Alliance for Biosecurity’s Post

Policy makers cannot underestimate the importance of talking to users. Good policy intentions don't always translate into practical operation. This post from Jennifer Pahlka and the originating video from Marie Gluesenkamp Perez highlight why connecting policy development to operations is so critically important. Highly relevant to our work in RMV Modernization.

🌟 Excited to Announce: The shortlist for Barnardo’s first category in the HSJ Awards: ‘Early Intervention & Prevention for Children, Young People & Families! 🌟 At Barnardo's’s, we believe in the power of prevention and early intervention to ensure children and young people lead happy, healthy, and hopeful lives. There were an amazing 114 entries in this category, and the quality and innovation of the programmes submitted were truly outstanding. As a judge, it was a tough challenge to narrow these down, and we ended up with 9 incredible finalists. Congratulations to all the shortlisted programmes: https://lnkd.in/d5SSjJNi There were some key themes in the shortlisted programmes which made them truly stand out. Based on the best practices I've reviewed and the judging criteria for the awards, here are my top 10 tips for designing a successful early intervention service:   1.    Use Data-Driven Insights: Set your strategy and goals based on robust data analysis. Really think about your population, including the health inequalities they may face to ensure that your project is evidence driven and impactful. 2.    Define Success Metrics Early: Establish clear and measurable goals from the outset. This helps you measure and monitor your success and will make it easier to find any areas for evaluation and improvement 3.    Consider Social Determinants of Health: Most of health happens outside of our hospitals and surgeries, Address broader factors influencing health outcomes like poverty, education, housing and more 4.    Co-Creation and Co-Production: The best projects engage children, young people, families, and communities from the very beginning and not as an after thought 5.    Capture Success Holistically: Use both qualitative and quantitative data, including testimonials and case studies, to measure impact. Nothing brings your project to life more than a good case study or testimonial! 6.    Reduce Healthcare Burdens: It’s a challenging time for our NHS! Think about projects that lead to cost savings and resource optimization 7.    Share Your Learning: Disseminate your successes and insights through conferences, policy discussions, and collaborations with other services. The best projects are those which others will be wanting to learn from! 8.    Inter-Agency Collaboration and effective communication: Foster strong partnerships across different sectors including health, education and social care. Ensure seamless and collaborative relationships between all parties involved. 10. And…… Apply to the HSJ Awards Next Year!: Don’t miss the opportunity to showcase your outstanding work.   #HSJAwards #EarlyIntervention #Prevention #Innovation #HealthcareExcellence #CommunityHealth #DataDriven #Collaboration #NHS #ChildHealth #FamilyHealth #HealthEquity #BestPractices 

Children's HealthWatch Statement on the 2024 Election: The center of our work has always been and will continue to be the health and well-being of young children and their families. While we work to process the outcome of this election and what it will mean for the infants and toddlers, our commitment to our mission remains steadfast: to achieve health equity for young children and their families by advancing research to transform policy. Since 1998, Children's HealthWatch has meticulously documented how policy decisions shape the lives of infants and toddlers. These children - our future leaders, innovators, and citizens - cannot march, cannot vote, and cannot speak at Congressional hearings. But through our research, their needs echo in the halls of power. In this pivotal moment, we reinforce our commitment to: - Rigorously tracking the impact of state and federal policies on child health outcomes - Translating complex data into actionable policy solutions - Advocating for evidence-based programs that strengthen families - Building coalitions to protect and enhance vital public benefit programs Together with all of you, we can strengthen and protect public benefit programs, drive public policy that helps families thrive, and fight for a better future for all children - because we owe it to them. The work continues. Join us.

At the annual Health and Human Services Policy Advisors Institute Governors’ health and human services advisors were able to connect, share best practices, and explore ways to address their most pressing policy challenges. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/eu2EnHj2

Urgent Budget Advocacy is Needed for REquipment in the Massachusetts State Budget. If you reside in Massachusetts, please contact your state senator. The amendment for $500,000 that we needed in the House did not pass. This means we need a full-court press in the Senate to preserve our program. A $500,000 cut to REquipment would have devastating effects. Please call your state senator. (Find them at this link: https://lnkd.in/eDJhQuG) Tell the person who answers: "I am calling as a constituent to ask the Senator to advocate for the Durable Medical Equipment Reuse Program in the Senate budget. Please include $500,000 in annualization funding in line item 4120-4000. The House budget does not include full funding to the Durable Medical Equipment Reuse Program, and a cut of this size would be devastating to these vital services." You can add a personal note or experience with the program if you have one. This simple action can make all the difference! Staff at these offices are tallying calls to assess local priorities. You may also email their office or do so instead of calling. Share this post with your networks. Tell your friends and family to take action. And expect we will ask you to take action again this budget season. Thank you for all you do to support and sustain our wonderful REquipment community! #DurableMedicalEquipment #AssistiveTechnology #Wheelchair #Reuse #Mapoli #A11y #Veterans #Seniors #Disability #Massachusetts #SpecialEducation #EarlyIntervention #DisabilityAdvocate #CommunityLove

The 2024-2025 Healy-Driscoll budget includes important improvements for the human services workforce: * A historic increase in human services workforce rates with Governor Healey’s $485 million investment in Chapter 257, which will ensure the median benchmark for direct care salaries will be no less than $20 per hour. * Increases in DDS line items for programs and services. Many key areas of the DDS budget received significant funding increases to match the growing needs of our community. Day and Employment received an increase of 26%, Turning 22 17%, Autism Omnibus 18%, Family Support 22%, and Transportation 19%. * Personal Care Attendant (PCA) cuts were halted. Along with partner organizations, The Arc advocated successfully to reverse proposed eligibility and other cuts to the PCA program. The legislature acted and turned around these PCA cuts with language that requires eligibility to remain the same as this past year (FY24). There is also language to convene a working group of key community and government stakeholders, including The Arc of Massachusetts, to review the scope of services and eligibility thresholds of the personal care attendant program. This language will also affect the implementation of the Independent Assessment Entity (IAE) since the PCA program is to be included in the IAE, as reflected here: “the current state of any structural change initiatives related to pre-admission counselling, screenings, assessments and coordination of care and any other component of the personal care attendant program…” * Language to allow transferability within DDS line items. * Language to require a report comparing wages between community-based human services workers and state workers in the same job roles. * We have earmark funding for important programs and provider training, including Operation House Call and AFAM’s ABA Training pilot. The funding for Operation House Call will help maintain and grow our unique, inclusive healthcare training program. The ABA Training pilot will provide ABA training for staff working in Day programs with participants who have complex, challenging behaviors.

A Historic Moment for Older Australians 📑 Baptist Care Australia celebrates the passage of the new Aged Care Act through Parliament – a historic reform that represents a major step forward for Australia’s aged care sector. Achieved through bipartisan support and following more than a year of negotiations, this transformative legislation addresses critical recommendations from the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety. It lays the groundwork for ensuring older Australians receive the care, dignity, and respect they deserve, while securing the system’s financial sustainability. Now, the focus shifts to implementation. Baptist Care Australia remains committed to ensuring this reform achieves its intended outcomes and looks forward to continued collaboration with the Government and stakeholders during this vital transition phase. This moment is monumental – but it’s only the beginning. It’s like the birth of a child: a significant milestone that celebrates months of hard work and dedication. Yet, it also marks the start of a long and demanding journey, just when you're at your most exhausted. See the link below for ACCPA's comments and to read more: https://lnkd.in/gFPXt3Ks #AgedCareReform #BaptistCareAustralia #AgedCareAct2024 #OlderAustralians

🌟 Aged Care Fact: New Legislation on the Horizon 🌟 Did you know? The Australian government is set to introduce a new Aged Care Act this year. This landmark legislation will prioritize the rights and needs of older Australians, placing their voices at the center of aged care services. Key focus areas include: Embedding human rights into the Act Enhancing the complaints system Supporting decision-making for older Australians This shift towards a more person-centered approach marks a significant step forward in ensuring that aged care truly serves those who need it most. 🔗 Learn more about what older Aussies want from the new Aged Care Act: https://lnkd.in/g5EnhMsD

As we welcome our new government, it is important to acknowledge the unique opportunity we have to address pressing societal challenges. For too long, intergenerational issues have been sidelined in political discourse, contributing to a myriad of societal challenges, including loneliness, ageism, and economic disparities. Our demographic landscape is changing, with significant shifts in population age distribution. It is crucial for our policymakers to prioritize initiatives that foster meaningful interactions between age groups, illuminate the inherent positivity of intergenerational relationships, and actively develop supportive systems to nurture them across all areas of our country. By embracing these changes, we can build a society where every generation feels valued and connected. Let's work together to create a future where intergenerational solidarity is at the heart of our communities. 🌍 #NewGovernment #IntergenerationalSolidarity #PolicyChange #Community #Loneliness #Ageism #EconomicEquity

Ensuring the health and wellbeing of children in Scotland is our biggest opportunity to see a Scotland where everybody thrives. Public Health Scotland welcomes the incorporation of UNCRC and the protection that this ensures for children’s rights in Scotland. Not only will it mean that children and young people’s rights can be enforced, but it will also mean that public authorities must take steps to progressively realise children’s rights in decisions and action. Childhood represents a special time in our lives when we must have additional protections. These protections safeguard the best start in life for children and create the foundations for good health into adulthood and older age. Preventing disease and promoting wellbeing for children and young people will prolong healthy life and reduce health inequalities for generations to come. Read our statement here: https://lnkd.in/empQ-mB7