CDC’s Annual Immunization Update Released August 28

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention presents an annual update highlighting current and late-breaking immunization issue. Designed for healthcare professionals, the Update webcast is 2 hours in length and can be view anytime.

http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/ed/webcasts.htm#2

Infants Strangled to Death in Simplicity Bassinets

CPSC Urges Consumers To Stop Using Simplicity 3-in-1 and 4-in-1 Convertible “Close-Sleeper” Models. WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is urging parents and caregivers to stop using convertible “close-sleeper/bedside sleeper” bassinets manufactured by Simplicity Inc., of Reading, Pa. CPSC has learned that on August 21, 2008, a 5-month-old girl from Shawnee, Kan. was strangled to death when she became entrapped between the bassinet’s metal bars. This is the second strangulation death CPSC has learned of in the co-sleeper bassinets. On September 29, 2007, a 4-month-old girl from Noel, Mo. became entrapped in the metal bars of the bassinet and died.
For the complete press release, follow this link: http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml08/08378.html

COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS RESOURCE GUIDES

The 2008 Community Connections Resource Guides are ready.
We will be distributing the new guides from our office at 112 Granby Street, Suite 500
Norfolk, Virginia 23510, the Tradewinds Building. Distribution of the guides will be daily from 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. from now until September 19, 2008 and
our Smart Beginnings staff will be available to assist you.

If you have any questions please contact Marsha or Renata at 226-8826.

MEDICAID WAIVER WORKSHOP

Understanding Home and Community-Based Services for People with Disabilities

Sunday, September 28th
1:30pm – 4:30pm
Virginia Beach Central Library
4100 Virginia Beach Boulevard
Virginia Beach, VA 23452
Learn the ABC’s of community based long-term care disability services in Virginia.
**This Workshop is FREE and Open to the Public**
To RSVP, please call 668-7132 by September 25th to ensure that handouts are available.

Web Site Offers Information on the Smoking Status of all Restaurants in Virginia

The Office of Environmental Health Service’s restaurant inspection Web site (www.healthspace.ca/vdh) now provides information on the smoking status for all fast food and full service restaurants in the Commonwealth. The information is provided by locality. Non-smoking facilities are identified with a distinctive icon. A non-smoking designation means that smoking is not permitted anywhere inside the restaurant but may be permitted outside. The addition of smoking status helps the public become well-informed food service consumers. The Web site is updated following inspections by environmental health specialists. It enables the public to monitor ongoing compliance with the food safety requirements and the current smoking status in their favorite restaurants. This Web site has been very popular with the public and the media averaging more than 90,000 visits (1.7 million hits) per month since its inception in May 2003.

"Disaster and pandemic flu preparedness"

For you and your community!
September 20, 2008 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Registration at 8:30 AM
FREE and open to anyone interested in this topic!
Please RSVP by September 17, 2008 to Sharon_Jones@bshsi.org
Mary Immaculate Hospital
Community Education and Health Resource Center, Auditoriums A and B
2 Bernardine Drive
Newport News, Virginia 23602

Kidarama at Homearama

Saturday, October 11, 12-2 p.m., Asheville Park, Virginia Beach
Children who come to Homearama on Saturday, October, 11, will find a special party just for them: Kidarama at Homearama. The festivities will take place from 12-2 p.m. at the 2008 TBA Charity House, the Connor Glenn. Activities will include:
· Face-painting· CHKD’s “Buddy Brigade” pet therapists and mascot Healthy Bear · Finger casting with CHKD’s orthopedic experts· Fun, hands-on activities to teach children and parents about health and safety. Homearama will be open to the public October 3-19. For directions to Homearama and more information on this year’s home show, visit www.homearama.tv or call 420-2434.

American Lung Association of Virginia

The American Lung Association of Virginia, an affiliate of the ALA of the Atlantic Coast, is excited to announce that registration is open for the 11/7-8 Asthma Educator Institute. The two-day prep course for the NAECB exam will take place in Roanoke thanks in part to partnership with Carilion Clinic.
You can register on-line at www.AtlanticCoastAEI.org .
Thanks to support from the Virginia Asthma Coalition, the cost is $50 for Virginia residents - space is limited. Out of state cost is $275.
Please contact me David M. DeBiasi, RN, BSN at ddebiasi@lungva.org if you have questions about the course and contact Dawn Shiflet at dshiflet@marylandlung.org for questions about registration.

E-Pals: Virtual Pals Events

You Are Cordially Invited to Attend a Live ePALS Event Hosted by the Patient Advocacy Leaders Summit (PALS) Community & 2008 PALS Advisory BoardAgents of Change: Making a Difference Through Legislative Advocacy Wednesday, September 17th2:00 pm – 3:15 pm EST
During this free ePALS virtual seminar, you will learn more about becoming a Change Agent through your work in the legislative arena. It will provide you with information on how you can most effectively impact the political process at the local and national level, and how you can strengthen relationships with policy makers to maximize outcomes and effectiveness.
For more information: PALS Community website

Rachel Rays "Yum-o" Website: Cook,Feed, Fund

Launched in 2006 by Rachael Ray, Yum-o!™ is a nonprofit organization that empowers kids and their families to develop healthy relationships with food and cooking by teaching families to cook, feeding hungry kids and funding cooking education and scholarships.
link: http://www.yum-o.org/

Legislative Breakfast

Health Issues for Virginia's children. Guest speakers include:
Marilyn B. Tavenner, Virginia Secretary of Health and Human Resources
Karen Remley, MD, Virginia State Health Commissioner
Ralph Northam, MD, Virginia State SenatorOther invited State Legislatures
Objective:
Discuss important health issues affecting children in the State of Virginia and develop a platform for which our legislators can support. Event Info: Brickhouse Auditorium located in
Children's Hospital of the Kings Daughters Hospital, September 18,2008 7:30am-9:30am.