Impact
Highlights for the 2016-2017 grant year:
- Partnering with school-based health and our pediatric providers, we were able to expand the fluoride varnish program throughout our region. From summer 2015 (initial roll out in one pediatric clinic) to December 2016, 2277 children had received an oral health risk assessment in our region, 373 had scored a 2 or greater (at risk) and 277 children had received at least one application of fluoride varnish.
- Over 2700 PK-grade 3 students received oral health education from three dental educators.
- The self-management programs flourished this year as the Living Well program recognized that RHENSOM has been a regional leader in sponsoring these programs. Two RHENSOM staff members were trained as Master Trainers to ensure sustainability of peer leaders. With the additional leaders on staff, RHENSOM was able to offer 4 CDSMP and 2 DSMP classes this grant year. Roll out of the Living Well program (8 workshops being delivered simultaneously in different communities through a provider referral program) occurred in Spring 2017.
- One-quarter of the school districts in our SOM counties applied for the Excellence in School Wellness awards; 4 were provided with financial support for specific wellness initiatives (active indoor recess equipment for three of the districts, and a water bottle filling station for the other district)
- Partnering with our Creating Healthy Schools and Communities program director and the Mohawk Valley PHIP, which encompasses all the SOM counties, we have invested considerable staff time in advocating for Complete Streets in various municipalities. As on March 31, the city of Oneonta had passed a Complete Streets Policy, and a "Ride On for Complete Streets" event in in the works for Otsego County communities in September. Go to mvphip.org, markfenton.com and https://www.epa.gov/smartgrowth for more information.
- Partnering with 5-2-1-0, we supported the implementation of an additional produce market in a food desert community. 30-60 individuals visit the market, which is open 1 afternoon a week. In the upcoming year, we will be conducting a formal evaluation of a Fruit and Vegetable Prescription program in the two food desert communities where 5-2-1-0 has established produce markets.
- After school cooking clubs have been established in several area school districts. 85 upper elementary and middle school children have taken part. Plans to establish clubs in another two districts are forthcoming.
