The Alliance for Health Equity is pleased to share our second edition newsletter for April 2021. Please send any opportunities, resources, or events to Lucy Peterson to be included in an upcoming newsletter. Thank you for your continued partnership!
Opportunities
- Greater Chicago Food Depository—position description
- Food Equity Policy Lead—The Food Equity Policy Lead will drive collaboration between the City of Chicago, the Food Depository, and other members of the City’s Food Equity Council to advance policy innovations and programmatic efficiencies to create a more equitable, resilient and just food system. The position will report jointly to the Food Depository and the Mayor’s office and will spend time in the offices of both organizations.
- NAMI Metro Suburban—internship opportunity
- Certified Recovery Support Specialist (CRSS) Intern—Those working towards their CRSS certification are invited to apply to this internship program. Internship hours and free training opportunities will be provided. Please contact Nikki Rashes for more information (708.524.2582 ext. 207).
- Join Advocate Aurora Health in addressing vaccine hesitancy by becoming a Neighbor to Neighbor Vaccine Champion AAH will offer the program to community partners in English and Spanish. The program will provide COVID-19 education and resources to grassroots community organizations, leaders, and organizers. Questions about the program may be directed to Jeanne Ang or Nichole Edmonds.
- Spanish Training: Thursday, April 22nd, 6-7pm
- English Training: Tuesday, April 20th, 3-4pm or 6-7pm
- Everyone 16 and older is now eligible for COVID-19 vaccines in the city of Chicago Anyone interested in getting a vaccine appointment are encouraged to look for providers via ZocDoc or the City’s COVID-19 Vaccine Finder. The vaccine is offered at no cost, and insurance is not required. Documentation regarding immigration status is also not required. Proof of address is required for all first dose appointments at City sites, except for United Center. Please see the list of documents one can provide to prove a Chicago address.
- The Block Illegal Ownership (BIO) Bill, HB 1091 House Floor Amendment 1 will be heard by the House Judiciary Committee today (Thursday, April 22nd) at 2pm. This bill would strengthen the Firearm Owner Identification system and require background checks on all gun sales. Please submit a witness slip in support of the BIO bill.
- Partners involved with farming are invited to respond to the Farm to Food Bank Survey This survey, organized by the Illinois Farm Bureau, will be used to gather information from farmers to inform practices around establishing new markets, understanding barriers, and developing the infrastructure to build a future Farm-to-Food Bank program. Please respond by April 30th.
- The African American Health Equity Initiative has opened their Patient Navigation Training Program Susan G. Komen is providing a free, 10-week online course to strengthen patient navigation services available to Black women and support the diversification of the patient workforce. Course dates: May 10 – July 2. Questions about the training can be sent to Alyncia Mason. Register here
Resources
- The Community and Economic Development Association (CEDA) of Cook County is offering resources to partners and families who need assistance finding services. CEDA can assist with gas & electric, furnace repair & replacement, family support and community engagement, COVID-19, and home weatherization. See flyer for more information.
- Big Cities Health Coalition released their 2020 Annual Report This report highlights the work of coalition health departments across the country who are committed to advancing equity.
- National Low Income Housing Coalition, 2021 Advocates Guide now available NLIHC has compiled their 2021 guide, titled “A Primer on Federal Affordable Housing & Community Development Programs”. The guide serves as a comprehensive resource for those working on affordable housing and community development.
- Trauma-Informed Awareness Day will be May 25th The Illinois ACEs Response Collaborative will be holding a number of webinars leading up to the day. Please see the link in the title or the events section of the newsletter for more information.
- ICIRR in partnership with LARC of DuPage Federation have translated their COVID-19 vaccine education materials into 6 languages: Spanish, Arabic, Mandarin, Policy, Korean, and Vietnamese. Please share with any interested partners and networks.
- NICHM has released data showing spike in opioid deaths during pandemic lockdown The report demonstrates that opioid deaths increasingly involve synthetic opioids.
Events
Environmental and Climate Justice: Youth Leaders in Action
Thursday, April 22nd, 12-1pm—Virtual
Join the UIC Latino Cultural Center in celebration of Earth Month. Youth leaders will discuss their experiences, efforts and campaigns that address environmental racism nationally and in their Chicago neighborhoods.
Register here
Where’s the Money? Funding Your Active Transportation Project
Thursday, April 22nd, 12pm CT—Virtual
Infrastructure improvements are often the costliest components of initiatives to support walking and rolling. Join panelists to learn about frequently used sources of funding for active transportation projects in the US, how to find out what funding is available for communities, and tips for navigating the funding process.
Register here
Promoting Disability-Competent Care During COVID-19
Thursday, April 22nd, 12:30-2pm CT—Virtual
This webinar will begin with an overview of Resources for Integrated Care’s Disability Competent Care model, followed by two health plans sharing promising practices and innovative strategies for addressing the unique needs of dually eligible individuals (Medicare & Medicaid) with disability during the COVID-19 public health emergency.
Register here
Youth Nicotine Use and Dependence
Friday, April 23rd, 10am CT—Virtual
This webinar will focus on assessing nicotine use and dependence in youth and how to help those who use e-cigarettes quit.
Register here
Recovery through Personal Care Services
Wednesday, April 28th, 1pm CT—Virtual
Personal Care Services provide an important means of implementing recovery principles. As our mental health system shifts its culture from institutional, professionally directed-services, PCAs enable individuals with behavioral health challenges to integrate into the community.
Register here
COVID-19 Communications: Real-World Insights to Promote Vaccine Acceptance
Thursday, April 29th, 11am-12pm CT—Virtual
Join a panel discussion with experts sharing practical strategies and real-world insights to reach key audiences, including communities of color, employees, and college students.
Register here
Trauma and Trauma-Informed Care 101: Addressing Trauma & Building Resilience in Communities and Organizations
Thursday, April 29th, 11am-12:30pm—Virtual
This training covers the landmark Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) Study, how ACEs and other trauma can impact health across the life course, and how organizations can utilize trauma-informed principles to build resilience and promote thriving across the lifespan in their communities and workplaces.
Register here
Women, Mental Health, and the Justice System Community Dialogue
Friday, April 30th, 10am-12pm—Virtual
Hosted by UIC’s Jane Addams College of Social Work, policy makers, practitioners, and scholars will explore the issues facing women involved in criminal justice processes and identify best practices and policy changes need to optimize women’s ability to stay safe and healthy in their communities.
Register here
Historical and Structural Trauma: Connections to Current Outcomes and Inheriting Resilience
Thursday, May 6th, 11am-12:30pm—Virtual
This training discusses the background of historical and community trauma, as well as how they can impact health outcomes just as strongly as individual experiences can. It also covers how these traumas have become integrated into the systems that direct much of our lives—education, housing, healthcare, and the criminal-legal system—and are perpetuated through implicit biases and explicit prejudices.
Register here
Youth Mental Health First Aid Training*
Friday, May 7th, 9am-2:30pm—Virtual
Hosted by NAMI South Suburbs of Chicago and the Sertoma Centre, Inc., this free MHFA training will be available to any partners interested in learning: the risk factors and warning signs of mental health challenges common among youth and adolescents; a 5-step action plan to help youth and adolescents developing a mental health problem or crisis; and inform youth, adolescents and their families of local supports available in their community.
*2 hours of pre-work required before training. Space limited to 30 participants. Participants receive a 3-year certificate.
Email Lisa Guardiola to register by Friday, April 23rd
Moving from Burnout to Wellness for Providers and Advocates
Thursday, May 13th, 11am-12:30pm—Virtual
The training includes an overview of the history and current definitions surrounding clinician and provider burnout. It will also discuss how this burnout has been magnified in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and the current racial justice movement in the United States.
Register here
Emerging Lessons from COVID-19 Response: Action Towards Equity
Wednesday, May 19th, 12-4pm CT—Virtual
Join NNPHI for Part III of the COVID-19 lessons learned series, where practical strategies for taking Action Towards Equity will be shared. Learn more about the science surrounding the COVID vaccine, vaccine hesitancy, and how participants can address vaccine equity in the next stages of the pandemic response
Register here