Promoting Chronic Disease Management and Breastfeeding

SHIP 4 Grantees


Madelia Community Based Collaborative (MCBC) Mental Health Task Force

MCBC is partnering with the FMW SHIP to help support people with mental health illnesses in Watonwan County. During the next round of funding they will provide trainings on Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) to medical providers, health professionals, and community partners to develop a better understanding of mental health problems in the community, as well as creating a mental health resource directory for Watonwan County. Two individuals from the community were training in the last round of SHIP to teach MHFA they will be offering MHFA trainings at least three times per year with community groups to develop a strong community identity, and they will be partnering with established class facilitators for Chronic Disease Self-Management (CDSM)/Living Well with Chronic Disease Program to create a connection between mental health and chronic diseases as well as Tobacco Cessation education.  These trainers will become a community resource for people with mental health illnesses. Once medical providers have been trained a referral system will be put into place to connect patients to CDSM/Living Well with Chronic Disease Programs as well as a follow-up process for the courses. MCBC will also reach out to Friends on First-South Central Community Based Initiative Clubhouse to provide an onsite CDSM/Living Well with Chronic Disease Program to ensure a comfortable and safe environment for those experiencing mental health illnesses.


SHIP 3 Accomplishments

Wellspring Faith in Action - Coming soon!

Madelia Community Hospital and Madelia Community-Based Collaborative - Coming soon!

 

SHIP 2 Accomplishments

 
WIC- Martin and Faribault Counties

Faribault and Martin WIC received $4000 to increase physical activity and improve nutrition.
Funding was utilized to create activity kits, resource magnets and to purchase farmer’s market vouchers. 
Activity kits were developed for 3-4 year old children that were modeled after the FIT WIC program.  The kits included a narrated audio CD, tools for creative and imaginative play, brochures to encourage physical activity, nutrition education pamphlets and resource magnet.  The magnets listed the parks, pools and playgrounds, as well as community education programs within the county.   The activity kits were divided into a series of 4 kits that were distributed to families on a quarterly basis.  The goal of the activity kits was to reduce obesity by increase opportunities for physical activity and decrease screen time among 3-4 year olds.  A letter was sent to all area Healthcare Providers explaining WIC’s goal of reducing childhood obesity with activity kits.  The letter asked for healthcare provider’s help in supporting the fight against obesity by encouraging families to have children engage in 60 minutes of physical activity daily and to build a foundation of healthy active lifestyles to reduce the risk of chronic disease.  

 Farmer’s market vouchers were purchased for clients in both counties to increase access to fresh produce. 


WIC- Watonwan County
Watonwan WIC received $4000 to increase physical activity and improve nutrition.  Funding was utilized to create activity kits, resource magnets, support breastfeeding, promote the farmer’s market and for pool passes.    
Activity kits were developed for 3-4 year old children that were modeled after the FIT WIC program.  The kits included a narrated audio CD, tools for creative and imaginative play, brochures to encourage physical activity, nutrition education pamphlets and resource magnet.  The magnets listed the parks, pools and playgrounds, as well as community education programs within the county.   The activity kits were divided into a series of 4 kits that were distributed to families on a quarterly basis.  The goal of the activity kits was to reduce obesity by increase opportunities for physical activity and decrease screen time among 3-4 year olds.  A letter was sent to all area Healthcare Providers explaining WIC’s goal of reducing childhood obesity with activity kits.  The letter asked for healthcare provider’s help in supporting the fight against obesity by encouraging families to have children engage in 60 minutes of physical activity daily and to build a foundation of healthy active lifestyles to reduce the risk of chronic disease. 
Watonwan County WIC utilized funding to cost-share a lactation speaker for staff.  They promoted the local farmer’s market with advertising and purchased discount passes to the community pool in St. James and Madelia for WIC clients to provide opportunities for physical activity to compliment the activity kits that are being distributed.    
Wellspring Faith-in-Action
Wellspring created a screening tool to help screen for chronic illnesses such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, high blood glucose levels and diabetes among the 65+ population. This screening tool was created in a survey form and was written in both English and Spanish. Wellspring was able to partner with Rasmussen and Presentation College nursing students to help conduct most of the screenings. The nursing students helped with blood pressure readings, BMI screenings, and glucose readings. Wellspring also partnered with local hospitals, clinics and other senior citizen entities to provide as many local resources during their screening events as possible. During SHIP 2 Wellspring was able to host 3 screening day events. Their first one was held on May 2012, second in November 2012, and their 3rd was held on Tuesday May 21.The events were hosted at Church’s within Watonwan County. Transportation was provided to individuals who needed. Wellspring has implemented a policy which states they will offer at least 1 Senior Health Screening Clinic once every 6 months.
Mayo Health Systems -  Fairmont
SHIP worked with Mayo Health Systems in Fairmont to improve and promote the screen-counsel-refer-follow up process to ensure patients are referred to community programs to help them lose and/or maintain weight and help with tobacco cessation. SHIP provided funding to the organization to train individuals in the I CAN Prevent Diabetes Program - part of the National Diabetes Prevention Program. SHIP continues to work with the dietician to implement the Tobacco Fax Referral Program as a tobacco cessation tool for patients who are interested in quitting tobacco.
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Stories from the Field: SHIP Health Care Strategy

WIC Helps Children Play 60 Minutes Every Day!

The Women, Infant and Children (WIC) programs in Cottonwood, Jackson, Faribault, Martin and Watonwan counties are working to reduce obesity among children by increasing physical activity, encouraging better nutrition and reducing screen time. In partnership with SHIP, WIC will be distributing activity kits to promote physical activity. The program is modeled after the evidence based curriculum programs that address childhood obesity- I Am Moving, I Am Learning (IMIL) and Learning about Nutrition through Activity (LANA). WIC nurses will distribute a series of four activity kits on a quarterly basis to families with children ages 3-4 years old. The kits contain resources and tools for children to be more physically active and to help parents find creative, innovative and low-cost ways to be active with their children. Some of the tools and resources included are refrigerator magnets with a list of parks, pools, playgrounds and Community Ed and Recreation (CER) programs in their county, a narrated music CD called “Music Moves Me”, parent brochures to combat common food dilemmas, brochures that offer creative and imaginative play ideas, as well as some tools to engage children in play, such as sidewalk chalk, ribbon wands, beach balls and rhythm sticks.



The goal of the initiative is to encourage children to participate in 60 minutes of physical activity every day, and to reduce sedentary behaviors and screen time among 3-4 year olds. WIC hopes that the physical activity will begin to create behavior change among families and children at an early age. By encouraging families with small children to build the foundation for an active lifestyle, children will reduce their risk for chronic disease and eliminate risk factors that contribute to chronic disease. Research shows the earlier physical activity is established with kids, the larger the impact on curbing obesity. WIC is just one step in the comprehensive plan to influence physical activity and health eating among children. Children will also be exposed to IMIL and LANA through childcare, and also be influenced to be physically active and eat well after starting Kindergarten through SHIP at School strategies!

Wellspring Screening Clinics


We are working with Wellspring Faith in Action in Watonwan County to screen, counsel and refer Senior Citizens to resources available to be physically active, eat nutritious foods and quit tobacco. Their first screening clinic included a free health risk assessment, nail care treatments, blood pressure & glucose readings, along with information on physical therapy and massage treatments. This event also provided the community with information on how to receive other types of screenings at reduced costs such and mammogram screening and diabetes treatments.


For some low-income seniors, this is their only opportunity to seek these services. Wellspring will continue to work with seniors by offering more Senior Health Clinics and helping to refer and follow-up with seniors in need of additional resources.


Here are a few photos of the Health Screening Clinic:










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The Health Care Referral strategy includes working with health care organizations to implement the –screen-counsel-refer and follow-up process which includes identifying patients with high BMI’s or tobacco use and providing referrals to services for weight loss and tobacco cessation within the community.

The following organizations received grants to work on the Health Care Referral strategy with CJFMW SHIP:

Mayo Health System’s Fairmont
Faribault-Martin County WIC
Cottonwood-Jackson County WIC
Watonwan County WIC
Wellspring Faith in Action