A Pima County Collaboration
January 2021 | Issue 3
VIDEO: Vaccinations for School Staff

Message from the Pima County Health Department:

Please watch this important video about vaccinations for school staff. Pima County has made vaccinating our PK through 12 educators a priority 1B group. The vaccine is here, but we have a limited supply and have to allocate it to those who need it most. If you are a PK through 12 educator, you will receive an email directly from Tucson Medical Center (TMC) to begin your registration process and to sign up to receive your vaccine. CLICK HERE to visit our vaccination information and distribution website!
Educators: Share Your COVID Vaccination Selfies

We are looking for any and all educator vaccination pictures. We want to spotlight and celebrate you for doing your part to help us get back in the classroom! Your photos will be featured on our website, social media platforms, and will line the windows of the Pima County School Superintendent's Office in Downtown Tucson!

Email your vaccine selfie to matthew.stamp@pima.gov.
We Need Your Help: Development of a Support Toolkit

School staff, parents, and students have all experienced increased stress and other mental health impacts exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. The Community Mental Health and Addiction Team, in partnership with the Pima County Superintendent's Office and SARSEF, is currently developing a web-based toolkit for school staff to help address these ongoing concerns that will be available to all. Please complete this brief questionnaire that will help guide the development of this toolkit and assess the resources and tools needed to support staff, families, and youth with their mental health and overall wellness and success.
New Study from Campaign for Tobacco-Free kids

Across 30 major U.S. cities, an average of 63% of public schools are located within 1,000 feet – about two city blocks – of a tobacco retailer.

  • Tobacco retailers are concentrated in low-income areas. On average, there are nearly five times more tobacco retailers per square mile in the lowest-income neighborhoods than in the highest-income neighborhoods, as defined by data from the U.S. Census.
  • Tobacco retailers are ubiquitous. Across the 30 cities, there are 31 times more tobacco retailers than McDonald’s restaurants and 16 times more than Starbucks.
  • Tobacco retailers are easy to access. On average, 70% of city residents live within a half-mile, or about a ten-minute walk, of a tobacco retailer.
Staying Healthy: Managing Symptoms of Depression and Anxiety in Youth

Being healthy is important for all children, and can be especially important for children with depression or anxiety. In addition to getting the right treatment, leading a healthy lifestyle can play a role in managing symptoms of depression or anxiety. Here are some healthy behaviors that may help:
  • Having a healthy eating plan centered on fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes (beans, peas, and lentils), lean protein sources, and nuts and seeds
  • Participating in physical activity each day based on age
  • Getting the recommended amount of sleep each night based on age
  • Practicing mindfulness or relaxation techniques

Since more meals are being prepared at home a healthy eating plan includes a variety of healthy foods. Add an array of colors to your plate and think of it as eating the rainbow. Dark, leafy greens, oranges, and tomatoes—even fresh herbs—are loaded with vitamins, fiber, and minerals. Adding frozen peppers, broccoli, or onions to stews and omelets gives them a quick and convenient boost of color and nutrients.

According to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans a healthy eating plan:
  • Emphasizes fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and fat-free or low-fat milk and milk products
  • Includes lean meats, poultry, fish, beans, eggs, and nuts
  • Is low in saturated fats, trans fats, cholesterol, salt (sodium), and added sugars
  • Stays within your daily calorie needs

USDA’s My Plate Plan and My Plate For Kids can help you identify what and how much to eat from the different food groups while staying within your recommended calorie allowance.

Help children stay active
In addition to being fun for children, regular physical activity has many health benefits, including:
  • Strengthening bones
  • Decreasing blood pressure
  • Reducing stress and anxiety
  • Increasing self-esteem
  • Helping with weight management

Children ages 3 through 5 years should be active throughout the day. Children and adolescents ages 6 through 17 years should be physically active at least 60 minutes each day. Include aerobic activity, which is anything that makes their hearts beat faster. Also, include bone-strengthening activities such as running or jumping and muscle-strengthening activities such as climbing or push-ups. See details.

Remember that children imitate adults. Adults can add physical activity to their own routines and encourage their child/children to join them.

Reduce sedentary time
Although quiet time for reading and homework is fine, limit the time children watch television, play video games, or surf the web to no more than 2 hours per day. Additionally, the American Academy of Pediatrics does not recommend television viewing for children aged 2 years or younger. Instead, encourage children to find fun activities to do with family members or on their own that simply involve more activity. See the Screen Time Vs Lean Time.

Ensure adequate sleep
Too little sleep is associated with obesity, partly because inadequate sleep makes us eat more and be less physically active. Children need more sleep than adults, and the amount varies by age. See the recommended amounts of sleep and suggested habits to improve sleep.
Health Care Forum | February 11 | 8:30am - 3:00pm | Virtual

For some, the health system works perfectly. For many others, it doesn’t. The Health System Forum, presented by the Waters Center for Systems Thinking, will create the space for important conversations about the current state of the health system and how systems thinking can help create a more inclusive, productive system with better outcomes for all.

It’s not often that key stakeholders from all parts of the system come together. When this happens, meaningful dialogue and change take shape. Join us for this unique opportunity that will surface important perspectives from members throughout the health system. #BetterTogether

Who should attend?
Participants of the Forum will include:
  • Healthcare providers from all types of health and medical systems
  • Public health workers
  • Social workers
  • Medical school students, nursing/physician assistant students, medical residents
  • Health system administrators
  • Mental health professionals
  • Healthcare researchers, health technology innovators, and scientists
  • Educators
  • Patients, Parents, Caregivers
  • Anyone interested in the health system

Expected outcomes
Participants will:
  • Come together with other health system stakeholders in order to represent and experience a whole-system approach
  • Explore perceptions around the state of the health system
  • Discover how the Habits and tools of systems thinking can be applied to create a more inclusive, productive, and beneficial health system for all
  • Hear examples from distinguished guest speakers of how systems thinking Habits and tools have already been applied in various healthcare settings
  • Walk away with tools and approaches to break down silos throughout their network and beyond in order to make positive change
  • Continue to build connections and systems thinking capacity through follow-up opportunities
Upcoming PD: Save The Date / Register


CLICK HERE to see more upcoming professional development offered by the Pima County School Superintendent's Office.
Please Get Your Flu Shot

In light of the on-going COVID-19 pandemic, flu vaccine uptake is very important among all populations for the 2020-2021 flu season. Flu vaccines are safe, effective, and if you do get the flu, you’ll be less sick. Protect yourself and others and get your flu shot! Click here to learn about FREE flu shot resources across Pima County.
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A Pima County Collaboration