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Highlights from the Network
CDC Announcement: CDC Vital Signs Report on Zika and Pregnancy
 The newest edition of CDC's Vital Signs provides an update for pregnant women about Zika. This Vital Signs reinforces previous CDC guidance and suggests actions pregnant women and their partners can take. The report also describes what the U.S. government is doing, what state and local public health agencies can do, what healthcare providers can do, and what can be done to prevent mosquito bites that potentially spread Zika.
This Vital Signs contains recently updated maps showing the approximate and potential locations of the two species of mosquitoes that are associated with Zika transmission...Read more here.
For additional information on CDC's Zika activities, please visit http://www.cdc.gov/zika/index.html
The TransitionsInAction Clinic: Bridging Meaningful Connections for the Journey Ahead
 In response to the growing need and demand for transition services by adolescents with disabilities and/or chronic health conditions, the University of South Dakota Center for Disabilities is now offering a new clinical modality-the TransitionsInAction Clinic.
The TransitionsInAction Clinic is a multi-disciplinary, daylong comprehensive clinic designed to assess an adolescent's (and their family's) current "status" and future goals in the major life areas of 1] health care, 2] education and 3] employment as they plan their transitions to adulthood. Beyond initial assessments, this clinic also provides a set of recommendations for "next steps" as they relate to successful transitions in these three areas.
The TransitionsInAction Clinic purposefully develops a plan of action that emphasizes a comprehensive, coordinated, individualized transition process that results in an integration of meaningful connections. Through a series of activities and discussions, the adolescent/young adult and their family/caregivers are assessed in terms of their levels of knowledge, participation, competency, and planning as they relate to the overall transitioning processes.
This multi-disciplinary clinic includes interviews, assessments, discussions, and activities with medical, education, rehabilitation, and adult service personnel. Included among the unique and important features of the clinic are the addition of mini work experiences through three situational assessment opportunities, participation in a guided health care transition simulation (Transition Engagement Guide), an introduction to "Doc Talk"-a tool for patient/doctor interaction, as well as discussions with parent and peer mentors...Read more here.
Webinar: Commit to Inclusion in Physical Activity & Public Health
Monday, April 18, 2016
1:00 Eastern Daylight Time
Register here.
 A truly facilitating community is one in which health promotion activities are as accessible to people with disability as they are to people without disability. All individuals have the right to conditions and resources that ensure optimal health. However, ingrained socioeconomic disadvantages and structural, programmatic and attitudinal barriers within the community are now widely recognized as major contributors to health disparities experienced by people with disability.
The lack of participation in physical activity is a serious public health concern for all Americans, but even more so for the approximately 56 million Americans with disability who are at a much greater risk for developing serious health problems associated with a sedentary lifestyle. Physical activity can provide individuals with disability the strength and stamina required to participate in all aspects of life actively and successfully. The success of inclusion is greatly increased when various factors such as support, staff training and positive attitudes exist. A well-planned "livable" community makes the right choice, the easy choice and includes people with disabilities.
Environmental barriers will be discussed and options to increase access to health promoting behaviors in the community will be provided. This webinar will highlight two initiatives for promoting community health inclusion. Commit to Inclusion is a campaign that promotes the Guidelines to Disability Inclusion in Physical Activity, Nutrition, and Obesity Programs and Policies. How I Walk is a social marketing movement to rebrand the word walking by challenging individual and societal perspectives.
Including People with Disabilities - Public Health Competencies Project Update
From March 2, 2016 - April 4, 2016 the AUCD public health team opened a review and comment period for the Including People with Disabilities - Public Health Competencies. Over 120 public health professionals provided valuable comments on the draft document.
Thank you to all who were able to participate and give feedback!
The Competencies are now being revised based on this important feedback. In June 2016 the Competencies will be available online, along with training modules, to increase the capacity of the current public health workforce include people with disabilities in planning efforts.
If you would like more information on the project or to become a "partner in the know" please contact Shannon Haworth, Public Health Program Manager, AUCD, or Adriane Griffen, Director Public Health, AUCD. You can also visit: www.aucd.org/competencies
Google Impact Challenge Winners
 As part of the Google Impact Challenge: Disabilities, Google has awarded 29 non-profit grantees with $20 million in grants to help address accessibility challenges all over the world. The grantees will use technology to expand opportunity and independence for people with disabilities. For more information visit: https://www.google.org/impactchallenge/disabilities/grants.html
AUCD Oral/Dental Health Community of Practice
 Join our Oral/Dental Health Community of Practice!
Our next call is April 22, at 11am ET. To join the call, dial 866-951-1151, code 7307522. We will be sharing training and resource updates.
Join APHA's 1 Billion Steps Challenge April 4 - May 31, 2016
 Chronic diseases such as heart disease and cancer are the leading cause of death in the U.S., and conditions such as diabetes and obesity are major contributors to disability. Fortunately, we know that regular physical activity like walking can greatly reduce the risk of chronic disease and improve quality of life, mental health and healthy aging. Join APHA's 1 Billion Steps Challenge today!
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