NH DHHS - Free EPA Lead Safety Training Classes Being Offered

Concord, NH – The New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services,

Division of Public Health Services, Healthy Homes and Lead Poisoning

Prevention Program has received grant money from the US Environmental

Protection Agency (EPA) to provide free lead safety training for the second

year in a row.



This free training, which will be held throughout the State, is aimed at

self-employed contractors, renovators, property managers, painters,

plumbers, carpenters, and electricians who work on pre-1978 homes or child

occupied facilities. This training will help contractors comply with EPA’s

Renovation, Repair and Painting (RRP) Rule (40 CRF 745), which requires

that any renovations conducted for compensation must be performed by

Certified Firms using Certified Renovators. The training is provided by

Lead-EDU.



The goal of the RRP Rule and the lead safety training is to have

contractors trained on how to conduct renovation activities safely to

reduce the risk of lead poisoning. Common renovation activities that

disturb lead-based paint, such as sanding, cutting, and demolition, create

hazardous lead dust and chips that are harmful to children and adults. In

2011, 93 children under 6 years old had elevated blood leads over 10

micrograms per deciliter, while 535 New Hampshire children had blood lead

levels between 5 and 9 micrograms per deciliter, which is the Center for

Disease Control and Prevention new level of concern.



“In New Hampshire, one in every three children who have an elevated blood

lead level was exposed due to renovation work,” said Dr. José Montero,

Director of the Division of Public Health Services. “Through this

partnership with the EPA and the contractor training, New Hampshire

homeowners will have a source for contractors who are trained in lead-safe

work practices. This training brings us another step closer to eliminating

lead poisoning.”



Courses are being offered throughout New Hampshire. The following is a list

of the class dates and locations. Classes are 8 am to 5 pm. Contractors

need to only attend one of them:

Nashua, City Hall Auditorium – May 14

Manchester, Manchester Health Department – May 28

Franklin, Lakes Region Community College – June 20

Rochester, Frisbie Memorial Hospital – July 19

Berlin, White Mountain Community College - August 6

Manchester (Spanish), Lead-EDU – September 6

Claremont, Home Depot – September 12

Manchester (Refresher), Lead-EDU – September 26

Lakes Region, The Taylor Home – October 15

Manchester, Manchester Health Department – November 7



Pre-registration is required. Call Ben Kirkwood at 603 203-6430 or go to

www.Lead-Edu.info  to register.

NH DHHS - Standing Up for North Country Veterans Supporting Homeless Veterans and Their Families

Concord, NH – The North Country Veterans Committee is announcing new

initiatives aimed at supporting homeless Veterans and Veterans who are at

risk for homelessness, in the North Country. Since the inception of this

Committee in 2009, it has done extensive outreach, education and awareness

throughout the North Country in building a stronger safety net for North

Country Veterans and their Families.



Some of the new and innovative initiatives include the North Country

Homeless Resource Guide, Vet to Vet Peer Support, engagement with the

Berlin State Prison and new programs introduced by the White River Junction

VA Medical Center.



The Stand Up for North Country Veterans Press Event begins at 12:00 PM,

Friday, May 17th and will be followed by an Open House, where media

professionals can tour the Vet Center, as well as speak with Veterans and

military providers. The Mobile Vet Center will also be on site for tours,

information and services.



Speakers include:

Executive Councilor Ray Burton

Dave Canter, Vietnam Veteran, Vet to Vet Team Leader

John Pagan, Captain (Retired), US Army Reserve

Jo Moncher, Community Based Military Programs, NH Dept of Health and Human

Services

Rob Norris, Homeless Outreach Worker, WRJ VA Medical Center

Jay Sprinkle, Vietnam Veteran, Team Lead, Berlin Vet Center



DATE: May 17, 2013

12:00pm



EVENT: Stand Up for North Country Veterans



LOCATION: Berlin Vet Center

515 North Main Street

Gorham, NH

NH DHHS Recognizes May as Foster Care Month

Concord, NH – The New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services

(DHHS), Division for Children, Youth and Families (DCYF) is joining with

the rest of the country in celebrating National Foster Care Month. New

Hampshire has celebrated this national event since its inception back in

1988.



“This is a time to honor all the families who are making a difference in

the lives of children and youth in care,” said DCYF Director Maggie Bishop.

“There are hundreds of New Hampshire parents who open their hearts and

their homes. We thank them for their dedication and commitment to help

those who need a temporary place to call home.”



In New Hampshire, there are currently more than 670 licensed foster homes

who serve approximately 1000 children who need care each year. The average

age of a child in care is 11 years old. Approximately 53% of the children

being served will be reunified with their families. For children who are

adopted from foster care, over 77% are adopted by their foster parents.



Celebrations for Foster Care Month are being held around the State and in

local communities in an effort to thank those who have opened their homes

and hearts. This year the statewide event is being held this Saturday, May

18th at the Spaulding Youth Center in Northfield, which will include a

number of events hosted by community and faith-based organizations.



DCYF is always interested in expanding its number of licensed foster homes

to meet the diverse needs of the children and families it serves. For more

information about fostering and/or adopting children in care visit:

www.dhhs.nh.gov/dcyf/adoption/index.htm

NH DHHS - Recognizes Stroke Prevention and High Blood Pressure Awareness Month

Concord, NH - The New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services

(DHHS), Division of Public Health Services (DPHS), Heart Disease and Stroke

Prevention Program is recognizing May as Stroke Prevention Month and High

Blood Pressure Awareness Month to raise awareness about these common and

dangerous conditions. Since 1989 this day has been used to try to encourage

people to learn their risks about stroke, which is the 5th leading cause of

death in New Hampshire.



Somewhere in the U.S. someone has a stroke every 40 seconds. Stroke is

responsible for 133,000 deaths in the United States each year, or one in

every 18. A stroke is when a blockage causes blood flow to the brain to

stop or when a blood vessel in or around the brain bursts. This can cause

life-changing complications such as paralysis, loss of mental ability,

language difficulty, depression, and of course death. Strokes can happen to

people of any age, not just seniors.



“Many people probably don’t think that they would ever have a stroke,” said

Dr. José Montero, Director of Public Health at DHHS. “But anyone can be at

risk and many people don’t even realize they have risk factors, one of the

most important being uncontrolled high blood pressure. There are things we

can all do to live healthier lives and reduce our chances of stroke and

other related health problems. Everyone should also be aware of the signs

of a stroke whether to help themselves or someone else who may be having

one.”



In New Hampshire, according to the 2009 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance

Survey (BRFSS), 28.6% of adults reported that they have high blood

pressure, 58.3% of people 65 years of age or older have high blood

pressure, and 25% of people who have high blood pressure do not take

medication for their condition.





In 2011, the Department of Health and Human Services launched the Million

Hearts™ initiative to prevent a million heart attacks and strokes by 2017.

A primary focus is on the ABCS to prevent cardiovascular disease, including

stroke, and contribute to overall health:





Know your ABCS of health:

Appropriate Aspirin therapy: Ask your doctor if taking aspirin is

right for you.

Blood pressure control: Keeping your blood pressure under control

reduces your risk of heart attack and stroke. More than half of

the world’s stroke deaths are caused by elevated blood pressure

levels.

Cholesterol management: Get your cholesterol checked regularly and

manage it with diet and physical activity or with medication, if

needed.

Smoking cessation: Get help at 1-800-QUIT-NOW.

Exercise regularly

Eat a healthy diet that’s low in sodium

Maintain a healthy weight

Prevent or control diabetes

Limit your alcohol intake (fewer than two drinks per day for men, or

one drink per day for women)



When responding to a stroke, every minute counts. The sooner a patient

receives medical treatment, the lower the risk for death or disability. If

you or someone you know exhibits the following signs or symptoms, call

9-1-1 immediately for medical attention.



Numbness or weakness of the face, arm, or leg, especially on one side

of the body

Confusion, trouble speaking, or difficulty understanding

Trouble seeing in one or both eyes

Trouble walking, dizziness, or loss of balance and coordination

Severe headache with no known cause



Remember, getting immediate medical attention for stroke is crucial to

preventing disability and death, so don’t delay—dial 9-1-1.



The NH Stroke Steering Committee, which is made up of state and community

partners, is working on strengthening stroke systems of care through

bringing partners together to implement heart and stroke activities

relating to the Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention Program objectives of

reducing the prevalence of stroke and stroke deaths.



For more information about National Stroke Prevention Month, visit

www.stroke.org . To learn more about stroke, visit the Centers for Disease

Control and Prevention website at www.cdc.gov/stroke  To learn more about

the Million Hearts™ initiative, visit

http://millionhearts.hhs.gov/index.html.

NH DHHS - Give Second Annual Immunization Champion Award

Concord, NH - The Immunization Program in the Division of Public Health

Services at the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services

(DHHS) celebrates the second New Hampshire Childhood Immunization Champion,

Angela Smith. She is Associate Practice Director at CORE Physicians, LLC in

Exeter, New Hampshire.



The award was launched last year and is given jointly by the Centers for

Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the CDC Foundation to recognize

individuals who are doing an exemplary job or going above and beyond to

promote or foster childhood immunizations in their communities.



Angela Smith successfully revised the mass influenza immunization annual

event held by CORE Pediatrics in Exeter and helped vaccinate a record 1,200

children over a 10-hour period. It was also in part because of Angela’s

work and dedication that CORE Pediatrics in Exeter became the first office

at CORE Physicians to enroll in the New Hampshire Immunization Program’s

adult Tdap vaccination initiative. Her tireless efforts to immunize New

Hampshire’s children has led to extraordinary success. Angela considers the

needs of her patients and their families first and engages with her

coworkers to ensure projects run smoothly.



“While I am honored to receive this recognition,” said Smith, “I have to

acknowledge the incredible team I work with and all the effort they put

into this undertaking. No idea can come to fruition unless everyone works

together and does their part. Whenever we can we want to go above and

beyond for our patients and I certainly could not have done this alone.”



“It is dedicated healthcare personnel such as Angela who make New

Hampshire’s state-wide immunization program a success,” said Immunization

Program Manager Marcella Bobinsky. “We are grateful for all her hard work,

dedication, initiative and creative thinking that make her such a valuable

asset to the Exeter region and New Hampshire overall.”



For more information about the Childhood Immunization Champion Award, go to

www.cdc.gov/vaccines/events/niiw/champions/index.html  For more information

about immunizations in New Hampshire, contact the DHHS Immunization Program

at 603-271-4482 or visit the DHHS website at

www.dhhs.nh.gov/dphs/immunization/index.htm