June Update

Dear Community Partners and Key Stakeholders,

June is upon us and the month is starting with multiple opportunities listed on our Engage blog page that can use your support.  Quickly approaching is a deadline for applications for City of Asheville boards, commissions and committee openings.  A key step to ensuring local government is informed by those most impacted by the services it provides is that those individuals have a voice.  Please share information on how to apply with those you think can provide that voice. The next application deadline is Wednesday, June 7th! 

Things continue to move slow at the USDA in regard to the waiver required to launch Double Up Food Books.  However, they are apologetic and we expect the waiver soon for an early June launch.  Many of you are likely aware of the new volunteer hour requirement for those SNAP recipients that without dependents that are not employed. Double Up is looking for individuals needing those hours as Double Up Liaisons. Information on how you can help us recruit liaisons can be found on our Engage blog page.  If you have a background that will allow you to provide input into NC's Community Health Worker Initiative we hope you will participate in a June 19th opportunity to help the initiative develop recommendations for core competencies and certification. The listening session will take place from 5:30-7:30 with dinner provided. Registration is required.

There are just a few community learning opportunities this month.  The next quarterly Getting to Results Training hosted by WNC Healthy Impact is coming up in July.  You'll also find information on a workshop offered by NC Eat Smart Move More to learn more about how walkability impacts community health and what can be down to improve conditions to make streets more inviting, accessible and safe.  Mark Fenton, an internationally recognized expert on walkability will help lead the workshop.  Find out more about these as well as some online learning opportunities at our Learn Blog Page.  

Our CHIP partners can use your support this month getting the word out about multiple opportunities in our community. The YWCA is once again offering their popular Spanish-language nutrition and exercise series ¡Salsa, Salud y Sabor! Our voice is also accepting applications for their Backpacking Brothers program for middle school boys through June 20th. job openings...spread the word! Learn more on our Support page.

New to the Resources You Can Use this month is the Uninsured Outreach Mapping Tool from HRSA was developed to identify where the uninsured reside at the Census Block level (populations from 600-3,000) to assist in efforts to get health care services and coverage to the uninsured.

Please continue to share your needs for support, resources and information to help us all be successful in our work together! Update items should be emailed to Terri the 3rd week of the month. Items can be added to the blog or Facebook at any time. Also note, just like any public blog, you are free to use the comment space below each post to share additional information or opinions!

In appreciation of all you do!

Deanna, Lourdes & Terri