Deadline: 7/27/12 

2012 - April 20

The 2012 County Health Rankings provide statistical information about health factors for each of Indiana's 92 counties. According to this ranking, Hamilton and Boone counties rank 1st and 2nd as the "healthiest," and Pike and Scott counties bring up the "least healthy" at 91st and 92nd. 

The rankings are developed based on a combination of health outcomes, factors and policies, including tobacco use, diet, access to care, education level and more. 

The Roadmaps to Health were added to allow community planners to consider and predict how certain program or policy changes will result in better health outcomes for a community.

Take the challenge to improve health factors in your community. Up to six communities that work to improve residents' health will be awarded a $25,000 Roadmaps To Health prize. Webinar is April 24 and intent to apply is May 31.

The County Health Rankings and Roadmaps to Health are  collaborative projects of the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF). 

26% of population and only 1.6% of questions

Social media provides unprecedented opportunity for cost-effective communications where nonprofits can match the message with the best delivery method. There are wonderful examples of policy change resulting directly from social media campaigns. Potential drawbacks include that social media 1) requires time and resources and 2) provides ample opportunity for unintentional errors and miscommunications.

Indiana's Nonprofit Resource Network provided a training and guide for nonprofits. As you develop your social media presence, here are a few tips specific to public policy and advocacy:

• Separate personal and professional social media presence. Staff are reminded that if they identify their professional position on personal pages, that their comments may be construed as speaking for the organization. Nonprofit charities may jeopardize tax-exempt status by engaging in political or partisan activities.
• Do no harm. Do good. Be positive. Focus on the mission. Ask yourself, "could my post do harm to the reputation of the organization?" "Am I providing factual information that advances meaningful and positive dialogue?"
• Think twice before you type. Remember that what you email, post, comment, tweet, blog or type in a status update creates a permanent and public record. 

Child Abuse Prevention Month

Have you driven by a display of pinwheels lately? April is "Child Abuse & Neglect Prevention Awareness Month."

In 2009, Indiana Department of Child Services received 110,431 reports and substantiated 24,754 cases of child abuse or neglect. Thirty-eight (38) children died from child maltreatment, with 79% under age 3. The media has shined the spotlight on the issue of child deaths at the hand of their loved ones and caregivers. Consider recent guest column by Mary Boggs, past president of the Children's Coalition of Indiana.

The Indiana General Assembly will be reviewing issues around child abuse and neglect, child welfare services, the abuse and neglect reporting hotline, ombudsman reports and more through an interim study committee. We will post dates and times for the committee meetings as available.