New Resource Released by the CDC: Guide to Measuring Alcohol Outlet Density

A new resource was just released by the CDC called the "Guide for Measuring Alcohol Outlet Density". The Regulation of Alcohol Outlet Density is an evidence-based strategy through The Community Guide to decrease excessive alcohol consumption. If local data shows that excessive drinking is a problem in your community, you may want to consider measuring alcohol outlet density. For more CDC alcohol resources on research in action, visit this website.

Have questions about this evidence-based strategy or need measurement support? Contact Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment's Alcohol Epidemiologist, Kacy Crawford at kacy.crawford@state.co.us.

Save the Date: Mile High Data Day

September 14, 2017 | Arvada Center for the Arts and Humanities

In today's open data culture, we have the ability to use data to tell stories, collaborate across organizations and make data-informed decisions that have the power to improve the lives of others. The Piton Foundation’s Shift Research Lab, formerly known as the Data Initiative, invites you to learn how to combine these elements and use open data to drive social change at the second annual Mile High Data Day, which is being held on Thursday, September 14 at the Arvada Center for the Arts and Humanities.

Join the Denver metro region's data community as we share best practices and strengthen our region's data culture. 2017 Mile High Data Day will feature keynote speaker, Erica Raleigh, owner and Executive Director of Data Driven Detroit, idea showcases and interactive breakout sessions. Visit our website for more information, and registration will open in mid-August.

CDC Now Available: New Guide on Adapting Evidence-based Approaches

Today, the CDC released Using Essential Elements to Select, Adapt, and Evaluate Violence Prevention Approaches to help state and local partners with the implementation of evidence-based prevention approaches.

Because each setting for violence prevention strategies is unique, practitioners must make decisions about how to balance delivering prevention approaches as intended with the reality of their local context. The Division of Violence Preventiondeveloped this guidance document to support a step of the implementation process.

How can the document be used?
This guidance will help anyone implementing violence prevention programs to:

• Identify essential elements of approaches
• Better understand what evidence-based approaches are and
• Apply this knowledge to effectively select, deliver, adapt and evaluate approaches.

Although this guidance was designed with evidence-based approaches in mind, it may also be useful for approaches supported by promising or emerging evidence.

To learn more, join CDC and PreventConnect for a web conference Monday, August 28 at 11am PST/2pm EST. For more information and to register, click here.

Gidion’s Knot at Springs Ensemble Theatre

Thursday July 20, 2017 - Sunday August 6, 2017 – see below for performance dates.

Springs Ensemble Theatre, 1903 E Cache La Poudre Street, Colorado Springs, CO 80909

Gidion’s Knot by Johnna Adams, follows the confrontation between Corryn, ten-year-old Gidion's mother, and Heather, his fifth grade teacher, in the aftermath of his suicide. Directed by SET ensemble member Jodi Papproth, SET’s production explores the hard conversations a suicide produces.

For additional information, see the email below or contact Springs Ensemble Theatre at (719) 357-3080 or springsensembletheatre@gmail.com

Youth Health & Development Planner Position

El Paso County Public Health has an opening for someone who will be responsible for developing and coordinating the El Paso County youth suicide prevention work plan and providing support to the Child Fatality Review Team (CFRT). Establishes and maintains multi-agency youth suicide prevention networks and participates in community groups focused on preventing youth suicides and child fatalities; leads groups as needed. Responsible for creating action plans, evaluating and progress towards objectives, and recommending policies and procedures for youth suicide prevention education efforts.

For more information visit: El Paso County’s Career’s Page Closing date: 7/30/17

Denver Opportunity Youth Initiative - Youth Feedback reqeust

The Denver Opportunity Youth Initiative, supported by the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce, is aimed at providing education, career opportunities and support systems to opportunity youth by partnering with nonprofit, government and business organizations to create a pipeline to meaningful work experiences and careers. The initiative reconnects 16- to 24-year-olds to work and school, and gives them the support they need to stay on the path to success.

Encourage youth to be a leader. Help change their community. 

Youth aged 16-24 years old and who care about young people can work with Denver Opportunity Youth Initiative and get paid to give us feedback at meetings. 

Apply: tiny.cc/youthapp 

Please encourage as many people as possible to apply!

13 Reasons Why…. We Need to Stop Siloing Youth Experiences.

There has been an understandable buzz about the hit Netflix show, 13 Reasons Why, and a lot of great articles about how to identify and respond to young people dealing with depression or experiencing sexual violence. While these resources are both important and helpful, I am struck by the disconnect between how the show talks about experiencing violence and the way professionals have responded. Specifically, 13 Reasons Why demonstrates how interconnected experiencing violence is, yet articles written in response tend to focus on an isolated issue such as suicide or sexual violence. As public health professionals we often tend to get laser-focused on a specific issue that a young person may face, identifying prevention strategies specifically for suicide, or sexual violence, or bullying. But what if, for the young people who are facing these difficult issues, separating them out does more harm than good? Youth do not exist in a vacuum and neither should our programs or strategies.