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           Download Drs. Herson and Ehrenkranz's letter of explanation on the new NICU Discharge Guidelines in the Word .doc format! Download the new NICU Discharge Guidelines in the Word .doc format! |
CCMC and the AAP Celebrates World Breastfeeding Week and Connecticut Breastfeeding Awareness Month World Breastfeeding Week is celebrated internationally each year the first week of August. It was initiated in 1992 by WABA-the World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action-with the support of UNICEF and the World Health Organization. WABA is an international coalition of health care providers, non-governmental organizations and mother support groups. August 1st was chosen as the first day of World Breastfeeding Week because it marks the anniversary of the Innocenti Declaration on the Protection, Promotion and Support of breastfeeding. This document was developed and adopted in 1990 by 32 countries and 10 United Nations agencies, and recognizes the importance of breastfeeding to infant's and women's health, as well as the social and economic benefits it provides to the family and nation. Each year, WABA chooses a theme for the week. This year's theme is Breastfeeding in the Information Age. It underscores the importance of transforming and conveying the facts of breastfeeding via all available forms of communication including radio, television, the Internet, video, newspapers, cartoons, story telling, music, drama, role playing, and billboards. Goals of 2001 World Breastfeeding Week: Highlight effective uses of all modes of communication
On August 1 CCMC will celebrate World Breastfeeding Week and the beginning of Breastfeeding Awareness Month in conference rooms C and D on the Garden Level from 9:30-11:30. This event, which is open to the Public, is co-sponsored by the CT Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics, Community Health Center Inc. of Middletown, the Connecticut Department of Public Health, and La Leche League of Connecticut. There will be addresses by Dr. Kathleen Marinelli, Director of Lactation Services at CCMC and one of the AAP Breastfeeding Coordinators for the State of CT, and the 2 Honorary Chairs, Representative James Amann, who introduced An Act Concerning Breastfeeding in the Workplace to the legislature, and Susan Raff, Channel 3 news reporter. This event will not only emphasize communication in all forms, but will also concentrate on the legislative forum and our success there this year. It will culminate in the Mother's Walk for Breastfeeding around the CCMC campus, in conjunction with the La Leche league of Connecticut. Refreshments will be served, and information will be available on breast pumps, returning to work and breastfeeding, corporate lactation programs, and accessing information on breastfeeding.  Covering Connecticut's Kids BY REGINA RADIKAS In January, 1999, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, as part of its national Covering Kids initiative, awarded the Children’s Health Council, as the lead agency for the Covering Connecticut’s Kids initiative, $644,479 over a three year period to design and implement innovative outreach programs aimed at enrolling Connecticut’s children in the HUSKY Program. Covering Connecticut’s Kids consists of a broad statewide coalition that includes the Hezekiah Beardsley Connecticut Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics. While the coalition’s ultimate goal is to enroll all of Connecticut’s eligible children in the HUSKY Program, it has targeted populations such as newborns, children in licensed and subsidized child care settings, adolescents, and children of immigrant families for specific HUSKY outreach campaigns. Although Covering Connecticut’s Kids has already made progress in working with each of these groups, increasing the HUSKY program enrollment numbers may ultimately depend on face-to-face outreach. The Children’s Health Council invites members of the Hezekiah Beardsley Connecticut Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics to actively participate in HUSKY outreach activities by distributing printed materials about the HUSKY Program to your staff and patients and by informing your patients about HUSKY. To request printed materials or to discuss ways you can help enroll children in HUSKY, please contact the Council. Council staff may be reached by phone (860-548-1661) or e-mail (chc@harnet.org). We also invite you to visit the Covering Connecticut’s Kids web site that may be accessed from the home page of Connecticut Kidslink (www.ctkidslink.org). Areas on the site that may be of particular interest to providers include the What’s New page which describes recent activities of the Coalition, and the Outreach and Training page which lists a variety of free, on-site trainings that are available to you and your staff. To learn more about training sessions contact Ann Hynes of the Connecticut Children’s Health Project at 860- 550-6744 extension 271. HUSKY Outreach to Physicians Eligibility and Enrollment for the HUSKY Plan Now that health insurance is available to every child under the age of 19, the task is getting families enrolled. With your help, every child can be enrolled in the HUSKY Plan because health insurance matters. Studies have shown that children with health insurance are more likely to get preventive and primary health care and get treatment for illnesses such as recurring ear infections and asthma. If you know families who do not have health insurance for their children, the message is very simple. Tell them to call: 1-877-CT HUSKY (1-877-284-8759) How to Apply With the implementation of the HUSKY Plan, the Department of Social Services has made several changes to encourage more families to apply. Some of the changes include:
Applications must be fully completed, signed and returned in the postage paid envelope. If any information is missing, a HUSKY customer service representative will contact the family to obtain the required information. Families will be notified of their eligibility by mail. After eligibility is determined, parents will have to choose one of the managed care plans participating with HUSKY to access the comprehensive health care benefits. The plans are Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Connecticut, Community Health Network, Health Choice of Connecticut, and Physicians Health Services, Inc. (not participating in HUSKY B). Who Can Apply
So reach out and tell your colleagues, friends, and parents whose children may be uninsured about HUSKY. Your assistance and ideas are greatly appreciated as we continue to provide health care coverage for kids and youth under the age of 19. Husky presentations, training and materials are available at no cost. To request training or materials, please contact the HUSKY Outreach Team at: (860) 424-5543 or e-mail: glendine.henry@po.state.ct.us. Information can be found on the HUSKY website, too!
UPDATE DCF Foster Parent Recruitment VICTORIA NIMAN, M.D., MEDICAL DIRECTOR OF DCF The Department of Children and Families (DCF) is seeking persons who display a special sensitivity and an interest to care for children with complex medical needs. The agency provides training for those interested in becoming foster parents, and a more focused program for those foster parents interested in caring for children with special needs. The special needs program requires that persons hold a current DCF license, have a current CPR/First Aid certification (or are willing to obtain one) and completion of a five week clinical overview class. A financial stipend is provided for completing the clinical course. You may encounter family members within your practice who have an interest in foster parenting, or have a special interest in caring for the more complex foster child. For more info: Linda Raitt, RN at 860-550-6636. I can be reached by e-mail (Victoria.Niman@po.state.ct.us) or by phone (860-550-6643). As the agency works toward meeting the needs of Connecticut's foster children, we continually reach out into the community for help. Your assistance is appreciated. |
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