Eye on Annual

If you arrive in Hartford early and want to get started on all the NACCHO Annual 2011 activities, then check out the selection of pre-conference workshops that will take place on Wednesday, July 20. Registration is required for each of these no-cost or low-cost workshops, so reserve your place by visiting www.naccho.org/na/2011/register or the Conference Registration Desk in the Exhibit Hall Pre-Function.

Getting the News Out: 8:00 AM–12:00 PM

Using the media and other mass communication channels is a powerful way to communicate public health information to large audiences. The Internet has democratized news distribution in profound ways, including the ability to self-publish information on websites, YouTube, and blogs. Many LHDs are challenged by a lack of resources and staff for health communications. This workshop can help LHD leaders with limited resources who want simple tools and techniques for “Getting the News Out.” Participants will learn how new technology is changing how Americans get their news; how to develop a strategic plan and build communications capacity; how to craft messages, write news releases, and conduct successful media interviews; and how to expand news distribution channels via websites, e-newsletters, and social media.

Faculty: Suzy Feinberg, MPH, Cambridge Public Health Department

Registration: $25 (includes breakfast and all session materials)

Identifying Your LHD’s Strategy for Sustaining Momentum for Maternal, Child, and Adolescent Health: 8:30 AM–12:30 PM; Breakfast will be served from 8:00–8:30 AM

Results from NACCHO’s January/February 2010 Budget Cuts Survey indicate that, relative to all other programs and services, LHDs were most likely to cut maternal, child, and adolescent health (MCAH) services. Focus groups conducted after the survey with urban LHDs provided more information about the influence of the economic downturn on MCAH programs, services, and communities and the critical need for local MCAH capacity. Participants will explore ways to communicate the importance of investing in MCAH with federal, state, and local public health leaders; work in small groups to identify strategies to address the most urgent needs in MCAH; and experience a new method for gathering ideas, establishing consensus, and sustaining group momentum.

Speakers: Laura Runnels, MPH, CPH, Senior Program Analyst, NACCHO, Washington, DC; Laura S. Snebold, MPH, Senior Analyst, Maternal, Child, and Adolescent Health, NACCHO, Washington, DC

Registration: $10 (includes breakfast and all session materials)

Setting Standards to Advance Injury and Violence Prevention in Local Health Departments: 12:00–2:30 PM

In 2010, NACCHO and the Safe States Alliance (SSA) convened 35 local, state, and national representatives to develop standards and indicators for model local health department (LHD) injury and violence prevention (IVP) programs. Setting standards for IVP in LHDs increases the visibility of IVP as a public health issue, increases the number of LHDs that focus on IVP, increases the effectiveness of LHD IVP efforts, and spurs the development of tools and resources for LHDs to effectively address the causes of injuries and violence. This session will publically launch the Standards for Local Health Department Injury and Violence Prevention Programs. Participants will learn about the development of the standards, discuss their implications for IVP, hear case studies from pilot LHDs, discuss ways to promote the standards, and identify practical tools and resources necessary to apply the standards in LHDs.

Faculty: Amber Williams, Executive Director, Safe States Alliance; Jessica Carda-Auten, Program Manager, NACCHO; Representatives from LHDs

Registration: $10 (includes lunch and all session materials)