Getting off to a healthystart
National Healthy Start Association Newsletter Fall 2007 Shake, Rattle and Roll! National Healthy Start Association Holds Second Leadership Training Institute Greetings from the President Introducing the New President From the CEO's Desk Pointers from Peggy Two New Projects Join Healthy Start Family View from the Hill National Healthy Start Association Introduces the Male Involvement / Dads Matter Initiative Partner’s Corner Healthy Start to be Featured at Preconception Summit Consumer Spotlight on Charlene Moseley CEO Sanchez Mills Helps New Orleans Rebuilding Efforts News from the Projects Research News: Maternal Health Research and Michael C. Lu, MD, MS MPH Mark Your Calendar Healthy Start in the News Visit National Healthy Start Association’s Web Site Stay in Touch! Become a Friend of Healthy Start _________________ Printer-friendly page links to the articles on this web page: Printer-friendly page: Shake, Rattle and Roll! Printer-friendly page: National Healthy Start Association Holds Second Leadership Training Institute	Shake, Rattle and Roll! All across the country, the NHSA's Infant Mortality Awareness campaign has taken off thanks to the hard work of the Healthy Start Projects. This September was the first observance of Infant Mortality Awareness Month. Congressman Michael Burgess (R-TX) sponsored a resolution in the U.S. House of Representatives to dedicate September to this important issue. The NHSA jumped onto the bandwagon by developing an Infant Mortality Awareness Month toolkit, which had been widely disseminated to member projects. The toolkit and campaign were underwritten by the Annie E. Casey Foundation. Consortiums enthusiastically reported activities such as press conferences, radio campaigns, mass mailings and poster distributions through clinics, hospitals, community agencies and even on the sides of buses. The pink and blue memorial rattle was placed on mailing labels and cover sheets for faxes. Letter writing campaigns to legislatures were happening en masse. Proclamations were made by mayors and governors; open houses, recognition luncheons and candle light vigils were held. Healthy Start communities were beginning to clearly understand the racial disparities in infant mortality and were taking pledges to help eradicate this tragedy. One of the slogans from the toolkit, "They are dying to hear from you," had been the most widely used, and lapel pins, totes and water bottles are the most popular promotional items. Almost 2,500 lapel pins have been distributed across the United States. The NHSA had received a great deal of positive feedback on the Infant Mortality Awareness Month Toolkit and members were pleased that their Association could provide a solid foundation with workable ideas. The NHSA wants to hear from you about what your project had done and how the Association can help you in your efforts to raise awareness. And don't forget to take pictures for the NHSA's Photo Contest! Winning photos will be used for marketing purposes on a national level on our website, brochures, newsletters, press kits and PowerPoint presentations. All entries should be submitted in "jpeg" format to kduncan@nationalhealthystart.org no later than October 15th. Ideas for images include close up photos of consumers' faces, VIPs taking tours or participating in an event or consumers receiving services. Projects that submit winning photos will be featured at our Spring Conference and in the NHSA newsletter. Good Luck!
	National Healthy Start Association Holds Second Leadership Training Institute Inaugural Leadership class poses for celebration! Twenty project directors and senior staff participated in the new class of the second Leadership Training Institute in August. The inaugural class, which first met in March prior to the National Healthy Start Association’s Spring Conference, reconvened at this session of the Institute, held August 4 & 5 in advance of the Grantee Meeting in Arlington, Virginia. The new class participated in a two-day session, “Transforming Vision and Hope into Reality,” which featured information on leadership challenges and how to manage a successful Healthy Start program. The returning group’s two-day session was focused on “Developing Excellence,” and included presentations on leadership roles in diversity and inclusion by Hattie Hill and health disparities and a life course perspective from Michael Lu (see Research News for more on Dr. Lu’s work). Presenters were able to demonstrate the need to be flexible and accommodating when electrical power was lost at the hotel and a four-block radius. It was the perfect opportunity to put into action our well-honed leadership and crisis management skills! The second class will continue with an additional session to be held in the Spring 2008. Additionally, a new class will be selected for participation, so watch for information and join in this wonderful opportunity. National Healthy Start Association’s Second Leadership Class in Arlington, Virginia.
If you have questions or comments contact: The National Healthy Start Association Inc. 2030 M Street, NW, Suite 350, Washington, DC 20036 Phone: (202) 296-2195 | Fax: (202) 296-2197 E-mail: beahaskins@nationalhealthystart.org Thanks for visiting the National Healthy Start Association online at: www.healthystartassoc.org