Positive Parenting is Key to Preventing Child Maltreatment

Heads UP! Webinar Wednesday, April 29, 2009 3:00 PM - 4:30 PM EDT
This webinar will provide information on the role of positive parenting in preventing child maltreatment. Speakers will present information on the Circle of Parents program implemented in Florida, results of an evaluation of the program, and information on fatherhood initiatives. Circle of Parents is a network of parent lead, self-help groups for parent and care givers to share ideas, celebrate success and address the challenges surrounding parenting. Circle of Parents strengthens families and prevents child abuse and neglect through mutual, self-help parent support groups Information on the Triple P-Positive Parenting Program will be provided, as well as experiences in implementing the pilot in several counties in South Carolina. The program uses a multi-level, parenting, and family support strategy that aims to prevent behavioral, emotional and developmental problems in children by enhancing the knowledge, skills and confidence of parents. To register, go to https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/387470810

Promote National Infant Immunization Week: April 25- May 2

Jennifer Lopez adds vocal support" Left Brain Right Brain (April 25, 2009) - "In an interview with 'Good Morning America' Jennifer Lopez stood up for vaccinations by talking about a new campaign and website. The website is very accomplished and features Ms Lopez talking about how to protect your baby from Whooping Cough... She's also raising awareness about pertussis, the potentially fatal disease better known as whooping cough... Immunization from the whooping cough vaccine wears off over time, usually between five and 10 years, so adults can spread the highly contagious disease to infants. Lopez said babies most often contract the disease from their parents, and it can go undetected. 'We'll be OK, but it could be fatal to the babies,' she said. The Sounds of Pertussis campaign educates adults about getting a Tdap booster shot, which protects against tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis. Lopez joins other responsible parents and celebs Jennifer Garner and Amanda Peet in making sure everyone knows that these vaccines are safe and available."http://leftbrainrightbrain.co.uk/?p=2230

CHKD - Free Family Forum

Food Weight and Body Image -Helping children and teens feel confident and healthy (Parent Workshop) Are you concerned that your child has unrealistic expectations about her body and weight? Positive body image often takes a hit during the preteen years because of a child's appearance changes quickly and negative cultural messages are very strong. Being criticized or teased about appearance can be particularly hurtful at this age. Preteens and teens often compare their looks with others or with media images of the "right" way to look. Dr. Linda Mintle will discuss the negative messages and pressures young people experience very early that can lead to unhealthy eating and negative body image. Learn warning signs and positive strategies to help young people navigate unrealistic expectations about food, weight and body image. Wednesday, May 13, 7-9p.m. CHKD 6th floor classroom, 601 Children's Lane, Norfolk
Register: www.chkd.org/classes
or 668.7500 or 1.800. 395.2453

Kids Priority One - Website

Connecting Children and Families with resources. They have a new page on their website "For Professionals". You can email your organization information and upcoming events which will be posted on their homepage. Its also a great resource for information on trainings, events and networking with other organizations. To check out the website go to http://www.kidspriorityone.org/professionals.php

VDH- Champion program is coming to our community!

The Virginia Department of Health’s CHAMPION Program is on the move! Plan to attend the Regional Reengagement Conference to learn more about CHAMPION and obesity prevention tools that you can use in your community! Information will also be provided on upcoming funding and training opportunities.
When: May 13th, 2009, 9:00am-3:30pm
Where: Hilton Norfolk Airport
1500 North Military Highway
Norfolk, VA 23502

Please visit http://www.vahealth.org/WIC/Champion/index.htm for more information and to register online!

Asthma Educator Institute- Training

The American Lung Association has developed the Asthma Educator Institute, a preparatory course for those qualified to take the National Asthma Educator Certification Examination sponsored by the National Asthma Educator Certification Board (NAECB). The course includes hands-on skills demonstrations and practice as well as evaluation tests to measure increase in knowledge and skills. For registration: http://www.mrsnv.com/evt/home.jsp?id=2603
If you have any difficulty with online registration, please call 1-800-642-1184 x.213
May 15-16, 2009
Consortium for Infant & Child Health (CINCH)
Department of Pediatrics, Eastern Virginia Medical School
855 West Brambleton Avenue
Norfolk, Virginia 23510

Resource Center

The National Sudden and Unexpected Infant/Child Death and Pregnancy Loss Resource Center has a new multi-media page. http://www.sidscenter.org/multimedia.html

They have selected and created materials on SIDS, SUID, safe sleep, and related topics that can be accessed directly online. The latest posting is Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS): Reducing the Risk -- Online Training for Nurses featuring Hanan Kallash, speaking at the Seattle Children's Hospital and Program Support Center.

Free Audioconference

Thurs., May 21, 2009: “Neighborhood-Based Approaches to Improving Child and Family Well-Being” 12:30 p.m. Eastern Time
This free, hour-long audioconference allow participants to listen by phone to lively discussions between Institute staff, national policy experts, and city officials on best practices and key opportunities for municipal leadership on behalf of children, youth, and families. One day prior to the event, each audioconference registrant will receive an e-mail or fax message that will provide a toll-free, dial-in number. To register http://www.nlc.org/IYEF/yefevents.aspx

National Public Health Week

Monday, April 6, 2009
Today marks the beginning of National Public Health Week 2009! As you may already know, this year’s theme is Building the Foundation for a Healthy America. Starting this week (April 6-12), join others around the nation in working to raise awareness of public health’s critical role in ensuring a healthy America.
Let’s face it - as a nation we’re not nearly as healthy as we should be. Compared to other developed nations, we’re lagging far behind.
But it doesn’t have to be this way. With your help, we can make America the healthiest nation in just one generation. For more information go to www.nphw.org

Week of the Young Child 2009

National Association for the Education of Young Children, Promoting excellence in early childhood education
Week of the Young Child is April 19-25, 2009! Tools and information for Week of the Young Child will help you plan exciting events to celebrate children and raise awareness of their needs. Check out these resources and start planning ways to bring your community together for children! For more information go to http://www.naeyc.org/about/woyc/

Weight Loss

Which Diet Is Best? Think Calories, Not Composition
When it comes to losing weight, what's best -- more protein? Less fat? Fewer carbohydrates? According to a new study, it doesn't matter -- calories do. Researchers from the Harvard School of Public Health and Pennington Biomedical Research Center of the Louisiana State University System compared four different diets over the course of two years and found that reducing calorie intake was the key. Participants in all four groups had similar decreases in weight and waist circumference.
Read the press release at:http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/news/press-releases/2009-releases/diets-weight-loss-carbohydrate-protein-fat.html