Friday, January 4, 2019

BE PROACTIVE. Harvard University Free Course. The Health Effects of Climate Change.


This course is not an elegy for the planet, but a call to action. Enroll now to learn what you can do to reduce the harm caused by global warming.

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An illustration of a family in a park with wind turbines, a hospital, and a city skyline in the background.

The Health Effects of Climate Change

Learn how global warming impacts human health, and the ways we can diminish those impacts.



About this course

Our world’s climate is changing. Of the top twenty hottest years ever recorded, sixteen have occurred in the last two decades. This warming has already had a profound effect. Many feel powerless in the face of this challenge, but you can make a difference.

By looking at air quality, nutrition, infectious diseases, and human migration, this course will show you how increases in greenhouse gases impact public health. Experts working in a variety of settings will present their recommendations for responding to these challenges, and interested students will have the opportunity to learn about the research methods that measure the health effects of climate change.


Created with support from the Harvard Global Health Institute, this course will explain how climate change impacts people around the globe, but also how it directly affects you and your life. Though your risk rises with the rising global temperatures, climate change is a solvable problem, and there are things you can do to mitigate that risk.

This course is not an elegy for the planet, but a call to action. Enroll now to learn what you can do to reduce the harm caused by global warming.

What you'll learn

  • Climate change’s impacts on nutrition, migration, and infectious diseases
  • The research methods used in this field
  • Strategies to mitigate and adapt to the health impacts of climate change
  • How changes in Earth’s atmosphere affect health outcomes
  • How to assess the various ways of addressing the health effects of global warming



Thursday, December 20, 2018

Before and After Disaster: Managing Your Medication. December 2018


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DTAC Bulletin

Before and After Disaster: Managing Your Medication

After a disaster, people who use medication to manage chronic conditions and stay healthy may be at risk. This includes people on medication for serious mental illnesses or in medication-assisted treatment (MAT) for substance use disorders, as well as people with diabetes, high blood pressure, and other health conditions.
The following resources may help people prepare for better medication management after a disaster. They focus on medication-related disaster planning, safe medication use after disasters, and preparedness for people with specific conditions.
This SAMHSA handbook provides guidance in developing a disaster preparedness and recovery plan for programs for people with mental and/or substance use disorders. The fifth chapter discusses the importance of managing prescription medications, including monitoring people on prescription medications during a disaster and providing continuity of care for people in MAT.
This webpage from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) gives tips on how to prepare for a hurricane or tropical storm if you have asthma, including getting a supply of asthma medication to last for at least 3 days. It also provides resources on avoiding common asthma triggers and using asthma medication safely during and after a hurricane.
People with diabetes may encounter specific health-related issues after a disaster. In this collection, the CDC offers a range of online resources people with diabetes can use to prepare for disasters. One section of the collection is devoted to insulin, drug, and equipment advice.
In this post to the Public Health Matters blog, the CDC presents 10 tips to help you prepare your medications in case of a disaster. Some tips include starting a stockpile, keeping a record of current prescriptions, and talking with a doctor about what to do if you run out of medication in an emergency.
In this online article, the Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER) of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration provides information on how medicines may be affected by a natural disaster. In addition to guidance on drugs exposed to fire, heat, or unsafe water, the CDER links to information about storing insulin safely. The article is also available in Spanish.
This article from AARP covers steps to take before a disaster, such as gathering at least a 2-week supply of medication you take, as well as guidance for obtaining medication after a disaster. Links are provided to information for low-income people in need of prescription medication, Medicare participants, and people with cancer. A Spanish version is available.
This article in Consumer Reports describes what you should include in a medication go bag, or a bag with prescription and over-the-counter medication and other supplies that you can take with you if you need to evacuate due to a disaster. The article presents tips for storing and maintaining a medication go bag so items stay safe and effective.

Subscribe to The Dialogue

The Dialogue is a quarterly e-newsletter that provides practical and down-to-earth information for disaster behavioral health coordinators, local service providers, federal agencies, and nongovernmental organizations. You can subscribe to the newsletter or contact the SAMHSA Disaster Technical Assistance Center (DTAC) by email at dtac@samhsa.hhs.gov to contribute an article to an upcoming issue.

Questions About the SAMHSA DTAC Bulletin?

The SAMHSA DTAC Bulletin is a monthly newsletter used to share updates in the field, post upcoming activities, and highlight new resources. For more information, please contact:
Captain Erik Hierholzer
240-276-0408
erik.hierholzer@samhsa.hhs.gov
Nikki D. Bellamy, Ph.D.
240-276-2418
nikki.bellamy@samhsa.hhs.gov
The views, opinions, and content expressed in this publication do not necessarily reflect the views, opinions, or policies of the Center for Mental Health Services (CMHS), the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), or the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

Reference in this email to any specific commercial products, process, service, manufacturer, or company does not constitute its endorsement or recommendation by SAMHSA. SAMHSA is not responsible for the contents of any "off-site" webpage referenced in this email.

Need Your Input. NIMS Alert 38-18: National Engagement Period: National Qualification System (NQS) Supplemental Guidance. December 2018


Get involved locally and nationally.

Review the douments (https://www.fema.gov/national-incident-management-system/national-engagement), and provide your input individually, or as a group. 

Your membership in BEMA International promotes your input as part of the ‘whole community’.

Get involved.

CDS.  CEO BEMA International


National Engagement Period: National Qualification System (NQS) Supplemental Guidance

FEMA’s National Integration Center is seeking public feedback on several National Qualification System (NQS) documents that enhance interoperability and the effectiveness of mutual aid.

This National Engagement Period will conclude at 5:00 p.m. EST on January 24, 2019. The National Engagement Period provides an opportunity for interested parties to comment on newly developed supplemental guidance.  

Today’s release includes:
NIMS NQS Supplemental Guide for Coaches and Evaluators that provides processes, procedures, and tools to assist authorities having jurisdiction (AHJ) develop and maintain coaching and evaluating programs as part of the larger qualification process; andNIMS NQS Supplemental Guide for QRBs that provide basic processes and procedures to assist AHJs develop and maintain a QRB as part of the larger certification process.

To support partner and stakeholder adoption, FEMA is hosting a series of 60-minute webinars to discuss the NQS supporting tools and answer questions. All webinars are open to the whole community, including individuals and communities, the private and nonprofit sectors, faith-based organizations, and all governments.

The schedule is below.  All times are Eastern Standard Time (EST).

Webinar 1: Thursday December 27, 2018, 1:00pm-2:00pm

Webinar 2: Monday January 7, 2019, 3:00pm-4:00pm

Webinar 3: Tuesday January 15, 2019, 10:00am-11:00am

Webinar 4: Thursday January 17, 2019, 5:00pm-6:00pm

Webinar 5: Tuesday January 22, 2019, 3:00pm-4:00pm

Webinar participants will have an opportunity to provide feedback to NIMS representatives during the webinars. After a short presentation, the NIC representatives will answer any technical questions participants may have.
To review the documents and for additional webinar information, visit:

To provide comments on the draft, complete the feedback form on the webpage listed above and submit the form to FEMA-NIMS@fema.dhs.gov.   

Thank you for your input and continued support. Together, we make our nation more secure and resilient.



Black Emergency Managers Association 
          International
1231  Good Hope Road  S.E.
Washington, D.C.  20020
Office:   202-618-9097 
bEMA International 
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Change without Sacrifice is an Illusion.  Lisa Ellis








Monday, December 17, 2018

$$$ Haiti. Digicel Foundation Grants. Application period passed.

http://www.digicelfoundation.org/digicelfoundation-org/haiti/en/home/programs/grants.html
Digicel Logo

It feels like so long ago when the Digicel Foundation’s Patron and Chair, Denis O’Brien, came to Haiti to celebrate a first of many accomplishments, the inauguration of a school constructed in Thomazeau.  Never forgetting the gracious welcome and generosity of the people of Haiti, a commitment was made—to join forces with likeminded local leaders and organizations to strengthen efforts in building a resilient Haiti.  For 11 years, the Digicel Foundation has dedicated its resources to serve the most marginalized communities and to address numerous pressing issues.Committed to the vision of transforming lives both through sensible corporate responsibility and community development, the Digicel Foundation began a journey in accomplishing an unprecedented record of objectives, surpassing any other corporate charitable organization in Haiti. 

Today, approximately 1.2 million men, women and children have benefitted from upwards of 171 community projects. More than 60,000 students have access to quality learning spaces at what will soon be 178 schools built by the Foundation.  Furthermore, 2,000+ schools directors and teachers have received professional development in improving the quality of education in primary schools. 

The determination and drive of the Haitian people, without a doubt, have always served as the  Foundation’s inspiration to stay the course in becoming a pioneer and leader in community development.  Through the first 10 years, the Digicel Foundation embodied a key value to stand behind communities to change lives.

Thus, the Digicel Foundation is pleased to present the second edition of Konbit Pou Chanjman  (Come Together for Change) campaign, its newest undertaking to promote more sustainable communities. The initiative seeks to award 15 organizations, 700,000 gourdes each to implement a proposed community project in one of the 10 departments in Haiti.  

Organizations which seek to fulfill a project in their community were invited to apply for a grant in the following areas: education, culture, inclusion, livelihoods, access, and disaster prevention.

The application deadline was August 8th, 2018 and was postponed to August 31st, 2018. 
The review process is now closed and organizations selected to advance to round 2 were notified on September 14th, 2018 instead of September 12th as originally planned. 

Click on Round Two Organizations to see the list.

For more information concerning the campaign, please see the Konbit Pou Chanjman FAQ.

$$$ Motorola Solutions Foundation Grant Opportunities. Deadline Approaching for 2019.

MOTOROLA SOLUTIONS FOUNDATION's 2019 Grant Program


The Motorola Solutions Foundation is now accepting 2019 inquiry requests. 
The deadline to submit the 2019 inquiry form is February 4, 2019. All 2019 applicant organizations will be notified in late-March if they have been selected to submit a formal application. Grant award decisions will be announced by early-August 2019.
Motorola Solutions Foundation will host three optional informational sessions. The sessions will provide an overview of the grant program, explain 2019 priorities and answer any general questions you may have. Each call will highlight the same information, so please only select the meeting time that is most convenient for you.
Monday, January 7, 2019:  3-4 p.m. CST
Tuesday, January 8, 2019: 8:30-9:30 a.m. CST
Thursday, January 10, 2019:  11:30am-12:30 p.m. CST
Conference Call: 877-228-9172
Passcode: 1150278

https://www.motorolasolutions.com/en_us/about/company-overview/corporate-responsibility/motorola-solutions-foundation.html?fbclid=IwAR3kajVhvR8Xr-TfzKgH52tEND3mR7FM9x1qtEte1JCXHi3o5Uk0uS1VMOU

CNN: E. coli outbreak traced to California farm; some romaine lettuce safe to eat. Fri December 14, 2018



Properly labeled romaine grown outside those three counties and harvested after November 23, as well as romaine grown in greenhouses or hydroponically, should all be safe from contamination, the CDC said. The earlier warning against eating romaine from California's San Luis Obispo, Santa Cruz and Ventura counties has been lifted.

https://www.cnn.com/2018/12/13/health/romaine-lettuce-e-coli-outbreak-source-bn/index.html


E. coli outbreak traced to California farm; some romaine lettuce safe to eat



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