The Texas Department of State Health Services has released new guidelines to help prevent the spread of staphylococcal infections. The guidelines, “Prevention and Containment of Staphylococcal Infections in Communities,” include checklists for athletic departments, schools, child care settings, dormitories, group homes, gyms and spas, homes, salons, workplaces and youth camps.

Staphylococcus aureus, often referred to as “staph,” are bacteria that can cause skin infections that are often initially mistaken for insect or spider bites. Staph bacteria are spread through person-to-person contact or contact with contaminated surfaces.

To learn more about staph infections or to view the complete set of guidelines on how to avoid them, visit www.mrsaTexas.org.

New campaign encourages Texans
to prepare for any emergency

Ready or not, disasters happen. Do you have a plan?

DSHS has launched a statewide emergency preparedness campaign to help Texans prepare for emergencies such as hurricanes, wildfires, terrorist attacks, and disease outbreaks.

Key to the Ready or Not? HAVE A PLAN campaign is a new interactive Web site, TexasPrepares.org for English and TexasPrepara.org in Spanish, where Texans can create a family emergency plan, build a customized disaster supplies list and get information about the threats we face.

DSHS encourages all Texans to get ready. Go online today and make your plan.

Commissioner Lakey testifies in Washington, D.C.

United States House of Representatives Committee on Homeland Security Banner

On September 26, Dr. David Lakey, DSHS commissioner, testified in Washington, D.C. before the House of Representatives Subcommittee on Emerging Threats, Cybersecurity, and Science and Technology. His testimony on the progress and challenges Texas faces in preparing for and responding to a pandemic outbreak addressed how DSHS has taken an “all-hazards” approach to its emergency preparedness during a public health crisis. A recorded video and copy of Dr. Lakey’s statement can be found at http://homelandsecurity.house.gov/hearings/index.asp?ID=89.

Texas receives $7 million in new grants for federally qualified health centers

The federal Human Resources and Services Administration has awarded 14 Texas communities more than $7 million in new grants for federally qualified health centers to improve access to primary health care. HRSA News Logo The three award categories are: High Poverty County New Access Points ($5.4M), High Poverty County Planning ($77K), and New Access Points ($1.7M). Many of these centers are funded through the DSHS FQHC Incubator Grant Program, which provides $5 million each year for the expansion and development of the federally qualified health centers. Funds will be used to expand medical, dental and mental health services, hire grant writers, and receive technical assistance and training. Additional details about the awards can be found at http://newsroom.hrsa.gov/releases/2007/healthcentergrants.htm or by contacting the Texas Primary Care Office at http://www.dshs.state.tx.us/chpr/.

New online training and continuing education credits available for Texas Health Steps providers

Texas Health Steps Online Provider Education Banner

Texas Health Steps takes a big leap with new online training modules and an updated website. Health providers throughout Texas can take online courses on subjects ranging from adolescent health screening and case management to nutrition and mental-health screening. Continuing education credits can be awarded to eligible participants after the successful completion of each module. The free, self-paced, web-based training modules are about one hour long. Signing up is simple and fast. More than 1,000 health-care providers have already completed an online class. For more information on the classes, visit http://txhealthsteps.com.

Hurricanes

Click for health-related information, including family preparations, precautions, evacuation tips and updates.

Organ Donor Registration

Donate Life Texas Logo DSHS has launched a new Web site with information about organ donation and instructions for registering as an organ donor online.

More than 7,000 people are waiting for life-saving organs in Texas. The registry helps streamline the donation process and makes it easier for Texans to register as organ, tissue and eye donors.

Glenda Dawson Donate Life -- Texas Registry

News Release

Legislature expands breast and cervical cancer screening program

Effective Sept. 1, House Bill 1 and Senate Bill 10, passed by the 80th Texas Legislature, will expand the DSHS Breast and Cervical Cancer Screening program and the Medicaid Treatment Act under HHSC. More women will have access to screening for breast and cervical cancer and qualified individuals will have access to treatment. Read more here: http://www.dshs.state.tx.us/bcccs/default.shtm.

Suicide prevention activities under way

Suicide Prevention Logo DSHS, the Texas Suicide Prevention Council, and Mental Health America in Texas have launched a new website, www.texassuicideprevention.org. This site will provide suicide prevention information, including suicide warning signs and guidance on helping someone in crisis. A suicide prevention toolkit is available at
http://www.mhatexas.org/2006SuicidePreventToolkitUPDATE.htm.

This effort, through the federally funded Texas Youth Suicide Prevention Project, will also provide suicide-prevention training in counties that have the state’s highest incidence of suicide among 15- to 24-year-olds. In August, the project will launch prevention services for military dependents in San Antonio. Additional information can be found here.

WIC continues rollout of electronic-benefits transfer

Image of Lone Star Card The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) continues to implement electronic-benefits transfer (EBT) to provide nutritious foods to participants. WIC clinics and grocers in 25 counties are preparing to use the EBT cards in August at more than 100 grocers. When implementation is complete, EBT benefits will be available in about one-fourth of Texas counties and issued to about 150,000 of the 900,000 WIC clients served each month. For more details visit http://www.dshs.state.tx.us/wichd/ebt/ebt1.shtm