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H1N1 Influenza 2009-2010 and Faith CommunitiesBy Beverly Driver, RNTo keep communities healthy during the upcoming flu season, it will take all of us—community and faith-based organizations, government, businesses and schools—working together. Leaders and members of faith communities know their members well. As trusted leaders, you can communicate important health information in an effective and motivating manner. You know the people in your community who are most vulnerable and hard to reach.
You can play a vital role in ensuring that accurate public health information is communicated effectively. When information is shared by trusted messengers, people are more likely to respond and change their behavior. Here are some strategies for sharing messages: · Check http://www.flu.gov for the most up-to-date information and share what you learn with your faith community. · Provide timely and accurate information. You are uniquely positioned to share information with community members in both culturally appropriate and easy-to-understand ways. · Communicate to populations that are vulnerable and hard to reach, including people who are homeless, homebound, low-income, non-English-speaking, etc. Work closely with your local health department to educate community members on flu. Your organization could: · Institute a “Healthy Habits” or “Flu Facts” section in your newsletter, · Sponsor a community lecture series on preventing and treating flu, · Or develop a buddy system to help members stay connected to flu-related news and services.
This disease affects a younger population than the seasonal flu, so the kind of assistance needed may differ. For example, families with young children may need assistance with childcare and meals if the primary caretaker becomes ill. If H1N1 becomes widespread throughout your faith community, it will be important for people to get in touch with you in alternate ways. You might consider: · Organizing a phone tree, · Maintaining an up-to-date Web site, · Creating an e-mail list serve · Pre-recording messages on a designated call-in phone number, · Or posting notices at frequently accessed places.
Visit http://flu.gov/professional/community/cfboguidance.html to download a copy of H1N1 Flu: A Guide for Community and Faith-based Organizations.
Readers’ Response to CNP Board Plea
Thank
you for your calls, E mails, prayers and financial donations in response to the
plea from the Congregational Nurse Project Board in the October
newsletter. Unfortunately, the
financial response was not enough to sustain CNP for the long term.
At
the October Board meeting, a decision was made to again appeal to our readers
for financial support. Please read
the article below in this newsletter asking you to become a friend of the
Congregational Nurse Project. The Board is asking you to prayerfully consider this request and to give
generously to the Project that you value.
If
your congregation or another organization where you hold membership, would like
more information about the Project, a Board member would be happy to meet and
personally discuss our mission, future and how they may become a part of the
effort to bring health and healing to other faith communities in Northwest
Ohio.
Rebecca
Zechman, R.N., M.S.N.
Congregational Nurse Project Board, Chair
Join us and become a friend of the Congregational Nurse Project today!A Friend of the Project is one who supports the work of the
Congregational
Nurse Project of Northwest Ohio. For 16 years the Project has been
promoting
parish nursing and the development of health ministries to strengthen
our
faith communities throughout northwest Ohio as places of health and
wholeness. As a result,
there are now over 170 churches who have recognized and acknowledged the gifts
that nurses bring to parishioners: answers to health questions, knowledge of where
help is available, a listening ear to hear the story and time for prayer. There
is so much yet to be accomplished. Many churches have yet to hear how a parish
nurse in their midst could contribute to their mission and many nurses are
seeking ways to use their unique skills in more meaningful ways.
We need your help now more than ever to continue to offer:
All of the above services are available to anyone. Without your
help, this valuable ministry cannot continue. Please consider becoming a Friend
of the Project by sending your donation today. Your generous gift may be
designated to support a particular service or given to be used where most
needed. Thank you for your prayerful consideration of this request.
I would like to support this valuable ministry. I understand that my donation is tax-
deductable. Please make out your
check to the Congregational Nurse Project and mail your check with the
following information to the Congregational Nurse Project, P. O. Box 1262, Bowling Green, OH 43402.
Please include my
name as a Friend of the Project list in the Newsletter!!
My Name______________________________________________________
Address______________________________________________________
Amount enclosed:______________________________________________
Please use my gift
for: Parish Nurse
Education Course ______________
Seminar ______ CNP Newsletter ________Resource Person____________
Resource Library____________ Use where most needed_______________
Visit
the International Parish Nurse Resource Center (IPNRC) Web site
FCN Recognition by
Portfolio Process
Obtain up-to-date information about the status of the credentialing process for Faith Community Nurses.
H1N1 Flu (Swine Flu)
Download two new free H1N1 flyers on prevention and treatment for adults and teens for distribution in your faith community or your wider community.
CNP Newsletter
Deadline
February 1, 2010
Sponsored by Medical College Hospital
of Toledo: Parish Nurses may call Sandra Adcock in
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CONGREGATIONAL NURSE PROJECT |