Linkages Spring 2009 Edition
Linkages is a newsletter for professionals who work with children with ongoing health conditions or disabilities.
Disclaimer: The inclusion of any resource or website in Linkages does not imply endorsement.
| Volume 15, No. 2 | Spring 2009 |
In This Month's Newsletter: Focus Topic - Safety for Children with Special Needs
- Focus Topic - Safety for Children with Special Needs
- News and Events
- Grant Opportunities
- Reports
- Tools and Resources
- Journal Articles
- CSHCN.org Updates
Safety for Children with Special Needs
June is National Safety Month (National Safety Council), a good time to think about safety for children with special health care needs. Learning about and applying safety precautions in daily life can not only prevent illness, disability and death, but can assure the unique safety needs of children with special health care needs are met. Recent findings from the 2007 National Survey of Children’s Health1 alert us to areas of needed safety related improvements for all children and youth in Washington State (percents below are for the year prior to the survey):
| % of Children | % WA State | % Nation |
| Age 0-5 years with injuries requiring medical attention | 16 | 10 |
| With a preventive medical visit | 84 | 89 |
| Who received care within a medical home | 60 | 58 |
| Living in neighborhoods that are usually or always safe | 89 | 86 |
| Age 2-17 years with problems requiring counseling who received mental health care | 62 | 60 |
1Washington Profile Page, 2007 National Survey of Children’s Health
Washington State Profile from the Children’s Safety Network
The following 2000-2004 injury and violence prevention data appears in a Washington State snapshot available from the Children’s Safety Network
- Unintentional injuries (1,774) were the leading cause of death for children and youth ages 1-24.
- Unintentional motor vehicle traffic crashes (620) were the leading cause of injury deaths for children and teens ages 1-19.
- Suicide (476) was the second leading cause of death for youth ages 15-24.
- Homicide (268) was the third leading cause of death for youth ages 15-24.
- Suicide by firearm (105) was the second leading cause of injury deaths for teens ages 15-19.
- Unintentional suffocation (60) was the leading cause of injury deaths for children under age 1.
News and Events
Summer Safety—Child Injury Prevention Webcast, Hosted by YMCA of the USA and CDC’s Injury Center, June 16, 12:00-1:00 PM PST
More than 9 million children between birth and age 19 are seen for injuries each year in U.S. emergency departments, and 33 children die every day as a result of being injured. In the summer, when many of us are enjoying time outdoors and in the water, it’s especially important to focus on how we can prevent summertime injuries and drowning.
Join us for a free live Webcast that will include presentations by and online discussion with leading experts from CDC, the YMCA, Safe Kids Worldwide, Children’s Safety Network, and the American Academy of Pediatrics.
Learn more about the latest information and current resources available for you to use to help prevent leading causes of child injuries. Visit the web site of the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Task Force Recommends Screening Adolescents for Clinical Depression
The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force now recommends screening adolescents 12 to 18 years of age for clinical depression only when systems are in place to ensure accurate diagnosis, treatment, and follow up. The Task Force found insufficient evidence to assess the balance of benefits and harms of screening children 7 to 11 years of age for clinical depression.
The USPSTF also reviewed new evidence on the benefits and harms of screening children and adolescents for clinical depression, the accuracy of screening tests administered in the primary care setting, and the benefits and risks of treating clinical depression using psychotherapy and/or medications in patients 7 and 18 years of age.
The recommendations appeared in the April issue of Pediatrics and are available from the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services' Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.
Keep Teen Drivers Safe on the Road
Learning to drive is one of life’s milestones. Parents can encourage teen driver safety all the time, throughout the year. This June, during National Safety Month, learn how you can make a life-saving difference. Visit the CDC's Keep Teens Drivers Safe on the Road for tips.
Drowning Prevention and Water Safety Information
At least 1,500 children and teens die every year in the U.S. from drowning. They are swimming, boating, or just playing in or near water. The Washington State Drowning Prevention Network was developed in 1994 with the Washington State Department of Health, Office of Emergency Medical and Trauma Prevention and Seattle Children’s. Program elements include:
- educational materials
- public service and news media
- policy
- life vest loan programs
- discount coupons
- special events
- partnerships with community organizations, government, business
Visit Seattle Children's Drowning Prevention website to receive a coupon for 15% off a life jacket from Big 5 sporting goods stores, as well as other free posters and information to prevent drowning.
West Nile Virus Detected in Yakima County Mosquito Sample
The Washington State Department of Health has a news release entitled West Nile virus detected in Yakima County mosquitoes — first of the season. Avoiding mosquito bites is key to preventing West Nile infection.
Licensing of Genetic Counselors Comes to Washington State
On April 30, Governor Christine Gregoire signed Senate Bill 5608, “Concerning Genetic Counselors” into law. The bill, which enacts licensure for genetic counselors I Washington State, will take effect August 1, 2010. Section 5 of the bill, which provided for an advisory committee on genetic counseling, was vetoed by the Governor and funding was not appropriated to implement licensure. The Department of Health has been given authority to adopt rules in order to implement the law. At this time, it is unclear whether the agency will move forward on rule-making.
Grant Opportunities
FedEx Corporation -- Volunteer Assistance and Grants for Pedestrian and Child Safety, Education, Health/Human Services, and Emergency/Disaster Relief
Application Deadline: Ongoing
Description: Grants fund organizations that support pedestrian and child safety, education, health/human services, and emergency/disaster relief. Funding for pedestrian and child safety supports organizations that work to improve the safety of children and transportation systems. Education grants fund organizations that enhance education in the following areas: technology, global economics and trade, cultural diversity, and innovative programs that enhance learning. In the area of health and human services, FedEx supports youth development organizations and others that meet basic human needs. With regard to emergency and disaster relief, FedEx provides contributions and logistics/transportation support for emergency and disaster needs.
Funding Amount: Amount not specified. FedEx is especially interested in supporting nonprofit organizations that request 5% or less of a total project budget, contingency grants, or seed monies with the thought that other sources will contribute matching amounts.
Who May Apply: Organizations with 501(c)(3) status
Contact Information:
FedEx Social Responsibility
3610 Hacks Cross Road, Building A
Memphis, TN 38125
Charitable Contribution Guidelines
Reports
Online access to the NEWLY RELEASED 2007 National Survey of Children's Health
The Child and Adolescent Health Measurement Initiative (CAHMI) is pleased to announce "point and click" online access to national- and state-level findings from the JUST RELEASED 2007 National Survey of Children's Health (NSCH).
Get and compare state-level data on over 100 child health indicators on topics such as obesity, insurance, medical home, mental health, risk for developmental delays, dental health and much more! View findings by many subgroups of children, such as by household income, race/ethnicity, insurance coverage and health status. Begin your customized data search on the Data Resource Center website.
The 2007 NSCH tracks the prevalence and impact of a wide spectrum of health topics for children ages 0-17 in all 50 States and the District of Columbia. Information from the survey is designed to assist states in child health systems planning, evaluation and program development, and to inform organizations that work directly with children and their families.
The NSCH is sponsored and designed by the federal Maternal and Child Health Bureau (MCHB) and administered by the National Center for Health Statistics. The survey was conducted for the first time in 2003 and repeated again in 2007. You can view a profile of Washington State Child Health.
Tools and Resources
Bright Futures Recommendations for Anticipatory Counseling on Safety and Injury Prevention for Children with Special Health Care Needs
Bright Futures Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs article has recommendations for anticipatory counseling on safety and injury prevention. It is available through Pediatric Care Online.
AAP Guidelines for Transporting a Child with Special Needs
The American Academy of Pediatrics has released guidelines for transporting a child with special needs.
Washington State Parent to Parent (P2P)
Washington State Parent to Parent (P2P) is a network of 23 community programs serving all 39 counties in the state and a Program at Children’s Hospital and Medical Center. Activities include:
- Matching parents in one-to-one relationships with trained, experienced parents, based on similar diagnoses and family issues
- Providing personal support which is different than the support professionals can provide
- Follow-up by the county coordinator on each P2P referral and match
- Support groups
- Information and education about disabilities and referral to services in the community
- Social and recreational family events
- Help with navigating the complex health, educational and service systems
- Culturally-relevant services through ethnic outreach
- Training for parents who want to become Helping Parent volunteers (mentors)
P2P is funded by the Arc of Washington State, the Division of Developmental Disabilities and the Department of Health/ Children with Special Health Care Needs. County Programs also receive funding from Developmental Disabilities, United Way, local grants and donations. For more information and to obtain P2P brochures, call 800-821-5927, send them an email or visit their website.
Ethnic Outreach Coordinators at P2P
African American Outreach Coordinator:
Rhonda Harris (206) 364-6337
Asian Outreach:
Yvone Link (253) 531-2022
Asian language:
King (206) 364-4645
Native American Outreach Families Together:
Prairie Flower Reuben (208) 885-3500 Spanish Language Outreach by County:
Benton/Franklin - Josephine Salazar (509) 946-5157
Grant/Adams - Anna Alvarez (509) 760-9654
Grays Harbor - Leslie Gadwa (360) 537-8814
King - Spanish Language (206) 957-7081
Okanogan - Nichole Smith (509) 826-8495
Skagit - Gabby Lopez (360) 416-7570, X414
Walla Walla/Columbia/Garfield/Asotin - Ysabel Fuentes (509) 527-3278
Whatcom - Alina Zollfrank (360) 255-2056
Yakima - Maria Pulido (509) 574-3200
Washington State Department of Health Children’s Health and Safety
Where can you find information on child health and safety? Visit the Washington State Department of Health Children’s Health and Safety for an array of information on child safety—drowning prevention, fire safety, injury prevention, toy safety and more. You can also print out fact sheets from Child Profile's Promotion Materials that cover a variety of child health and safety topics.
Tips for Preventing Heat-Related Illness
The best defense is in prevention. The Center for Disease Control has published Tips for Preventing Heat Related Illness.
Journal Articles
Informatics Applications Help Children with Chronic Illness
A recent systematic review of the effect of biomedical informatics applications in pediatric chronic diseases found that published studies suggested positive impacts of informatics predominately in pediatric asthma. As electronic tools become more widely adopted, there will be opportunities to improve patient care in a wide range of chronic illnesses through informatics solutions.
Moeinedin, F, et al, “Application of biomedical informatics to chronic pediatric diseases: A systematic review, “BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making 2009, 9:22, 1472, 5 May 2009
CSHCN.org Updates
We updated our website with new content and revised existing content based on your feedback. If you have not visited the Center for Children with Special Needs website in a while, here are a few things you may have missed:
- Dental Care for Children with Special Needs - new content
- Involving Families as Advisors - offers professionals guidance on involving families as partners
- Becoming a Family Advisor - tips for parents and caregivers on how to prepare to be a successful family advisor
- Teen Time Away from Home - new content to help teens prepare for sleepovers, sleep-away camps, and more
- Emotional Support for Families - updated with new links to information
- Care Notebook - PDF forms were reviewed and updated
- 2009 Summer Camp Directory is available in a searchable format and as a PDF
Produced by the Center for Children with Special Needs, a program of Seattle Children’s with support from the Washington State Department of Health, Children with Special Health Care Needs Program.