Happy September!

It's finally fall, and between back-to-school and flu seasons, now is the perfect time to help your community members of all ages get up to date on their vaccinations. Find vaccination education resources below!

In this edition, we also have lots of opportunities for members to engage. Read on for the latest news from IPHA and our partners.

Thank you Mindy Waldron!

Allen County Department of Health

Department Administrator

"I could talk about any number of accomplishments or achievements as part of this nomination of Mindy, but what sets her apart is not so easily measured. Mindy is a true Indiana Public Health Hero for all of the effort and energy she dedicates towards selflessly improving Public Health in Indiana as a whole. Her service towards the Governor's Public Health Commission, her service managing the Local Health Dept Manager's Association, and the countless hours she spends addressing legislative issues are just a few examples of this.

Less obvious is Mindy's work behind the scenes investing in others. Her willingness to always somehow find more hours in the day to help others is a priceless investment towards improving the overall health of Indiana. "

Submitted by Jammie Bane

We're now accepting 2023 Public Health Hero nominations!

We're accepting nominations to feature Indiana's public health heroes each month, including the governmental and non-governmental workforce, professionals in community-based organizations, clinical care partners, academic faculty and staff, and students. Use this form to nominate a peer, colleague, or even yourself!

Are you ready to vote for health this fall? Public health professionals have a unique understanding of the communities they serve. That’s why your voice, and your vote, are important for shaping a healthier Indiana. Make sure you're prepared for your local and state elections well before Election Day:

• Voter registration ends October 11. Make sure you are registered to vote and that your voter information is accurate and up to date ASAP!

• Absentee ballot requests for Indiana are due by October 27. If you need to vote by mail, request your ballot early! (Out of state students should look up deadlines for voting by mail in the state they are registered to vote in.)

• Early voting starts October 12. See who's on your ballot, research their voting record on public health issues, and cast your ballot early.

• November 8 is your last chance to vote. Don't wait until the last minute, make sure you Vote for Health early, especially if you are attending the APHA Conference November 6-9 in Boston!

Tell us why you Vote for Health for a chance to be

featured on our social media!

The Indiana Public Health Association, in collaboration with the Local Health Department Manager’s Association (LHDMA) of Indiana and with support from the National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO), created the Administrators 101 Toolkit to support local health department administrators in their efforts to keep our communities healthy. The toolkit contains information, resources, templates, and other items which may serve to 1) orient new administrators to their role, 2) provide existing administrators with guidance, as needed, and 3) allow for greater statewide consistency in local health department service delivery and operations. The toolkit is a living resource and will be continually updated and expanded to reflect the ever-changing public health landscape and needs of local health department administrators and other staff.  

You can explore the toolkit here: https://sites.google.com/view/admtoolkit/home. For additional details, see the Overview & User Guide. 

With the release of the final report of the Governor’s Public Health Commission (GPHC), Indiana Public Health Association representatives extend deepest appreciation and congratulations to all who have offered input, guided the process and shaped final recommendations, including co-chairs, Dr. Judy Monroe and the Honorable Luke Kenley, and members; Dr. Kristina Box and Indiana Department of Health leadership and staff; and countless representatives of other state and local public agencies, community-based stakeholders, and the public at large.

“We’re grateful to have had an active role on the Commission which allowed us to listen, learn and contribute input in a meaningful way, representing not just our membership, but the broader network of public health partners,” said IPHA President, Ellie Hansotte. “We remain committed to this ongoing process and expect to play a leading role in implementing recommendations by convening and coordinating partners, guiding a systems-change approach, and organizing and advocating for increased funding, policy supports and best practice strategies that will lead to healthier people and more equitable, thriving communities.”

IPHA looks forward to Governor Holcomb’s continued leadership in championing change and urges members of the Indiana General Assembly and public health stakeholders to carefully review the data, findings and recommendations of the report in full; to engage in thoughtful discourse and a solution-oriented, transparent process leading to system modernization; and to pursue measures that will honor the intent, process and guidance of the GPHC.

Read IPHA's full response to the report on our website.

Attending or presenting at the 2022 APHA Annual Meeting & Expo? Let us know! E-mail [email protected] to let us know if we will see you in Boston!  

Don't miss out on the Indiana Public Health Reception at the 2022 APHA Conference. Join us Monday, November 7 from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Co-hosted by the Indiana University School of Public Health-Bloomington, the Richard M. Fairbanks School of Public Health at IUPUI, and the Indiana Public Health Association, all Indiana public health partners and friends are welcome to join us at the Renaissance Boston Waterfront Hotel in the Brewster Room! Registration is required - RSVP information coming soon!

NACCHO’s 2022 National Profile of Local Health Departments (Profile) Study is here! All local health officials across the nation received the survey via email, and we hope you will complete it promptly to help create a comprehensive picture of the local governmental public health infrastructure.

NACCHO’s Profile Study is a vital source of information for public health policy at the local, state, and federal levels—especially as local health departments are being reshaped by many economic, social, and political forces.

To view findings from previous iterations of the Profile Study, visit NACCHO’s website at www.naccho.org/profile. The deadline to complete the survey is September 12! Check your inbox or junk folder for your unique local health department survey link from NACCHO.

The Region V Public Health Training Center is launching a new opportunity for professionals in public health and primary care to develop leadership skills for influencing change in their organizations and communities.

The Region V Public Health Leadership Institute will run from January-June 2023, welcoming applicants from diverse professional and personal backgrounds. This is an opportunity for current and emerging leaders to learn from and share with peers, while developing their abilities to advance organizational, community, and systems change for public health!

There is no cost to participate in this virtual program. There will be an optional info session on October 3, from 11:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. ET. Learn more about the program and apply today!

IPHA extends a warm welcome to our newest IPHA members and organizational members who joined us in August!

• Elizabeth Lenart
• DeVilliers Steyn
• Cynthia Stone
• Garrett Price
• Maritsa Romero
• Adam Barmash Rubinchik
• Grace Eckhardt
• Anthem
• American College of Sports Medicine
• Indiana Cancer Consortium
• PNC Bank

• Christian Rorie
• Emma Schnolis
• Karina Almazan
• Dakota Brandenburg
• Ariez Christmon
• Rachel Kruer
• Matthew Bratcher
• American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network
• American Lung Association
• Purdue Healthcare Advisors
• Indiana Cancer Consortium

The Indiana Public Health Association supports public health students around the state with career development, networking, and more. As the new school year is getting underway, we want to get involved at your university! Hosting an involvement fair, networking event, student orientation, or job fair? Let us know. One of our staff would be happy to chat with you about attending or presenting!

Kim Irwin, the Indiana Public Health Association’s Administrator and Health by Design’s Executive Director, will be on sabbatical beginning October 2022. Leading up to this well-deserved time of rest and renewal, please make sure all communications directed to Kim also have relevant IPHA staff and board members looped in. During Kim's sabbatical, you can direct communications to Betsy Prentice.

Upcoming IPHA Meetings:

Virtual Monthly Meet-Up

Tuesday, September 20, 12-1:00 p.m.

Click here to register.

IPHA Policy & Advocacy Meeting

Wednesday, September 21, 2-4:00 p.m.

Click here to register.

Health Equity Action Team Meeting

Thursday, September 22, 1:30-3:00 p.m.

Click here to register.

Other Public Health Events & Resources:

Events:

• TODAY, September 8: Public Health Prepared's new Preparedness Roundtable series kicks off with "From Vaccine Hesitancy to Vaccine Confidence."

• September 12: Join Prosperity Indiana for their next Health is Wealth installation, "Medical Debt and Family Financial Stability," featuring presenters from the Grassroots Maternal & Child Health Initiative and the Indiana Community Action Poverty Institute.

• September 22: Introduction to Evaluating Surveillance Systems Webinar

• September is National Recovery Month, and the 14th Annual Indiana Recovery Month Symposium will take place September 26-27

• Registration for the APHA Annual Meeting is open! This year's meeting will be in Boston, November 6-9.

Jobs:

• The Marion County Public Health Department is hiring a Cardiovascular Program Manager with a focus on Active Living in their Chronic Disease Department. Learn more and apply.

• A Call for Applications for the 2022 Hester-Shultz fellowship is now open! "The spirit of this Fellowship is to further develop individuals who will continue to be an inspiration to others and contribute to the vibrancy of Indiana communities through social norm and policy change that improve quality of life." Learn more and apply by August 24.



• Health by Design, supporting public health in the built environment, is hiring a Safe Routes Program Manager.

Funding Opportunities:

• Check out Together We Will mini-action grants and technical support in eight different public health program areas.

Resources:

• People who are at risk of exposure to monkeypox can pre-register for vaccine clinics in their area from IDOH. Spread the word using these social media templates.

• The Vaccine Equity Cooperative is looking for community feedback on pressing concerns to create their next round of educational webinars and resources. Take the survey.

• With the August COVID-19 guideline updates from the CDC, the Public Health Communications Collaborative also updated their Answers to Tough Questions guide about vaccines, masks, isolation, and more.

• The Centers for Disease Control & Prevention are continuing to provide updates related to monkeypox that may be of interest for public health professionals:
• Information for Healthcare Providers on Obtaining and Using TPOXX for Treatment of Monkeypox  
• Clinical Considerations for Treatment and Prophylaxis of Monkeypox Virus Infection in People with HIV
• Clinical Considerations for Monkeypox in People Who are Pregnant or Breastfeeding

• You can also review resources regarding monkeypox on the IDOH website.

• Speak for Health with APHA: Learn about public health advocacy from the American Public Health Association, access fact sheets and other resources, and find recent action alerts for policymaking around public health.

• The Indiana Department of Health's Start Smart Campaign aims to help students catch up on vaccines before the start of the school year. Visit their website for resources and a map of vaccination sites.

• Region V Public Health Training Center is launching their Racial Equity Resource Library this month! You can also check out their training catalog for more equity resources.

• The Disability Information and Access Line (DIAL) is available to help people with disabilities get vaccinated and access COVID-19 tests. Trained staff can help find local vaccination locations, assist with making vaccination appointments, help connect to available testing options, and connect callers to local services - such as accessible transportation - to overcome barriers to vaccination and testing. Interested parties can Call 888-677-1199 Monday-Friday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. (ET) or email [email protected].

• The APHA Children's Environmental Health Committee has developed a social media toolkit for talking about issues like lead exposure, heat exposure and access to greenspaces that is free to use.

• The U.S. EPA's Clean Air Challenge offers resources for improving air quality in schools.

• Read Addressing Disparities in Alzheimer's Diseases from the CDC Office of Minority Health & Health Equity.