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Pathways to Health

November 19, 2024

Did you Know?

According to the National Center for Health Statistics, about two-thirds of U.S. adults and about one-third of children aged 2 through 19 years are overweight or obese.
Read on.

SWCAHEC Brings Virtual Dementia Tour to Community Health Representatives

“The Virtual Dementia Tour gives me a perspective of what our patients with dementia go through. From this training, I will have more patience, be more empathetic, and give them more time when supporting them.”
– Community Health Representative

In mid-November, SWCAHEC facilitated the Virtual Dementia Tour for the community health representatives of Southern Ute Community & Home Health Services Department, a service department of the Southern Ute Indian Tribe. This initiative was made possible by the Colorado Health Foundation and Next50, a national foundation based in Colorado that supports efforts to improve the lives of older adults and their caregivers. The Virtual Dementia Tour is an evidence-based program, designed to deepen the understanding of dementia using sensory tools and instructions. Trained facilitators equipped participants with devices that simulated the altered sensory experiences of individuals living with dementia, allowing them to engage in everyday tasks and exercises. This immersive experience provides community health representatives with valuable insights into the physical and mental challenges faced by those with dementia, ultimately empowering them to deliver more effective, person-centered care.

For further information about our Virtual Dementia Tour, please contact April Sandman at [email protected] or call our office at (970)-426-4284.

Chelsie’s Journey: Revitalizing Indigenous Food Traditions in Southwest Colorado

“I had this idea in my head of how the nutrition education I was getting was not fitting to who I was as an Indigenous person.” - Chelsie Begoody, Assistant Director of Southwestern Colorado Area Health Education Center and Region 9 RHC

Pictured: Chelsie Begoody serves as the RHC for Region 9.
Credit: Trailhead Institute

Chelsie Begoody’s journey as a Regional Health Connector for Region 9 began roughly a year ago, rooted in personal experiences and a deep commitment to her community’s well-being. Her host organization, the Southwestern Colorado Area Health Education Center (SWCAHEC), focuses on improving rural health in the southwest counties of Colorado. Chelsie’s journey began with an internship where she created an Indigenous recipe booklet aimed at addressing food insecurity and related health issues among indigenous populations. READ MORE

Hot Issues in Health Conference

Dec 5, 2024
7:30 AM in Pacific Time (US and Canada)

At the Colorado Health Institute

our mission is to strengthen communities and systems with trusted analysis and collaborative solutions to improve health. For more than two decades, our Hot Issues in Health conference has advanced that mission by providing thought leadership, critical insight, and a forum for meaningful policy discussions. As we approach a critical juncture for our state and nation, these conversations matter more than ever. Join us December 5 as we make sense of the 2024 election, explore its impacts on health policy, and look toward the 2025 state legislative session.

Save the Date: December 11th

Save the Date!

WEBINARS, TRAININGS AND CONFERENCES

Webinar - Advancing Healthy Aging. All webinars will have live Spanish interpretation. And will be posting all of the webinars in Spanish and English on this website (https://engagement.colostate.edu/health-extension/). Be sure to register and mark your calendars!

November 21, 2024: Exploring Care and Support Services, an education program by the Alzheimer’s Association®
December 12, 2024: Beyond Burnout: Empowering Caregivers with Dr. Deana Davalos, CSU Columbine Center for Healthy Aging
January 23, 2025: Flipping the Script on Aging with Dr. Allyson Brothers, Colorado State University
February 20, 2025: Strengthening Intergenerational Connections with Dr. Christine Fruhauf, Colorado State University
March 13, 2025: Ahead of the Curve: Advance Care Planning with Cheryl Noble, Larimer County Extension and Kat Laws, UC Health Aspen Club
April 17, 2025: Bridging the Digital Divide: Advancing Digital Equity for Older Adults with Dayton Romero Older Adult Technology Services & AARP Senior Planet
May 15, 2025: Advancing Inclusive Older Adult Programming: Success Stories from the Field panel facilitated by Ginger Williams, MHA

Join the Colorado Public Health Workforce Collaborative on November 19th from 9:00 – 11:00 a.m. MT for a deep dive discussion on recruitment, retention, career pathways, workforce data, and current events affecting the public health workforce. Sparked by workforce needs that emerged from the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, the Collaborative has convened a partnership of organizations providing structure and support for the field of public health. The Collaborative has brought the workforce blueprint to life and is now launching implementation strategies and toolkits to support the capacity of partners and communities. Gain valuable insights during this virtual roundtable, featuring a presentation from Trust for America’s Health concerning the future public health workforce. Automated closed captions and captions in multiple languages available. Open to Colorado-based organizations, PHIG recipients, and the general public. Registration link.
Applications for the 2025 Community Food Systems Fellowship, hosted by Vital Village Networks at Boston Medical Center, are now open! If you are a local leader working to advance justice and equitable food systems in partnership with families and community members, we encourage you to apply by November 8, 2024 at 11:59pm ET. Visit our website to learn more about the program, key dates, and how to apply: https://www.vitalvillage.org/projects/community-food-systems-fellowship. Or check out the application portal at: https://connect.vitalvillage.org/community-food-systems-fellowship-welcome. Join us for one of two virtual informational sessions with VVN’s Food System team this Thursday October 10th at 1 pm ET or Tuesday November 5th at 4 pm ET. If you know of anyone that may be a good fit for the fellowship, you can nominate them here. In addition, we encourage you to help spread the word about the application by using this outreach toolkit for the fellowship.
National Center for Farmworker’s Health is hosting a series of Learning Collaboratives. More information can be found here.
Sources of Strength is offering multiple upcoming information sessions and webinars. Details and registration information can be found on the Sources of Strength Events webpage.
Mark your calendar and plan to join The 2024 Colorado Food is Medicine Summit. This one-day event brings together policy and practice leaders from across the state to engage in insightful discussions and explore strategies to increase access to essential nutrition programs. Join us at The Summit and help continue this vital momentum! Registration details and cost to follow. Event Details: Wednesday, December 11, 2024, 8am-4pm, History Colorado Center