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October 6: National Child Health Day

It is estimated that 1 in 6 U.S. children between 2 and 19 is overweight, a risk factor for serious health consequences including asthma, diabetes and heart disease.

Join the Health and Human Services Resource Administration (HRSA) in helping to help solve this serious – and growing – health problem. Celebrate the 80th annual Child Health Day, October 6, 2008, and help children Eat Healthy and Be Active for a Healthy Future! Visit the Child Health Day website to learn more.

After the Storm: Families Helping Families
With hurricane season upon us, Family Voices and Family to Family Health Information Centers want to help families of children and youth with special health care needs prepare for, and deal with, the havoc that severe storms cause to their physical and emotional well-being.

In Louisiana, the Down Syndrome Association of Greater New Orleans provides up-to-the minute emergency information for families of children with special needs and individuals with special needs. In addition, they can help families who have evacuated their area with in-state information, links, and phone numbers, regarding LA Medicaid, prescription medication and other needs.

Bayou Land Families Helping Families, Inc., the LA Family to Family Health Information Center, has produced a series of one page “Do You Have a Plan” handouts on hurricanes, packing for evacuation, and evacuation. For copies contact them at (985) 447-4461 or toll free at 1-800-331-5570.

The following resources are provided to help families deal with disasters:
- A Guide To Help Children Cope With The Psychological Effects Of A Hurricane
- Disaster Planning Guide for Families
- After the Disaster: A Children's Mental Health Checklist
- Emergencies, Mental Health, and Traumatic Stress
- Disaster Preparedness for Families with Children
- Mental Health Services in Disasters and Major Trauma

Election Season Resources
Family Voices cannot and will not tell you who to vote for, but we can provide some information that you can think about and use as you dialogue with candidates for office. For a a list of questions to to help you learn about candidate positions on health care, download Election Season Guidelines for Family Voices Network Members, Board, and Staff.

Family Voices Partners with AMCHP
Family Voices and the Association of Maternal and Child Health Programs (AMCHP) recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to facilitate collaborative planning and address opportunities to work together on a variety of issues. Specific joint activities will include the Family Scholars program, policy work, and an issue brief on families working with state Title V programs. Read more about this exciting intiative in Friday's Child.