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Op-Ed on Racism as a Public Health Crisis in Virginia
IPHI’s VP partners with Voices for Virginia’s Children to write an op-ed on declaring racism a public health crisis in Virginia
The Prince George’s County Food Equity Council Launches New Food Recovery Platform to Fight Hunger and Reduce Food Waste
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE– January 25, 2021
Media Contacts:
Julia Groenfeldt, [email protected]
The Prince George’s County Food Equity Council Launches New Food Recovery Platform to Fight Hunger and Reduce Food Waste
PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY, MD — The Prince George’s Food Equity Council (FEC), an initiative of the Institute for Public Health Innovation (IPHI) has joined the Food Rescue US network to launch the Food Rescue US platform in Prince George’s County. The county’s food recovery efforts will be coordinated by FEC staff and funding from the Greater Washington Community Foundation and Philip L. Graham Fund.
Food Rescue US, a national nonprofit organization, is a leader in food rescue operations. Since 2011, Food Rescue US has helped launch food recovery communities in 39 locations across the country, providing more than 56 million meals and keeping over 75 million pounds of food out of landfills. Through the use of its proprietary software, Food Rescue US provides the platform for volunteer food rescuers to directly transfer excess food from businesses to local social service agencies that feed the food insecure. Using the technology platform, the FEC will help coordinate food rescue donors, volunteer rescuers, and food assistance service providers to support hunger relief efforts and reduce food waste in Prince George’s County.
“We’re excited to expand our reach into Prince George’s County and work with the Food Equity Council,” said Carol Shattuck, CEO, Food Rescue US. “Working directly with community organizations doing critical work for their residents, Food Rescue US is able to provide our innovative technology and institutional knowledge to empower their food recovery work.”
Since 2013, the FEC has collaborated with residents, local businesses, organizations, and county government to create systemic change to the local food system, promote health, economic opportunity, food security, and well-being in Prince George’s County. This past year, the FEC’s work has taken on a new urgency as the COVID-19 pandemic caused skyrocketing rates of food insecurity and high demand for food among food assistance providers and social service organizations. According to the Capital Area Food Bank, over 104,760 county residents were food insecure in 2020, the highest in the Metro DC Region. By developing a robust food waste and recovery network, IPHI, FEC, and Food Rescue US hope to create a more resilient, sustainable, and equitable food system that can support the growing number of food-insecure residents.
“Through the use of Food Rescue US platform we are able to create infrastructure changes to ensure that we don’t miss opportunities to connect food donors and services providers,” said Evelyn Kelly, Program Director at IPHI. “We will not only help families in need but also reduce our environmental footprint and food waste in our landfills.”
Over the next few months, FEC staff will conduct outreach among businesses, organizations, volunteers, and providers to expand the Food Rescue US network in the county and bring partners onto the platform. The easy to use platform is free and available for desktop use. Food donors are invited to sign up to provide available food. Residents interested in volunteering can sign up to pick up and deliver food. Food providers can sign up to receive food to support food assistance and donation efforts. Everything is coordinated directly via the platform, and FEC staff are available to provide additional support and assistance to coordinate donations and delivery throughout Prince George’s County.
About the Prince George’s County Food Equity Council:
The Prince George’s County Food Equity Council (FEC) is a local food policy council that works to help residents grow, sell, and choose healthy foods. Since 2013, FEC has been a voice for county residents at the policymaking table. The FEC focuses on systematic and sustainable changes to promote health, economic opportunity, food security, and well-being in Prince George’s by advocating for policy that creates a more equitable local food system. The FEC is housed within the Institute for Public Health Innovation. For more information on FEC, visit www.pgcfec.org and follow FEC on social media @pgcfec.
About the Institute for Public Health Innovation:
IPHI develops multi-sector partnerships and innovative solutions to improve the public’s health and well-being across Maryland, Virginia, and the District of Columbia. Our work strengthens health systems and policy, enhances conditions that promote health, and builds community capacity to ensure equitable health opportunities for all. IPHI is one of over 40 public health institutes across the country and a member of the National Network of Public Health Institutes. For more information on IPHI, see www.institutephi.org, and follow IPHI on Facebook and Twitter @InstitutePHI.
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Montgomery County Anti-Vaping Campaign Announces Finalists From PSA Contest
The Campaign Called on Youth to Create Content Aimed at Educating and Preventing Their Peers From Using E-Cigarettes
The Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services, Montgomery County Public Schools, and the Healthy Montgomery Transforming Communities Initiative (TCI) are excited to share the finalists from their anti-vaping PSA video contest for students.
This contest, part of TCI’s goal to promote tobacco-free living, challenged students from 6th to 12th-grade living in Montgomery County to submit creative PSA-style videos for other young people, warning about the dangers of e-cigarettes. Ninety-two individual and group submissions were entered by 263 students and reviewed by a panel of judges for the chance to win a cash prize.
“My Story So Far”, submitted by a Damascus High School student, was awarded first place and followed by entries from the French International School, Northwood High School, Silver Creek Middle School, and Sherwood High School. Special acknowledgment was also given to Silver Creek Middle School and Mario A. Loiederman Middle School for submitting the most videos.
A logo for the campaign, inspired by the submissions of students, has been developed. The official campaign including social media graphics and messaging as well as bus ads will be launched in the coming month.
To view all the finalists’ videos or for more information and resources on the anti-vaping campaign, visit the website here.
About the Transforming Communities Initiative
The Healthy Montgomery Transforming Communities Initiative (TCI) is a partnership between the Institute for Public Health Innovation (IPHI), Trinity Health affiliate Holy Cross Health, the Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services, and numerous other government and community partners. Montgomery County, Maryland is one of eight locations selected by Trinity Health for investment through their national TCI grant program.
TCI is an innovative, collaborative funding initiative established by Trinity Health, one of the largest multi-institutional Catholic health care delivery systems in the nation. Grant recipients, in collaboration with a community coalition(s), implement and support evidence-based and innovative policy, systems and environmental change strategies to reduce obesity, promote tobacco-free living and address social influencers of health. TCI leverages health system funding, community partnerships, local match dollars, capital loan dollars, and national technical assistance resources to improve community health.
TCI School Wellness Coordinator (Contractor)
TCI School Wellness Coordinator (Contractor)
Background:
IPHI is recruiting a contractor to serve as a part-time Healthy Montgomery Transforming Communities Initiative (TCI) Wellness Coordinator to support the development and implementation of school wellness councils in Montgomery County, Maryland. Trinity Health, one of the country’s largest health systems, awarded partners involved in the Healthy Montgomery community health improvement process funding to implement a range of public health strategies to reduce obesity and promote tobacco-free living, and address social determinants that impact health outcomes. The local collaborative includes Trinity Health member Holy Cross Health, the Institute for Public Health Innovation (IPHI), Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services, and the Eat Well Be Active Partnership (EWBA) of Healthy Montgomery. Initially, strategies focused on policy, systems and environmental changes that offer long-term benefits for community health improvement and preventing chronic disease, with a specific focus on under-resourced and low-income communities in Gaithersburg, Germantown, Long Branch and Takoma Park. The strategies targeted vulnerable populations who are disproportionately impacted by health conditions related to poor diet, inactivity, tobacco use, and related social determinants, and who experience documented barriers to healthy living.
Nature of Work: The role of the School Wellness Coordinator is to provide technical assistance to Local School Wellness Councils (LSWCs) in order to ensure schools are aligned with the Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) Wellness Regulations. The School Wellness Coordinator will provide training and resources to Local School Wellness Council Champions and other LSWC members and partners to increase wellness council functionality. The School Wellness Coordinator will provide direct, hands-on assistance to schools as they write and implement their Wellness Action Plans and will monitor implementation and provide ongoing support to ensure sustainability. The Coordinator will also conduct outreach to schools to offer support, share tools, broker partner resources and will work with assigned schools on areas of interest for the schools and/or areas identified as needs by the Director of School Wellness.
Duration: This is a part-time, temporary position (18-20 hours a week), August 2018 through June 30, 2019.
Reports to: Institute for Public Health Innovation (IPHI) staff and MCPS Director, Student Wellness Initiatives
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
The Coordinator will receive guidance and direction from MCPS and IPHI in carrying out the following:
- Provide remote or in-person technical assistance to schools as directed and in coordination with the MCPS Director of Student Wellness Initiatives.
- Support the development of a toolkit.
- Prepare, organize and manage a mini-grant process.
- Coordinate communication about overall program, resources, and available support via monthly newsletters to schools and relevant partners.
- Assist with event planning to enhance roll-out of district-wide wellness support.
- Participate in weekly check-in calls with MCPS Director of Student Wellness Initiatives (or other designated MCPS staff) and IPHI staff.
- Conduct relevant trainings for LSWC Champions as needed.
- Assist with tracking the implementation and accomplishments of LSWCs across MCPS.
- Organize and prepare reporting requirements for various funders, including monthly and annual reports.
- Other duties related to this position as assigned.
QUALIFICATIONS: A college or advanced degree and at least five years of work experience (paid or volunteer), with two years of experience in a related field(s) such as nutrition or food systems, physical activity, healthy living and wellness, community organizing, public health, or nursing. Preference for individuals with work experience in a school setting. References required and a background check.
- Excellent organizational and project management skills.
- Experience in developing and conducting trainings and provide technical assistance and/or coaching individuals or small groups.
- Excellent relationship building, written communication, presentation and public speaking skills.
- Experience working with diverse communities.
- Ability to collaborate with and build positive relationships with diverse stakeholders.
- Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
- Demonstrated professional and political aptitude.
- Strong-problem-solving skills with an ability to think creatively, reflect, and share knowledge.
- Knowledge and experience collecting and managing social media, Google docs).
- Bi-lingual candidates encouraged to apply.
COMPENSATION: Hourly rate is $32.00. This is an 18-20 hour per week commitment, with some flexibility based on meeting attendance, trainings, and travel. The work will occur primarily during school hours and after school and may require occasional evening and weekend meetings. The scheduling of work hours is flexible. IPHI will also offer reimbursement for local travel to and from work activities. This is a 11-month contract position, beginning August 1, 2018. As a contract position, this position does not include fringe benefits.
JOB LOCATION: The Contractor/Coordinator will be assigned office space as well as a computer and other supplies at an MCPS location.
TRAVEL: Local travel throughout Montgomery County is required for this part-time contractor position.
The Institute for Public Health Innovation values a diverse, respectful, and collaborative work environment. We establish and maintain trustful relationships with all staff, contractors, funders, partners, and communities. We believe that hard work, a focus on quality, and a passion for the public’s health are required to improve the well-being of individuals, families, and communities. IPHI looks to all staff and contractors to contribute to the effective implementation of programmatic activities.
BENEFITS
None
LEVEL OF LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY
None
PROFESSIONAL LEVEL
Professional
MINIMUM EDUCATION REQUIRED
4-year degree
HOW TO APPLY
Please submit a cover letter and resume to: [email protected]. IPHI will not accept resumes without cover letters. Please place “Wellness Coordinator Contractor” in the subject line of the email when applying. Applications will be accepted through July 24th, 2018. No phone calls, please. Due to the large number of applicants expected, only successful candidates will be contacted.
IPHI Receives Capacity Building Grant from the Healthcare Initiative Foundation
IPHI is one of 15 recipients of the Healthcare Initiative Foundations FY18 Capacity Building Grants. The award of $25,000 will support the implementation of Local School Wellness Councils (LSWCs) in public schools in Montgomery County, Maryland. IPHI is currently working with Montgomery County Public Schools through the Healthy Montgomery Transforming Communities Initiative to implement LSWCs in 15 initial pilot schools within the County. Next year, with the help of the HIF grant award, IPHI and MSPS will work to expand LSWCs to many more schools.
For more information read the Healthcare Initiative Foundation’s Press Release here.
Consultant – Safe Routes to School GIS Map Designer Montgomery County, Maryland
Apply Now
The Institute for Public Health Innovation (IPHI) is seeking a part-time, temporary consultant to assist the Montgomery County Department of Transportations’ Traffic Engineering and Operations Division in developing a standard map template of walking areas around Montgomery County Public Schools. These activities will be conducted as part of the Healthy Montgomery Transforming Communities Initiative (TCI).
Background:
Background Trinity Health, one of the country’s largest health systems, awarded a multi-year grant to a partnership in Montgomery County, Maryland to implement a range of public health strategies that can reduce obesity, promote tobacco-free living, and address social determinants that impact health outcomes. The local collaborative includes Trinity Health member Holy Cross Health, the Institute for Public Health Innovation, Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services, and the Eat Well Be Active Partnership (EWBA), which is connected to the county’s local health improvement process, Healthy Montgomery. IPHI serves as the coordinating entity for the Healthy Montgomery TCI, which focuses on the communities of Gaithersburg, Germantown, Long Branch and Takoma Park.
Safe Routes to School is one of five strategies of the TCI. The overall goal of the Safe Routes to School strategy is to increase the number of students in Montgomery County who walk or bike to school. IPHI is supporting the Department of Transportation in their current efforts to conduct Safe Routes to School assessments in the County. IPHI is collaborating with the Department of Transportation efforts to: develop and promote user-friendly Safe Routes to School maps for schools, increase the number of Safe Routes to School bicycle and pedestrian educational and safety trainings in priority zip codes, and increase collaboration for sustainability between Montgomery County Public Schools and the Department of Transportation for future Safe Routes to School programming.
Scope of Work:
Over a 3-month period, the consultant will develop a standard map template of walking areas around Montgomery County Public Schools. Once the template is developed, it will be utilized to generate maps for all schools in the County. The maps will be used as part of the County’s Safe Routes to School program to inform students and families about walking and bicycling routes to/from school and can also identify areas that require improvements. The consultant will work with the Montgomery County Department of Transportations’ Traffic Engineering and Operations Division to complete the following tasks:
- Create new shapefiles as well as manipulate and edit existing shapefiles.
- Gather and map out additional infrastructure data when necessary;
- Develop report with summary of findings and recommendations for next steps;
Qualifications:
This consultant position requires an experienced professional with the following qualifications:
- Experience using ArcGIS, preferable version 10.0 or higher.
- Demonstrated organizational and communications skills.
- Knowledge of Montgomery County, Maryland.
Compensation: The consultant will be compensated up to $25/hour for an estimated 100 hours of work based upon experience plus a stipend for mileage if applicable.
Job Location: Montgomery County Public Safety Headquarters in Gaithersburg, MD. This position may require travel throughout Montgomery County, Maryland.
Estimated Timeframe: April 1 – June 30, 2018
How to Apply: Please submit the following: 1) resume; 2) cover letter outlining interest, and qualifications; and 3) a list of professional references related to this opportunity. Consultant bids should be submitted to Michelle Caruso, [email protected]. Please place “TCI GIS Map Designer” in the subject line of the email when applying. A PDF of the job description can be downloaded here. Applications will be accepted into the position is filled.
The Institute for Public Health Innovation values a diverse, respectful, and collaborative work environment. We establish and maintain trustful relationships with all staff, contractors, funders, partners, and communities. We believe that hard work, a focus on quality, and a passion for the public’s health are required to improve the well-being of individuals, families, and communities. IPHI looks to all staff and contractors to contribute to the effective implementation of programmatic activities.
The Health Collaborative Recognized as a Spotlight Award Recipient
The Health Collaborative of the Dan River Region was recognized as a Spotlight Award winner in the Aetna Foundation’s Healthiest Cities & Counties Challenge.
Safe Access to Recreational Opportunities
Safe Access to Recreational Opportunities
IPHI is working with local governments to create and implement policies to improve health and quality of life
Under Safe Access to Recreational Opportunities (SARO), the Institute for Public Health Innovation is collaborating with the Prince George’s County government to incorporate policies and practices that promote active living to improve health outcomes and quality of life. These include the development of Wellness Zones around community centers, removing barriers hindering students’ use of recreation facilities, and other initiatives to make active living more accessible and convenient. These policy initiatives are informed by Safe Routes to Play and Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design activities that assess the needs of community residents, the County, community based organizations, and other local stakeholders.
IPHI fills a critical niche in DC-MD-VA region
Widely considered the most resourced country in the world, the U.S. has a life expectancy that ranks only 38 among industrialized nations, and life expectancy in many parts of the region falls well below the U.S. national average. Within the region as elsewhere in the U.S., an individual’s zip code is a better predictor of health than his or her genetic code, with life expectancy and quality of life varying dramatically by neighborhood and population group.
IPHI’s vision is to advance the capital region as an example for the nation for how to create a healthy society. This bold vision will require the best in ideas, partners and resources, and IPHI endeavors to facilitate interconnections and fill critical gaps so our system of public health activities can achieve more than the sum of its parts. To learn more about IPHI’s initiatives, click on the case studies above or contact us using the form at right. GO! >