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Welcome to the Montana Rural Health Initiative (RHI) quarterly newsletter. Our hope is to increase communication while supporting the work of communities and individuals across Montana. Please let us know if we can be of assistance.
Sincerely,
RHI staff / Carolyn Pollari |
| News from the RHI
Staff Updates |
Thank you for your continued interest in the RHI. Carolyn Pollari is doing a great job transitioning into her role as project coordinator. In addition, Julia Middleton is transitioning from an RHI intern to Project Assistant, and Taisha McWilliams has joined the RHI staff as the new INBRE intern. We look forward to working with all of you! New Website Launch
The RHI website recently changed servers and is undergoing several updates. Please help us to improve the site by telling us about programs and events happening in your town, as well as any feedback you may have. To submit programs, events, or to provide feedback sign-up as a user on our website (click here) or email Carolyn Pollari at info@mtrhi.org.
http://www.montanaruralhealthinitiative.com/ |
| Fairfield Community Flu/Health Clinic | 
To kickoff National Diabetes Awareness Month in November, Fairfield Public Schools hosted a health clinic on Wednesday, October 27 in the high school multipurpose room. The Teton County Health Department administered flu shots, flu mists, and pneumonia shots throughout the day. The Benefis Orthopedic Center also participated by offering blood draws for basic lab tests (lipid and glucose) and PSA testing. The health clinic also included free diabetes screening, information, and the opportunity to recycle old eyeglasses for the Sight Project, all provided by the local Fairfield Lions Club. The Fairfield Lions Club also sponsored this endeavor by splitting the cost with Fairfield Public Schools to provide refreshments for participants.
The health clinic also drew in community members to provide 110 vaccinations and 25 blood draws. Next year, they would also like to incorporate the First Responder Class in the high school to provide respiration counts and blood pressure measurements. Overall, the volunteers and organizations involved in this health fair made it a success!  
For information on similar programs you can also visit our website! Click Here
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| Shape Up Montana |  Shape Up Montana is a fun, interactive three month team-based wellness program for participants of all fitness levels. Teams of 4 to 10 people work in a group effort to increase their physical activity, develop healthy eating practices and/or lose weight. The program runs February 1 through May 1. Participants will receive access to customized exercise calculators that convert their activities into miles completed, calculate Body Mass Index, Target Heart Rate, and Ideal Body Weight!
To help team members succeed, the Shape Up Montana support staff provides participants with an official workout t-shirt, weekly activity articles, nutrition information, yummy healthy recipes and weekly activity/nutrition challenges for bonus points to keep teams motivated. A resource page is also available for other valuable health and fitness information.
A few communities who are currently participating in Shape Up Montana include Broadus, Browning, Chinook, Circle, Ekalaka, Libby, Roundup, Shelby, and Townsend. To start today contact Shape Up Montana at http://www.shapeupmontana.org/ or email us at info@mtrhi.org
For information you can also visit our website! Click Here
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| Upcoming RHI Webinars
November 18th, 11 AM - ""Food Power-Healthy Kids' Menu Directory"
Join us as Robin Mochi, Nutrition and Physical Activity Co-Coordinator for the Montana Nutrition and Physical Activity Program (NAPA), will discuss her role in encouraging restaurants in the Gallatin Valley to expand menu choices for children. This includes enhancing opportunities for children to consume more fruits and vegetables while dining out. Robin will speak about her experiences in working with local restaurants, and will offer suggestions to those wanting to take on similar projects within their own community.
To Register: Click Here | |
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December 8th, 10 AM - "Missoula in Motion"
Alex Stokman, Project Coordinator for Missoula in Motion, will discuss what Missoula is Motion is, how it was started, how it has helped make Missoula a healthier community, and suggestions for how to start a similar initiative in your community!
Registration information coming soon!
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| | National Webinar and Funding Opportunities
Webinar - "Engaging Youth in Asset Building"
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BEST Montana and the Northern Plains Initiative are pleased to announce the first presentation in the post-Asset Building Summit webinar series!
BROWNING COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION presents:
Janice Coburn and Elva Dorsey of BCDC have been working to engage community members with local assets and bridge the gaps for students in Browning. Their presentation will review the challenges and accomplishments of allowing community members to be the driving force behind asset improvements. There will also be a summary of findings from a recent youth roundtable conducted on the Blackfeet Reservation.
Tuesday, November 9th at 10:00am (MST)
Call: 866-740-1260 / Access Code: 7618734
Web Login:https://cc.readytalk.com/r/xno4ptmjx17d
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| Safe Routes to School
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DEADLINE: December 31, 2010
Safe Routes to School (SRTS) programs are sustained efforts by parents, schools, community leaders, and local, state, and federal governments to improve the health and well-being of children, including children with disabilities, by enabling and encouraging them to walk and bicycle to school. Montana's SRTS program is an investment in changing perception and behavior by allowing children to choose a safer, healthier, and more attractive way to get to school. SRTS programs examine conditions around schools and conduct projects and activities that work to improve safety and accessibility, and reduce traffic and air pollution in the vicinity of schools. As a result, these programs make bicycling and walking to school safer and more appealing transportation choices thus encouraging a healthy and active lifestyle from an early age.
For more information: Click Here
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Taking Care of Kids & Schools Grants Program
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 DEADLINE: Rolling
Office Depot supports local nonprofit organizations that directly affect the health, education and welfare of children. Office Depot is accepting applications for its Taking Care of Kids & Schools Grants Program. Funds should be used to directly provide services. For financial donations, organizations must be a nonprofit with an established track record of community advocacy. The maximum award is $10,000. Special consideration will be given to programs that serve a diverse population in local or regional communities; build social, academic, leadership, and/or life skills in early adolescents (primarily ages 13-18); show positive results against a demonstrated community need; and reach at-risk children in working families.
The Office Depot Foundation will accept applications for the current funding cycle through November 15, 2010. (K-12)
For more information: Click Here
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Upcoming Events
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1st Annual Stillwater County Health and Wellness Fair
November 6, 2010
10 AM to 2 PM
Stillwater Pavilion, Columbus
Participants can visit with healthcare providers and vendors, have their cholesterol, blood pressure, glucose, bone density, and seasonal flu shot done. This event is sponsored by Stillwater Community Hospital Public Health, Columbus Health Mart, Stillwater County Extension Office, and DES - Disaster and Emergency Services Stillwater County.
For more information visit our website! Click Here
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| 15th Annual "Celebrate Healthy Living" Health Fair
 January 8, 2011
3 PM
Southgate Mall, Missoula | The Chamber of Commerce's Health & Human Services Committee's goal is to educate the public through informative and comprehensive free or low cost screenings.Screenings can range from a lipid panel test, a bone density test or a chiropractic screening. Celebrate Healthy Living in Missoula and discover all that Missoula has to offer in health & human services!
For more information visit our website! Click Here
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