National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month is observed each July to focus on the unique mental health challenges faced by racial and ethnic minorities. Minority communities often face obstacles to accessing mental healthcare such as inadequate insurance coverage, provider shortages, cultural stigmas, and language barriers. Historical experiences of trauma, discrimination, and mistreatment within healthcare systems have also contributed to mistrust and hesitancy to engage with mental health services. By addressing these barriers and advocating for culturally competent care, we can take significant steps toward promoting health equity for minority communities.
There are several ways to observe National Minority Health Awareness month. Public health departments can:
- Create culturally and linguistically competent mental health educational materials.
- Partner with community-based organizations focused on serving minority communities on mental health initiatives.
- Offer cultural competency/humility training to staff.
For more information about National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month, please visit NAMI.
July 10, 2023
Regional Healthy Places Index (HPI) Training- Southern California
Are you interested in building healthier and more resilient communities in Southern California? Join us for an exploration of the Healthy Places Index® (HPI), an innovative data and policy platform used across California to track neighborhood conditions that support health. In this 90-minute training, we will provide a deep dive into the HPI, share how HPI can be used in Southern California local health departments to inform strategic interventions that address health disparities, and demonstrate how you can use the free, interactive map tool to leverage HPI data and analyses for your work.
Training will be from 11:30am-1:00pm. Register here.
July 11, 2023
TA Office Hours: Data Gathering & More
Join us for an informative session to learn about public data resources for Social Determinants of Health, COVID-19, and Demographics. We will cover the following:
- Sources for gathering data including Homeless Data Integration System (where CoCs enter data), COVID-19 Reporting, and the U.S. Census Bureau.
- The Equity Checklist for Publications, a compilation of equity-promoting recommendations to encourage fairness, consistency, and clarity in terminology and word choice for written data reports on demographic characteristics and selected populations.
- The Health Communities Data and Indicator Project (HCI), a standardized set of statistical measures, data, and tools on the social determinants of health in California.
Come listen, learn, and ask questions. Office Hours will be held from 12:30-1:30pm. Join the meeting on Zoom.
July 13, 2023
Equity Portal Office Hours for LHJs
We are taking all requests, questions, and technical assistance inquiries in the Equity Portal. Use the “Start an Inquiry” button to submit your Inquiry, and your TA specialist will send you a response within a few business days. If you have any questions, comments, or concerns, come to the monthly Equity Portal Office Hours for LHJs, held the second Thursday of every month at 11 am. Or email EquityPortalSupport@cdph.ca.gov for assistance.
July 14, 2023
BARHII Water Cooler Session: Programming for Equity: Implementing an Equity Policy and Program Assessment Tool
Erin Nieuwenhuijs from Napa County Public Health will facilitate a peer conversation about strategies to align public health programs and policies with equity goals. She’ll also walk through an equity assessment tool created by Napa County’s public health division that helps supervisors and managers design new initiatives that produce the intended impacts for the appropriate groups. This session will be from 9:00am-10:00am. Register here. Please note: Space is limited to the first 12 local health jurisdictions.
July 19, 2023
BARHII Water Cooler Session: Staff Development for Equity: Helping Public Health Employees View their Roles through an Equity Lens
Jo-Ann Julien and Anissa Busch from San Diego County Public Health Services will lead a peer conversation about methods to support public health employees to integrate equity into their work. They’ll share a tool they’ve developed to help San Diego County public health staff view their work through various equity lenses. This practical tool can be adapted to any staff member’s role, whether you’re implementing a program, working in administration, or serving in the laboratory. This session will be from 10:00am-11:00am. Register here. Please note: Space is limited to the first 12 local health jurisdictions.
July 21, 2023
Year 2 Quarter 4 Progress Reports & Expenditure Reports DUE
Please email and submit progress reports, updated spend plans, expenditure reports, and invoices for Y2Q4 directly to your Equity TA Specialist by Friday, July 21st.
