In this issue:
Norma Olvera, PhD Full Professorship announcement
Latino & Healthy
NICHD
Minding Houston Legislative Review for Mental Health in Texas
Texas H&H Services Public Hearing
Free Mental Health First Aid Training
Big Texas Rally for Recovery
Funding Alert
SAVE THE DATE!
November 7, 2015 ¡Vive tu Vida! Get Up! Get Moving!
Board Member Spotlight
Norma Olvera, PhD., immediate past president of the Hispanic Health Coalition, has been promoted to full professorship at the University of Houston. This is a great honor not only for Dr. Olvera, but for the Latino community at large. Only four percent of tenured or tenure-track female faculty members in the United States are Latinas and only 3 percent of female full professors are Latina. Congratulations to Dr. Olvera! To learn more about Dr. Olvera please visit her board member profile.
Latino & Healthy
"Life's better outside" is the motto of Texas Parks & Wildlife and with some of the state parks so close, there's no reason not to go outside and "play!" At the Galveston Island State Park you can enjoy a Sunset Paddle, Family Paddling Exploration, Run with a Ranger, Fishing with a Ranger, Turtle Patrols and more. At Lake Livingston State Park you can learn about Geocaching, go on a Discovery Walk, Kayak or Fish with a Ranger. Just on the outskirts of Houston is Sheldon Lake State Park & Environmental Learning Center and it's only 15 minutes from downtown. Check out the schedule of events at the parks in and near Houston.
To see more, visit the Latino & Healthy page on the Coalition website.
The Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) has launched a Spanish-language website to provide free information on health topics, including maternal and infant care, obesity, fertility/infertility, and pregnancy. The new site offers the latest research, as well as Spanish-language podcasts and monthly updates of Spanish news stories that highlight NICHD science. If you would like more information, please contact Karen Costilo at 240-221-4057 or kcostilo@iqsolutions.com. Link to the portal in Spanish.
The Legislative Review for Mental Health in Texas
The Texas House of Representatives and State Senate adjourned Sine Die, bringing an end to the 84th Legislative Session. The next time either chamber can consider changes to Texas law isn’t scheduled until January of 2017. So in the last 140 days, what did our lawmakers do to address mental health and what funding did they put behind it? This is the legislative review for mental health policy on Minding Houston. Read more.
Public Hearings to Focus on Renewal of Medicaid Transformation Waiver
As the Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) approaches the final year of what has come to be known as the Medicaid Transformation Waiver, efforts are underway to renew the waiver. HHSC has until September 30 to submit its renewal request. Prior to that, HHSC will hold a series of public hearings around the state to get input from stakeholders and those who have helped build the projects funded through the waiver. The hearing in Houston will take place on July 13, 2015 at 10 AM. For more information visit the HHSC web site.
MHMRA of Harris County is offering free Mental Health First Aid classes to local educators and school personnel through the end of August. This 8-hour interactive training is usually priced at $200 per individual but through August 31, 2015, we have the opportunity, through a grant, to provide it to local educators and school personnel for free! Availability is limited so please contact MHMRA ASAP. This course can provide CEU, CNE, and TCLEOSE if needed.
Mental Health First Aid is an evidenced-based program that teaches individuals how to help identify a mental illness and know how to respond in a mental health crisis. This course helps reduce the stigma around mental illness, helps participants better understand mental illness, and learn how to provide appropriate support. Please contact Jacinda Tucker or Carroll Prasad at 713-970-3996 or email at jacinda.tucker@mhmraharris.org or carroll.prasad@mhmraharris.org
Houston Recovery Initiative: Recovery-Oriented Systems of Care
For the first time ever, Houston is hosting the Big Texas Rally for Recovery! on Sunday, September 27 in Downtown Houston.Bring friends and family to this historic event you don’t want to miss. The Rally aligns with the Fifth Annual Run for Recovery, the Reel Recovery Film Festival Finale and will feature actress and recovery advocate Mackenzie Phillips. Mark this date on your calendar to come out and celebrate national recovery month. We are building recovery communities one voice at a time! Announcements will now be placed on the HRI calendar and can be viewed in detail here.
The American Association of Kidney Patients is accepting applications from nonprofit organizations for the Jenny Kitsen Patient Safety Award. The award program, which launched this year, will fund an annual lecture that advances patient safety through the exploration of innovation in health systems management. Application deadline is 7/31/15. For more details visit their web site
