Act now to save the Prevention and Public Health Fund

The Prevention and Public Health Fund is in jeopardy. Senator Mike Johanns (R-NE) has proposed an amendment to the Small Business Jobs and Credit Act which would use money from the Prevention Fund to offset other costs in the bill. Such an action would virtually eliminate the Prevention Fund.

The Prevention and Public Health Fund offers a historic opportunity to support health, safety, and equity of individuals, families, and communities across the country. Community prevention efforts-from building safe and accessible play areas to farmers' markets-are essential to saving money, saving lives, and building equity.

This isn't the first time that the Prevention Fund has been threatened. And it may not be the last. To ensure that the Fund is used for its intended purpose, you must urge your senators today to protect the Prevention and Public Health Fund:

• Click here and we'll help you send an email to your Senators to oppose the use of the Prevention Fund as an offset.

• Add your organization to Trust for America's Health sign on letter by August 20th.

• Sign on to the Principles for Quality Prevention in Health Reform, a shared platform and commitment to quality prevention on behalf of organizations across the country.

Many have worked tirelessly to secure this federal commitment to prevention. We simply cannot afford to allow other interests to jeopardize the Prevention and Public Health Fund.

Free Workshop: Protecting Families through Advocacy

Presented by Tim Schmaltz, Lobbyist and Coordinator of Protecting Arizona's Family Coalition in Arizona (PAFCO). This training will teach you:

• How to advocate on behalf of vulnerable children and families
• What is PAFCO and why it exists
• Advocacy tips
• The Societal need to advocate for the most vulnerable
• Influential bills and referendum

After participants hear from Tim Schmaltz, there will be a presentation on current ballot initiatives affecting children, youth and families for the coming November election.

DATE: September 17, 2010
TIME: 1:30p.m.-4:30p.m (Sign-In begins at 1:15)
LOCATION: Flagstaff Medical Center, McGee Auditorium, 1200 North Beaver St.

Required RSVP: resuding@coconinokids.org or 679-7318

Sponsored by the Coconino Coalition for Children & Youth.

Vote No on 302. Save First Things First.

In November 2006, Arizona’s voters created First Things First to prepare our youngest children to succeed in life.

This past May, voters again stood up for kids, approving Prop 100 in a landslide.

Twice in four years, voters made the education and well-being of Arizona’s children their priority.

Sadly, the Arizona Legislature has put politics before children by trying to eliminate First Things First and steal the money Arizona voters dedicated for this successful early childhood program.

Voter support for helping children never wavered, from creating First Things First to passing Prop 100. It’s time to stand up again. Join us in putting Children First, Not Politics.

www.No302.com

Paid for by Save First Things First – No on 302. Major funding from the Arizona School Boards Association and Eddie and Nadine Basha. Visit their website www.no302.com for more information, or download the flyer here.

Arizona's KIDS COUNT Ranking Improves, But Still Below Average

In collaboration with The Annie E. Casey Foundation, Children's Action Alliance (CAA) released its annual comparison of conditions for children. This year shows, as in previous years, that many children growing up in Arizona will face tough odds. Looking across all well-being indicators tracked through the KIDS COUNT Data Book, Arizona ranked 39th in the nation this year, compared to 40th last year and 39th in 2008. Arizona has seen some progress in conditions for kids since 2000. The percentage of 16-19 year olds who have dropped out of high school has been cut in half since 2000, exceeding the national drop in the rate. The child death rate, teen birth rate, and child poverty rate have also seen improvements in Arizona since 2000. Arizona, however, continues to rank in the bottom half of the nation in all of these categories and ranks in the bottom ten for the rate of teens who are dropouts. Furthermore, the data in this book is from 2007 and 2008, so it does not yet reflect the impact the budget cuts and recession have had on the children of Arizona.

Putting Out the Myth on Light, Low, and Mild Cigarettes

As of July 22, 2010, the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act prohibits manufacturers from distributing for sale any tobacco products labeled or advertised as "light," "low," or "mild." This is because many smokers mistakenly believe that these products cause fewer health problems than other cigarettes.

Help FDA put out the myth on light, low, and mild cigarettes. No matter what they taste, smell, or look like, all cigarettes are harmful to your health. There's no such thing as a safe cigarette.

Spread the word by sharing and using the FDA tools and resources for consumers, tobacco control partners, and tobacco retailers found at http://www.fda.gov/TobaccoProducts/Labeling/MisleadingDescriptors/.

SACT Regional Community Conversation on "Keeping Victims Safe"

The State Agency Coordination Team would like to solicit community voices in order to help the Team assess effective use of resources for victims in Arizona. Please provide your input on how your region is responding to the rights and needs of victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, dating violence, and other violent crimes. A few questions to think about prior to the meeting are:

1. What services and collaborations currently exist?
2. What makes the collaborations successful?
3. How has the environment and/or services changed?
4. What needs to be changed or developed to support the region?

Possible Community Members to Attend: Community Action Programs, Community Based Organization, Crisis Responders, Domestic Violence Providers, Faith Based Leaders, Family Advocacy Centers, Headstart, Health Care Providers, Law Enforcement, Mental Health Service Providers, Military Advocacy Providers, SARC, Probation / Parole, Prosecutors, Victim Advocates, School Homeless LiasonsSexual Assault Providers

Date, Time and Location:

Wednesday, August 18, 2010
10:00 AM to 2:00 PM
Coconino County Health Department
The Ponderosa Room
2625 N. King Street
Flagstaff, AZ 86004

NOTE: Bring your own lunch or lunch can be ordered and delivered the day of the meeting at your expense.

For more information and to RSVP, please contact Myra Ferell-Womochil at (928) 233-4315 or mferell@northlandfamily.org

SACT consists of the Governor's Office for Children, Youth and Families Division for Women; Arizona Departments of Economic Security, Health Services, Public Safety, Housing, Corrections, as well as the Arizona Attorney General's Office, Arizona Criminal Justice Commission and Arizona Supreme Court.

Back to School Health Fair

The flyer can downloaded for printing here.