Register for NACCHO Webinar to Launch STD Program Adaptation and Partner Engagement Resource Kit

On Tuesday, May 15 from 3-4:30 PM EDT, NACCHO will host a webinar to launch its online STD Program Adaptation and Partner Engagement Resource Kit. The Resource Kit will feature five local health department (LHD) STD programs that have collaborated with community partners to adapt their programs to meet local needs and will provide tools, resources, and lessons learned in the development and implementation of each program. During the webinar, a representative from each LHD will present and NACCHO staff will review how to access and use the Resource Kit. The webinar will end with a Q&A session. To register, click here.

Upcoming IDCareLive Virtual CME on HIV & Hepatitis C 

IDCareLive has two upcoming no cost virtual CME opportunities presented by the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. On May 16 from 11:00 AM-3:00 PM EDT, there will be an HIV Virtual Education Summit titled What's New, Different, and Critical to Know in Management of HIV in 2012. On May 17 from from 11:00 AM-4:00 PM EDT, there will be an HCV Virtual Education Summit titled Opening a New Chapter in HCV: Focus on Successful Outcomes w/HCV Protease Inhibitor Therapy. Both events are live, offering opportunities for virtual Q&A. Visit www.IDCareLive.com to view agendas and sign-up.

AMCHP Life Course Metrics Project RFA Now Open 

The Association of Maternal and Child Health Programs (AMCHP) has launched a new project designed to identify and promote a set of indicators that can be used to measure progress using the life course approach to improve maternal and child health. The Life Course Metrics Project will work collaboratively with up to five state teams to develop a core set of life course metrics. The Request for Applications deadline is Friday, June 1, 2012. A PDF of the RFA can be accessed here. More information is also available on AMCHP's website and AMCHP will be hosting an RFA Orientation Q&A call on Monday, May 7 at 3:00 PM EDT. To register for the call, click here. 

CDC's Guide to Writing for Social Media Just Released 

CDC's Guide to Writing for Social Media provides information on writing effectively for social media channels, particularly Facebook, Twitter, and mobile phone text messaging. Other topics include how social media should be part of your overall health communication efforts and how to incorporate the principles of health literacy in your efforts. A PDF of the guide can be found here, and for a description of the guide along with other social media tools and guidance, click here. 

More Health Departments Nationwide Embracing Social Media 

This month's The Nation's Health includes an article about the increased use of social media by health departments to connect with the public. Social media tools are reviewed, including examples of how local health departments are using them to deliver public health messages. NACCHO is featured in the article as a resource for social media, highlighting our collection of social media tools. To read the full text of the article, click here.   

HRC Wants to Hear from Young Members of the LGBTQ Community  

The Human Rights Campaign (HRC) is conducting a research program to examine the life experiences of LGBTQ youth, ages 13-18, outside of the school setting. The research findings will be used to inform HRC's work to include LGBTQ-related legislation at the state and federal level and to make institutional change in school, religious, workplace, and healthcare settings. Data collection for this project will occur via survey. Please share the survey (http://go.hpolsurveys.com/HRC) with your networks if you think it will yield participation from LGBTQ youth ages 13-18.