Compassion Capital Fund
  
  The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) today announced awards totaling $57,840,781 through the Compassion Capital Fund (CCF).
  
  These awards will help 387 faith-based and community organizations enhance their ability to provide social services to those most in need.
  
  "Our goal is to serve the poor among us in the most effective way possible," HHS Secretary Mike Leavitt said. "By supporting grass-roots organizations already serving those in need in their communities, we are increasing our ability to help more people gain control of their lives."
  
  The awards are made up of four sets of grants. The first set awards a total of $17.6 million to 37 organizations through the CCF Demonstration Program.
  
  Demonstration program grantees serve as intermediaries providing assistance to and building the capacity of smaller faith-based and community organizations in their community.
  
  The second set awards a total of $10.3 million to 219 faith-based and community organizations through the CCF Targeted Capacity Building Program.
  
  These awards will increase the capacity of these organizations to support at-risk youth and the homeless, strengthen marriage and serve rural communities.
  
  The third set of grants awards a total of $7.5 million to 31 organizations participating in the Communities Empowering Youth program. Under this program, organizations committed to combating gang activity, youth violence and child abuse and neglect will receive funds to strengthen their own capacity.  They will also build the capacity of their faith-based and community partners to operate more effectively in strengthening community coalitions committed to providing positive alternatives for at-risk youth across the country.
  
  The final set of grants disperses $22.5 million to continue CCF programs in their second year of funding.
  
  "The Compassion Capital Fund is the signature initiative of President Bush's community renewal agenda," said Jay Hein, director of the White House Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives. "It equips the quiet heroes serving those in need in America's communities."
  
  "This announcement demonstrates the Bush Administration's commitment to help faith-based and community organizations increase their effectiveness, expand their organizations, and create collaborations to better serve at the local level," said Josephine B. Robinson, director of the Administration for Children and Families' Office of Community Services at HHS. "Organizational capacity-building is a powerful tool that can ensure these organizations are equipped to effectively and efficiently serve their target population while also supporting their long-term sustainability within the community."
  
  Since its inception in 2002, CCF has provided approximately $264 million to more than 4,500 organizations.
  
  For a list of this year's grantee organizations and award amounts, go to:
  http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ccf/2007ccf.html
  
  For more information on the Compassion Capital Fund, go to:
  http://www.acf.dhhs.gov/programs/ccf/
  
  
• Grants are awarded to increase nursing education opportunities for individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds (including racial and ethnic minorities underrepresented among registered nurses) by providing student scholarships or stipends, pre-entry preparation, and retention activities.
   
  Eligible Applicants - schools of nursing, nursing centers, academic health centers, State or local governments, Indian Tribes or Tribal organizations, other public or private non-profit entities including faith-based and community organizations, and for-profit organizations capable of carrying out the legislative purpose.
   
  Deadline - Nov 16, 2007
   
  http://www.grants.gov/search/search.do?mode=VIEW&oppId=15538
  
  
• Good medicine; Christian clinics reach out to the city's poorest neighborhoods
  Publisher: The Commercial Appeal (Tennessee)
  By: Morgan Bernal
  First published: August 29, 2007
  http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/newsletters/article.cfm?id=7007
  
  
• The Health Resources and Services Administration's Maternal and Child Health Bureau (MCHB) is pleased to present Child Health USA 2006, the 17th annual report on the health status and service needs of America's children. http://www.mchb.hrsa.gov/chusa_06/
  
  
• The National Institutes of Health has posted an online guide to help seniors talk to their doctor. Tips include how to prepare for a doctor visit, what information to provide and how to understand what the doctor says. The guide is the latest addition to NIHSeniorHealth.gov, which offers large-print sizes and other features designed to aid older users. http://nihseniorhealth.gov/talkingwithyourdoctor/toc.html
  
  
• Women's Health is providing an opportunity to increase physical activity and improve our health with a WOMAN Challenge on a virtual walk across the country. Join our Health Ministries (HMA) Faith Community Team as we carry the baton from California to Delaware starting Mother's Day, May 13 on this eight week challenge. I am asking all Chapters, their ministries and all supporters of HMA to raise awareness of our organization through this fitness challenge. Log on to the web site for the Office on Women's Health at www.womenshealth.gov/woman or call 1-800-994-9662, TDD 1-888-220-5446 to register. Information to join a team is at the sidebar; I will be notified when you join and will be able to track our progress across the country. Thank you in advance for your participation and effort to publicize our organization. Contact your local newspaper when you link your congregations to the Cross Country Route.
  
  La Vaida Owens-White, Team Captain Faith Community Nurse
  
  
• Helping America's Youth (HAY) is a nationwide effort of nine federal agencies and the White House to raise awareness about the challenges facing our youth, particularly at-risk boys, and to motivate caring adults to connect with youth in three key areas: family, school, and community. HAY has a new website at: http://www.helpingamericasyouth.gov/
  
  The Community Guide to Helping America's Youth is an Internet resource designed to connect caring adults within communities and help them work together to make a difference in the lives of youth. http://www.helpingamericasyouth.gov/guide.cfm
  
  
• "Principles of Drug Abuse Treatment for Criminal Justice Populations - A Research-Based Guide"
  
  This booklet is currently in press. It is available in PDF format (18 pages) at: http://www.nida.nih.gov/PDF/PODAT_CJ/PODAT_CJ.pdf
  
  To pre-order free printed hardcopies, e-mail your name, address and quantity requested (up to 10 copies) to Information@nida.nih.gov. For quantities over 10, please call (800) 729-6686.
  
  More information is available at: http://www.nida.nih.gov/PODAT_CJ/
  
  
• Measles Outbreak
  Did you know that the large Measles Outbreak in the midwest last year began with an unvaccinated 17 yr old girl who picked up the virus while visiting an orphanage and upon returning to the US attended a gathering of 500 church members that included many other unvaccinated children? Read the report below and the yesterday's Editorial in the New York Times.
  _____________________________________________________________________
  Kaiser Family Fdn
  Daily Health Policy Report
  Opinion | All Children Should Receive Vaccinations, Editorial States
  [Aug 10, 2006]
  
  "All young children, not just those attending school, should be required to get immunized," according to a New York Times editorial on Wednesday. According to the Times, "[i]rrational fears of vaccination seems to have been responsible" for an outbreak of measles in Indiana that infected 34 people and led to the hospitalization of three. The disease has been largely eradicated in the U.S. as a result of the routine immunization of school children, but the Indiana outbreak emerged after an unvaccinated girl passed the disease along to several unvaccinated adolescent church members, many of whom were home-schooled, the Times says. According to the Times, "Their families had access to the vaccine but declined the opportunity because of reports that it might cause autism or other problems." The Times continues, "Their fears overrode assurances by health authorities that the vaccines is extremely safe and has no link to autism." Families that forgo vaccinations "put themselves and their neighbors at risk," according to the Times (New York Times, 8/9).
  
  http://www.nytimes.com/2006/08/09/opinion/09wed3.html?_r=1&oref=slogin
  
  
• HMA Rural Health Ministry Initiative (RHMI)
  
  One aspect of the new RHMI is keeping a high level of awareness of what is happening at the intersection of faith and health that might be applicable to 'Rural America':
  
  National Council of Churches (NCC) chosen for faith-based health care survey http://www.ncccusa.org/news/060530healthcaresurvey.html
  
  The first nationwide, in-depth, systematic study of health services provided by religious communities is being undertaken by the National Council of Churches USA. The project will survey more than 100,000 congregations to determine the level of health care education, delivery, and advocacy being offered.
  
  The study, made possible by a grant from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, will be conducted by the Rev. Dr. Eileen W. Lindner, deputy general secretary of the NCC and head of its Research and Planning Office. "Much recent discussion has centered around the question of how much health care our faith communities are providing," said Dr. Lindner, "but there is little quantitative and qualitative data about these valuable health assets. This study will give us the first real snapshot of just what faith-based activities there are in the health care arena." "This inventory will provide national church leaders with detailed information about the various health care ministries carried out in diverse types of congregations in faithfulness to Jesus whose own ministry was so often one of healing," said Lindner.
  
  In addition to Christian congregations, Muslim and Jewish congregations also will be offered the opportunity to collect data from their congregations, adding to what we know about what is being done on health from various religious traditions.
  
  The project will focus on what faith communities are currently doing in the area of health care education, direct service and advocacy around issues of health care. A comprehensive report will be released at the conclusion of the study. It will help faith leaders and health care providers determine, for the first time, what role the religious congregation is playing, or not, in the delivery of health-related services to communities across the country.
  
  Rev. Dr. Robert Edgar, General Secretary of the National Council of Churches, speaking about this project said, "The National Council of Churches has long been an advocate for a quality health care system that is accessible to all Americans. This study enables our member communions to gain a much better understanding of what is being done to begin to build a network of congregations active in health care."
  
  The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation focuses on the pressing health care issues facing our country. As the nation's largest philanthropy devoted exclusively to improving the health and health care of all Americans, the Foundation works with a diverse group of organizations and individuals to identify solutions and achieve comprehensive, meaningful and timely change. For more than 30 years the Foundation has brought experience, commitment, and a rigorous, balanced approach to the problems that affect the health and health care of those it serves. When it comes to helping Americans lead healthier lives and get the care they need, the Foundation expects to make a difference in the lifetime of all Americans.
  
  For more information, visit www.rwjf.org.
  
  The National Council of Churches [www.councilofchurches.org] is the ecumenical voice of 35 member denominations from Protestant, Orthodox, Anglican, and historic African American and peace churches comprising 45 million Christians in 100,000 congregations.
  
  An additional article by the Roundtable on Religion and Social Welfare Policy
  
  "Study to Assess Faith-Based Health Care Services"
  
  The Roundtable on Religion and Social Welfare Policy
  By: Claire Hughes, Roundtable Correspondent
  First published: June 20, 2006
  
  http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/newsletters/article.cfm?id=4437