Smoke-Free Foster Care Homes in Ramsey County

Transcription

1 Smoke-Free Foster Care Homes in Ramsey County Coalition of African/African Americans for Tobacco Free Minnesota (CAAATFM) Sheku Samba

2 My experience with the AA/American community as the most targeted community by tobacco industry. Underage smoking is on the increase (E-cigs) To be equipped with methods to impact public policy by educating policy-makers about the need for policy. To work with diverse population around common issues To know the skills of inter-organizational and community collaboration To develop leadership skills to navigate the complex system To develop knowledge to recognize untapped skills of our community

3 Exposure of foster children to secondhand smoke triggers their chronic health conditions. To protect foster kids and non-smokers from secondhand smoke exposure Promote the health of foster children Prevent foster children frequent hospital visits Reduce financial burden on the county and tax payers due to reduced hospital visit Increase life expectancy of foster children

4 Major Stakeholders Ramsey county commissioners Ramsey Health and Human Services Foster care providers/families HealthCare professionals ClearWay Minnesota, APPEAL and MDH

5 Resources & Tools ClearWay Minnesota MDH APPEAL RTC Team - vast experience Fixed budget of $45,000.00

6 Project Description/Mission - Scope Collaboration (Ramsey Tobacco Coalition-RTC) Lobbying (Ramsey County Commissioners) Awareness raising (Media outlets) Community Outreach Program

7 Project Features - Measuring Talking points Number of Commissioners met (6) Number of smoke-free foster care policy passed (7) Number of articles published Number of testifiers (1)

8 Meeting Commissioners and Others Mr. Martin o Not Supportive o Want to see implemented at state level Commissioner Carter Supportive, want to know what she can do to help Concerned about decrease in providers/parents

9 Meeting Commissioners and Others Cont. Commissioner McDonough Met him twice; Requested for second meeting and language Supportive and Expressed need to implement right away

10 Meeting Commissioners and Others Commissioner Ortega Supportive, but concerned about implementation and measurement Request should come from Department of Human Services

11 Meeting Commissioners and Others Commissioner McGuire Commissioner Huffman Commissioner Victoria

12 Challenges Decision whether to take Administrative Vs. Ordinance track Scope creep o o E-cigarettes Statewide Policy Reluctant for team members to Step up to leadership role/additional responsibilities Location of Meetings - Lack of focus Weather and Parking

13 Risks Drop in foster care providers/families Not supported by Administration Administrative policy adopted finish early Not supported by some commissioners

14 Lessons Learned Our outlook about community changed That there is strength in community empowerment Collaboration Establishment of informed coalition is crucial The importance of Diversity and Inclusion The need for frequent evaluation Personal connection with policy-makers matters for effective lobbying

15 Critical Success Factors Ground Rules Collaboration with RTC Ability to manage and utilize our strengths and balance our weaknesses Effective use of available technology for Communication

16 Project Status Start date August 19 th 2013; End date April. 15, /18/14 - Commissioners approved the proposal

17 Final Thought and question That it is crucial to empower communities so that they can see themselves not as consumers or clients, but as contributors to processes. Question Who in this hall that has never been asked by his/her healthcare provider during hospital visit whether you smoke? This mean smoking is still a problem.

18 End