Colorado Black Health Collabrative - Health Ministries Toolkit by Jody Gilbert

HEALTH

MINISTRIES TOOLKIT

HEALTH MINISTRIES TOOLKIT Â© CBHI 2019

4 Purpose 5 Introduction 7 About the Tool Kit

8 PLANNING YOUR PROGRAM

Part One—Discover Know Yourself Know Your People Know Your Health Issue(s) Know Your Participants

11 TOOLS FOR PART ONE—DISCOVER

Worksheet 1A1 (Know Yourself—Who are you?) Worksheet 1A2 (Know Yourself—What have you done lately?) Worksheet 1B1 (Know Your People) Skills Inventory Worksheet (Personality/Temperament) Skills Inventory Worksheet (Ability/Performance) Worksheet 1B2 (Know Your People) Worksheet 1C (Know Your Health Issues) Worksheet 1D (Know Your Participants—Who are you serving?)

23 PART TWO—DESIGN

TABLE OF

CONTENTS

HEALTH MINISTRIES TOOLKIT

What is a Program? 24 TOOLS FOR PART TWO—DESIGN Worksheet 2A (Establish a baseline of knowledge and awareness) Worksheet 2B (Motivate people to believe change is possible) Worksheet 2C (Explore the costs and benefits of making change) Worksheet 2D (Provide tools and skills for making change) Worksheet 2E (Allow space and permission to try to change) Worksheet 2F (Provide a forum for personal testimony—Celebrate success) Work sheet 2G (State your goals) Work sheet 2H (6 Goal Statements)

40 PART THREE—IMPLEMENT 41 TOOLS FOR PART THREE—IMPLEMENT

Worksheet 3A (Define Success) Work sheet 3B (Create a realistic time table or schedule) Worksheet 3C (Assure that members and volunteers know their roles) Work sheet 3D (Establish a method for ongoing, 2-way communication) Work sheet 3E (Use a good management strategy)

3 KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS DEVELOPMENT Study Guide 1--Understanding the Structure of Power Study Guide 2--Don’t Let Internal Issues Shake You Study Guide 3--Recognize Health Ministry Fatigue Study Guide 4--Collaborate Study Guide 5--Gather All the Tools You Can and Know What’s Out There Study Guide 6--Communicate Effectively Study Guide 7--Choose Your Words Wisely Study Guide 8--Target Your Ministry for the Biggest Impact Study Guide 9--Be Truly Diversity Competent Study Guide 10--Practice Social Justice Study Guide 11--Reach Underserved Populations 3 WRAP-UP Resources Technical Assistance 2019 Health Awareness Calendar Health Ministry Tips Examples of Internet Searches Websites for Information on Health Issues ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 2019 BY COLORADO BLACK HEALTH INITATIVES HEALTH MINISTRIES TOOLKIT © CBHI 2019 3

THELMA CRAIG Chairperson of the CBHC Board of Directors

Dear Church Health Ministry Leaders and Pastors, Thank you for your commitment to the development and creation of an effective Health Ministry Toolkit for use by churches and church health ministries. As you know, the more effective we are in supporting and resourcing our health ministries, the more poised we are to make a positive impact in the life experiences of our communities. The faith community has been and continues to be a critical player in this community work. We worked closely with church health ministry leaders and pastors across many of our churches to develop the Health Ministry Toolkit. The Toolkit was designed to be an evolving resource that can be modified over time. This is an extraordinary accomplishment. Leveraging the insights and contributions of members of the health ministries has been instrumental to the development of the Health Ministry Toolkit. The purpose of this tool kit is to help build comprehensive health ministries. Comprehensive health ministries are those that are sustainable, adaptive and responsive. The Health Ministry Toolkit was created to assist church health ministries to promote the health and well-being of church congregants and the community – addressing the spectrum of physical health, social health, mental health, and spiritual health. The Colorado Black Health Collaborative is proud to have partnered with church health ministries across the Denver-metro area in the creation of the Health Ministry Toolkit. The Toolkit is another resource in our mission to achieve health equity in Colorado’s Black Community. Taking part in this important endeavor reminds me of the precious Word of GOD, which states, “Beloved I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as your soul prospereth.” (3 John 2 KJV) Sincerely yours in the continued pursuit of health equity,

Thelma Craig Chair The Colorado Black Health Collaborative Chairperson of the Board of Directors

Colorado Black Health Collaborative Directors Courtenay Brown * Tracy Green * Adrianna Hervey * Dr. Terri Richardson

HEALTH MINISTRIES TOOLKIT © CBHI 2019

HEALTH MINISTRIES TOOLKIT INTRODUCTION Background The nurses’ unit has most often been an integral part of the African American church. For many African Americans, the church remains central to their lives, an institution in which they trust and believe, and upon which they sometimes depend. Traditionally, membership in the nurses’ unit has been limited to those with nursing or medical backgrounds - RNs, LVNs, MAs, and CNAs. The role of the nurses’ unit varies from church to church. Most have an expressed goal of health, wellness, healing and wholeness. However, the nurses’ unit often has an extremely limited function. The responsibilities of most units have been reactive. They provide first aid for those who become ill or who are injured during church services. Nurses’ unit members are usually present at funerals in order to assist those who become emotionally distraught. Members of the nurses’ unit provide spiritual care through prayer. The unit may also assist the ushers and deacons, and perform other duties as assigned by the Pastor. Today, however, nurses’ units are evolving into a more self-directed health ministry where there is greater involvement with the community and other churches, as well as a greater focus on improving the overall health of the church congregation. Purpose The purpose of this Tool Kit is to help build comprehensive health ministries. Comprehensive health ministries are those that are sustainable, adaptive and responsive. • Effective and comprehensive health ministries address physical health, social health, mental health, and spiritual health. • Sustainable health ministries not only consider physical health factors, but the social determinants of health, as well. • Adaptive health ministries can and do respond to changing social and political climates. • Responsive health ministries know and address the needs of all segments of their congregations and communities.

HEALTH MINISTRIES TOOLKIT

ABOUT THE TOOL KIT

This Tool Kit is a resource and guide to developing comprehensive health ministries using traditional nurses’ units and other health ministry volunteers. This Tool Kit is based on the following suppositions. • You will be working in a minimally funded, low-tech environment. • You have or will work to build a strong support base among the members of your congregation and that most of your volunteers and assistance will come from this base. • Your participants will be predominantly members of your church. • You desire to work and do all things in excellence. • Prayer, meditation and consecration are part of everything you do. • You are unafraid and willing to start from where you are. Overview The mission of a health ministry is to promote health, prevent disease or lessen the severity of disease. This Tool Kit is a resource for developing an effective, comprehensive program for health promotion. The key word here is “program”. A program is not a standalone activity or event, but rather, a collection of strategically designed activities for the purpose of changing behaviors. For individuals to adopt a healthier lifestyle, they will need to change habits and behaviors that adversely affect their health and do things to improve their health. The changes in behavior should be identifiable and measurable. The Tool Kit contains the following sections. • Introduction and Overview • Planning Section, Parts One, Two and Three • Knowledge and Skills Section containing 11 Study Guides • Resources

Success is not final; failure is not fatal: It is the courage to continue that counts.

HEALTH MINISTRIES TOOLKIT © CBHI 2019

ABOUT THE TOOL KIT The planning section contains 3 components. These components form the basis for your work as you establish your effective health ministry program. The three components are...

✔ ✔ ✔

Discover Design Implement

First, each of the three components contains explanations and definitions, and lists the tasks you will need to address in order to complete the designated component. Following the task lists and explanations, you will find a Tools section containing corresponding worksheets. Each numbered worksheet will guide you through the completion of one of the tasks listed under the component. The worksheets have been provided as additional information to assist you. The information in the worksheets outline the recommended method or process based on models of proven success. Keep in mind, however, that there are many ways to complete a task. Do not overlook your own versatility, flexibility and creativity in working with this Tool Kit. Make each recommendation work for you. As you use this Tool Kit, you may find that you need more instruction or background information. There is lots of information on the topic of health ministry on the internet. The worksheets provided in the Tools section may offer more specific language when searching for additional information. The Tools section and its worksheets are the “helps” section of the Tool Kit. You may use the tool to gather information, to organize your ideas or to learn more about the topics you are considering. Each worksheet is unique. Some are checklists. Some worksheets contain part of a story that supports and explains the task being completed. The story is about an imaginary church health ministry. The activities of this health ministry are intended to serve as an example of what can be done, not necessarily what should be done. Your program is limited only by your creativity and resources and should be designed to fit your unique circumstances, your selected health issue(s) and the population you serve. Following the 3 planning components and their worksheets, the Tool Kit contains a section called Knowledge and Skill Development. In this section you will find study guides to enrich your understanding and skill level for program design, working with participants, and the nature of communication and change. This section provides insight using models and theory that will assist you in reaching your health ministry goals.

HEALTH MINISTRIES TOOLKIT

PLANNING YOUR PROGRAM

PARTS ONE, TWO & THREE DISCOVER Know Yourself You might be a single person with a vision, a traditional nurses’ unit or something else. This Tool Kit assumes that you want to function as a health ministry. One definition of a ministry is a person or thing through which something is accomplished. This is the definition that will be used throughout this Tool Kit. Are you currently a ministry—a health ministry? Secondly, in order to be a ministry, you will need to have accomplished a service. What service have you accomplished? What do you want to accomplish? Accomplish means to bring a mission to its goal or conclusion. The mission of a health ministry is to promote health, prevent disease or lessen the severity of disease. How have your services promoted health in the past? Were your goals achieved? Do you have accomplishments? In order to understand your health ministry, you will need to know who you are, what you have accomplished in the past, and what you are willing to do next. This is the first step on your journey toward building a health ministry through which health related benefits are accomplished. KNOW YOUR PEOPLE Team Members Identify your members; know their skills and their personalities; know their availability and degrees of commitment. Knowing your members will allow you to match skill to task, and use people in their strengths. Your members are your most important resources. Through them, you will get work done and goals accomplished. Make getting to know each other’s strengths a group activity.

Success usually comes to those who are too busy to be looking for it. 8

HEALTH MINISTRY TOOLKIT

PLANNING YOUR PROGRAM

PARTS ONE, TWO & THREE Advocates Identify your advocates; determine who and what they are willing to contribute. Your advocates are your champions. The primary role of your advocate is to open doors for you and to always be on your side. They will use their power or influence to work on your behalf. Your advocates are as necessary as your members. Every health ministry needs all who will listen. Give them the credit they deserve. Meet with them regularly so that they are always aware of what you are doing. Don’t be shy, tell them what you need them to say and to whom. Include them in your decision making when possible and don’t be afraid to ask them for what you need. They should be recruited and cultivated. Don’t overlook the spouses and family members of your members who can be possible advocates. Allies, Supporters, Collaborators, and Other Churches and Health Ministries Identify your allies/supporters/constituency. Think of this group as your fan base. They may be people within your community. They may be the participants who show up at whatever you do. Know who is on your side. Learn them by name. Sometimes the greatest reward you can give them is recognition. Let them know you recognize them as a supporter. Ask them to complete special tasks. Start small. They also provide additional resources and manpower. And oh yes, the Naysayers Identify the spectators, gate keepers, and naysayers. It is a fact of life—not everyone is on your side. Everyone does not wish you well. Unfortunately, there is nothing you can do about it (other than pray). Don’t waste time trying to appease and convert those who are against you. Put your energy into doing a good job, instead. However, it’s good to know who your opponents are, so that you are not blindsided. Know Your Health Issue Select a health issue that is important to you and is important to the people you serve. The most well designed, well-funded program will fail, if its topic is of little concern to the intended participants. Gather enough information and data that enables you to choose the disease or health issue on which your work will be based. Narrow the topic to a dimension you can handle. A survey among potential participants may be necessary to justify your selections. You will need to be able to explain and defend your choice. Know Your Participants People you will serve; identify the people you will serve (participants and congregants); know what they care about and what’s important to them.

HEALTH MINISTRIES TOOLKIT

Notes:

HEALTH MINISTRIES TOOLKIT

TASK LIST FOR COMPLETION OF PART ONE – DISCOVER Task list for completion of Part One – Discover A. Know Yourself B. Know Your People C. Know Your Health Issue D. Know Your participants The following pages contain worksheets (or tools) to assist and guide you in completing the discovery portion of your work. Each worksheet is identified with a number and letter. For this section, the number is 1 indicating Part 1–Discover. The letter will be one of the letters A – D corresponding to tasks, A – D above. There is at least one worksheet for each task–1A, 1B, 1C, and 1D. In some cases, there will be more than one worksheet for a task. Additional worksheets are indicated by a number following the letter, such as 1A1.

HEALTH MINISTRIES TOOLKIT

TOOLS

DISCOVER - WORKSHEET 1A1

Know Yourself—Who are you? Here is a list of factors that will help you to determine your readiness to function as a health ministry. If you can answer “yes” to the majority of these questions, your group is probably very close to becoming a functioning health ministry. If you answer “no” to most of these questions, you will need to work toward getting at least the first four of these factors in place. Start from where you are. Instituting these elements will help you build a firm foundation from which you can provide clear understanding about your values for members and others alike. Addressing these elements will help you establish a clear identity and will work as a strategic tool for accomplishing your goals. DO YOU . . . ❑ Have a written mission statement related to improving health?

❑ Have a written vision and values statement related to improving health? ❑ Set yearly goals related to improving health? ❑ Have a steering committee for short and long-term planning? ❑ Conduct events and activities that promote behavior change and health improvement? ❑ Think your congregation knows about the work that you do as a health ministry? ❑ Have an official name for your programs and projects? ❑ Have business cards so people will know how to get in touch with the health ministry? ❑ Have a bank account, budget and/or funding source? ❑ Have a system for identifying grants and other resources? ❑ Have a reliable system for delivering services? ❑ Have regular participants or recipients of your services? ❑ Offer services that have value? Would people pay for your services? ❑ Have an organization infrastructure capable of managing grant accountability?

TOOLS

DISCOVER - WORKSHEET 1A2

Know Yourself—What have you done lately? Start from Where You Are Do you have a balanced health ministry? Use the Reimagine Church Model which identifies 4 areas of health: physical health, social health, mental health and spiritual health as necessary components of effective health ministries. • Step out of the “physical health only” model to address the other three areas of health • Determine whether all 4 areas of health are being addressed by your health ministry • Determine how much importance (weight) each area is given Discuss the following questions: • What are you most proud of in your health ministry? • What are your biggest areas of opportunity? • How long has the health ministry been in existence? • What do you need to be successful in creating a more effective health ministry? TAKE INVENTORY USING THE REIMAGINE CHURCH MODEL by Dr. Nita Taylor Use the checklist below to help you reimagine your health ministry

❑ Are you addressing issues around building funding and capacity? ❑ Do you design health programs for your congregation differently than programs for the community? ❑ When planning meetings and events, do you consider the scarcity of free time? ❑ Does your ministry operate using comprehensive programs, rather than just a series of events? ❑ Have you created systems to measure outcomes? ❑ Does your health ministry stand alone or is it woven into the infrastructure of other ministries at your church? ❑ Does your health ministry consider the connection between social justice and health? ❑ Does your health ministry design structured follow-up activities for every health event? ❑ Is your health ministry team reflective of the diversity of the congregation? ❑ Is your health ministry team aware of existing contemporary models of health ministries, so that you are incorporating best practice models into your ministry? ❑ Is your health ministry collaborating across ministries and across churches?

HEALTH MINISTRIES TOOLKIT

TOOLS

DISCOVER - WORKSHEET 1B1

Know Your People Members and Volunteers

As a health ministry leader, you can conduct a health promotion project or provide a health promotion service on your own. The program, however, should be small enough for one person to manage. The size and extent of the project must be based on who and how many volunteers and members will be working with you. In addition to how many, you will also need to know what skills each brings, what roles they wish to play and how much time they are able to invest in the project. You will need to prepare to work with 2 categories of people—members, volunteers and community partners. Members, typically, belong to the nurses’ unit and participate in all areas of the unit. You will need to recruit from outside the unit to perform tasks when unit members don’t have the necessary skills or time. Recruiting volunteers from outside the unit is also an excellent strategy to draw attention to the health ministry and to attract new members. Look for volunteers and community partners among groups you feel are under-represented such as youth and men. Inventory Your Skills Skills come in a variety of forms. Skills are the things you do well, and we all have them. Because different skills are useful in different settings, it’s a good idea to gather and record all the skills your members and volunteers possess. It’s also a good idea to know which skills you want to work with and which you want to work on. There are 2 types of skills: There are skills based in personality and temperament, and there are skills based in ability and performance.

HEALTH MINISTRIES TOOLKIT

TOOLS

SKILLS INVENTORY WORKSHEET (PERSONALITY/TEMPERAMENT) ❑ Alert

❑ Fast

❑ Persistent

❑ Ambitious

❑ Flexible

❑ Poised

❑ Assertive

❑ Forgiving

❑ Polite

❑ Authentic (Real)

❑ Friendly

❑ Prompt

❑ Calm

❑ Gentle

❑ Resilient

❑ Careful

❑ Hard-working

❑ Responsible

❑ Cautious

❑ Helpful

❑ Self-controlled

❑ Cheerful

❑ Honest

❑ Self-confident

❑ Christ-like

❑ Humorous

❑ Sincere

❑ Conforming

❑ Independent

❑ Spontaneous

❑ Cooperative

❑ Kind

❑ Strong-willed

❑ Determined

❑ Loving

❑ Tactful

❑ Dependable

❑ Loyal

❑ Thrifty

❑ Diplomatic

❑ Mature

❑ Tolerant

❑ Dynamic (High Energy)

❑ Motivated

❑ Trustworthy

❑ Easy-going

❑ Optimistic

❑ Versatile

❑ Enthusiastic

❑ Orderly

❑ Ethical

❑ Patient

HEALTH MINISTRIES TOOLKIT

TOOLS

SKILLS INVENTORY WORKSHEET (ABILITY/PERFORMANCE) Manual/Technical ❑ Build, repair, fix ❑ Draw, paint, design ❑ Drive a vehicle (Car, Truck, Other) ❑ Operate computer ❑ Install computer programs ❑ Possess physical stamina ❑ Sew ❑ Work outdoors in all weather Managing and Influencing ❑ Administer programs ❑ Administer resources ❑ Convince using positive personality (charm) ❑ Direct or supervise ❑ Make business decisions ❑ Negotiate ❑ Organize/set goals ❑ Organize and manage activities ❑ Oversee programs or activities ❑ Sell or persuade ❑ Undertake entrepreneurial activities Social/Interpersonal ❑ Advise ❑ Communicate with tack ❑ Cooperate with others ❑ Counsel, guide, mentor ❑ Develop rapport or understanding ❑ Facilitate a group ❑ Work with numerical data ❑ Listen ❑ Interact in culturally competent manner ❑ Interview (draw people out) ❑ Nurture and care for ❑ Put other at ease ❑ Serve and respond ❑ Show warmth and caring ❑ Support and cooperate ❑ Train, instruct, educate

HEALTH MINISTRIES TOOLKIT

Analytical/Problem Solving ❑ Assess situations (discernment) ❑ Communicate orally ❑ Interpret data ❑ Make logical decisions ❑ Manage finances ❑ Organize ❑ Prioritize ❑ Put thing together/deduce ❑ Reason ❑ Research/investigate ❑ Use facts ❑ Use math ❑ Write (reporting) Innovative/Original ❑ Compose (write creatively or poetically) ❑ Design graphically ❑ Design programs or events ❑ Innovate/invent ❑ Originate ideas ❑ Perform/Act ❑ Think of possibilities (brainstorm) ❑ Synthesize (Put facts together creatively) ❑ Use imagination to create ❑ Use Intuition Details/Data ❑ Attend to details ❑ Be accurate ❑ Be careful ❑ Categorize/sort ❑ Complete details ❑ Do math ❑ File ❑ Follow directions ❑ Inspect/examine/inventory ❑ Keep track of data and numbers ❑ Proofread/edit ❑ Record ❑ Remember ❑ Schedule and organize events ❑ Type/word process

TOOLS

DISCOVER - WORKSHEET 1B2-1

Know Your People Start from Where You Are Advocates and Allies

Once you have identified your members and volunteers. You will need to identify your advocates and allies. Definition Advocate: One who pleads the cause of another; one who defends, promotes, and supports the interest of a group. An advocate “opens doors” for you. Health Ministry Leaders want the Pastor to be their strongest advocate. However, this is not always the case. Often, the Pastor is not your advocate. Advocate or not, you should be having many conversations with your Pastor regarding your projects and the overall direction of your ministry. Identify where your Pastor stands and talk to him or her accordingly. If your Pastor is not an advocate, do not talk to him or her as though they are. You can also look for advocates (champions) among the deacons, elders, board members, associate pastors and other leaders of the church. Every health ministry needs at least one champion. You will need to touch base with your champion often and his or her name should be readily on your lips. When you talk to your advocate, always thank them for their support. Don’t be shy in letting them know what you need and what you think. They will carry your message wherever they go.

LIST YOUR ADVOCATES Name:_____________________________________________________________________________________________________ Address:___________________________________________________________________________________________________ Phone_____________________________________________________________________________________________________ Email:______________________________________________________________________________________________________ Date of and Notes from last meeting:____________________________________________________________________

HEALTH MINISTRIES TOOLKIT

TOOLS

DISCOVER - WORKSHEET 1B2-2

Know Your People Start from Where You Are Advocates and Allies

Once you have identified your members and volunteers. You will need to identify your advocates and allies. Definition Ally: One that is associated with another as a supporter or assistant; to unite with or form an association with. An ally helps you go through “the door.” Your allies may include community members, collaborators, other churches, other health ministries, and anyone who is on your side. Your allies are those you can go to for help when things get tight. They are your cheerleaders. They believe in your cause and are willing to help but are not as involved as your members and volunteers. Find allies. You will need them. Allies could be from outside your church and may form the bases for collaboration and other joint efforts. Ways to Get to Know Your Allies 1. Keep sign up and sign in or attendance sheets for every activity or event. 2. Make it someone’s job to keep in touch with allies and supporters. Appoint a corresponding secretary whose role will be to follow-up with every ally and supporter who participates in your events. When time and circumstance permit, send thank you card or email, send followup brochures and other information. 3. Develop a contact list for sending invitations and announcements. 4. Tweet, chat, text and use other messaging platforms to create continued support and involvement. 5. Learn and remember names and faces. 6. Be friendly–friendliness matters. 7. Provide a method for feedback. People have ideas, sometimes, good ideas. Always be ready to listen. If you use one of their ideas, let them know.

HEALTH MINISTRY TOOLKIT

TOOLS

DISCOVER - WORKSHEET 1C-1

Know Your Health Issue(s) Select an appropriate health issue for an effective program. First, consider the following 3 elements.

#1: WORK LOAD This tool kit contains a program model based on the delivery of 6 events or activities (projects) for each health issue selected. Each project will have a specific goal. KNOWLEDGE AND AWARENESS Project 1: Raise awareness and increase knowledge regarding your chosen health concern in order to address a health issue. RELEVANCE Project 2: Increase the significance of the health issue in the minds and hearts of potential participants. VALUE Project 3: Examine cost and benefits of making changes to previous ways of doing things and determine that the changes are worth the costs. ABILITY Project 4: Provide support and an environment where change is possible and expected. TRIAL Project 5: Create an atmosphere for trial and error, learning, exploration, as well as stumbling and falling. CELEBRATION Project 6: Celebrate successes! A process for how to design projects with these goals in mind is discussed in the design section of this tool kit. For now you will need to examine the work load.

HEALTH MINISTRY TOOLKIT

TOOLS

DISCOVER - WORKSHEET 1C-2

Know Your Health Issue(s) Select an appropriate health issue for an effective program. First, consider the following 3 elements.

#2: TIME FRAME The model in this tool kit is based on a 12 month cycle and contains instructions for completing the following components: • Building infrastructure within your health ministry–Know yourself, know your people, and know your participants. • Planning and designing your program – Part Two: Design. • Delivering your events and activities. • Evaluating and reporting on your program. • Wrap-up – Part Three: Implement. You may be able to deliver this model in under 12 months, if you have the following. • Clear, measurable goals and objectives. • Strong, well-established infrastructure. • Large membership with lots of volunteers. • Money and resources. • Clear and unobstructed support from leadership. • Consensus among collaborators.

HEALTH MINISTRIES TOOLKIT

TOOLS

DISCOVER - WORKSHEET 1C-2

Know Your Health Issue(s) Select an appropriate health issue for an effective program. First, consider the following 3 elements.

#3: MANPOWER It goes without saying that the more members and volunteers you have the more work you can do. Manpower goes along with infrastructure. Are the roles of each of your members clearly defined? Do you have a volunteer coordinator who can train and utilize volunteers effectively? Do you have access to volunteers? Do you have collaborative partners? Here are some of the roles you might consider: • Leader—direction, planning, budget and oversight • Communications officer—internal and external communications, linking, gathering and providing information, publications. • Project or Event Coordinator—project manager, operations manager. • Evaluator/researcher—attendance, time management/scheduling, goal attaining, steering, reporting, record keeping and data. • Recruiter/procurement specialist—meets project needs with procurement of people, places, and things. The more members and volunteers you have the more health issues you can address in 12 months. A minimum of 4 or 5 members with volunteer committees can handle 1 health issue a year. Now, choose your health issue. Do your research and make your selection based on these 4 factors • What are the major health concerns among African Americans in your state/county/ neighborhood? • Which issue is of highest concern among your congregation or your targeted participants? • How readily can you acquire the information regarding this issue? • Can you reasonably make a difference in someone’s life in 1 year by targeting this health concern?

HEALTH MINISTRIES TOOLKIT

TOOLS

DISCOVER - WORKSHEET 1D

Know Your Participants—Who Are You Serving? Example: The health ministry at Greater Peace Church is planning a new health promotion campaign for the coming year. They think that as a health issue high blood pressure is a topic their five-member team can handle with good results. But first, they want to know if high blood pressure is an issue that is relevant to their intended audience—their congregation. First, they look at the church roster and determine that they have 200 active members of the church who attend most Sundays. Of the 200 members there are 105 women, 35 children under the age of 18 and 60 men. They see the ages range from new born to 91 years old. Most men and women are over 55 years old with maybe a full one third over the age of 65. They feel confident that high blood pressure is a good choice as an issue for the older population. While gathering information on high blood pressure, they see that obesity and diabetes are important to the older population, too. So, they decide to conduct a survey among the congregants as they exit the church service. Their survey has one question. “Rank the following health issues in order of importance to you for yourself and/or your loved ones. ”After getting approval from the church leadership, they recruit the teens and young adults as volunteers to conduct the survey. The teams of volunteers stand at the doors and ask all who will participate to rank the health issues. When the information in compiled and tallied, they find that high blood pressure is after all the best choice to address as an important health issue by the health ministry. They name their 6 project-program “Lower Your Blood Pressure Now!” This name will appear on all the correspondence and advertisement during this campaign.

HEALTH MINISTRIES TOOLKIT

PLANNING YOUR PROGRAM

PARTS ONE, TWO & THREE DESIGN During the design phase, you will develop and design your health ministry program. Your program will be comprehensive and effective. Comprehensive ministries address physical health, social health, mental health, and spiritual health. Effective programs create change. What a program? A program is a strategically, planned series of projects with activities and events targeted at a single goal. An effective program is one that is delivered over a period-of-time to create positive change. Your program will move and motivate your participants to do something differently. Ultimately, in order to improve health, your participants will need to change current habits and behaviors that adversely affect their health and start doing things that promote and improve health and prevent disease. So, the services, messages, projects, events, and activities you plan must be designed to move those you serve through a process of change. Based on this model, your program will have 6 projects offered over a period of time. The length of time depends on your resources, both human and monetary. Keep in mind that change does not happen over night; therefore, your program should be actively running for maybe 6 months or longer. Plan accordingly. There are 6 steps to the change process. A. Establish a baseline of knowledge and awareness. B. Motive people to believe that change is possible and to be willing to make a change. C.

Explore the “cost” of making change.

D. Provide tools and skills for making a change. E. Allow space and permission to try to change. F.

Provide a forum for personal testimony.

The following worksheets will help you design a program around your chosen health issue. The example provided is regarding lowering blood pressure. This is just an example to demonstrate how the principles of program design can be interpreted. Please do not be limited by the example. Take your program design to the maximum limits of your creativity, time, talent and resources. You will design your program by completing the steps above (A – F). The following pages contain worksheets to assist and guide you in completing these steps. Each worksheet is identified with a number and letter. For this section, the number is 2 indicating Part 2–Design. The letter will be one of the letters A – F corresponding to the steps, A – F. There is one worksheet for each step – 2A, 2B, 2C, etc.

HEALTH MINISTRIES TOOLKIT

TOOLS

DESIGN - WORKSHEET 2A - 1

Establish a Baseline of Knowledge and Awareness Acquiring information is an essential first step for change. Before anyone can decide to change their behavior, they must first be aware the change is necessary and possible. Steps for Developing a Project to Increase Knowledge and Awareness ❑ Keep pastor and advocates updated. ❑ Gather information for distribution. ❑ Determine how information will be distributed. ❑ Determine the degree of saturation (information shared and acquired) that you desire. ❑ Develop a method for calculating what and how much information has been retained. ❑ Measure the impact of your work. Example:

In March, the church health ministry has determined that high blood pressure is a high-level concern among their church members and a high-level concern among all the health promotion data they have reviewed. They have decided to develop a program around helping congregants and other program participants to lower their blood pressures. Their program will be composed of 6 projects that will be run continuously throughout the fiscal year from October to September. They will call the program “Lower Your Blood Pressure Now”. They are committed to keeping the pastor and the advocates updated as they work through designing their program by monthly reporting. Some reports will be in writing and submitted via email. Some reports will be in presentation format. Some will be casual drop in discussions or phone conversations. Their first project will be to provide information to make sure their church members have at least a basic level of knowledge and awareness concerning the effects of high blood pressure and the importance of maintaining a normal blood pressure.

HEALTH MINISTRIES TOOLKIT

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DESIGN - WORKSHEET 2A - 2 They first gather information. They contact the American Heart Association and acquire free pamphlets on high blood pressure. Next, they determine how the information will be distributed. They decide that on the first Sunday in October, they plan to distribute flyers before and after church services. They will ask the church greeters to hand out the pamphlets as church-goers enter and they will ask the adult Sunday school teachers to distribute the pamphlets at the beginning of class. They will leave a stack of pamphlets on an information table and pin one to the church bulletin board. In the church bulletin, they will announce the kick-off of their “Lower Your Blood Pressure Now” project with an information and awareness campaign. On the second Sunday in October, they will list a short announcement in the bulletin saying, “When it comes to blood pressure, what is normal. Come to the information table in the lobby today after service to find out.” Health ministry members will man the table talking to people about high blood pressure and telling them the normal range. On the third Sunday in October, they will again include an announcement in the bulletin, “10 ways to lower your blood pressure.” They will recruit and train several young people in the congregation to stand at the doors as people exit the service, offering those who exit a strawberry or a piece of dark chocolate. They will say, “Want to lower your blood pressure? Get started now.” The health ministry has determined the degree of saturation desired. They know that there are 100 members over the age of 50 who attend church regularly. They have decided that a reasonable degree of saturation is 50%. In other words, they will deem their project successful, if 50 of their church members can know the range for a normal blood pressure and at least 6 of the 10 ways to lower blood pressure. They have developed a method for calculating what and how much information has been retained. On the fourth Sunday of October, they will include a 2-question quiz with or in the bulletin and ask church member to complete the quiz and leave it in a basket on the information table in the lobby as they exit. There will be someone standing at the exit to remind them. If they have not reached their target of 50% saturation, they will repeat the project in November. If they still have not reached 50% saturation the percentage of saturation will be noted and analyzed during program wrap-up. Measure the impact of your work. The health ministry will keep track of what they have used to complete their project with a simple count. They will keep a record of how many pamphlets they received and how many were distributed, how many of the church’s young people helped in the project, and how many Sunday school teachers participated and how many pamphlets were distributed. They will also keep track of purchases and expenditures.

HEALTH MINISTRIES TOOLKIT

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DESIGN - WORKSHEET 2B - 1

Motivate people to believe change is possible and to be willing to make a change Establish a Baseline of Knowledge and Awareness. Here is a list of factors that naturally motivate people. Incorporate as many of these factor into your motivational project as possible. Natural Factors That Motivate People Curiosity Acceptance Order Physical activity Honor Power Independence Social contact Family Status Idealism Vengeance Romance Eating Saving Create a project that motivates your congregant and other participants to want to work toward lowering their blood pressure. Steps for motivating people 1. Tell people exactly what you want them to do. 2. Don’t ask them for a lot of time or effort. 3. Make sure they see you working as hard as they are working. 4. Appeal to their emotions; make them feel something. 5. Give people lots of reasons for why making a change is a good thing. 6. Emphasize step-by-step progress. 7. Change the culture by first “being the change you want to see.” 8. Tell them the story. 26

HEALTH MINISTRIES TOOLKIT

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DESIGN - WORKSHEET 2B - 2 Example: During November or December, for their second project, the health ministry will hold a “Lower Your Blood Pressure Now” holiday tasting party after church. The goal of the party will be to show congregants and participants how easy it is to incorporate healthy foods into their lifestyles that will help to lower their blood pressure and to motivate them to get started. The health ministry team will research recommended foods and will recruit the church’s women’s circle and the mother’s board to help by preparing the dishes. Designated servers will explain the dishes and answer questions as participants sample the dishes. Recipes cards will be available for those who want them. As participants come for the holiday tasting, they will be asked to sign in and provide their contact information and identify why they chose to attend the tasting party. The church health ministry will receive such responses as... • Need to lower my blood pressure • Desire for overall good health • Came with a friend • Want to keep my family healthy • I support the health ministry in everything they do • Just curious • Free food • Other These responses are retained for future use. The health ministry will research the Bible to locate and select scriptures that support the items listed on the “Natural Factors That Motivate People” and ”Steps to Motivate People” lists. They will recruit artists from among church members to design “Lower Your Blood Pressure Now” posters and flyers based on the scriptures to help motivate. They will display the posters and flyers around the church from November 1 until December 31. During the party, they will have a short presentation from a motivational speaker from within the congregation or a church member who has succeeded in lowering their blood pressure and will provide a testimony. The health ministry members will count the number of participants and conduct a brief exit survey (using a scale of 1 to 10) concerning how motivated participants are to start working toward lowering their blood pressure. They also keep track of all expenses, donations and the number of volunteers used for this project.

HEALTH MINISTRIES TOOLKIT

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DESIGN - WORKSHEET 1C - 1 Explore the “cost” of making change Conduct a cost/benefit analysis What is a cost/benefit analysis? A cost/benefit analysis is a process to determine the value of something that is intangible. Steps for conducting a cost /benefit analysis. 1. Establish a definition for what changes you want to see. 2. Identify the costs and benefits, what’s good about making the change, what’s bad about making the change. 3. Calculate or sort costs and benefits using various parameters, such as long term vs. short term; real or imagined; monetary; emotional; and time constraints or time factors. 4. Compare costs and benefits, which are more impactful, assign weights or a scale to each cost and benefit. 5. Analyze results, tallying the weights. 6. Make an informed decision. Example: During January (with New Year’s Resolutions in mind), for their third project, the health ministry will convene a focus group or study group or group discussion. The group will be recruited from among the church members who are interested in lowering their blood pressure, the blood pressure of a family member, or are concerned for others who have high blood pressure. An announcement will be placed in the church bulletin asking for focus group participants. There will also be one-on-one recruitment of those who have expressed concern about high blood pressure or support for the “Lower Your Blood Pressure Now” program. A cost/benefit analysis will be conducted with the group. The goal for the group discussion will be to compile an in-house open-letter to the congregation and others on why you should “Lower Your Blood Pressure Now”.

HEALTH MINISTRIES TOOLKIT

TOOLS

DESIGN - WORKSHEET 1C - 2 During the discussion the group leader will lead the discussion addressing the following questions: 1. What are the costs and benefits of a lower blood pressure? Whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s good about making changes to support lower blood pressure? Whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s bad about making the change to support lower blood pressure? 2. How would you categorize these costs and benefits? Are these reasons long term vs. short term; real or imagined; monetary; emotional; and have time constraints or time factors? 3. Which of these costs and benefits are more impactful on a scale of 1 to 10? 4. Add up the weights of all the costs and add up the weights of all the benefits. 5. The total weight of cost is ___, the total weight or benefits is____. What have we learned from this exercise? 6. What is our decision? Responses will be recorded on flip chart paper by a health ministry member and the corresponding secretary of the health ministry will draft a letter based on the group findings. Letters will be distributed among the congregation and read to the congregation on the fourth Sunday of January. The number of discussion group participants will be recorded along with the name of the group leader and recorder. The number of letters distributed will be counted.

HEALTH MINISTRIES TOOLKIT

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DESIGN - WORKSHEET 2D-1

Establish a Baseline of Knowledge and Awareness The Provide Training Project: Prepare to train, build capacity and improve skills. • What is training? The act of teaching a skill or particular behavior. • What is capacity? The ability or power to do, experience or understand something. Step One: Research and list the factors that prevent, lower, impact, or lessen the severity of your chosen health issue. Step Two: Prepare a list of the changes you want to see. Step Three: Allow ample time for planning your training events. Step Four: Recruit and use your volunteers. You will need at least 4 committees to coordinate and execute the Provide Training Project—scheduling, venues, advertisement, participation, and evaluations. Establishing committees will permit work to begin in these important areas simultaneously. The Provide Training Project: Assemble the list of possibilities. Identify speakers and experts on the changes you want to see. Locate written material, books and movies on the changes you want to see. Read a book and discuss it like at a book club. Are there tests or treatments associated with your chosen health issue that can be offered through or at the church? (Examples: Maybe you are working on diabetes; find someone to offer blood sugar testing. Maybe you are working on, high blood pressure; find someone to offer high blood pressure testing? Maybe, you are working on influenza; find someone to offer flu shots.) Does diet help? Collect recipes. How about putting on a live cooking show? Does exercise help? Look for fitness experts. If you find the right connection, exercise is an activity that could be established long term. Is your chosen health issue related to other conditions such as, obesity, smoking and alcohol use? Find information on these conditions. What’s going on in the community? How does meditation and prayer help? Demonstrations and active participation is better than lecture. Can you take a holistic approach? Identify holistic or homeopathic experts. Make as interactive as possible. 30

HEALTH MINISTRIES TOOLKIT

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DESIGN - WORKSHEET 2D - 2 The Provide Training Project: Scheduling, venues and participation. Identify and select events, materials, trainings and trainers. You, more than likely, will not be able to use everything you identify. Choose a variety. It’s better to have a movie, a speaker and a cooking class, rather than 3 speakers. Recruit experts. Don’t forget to look for experts among your congregation. An expert need not always be the person with high level degrees or years and years of experience. Often the most valuable expert is the person who is on page 8 when everyone else is on page 7. Appoint someone to oversee scheduling training events and locating and scheduling trainers. Events should be held in a cluster, not too spread out over time. All events should occur within a 4 to 6 week period, if at all possible. Appoint someone to oversee venue selection, setup and teardown, and a refreshments committee. Keep it simple. Appoint someone to oversee advertisement, participants, registration, reminder calls and certificate distribution. Think about having collaborators participate. The Provide Training Project: Keeping track. Appoint an evaluator to be in charge to evaluate and measure success. For every event, there will be something to measure. How many attended? How much material was used? What was the monetary cost? Where did the money come from? What was donated? How many volunteers? If there is something that can be counted, count it. Additionally, the evaluator should collect answers to many of the following questions: Who were the trainers? What was the training topic? When and where did the training occur? How was the event accepted? Did participants like it? Was it helpful? It is okay to create your own evaluation tools. You can measure the success of an event with… 1. A short, simple yes/no questionnaire. 2. A brief exit interview. 3. Using a 1 to 10 rating scale. 4. Pre and post-test comparison—ask the same questions before and after the event to measure what was gained. 5. Customer satisfaction—did you like the trainer, the book, the movie, the recipe, the location, the food. 6. Self-reported increase. To find evaluation tools, just type “evaluation tools” into your web browser. You’ll get tons of information. 31

HEALTH MINISTRIES TOOLKIT

TOOLS DESIGN - WORKSHEET 2E

Allow space and permission to try to change. • Recruit those who are ready for change for accountability partner group participation. • Use mentors and/or peers. • Allow each pair or team to create their own written plan with measurable goals. • Allocate a specific time period (session). • Designate check in points. • Take measurements at the beginning. • Track progress. • Create a venue for feedback and discussion at the end of the time period (session). • Repeat for a second and third session and more it desired. • Direct accountability partner groups toward independent, self-sustaining existence. Example: During their holiday tasting party, the church health ministry asked congregants and participants to sign- in, provide their contact information and check why they chose to attend the party. Now, they retrieve these responses and contact each who checked “need to lower my blood pressure” to recruit those who are ready for change and for accountability partner group participation. (See Worksheet 2B, Motivate people to believe change is possible and to be willing to make a change.) The health ministry has planned to conduct a brief meeting with all recruits to set up accountability teams of 2, 3 or so. They could use mentors and/or a peer driven team approach. They choose peer driven teams. Each member of each team will be given a pamphlet “10 ways to lower your blood pressure.” The teams will be instructed to choose a goal and create a plan to incorporate as many blood pressure lowering strategies into their plan as they deem reasonable and doable. Each team will be allowed to create their own written plan with measureable goals based on the information contained in the pamphlet. They will ask the teams to allocate a specific time period (session length) for their work. The length of time must be reasonable. Designate check in points. For example, the session length will be 3 months with check-ins occurring once a week. They take measurements at the beginning, during this first meeting. Everyone’s blood pressure is taken and recorded so that they can track progress. They will create a venue for feedback and discussion at the end of the time period by reconvening the teams. They will conduct a second and third session and more if desired and direct the accountability teams toward independent, self-sustaining existence.

HEALTH MINISTRIES TOOLKIT

TOOLS DESIGN - WORKSHEET 2F

Provide a forum for personal testimony—Celebrate success. • Promote the accountability teams. • Get others to join. • Use the testimony of accountability group participants. Promote the accountability teams. At the beginning and as often thereafter as possible, talk about the accountability teams, especially with the pastor and your advocates. Announce the work of the accountability teams in the church bulletin. Get a spot on the deacons and elders meeting agenda. When other church organizations meet see if you can stop by to make a quick announcement. Tell them about the progress the accountability teams are making. Blow your own horn. Be upbeat and enthusiastic. Make your efforts known. This increases participation and support. Get others to join. At any church event, whatever the occasion, take names, extend an invitation and distribute information, flyers and/or business cards. Use the testimony of accountability team participants. Showcase successes and progress. Allow participants to tell their stories.

HEALTH MINISTRIES TOOLKIT

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DESIGN - WORKSHEET 2G-1

State your goals. In order to stay on track each project needs a goal statement. Here are the 6 projects you will deliver. 1. Establish a baseline of knowledge and awareness. 2. Motive people to believe that change is possible and to be willing to make a change. 3. Explore the “cost” of making change. 4. Provide tools and skills for making a change. 5. Allow space and permission to try to change. 6. Provide a forum for personal testimony. Basically, these are also you goals. You will just need to make them more specific, measurable, achievable, reasonable, and time phased. In other word you will need to make them SMART. Use the acronym SMART when it come to writing goals. SMART is a helpful tool for thinking about goals that are useful to your project. SMART stands for • Specific • Measureable • Achievable • Reasonable • Time-phased SMART goal can help sustain your project and keep you on track from planning to evaluation. Specific What are you trying to achieve? Exactly, what do you want to see? Example: Greater Peace Health Ministry has chosen high blood pressure as its health issue. They think about what they want to see happen for Project D and provide tools and skills for making a change. They decide on the statement below. “We want participants to lower their blood pressure.” While they are sure this is what they want, they realize that this statement is far too general, too nebulous and not specific. They apply “the 10-year-old child test” and ask, “Can a 10-year old see if someone’s blood pressure has been lowered?” They decide that probably not. Someone’s blood pressure needs to be taken over a period-of-time and tracked in order to determine if it has been lowered. Typically, this is not something a 10-year-old would do. Therefore their goal statement needs to be more specific, so they add more detail regarding what they want to happen.

HEALTH MINISTRIES TOOLKIT

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DESIGN - WORKSHEET 2G-2

State your goals. “We want participants to select one or two strategies that contribute to lower blood pressure and incorporate these strategies into their lives. For example, exercise at least 3 times a week and eat more berries to help lower blood pressure.” They apply “the 10-year-old child test” to the new goal statement and determine that yes, a 10 year old can see that a person is exercising and eating berries. (Note: These are two ways to lower blood pressure, according to the American Heart Association.) MEASURABLE They look at their statement again and ask, Can we measure these actions? The health ministry determines that the statement is measurable, but they would need to know what participants did before their intervention. If participants were already exercising and eating berries, they could not attribute these behaviors as changes as a result of their health ministry program. So, they decided to add the word “new” to the statement to make it easily measurable using a simple binary scale. “We want participants to select one or two new strategies that contribute to lower blood pressure and incorporate these strategies into their lives. For example, exercise at least 3 times a week and eat more berries to help lower blood pressure.” ACHIEVABLE Can participants actually do what is being proposed? The health ministry looks at their compiled list called 10 Ways to Lower Your Blood Pressure. They determine that all the options on the list are achievable or doable. They acknowledge that some are more difficult than others and might require extra skills building or counseling support. While social and economic issues may pose as barriers for achieving other options on the list. They decide to present the 10 Ways list to participants as options from which to choose for lowering their blood pressure. The health ministry will work toward finding remedies to support those options on the list that pose extreme difficulty and options that have social or financial barriers attached.They determine that with a few caveats. All of the items on the list are achievable. REASONABLE If a person were to incorporate some of the behaviors contained on the list of 10 Ways to Lower Blood Pressure would blood pressure actually be lowered? They felt that this is a tough question to answer and felt that they really didn’t know for sure. However, the health ministry determined that they had done their homework. They had researched recommendations provided by the American Heart Association and obtained information from their local clinic. As far as they could determine, the 10 items on their list were the top ten things a person could do to lower or prevent high blood pressure. They considered the research to be sound and the authorities they consulted to be reputable. 35

HEALTH MINISTRIES TOOLKIT

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DESIGN - WORKSHEET 2G-3

State your goals So, they can state with confidence that if a person were to incorporate some of these options into their lifestyle, there would be a positive affect toward lowering their blood pressure. They also asked themselves if it was reasonable to assume all participants would be successful in lowering their blood pressure after choosing 2 ways from the list to do so. They agreed it was a reasonable expectation based on the medical information they found. No change is needed to the goal statement based on using the “reasonable” factor. TIME-PHASED When can results be expected? The Greater Peace Health Ministry decided to conduct their final evaluation 3 months after the end of the program. They amend their goal statement. “Within 3 months after our “Lower Your Blood Pressure Now!” Campaign ends, participants will select one or two new strategies that contribute to lowering their blood pressure and incorporate these strategies into their lives. For example, exercise at least 3 times a week and eat more berries to help lower blood pressure.” EVALUATION After all 6 goal statements are written, the statement will be given to the evaluation team to develop instruments, surveys and evaluation forms to capture and document how well goals were met.

HEALTH MINISTRIES TOOLKIT

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DESIGN - WORKSHEET 2H-1

State your goals Example: Here are the 6 goal statements (one for each project or activity) for Greater Peace Health Ministry “Lower Your Blood Pressure Now!” program. Project 1: Establish a baseline of knowledge and awareness. In order to get at least 50 of their church members to know the range for a normal blood pressure and at least 6 of the 10 Ways to Lower Blood Pressure: The Greater Peace Church Health Ministry will… On first Sunday in October, distribute the information flyers on lowering high blood pressure before and after church services, ask the church greeters to hand out the pamphlets as churchgoers enter and ask the adult Sunday school teachers to distribute the pamphlets at the beginning of class. On the second Sunday in October, they will list a short announcement in the bulletin saying “When it comes to blood pressure, what is normal.” On the third Sunday in October, include an announcement in the bulletin, “10 ways to lower your blood pressure,” conduct interviews as people exit the service, offering those who exit a strawberry or a piece of dark chocolate. Project 2: Motive people to believe that change is possible and to be willing to make a change. During November or December, the Greater Peace Church Health Ministry will hold a “Lower Your Blood Pressure Now” holiday tasting party after church to show their congregants and participants how easy it is to incorporate healthy foods into their lifestyles that will help to lower their blood pressure and to motivate them to get started. A survey will be taken to identify those who need to work on lowering their blood pressure and to track levels of motivation. Project 3: Explore the “cost” of making change. During January (with New Year’s Resolutions in mind), the Greater Peace Church Health Ministry will convene a focus group or study group or group discussion. The group will be recruited from among the church members who are interested in lowering their blood pressure, the blood pressure of a family member, or who are concerned about overall health. The following questions will be addressed: 1. What are the costs and benefits of a lower blood pressure? What’s good about making changes to support lower blood pressure? What’s bad about making the change to support lower blood pressure? 2. How would you categorize these costs and benefits? Are these reasons long term vs. short term; real or imagined; monetary; emotional; and have time constraints or time factors?

HEALTH MINISTRIES TOOLKIT

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DESIGN - WORKSHEET 2H-2

State your goals Project 3: Explore the â&#x20AC;&#x153;costâ&#x20AC;? of making change. 4 Add up the weight values of all the costs and add up the weight values of all the benefits. 5 The total weight of cost is ___, the total weight for benefits is____. What have we learned from this exercise? 6 What is our decision? Project 4: Provide tools and skills for making a change. During February, the Greater Peace Church Health Ministry will created a Training Project to train, build capacity and improve skills of the congregants for lowering blood pressure by researching and listing the factors that prevent, lower, impact, or lessen the severity high blood pressure; preparing a list of the possible changes; recruiting volunteers. All trainings will have a pre and post test component to gage learning. Project 5: Allow space and permission to try to change. Within 3 months after our campaign ends, participants to select one or two new strategies that contribute to lower blood pressure and incorporate these strategies into their lives. For example, exercise at least 3 times a week and eat more berries to help lower blood pressure. Project 6: Provide a forum for personal testimony. Within 3 months after our campaign ends, participants will document their success in written or video form. Testimonials will be submitted to pastors, advocates and the Evaluation Team and perhaps even the church at-large.A similar document should be submitted to pastors, advocates and your evaluation team.

HEALTH MINISTRIES TOOLKIT

PLANNING YOUR PROGRAM

PARTS ONE, TWO & THREE IMPLEMENT Before you begin your project, you will need to review two critical questions and solidify the answers: • What are you expecting to happen as a result of the project? • What will participants have that they did not have before? • How will attitudes or actions be different? In defining success, you are trying to capture and describe the change or the impact your project is intended to make. Take the time to think it through. Once there is a picture of success in your mind, you can share that picture with your members and volunteers. You will be able to tell others about your project more concretely. Your announcements and advertisements will be clearer and more precise, and you are more likely to accomplish your goal. You need to be able to “see” where you are going. Defining Success If you don’t know where you’re going, how will you know when you get there. What is your desire for each of your six projects? What do you want to see as an outcome or endproduct? By the way, give each project a catchy name, just for the fun of it. Project 1 will establish a baseline of knowledge and awareness. With this project, you raise awareness and increase knowledge. In most cases, there is lots of information out there and participants will already have a lot of information. So, be specific. It is best to select 5 -10 facts regarding your selected health issue that you want participants to know. Then, your success measure will be based on what number of participants know what percentage of the 10 facts. Project 2 will motivate people to believe that change is possible and willing to make a change. What participants are motivated and willing to make changes, what does it look like? You will need to be able to describe what you want to see. Project 3 will explore the “cost” of making change. For every action, there are costs and benefits or advantages and disadvantages. This project examines the costs and benefits of making changes. What do you want to accomplish with this project? How will you show participants that benefits (what someone will gain) of making a change outweigh the costs (what someone will have to give up) of making a change? How will you collect and present information regarding costs and the benefits? Describe what participants will do when they recognize or realize that the benefits of making a change outweigh the costs.

HEALTH MINISTRIES TOOLKIT

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IMPLEMENT - WORKSHEET 3A - 1 Project 4 will provide tools and skills for making a change. What do you want to accomplish with this project? Basically, you want participants to have a greater ability or to be more prepared to make changes in their behaviors, habits or attitudes. You want them to have enhanced skills and resources to make changes. How will you determine what skills and tools your participants need in order to make successful changes? How will you know that the training and/or skills building sessions(s) are effective and how will you know if participants have learned or gained skills? How will participants be different after your skills building session(s) and how will you know they are different? Project 5 will allow space and permission to try to change. Describe the “space” or the opportunity you will give participants and the permission you will give them for trying. Will the “space” look like a report back system? With questions like, “how did that work for you?” Will it look like an encounter group—like Weight Watchers--where participants discuss their successes and failures, as they gain tips and pointers from others. When this project is completed, how will things be different? What will be happening? How will things look? What will participants have as a result of this project that they did not have before? Project 6 will provide a forum for success stories and personal testimony. How will you capture or measure the changes that have occurred? A simple count is a good measure. How many successes? Is the change tangible or intangible? What will you need to do to be able to capture it and to present it in a tangible way? Write a testimonial. Make a video recording. Make it tangible when you can. Describe what you want to see. You will need to be able to explain to your advocates, supporters, and funders what a successful project looks like. You are saying to them “when my project is successful this is what you will see.”

HEALTH MINISTRIES TOOLKIT

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IMPLEMENT - WORKSHEET 3B Create a realistic time table or schedule. Put it in writing. Use the following as guide. BENCHMARKS FOR THE PROCESS: Provide tools and skills for making a change. A. Establish your foundation. B. Identify potential partners. C. Select your health issue. D. Identify data sources. E. Define and establish the process. F. Select all partners. G. Determine gaps. Establish your foundation. • Take about 3 months to build your foundation. • Define foundation as: Members working together as a team, roles are defined, volunteer base has been established. • Complete Part One of this Tool Kit—Know Yourself, Know Your People. • Use Study Guides 1 and 2 located in the Knowledge and Skills section of this Tool Kit to enhance your skills and knowledge in this area. Identify potential partners. • Run concurrently with establishing a foundation and completion of Part One—Know Your People. • Use Study Guides 4 located in the Knowledge and Skills section of the Tool Kit to enhance your skills and knowledge in this area. Identify data sources. • Identify data sources runs concurrently with selecting your health issue. • Keep records of your information sources. • Look at population data. • Identify and incorporate determinates of health in your projects.

HEALTH MINISTRIES TOOLKIT

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IMPLEMENT - WORKSHEET 3B-1 Define and establish the process. • If you follow the steps in Part Two, the process has been defined for you. Part Two contains a time-tested model for effectiveness. It will take about 3 months to develop your program using this model. • If you choose to abridge the process, allow an additional month or two. Your first step will be to understand the model as it is presented. • There are other models out there for your consideration. However, research can take a long time. Select all partners. • Select all partners runs concurrently with defining and establishing the process. • Build projects based on who is available to help you. Determine gaps. • Analyze your program. Before you implement take a good hard look at what you have proposed. • Submit your proposal to others: your pastor, your advocates, the experts (those who are knowledgeable), or your most trusted supporter(s). • Remember: Not all gaps need to be filled or even addressed. They need to be identified so that they don’t become pitfalls. • Describe your target audience; stand firm on who you are serving. There is no right or wrong. Study Guides 7, 9 10 and 11 located in the Knowledge and Skills section of this Tool Kit may help you choose. You can’t serve everyone. • Use Study Guides 3 and 6 located in the Knowledge and Skills section of this Tool Kit to enhance your skills and knowledge in this area.

HEALTH MINISTRIES TOOLKIT

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IMPLEMENT - WORKSHEET 3C

Assure that members and volunteers know their roles, and are able and ready to execute them. • Create a written duty rooster. • Delegate jobs and authority.

o Assign Chairperson(s) of committee in charge of ________.

o Tie the duty rooster to the schedule of time table. • Provide training when necessary.

o Use briefing and debriefing as a vehicle for training.

o Keep the line of communication open. • Don’t skip the oversight.

o You get what you inspect not always what you expect. “They were told” is not and excuse Don’t assume everything will run smoothly.

HEALTH MINISTRIES TOOLKIT

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IMPLEMENT - WORKSHEET 3D

Establish a method for ongoing, 2-way communication. â&#x20AC;¢ Communication should be...

o Clear

o Brief

o Scheduled

o Empathetic

o Positive

Goal oriented and focused the topic

HEALTH MINISTRIES TOOLKIT

TOOLS

IMPLEMENT - WORKSHEET 3E-1

Use a good management strategy Responsibilities of management. Oversight, supervision and management are terms that can be used interchangeably. In your health ministry the person in charge might be called leader or president. Whatever the title, the role is similar. In one word, the role is accountability. For your members and volunteers to do the work that has been assigned to them, the leader must clear about the duties they must perform. Many leaders fall into the harmful role of micromanaging because they are not sure about the tasks they should be performing. PORTRAIT OF A GOOD LEADER Conditions, the environment. Conditions include making sure that workers have what they need in order to do their work. People cannot succeed in their jobs without the necessary equipment. (You can’t make brick without straw.) Conditions also include the environment or atmosphere. It is more difficult to work in a negative environment or where there are many road blocks. It is the leader’s job to keep the atmosphere positive and to remove obstructions. Standards, the expectations. The leader is the keeper of the standards. Standards are basically descriptions with measurement components added in. What is expected from a role fulfilled by each member and volunteer? How should a job be done? What is expected for each project? Expectations form standards. Standards should be written. It is the leader’s job to develop the standards and to use them as a basis for feedback, training and staff evaluation. Feedback, communication between management and staff. Regular communication between the leader and each unit member and each volunteer on an individual basis is the ideal situation. However, this might be impossible for larger health ministries. So, the next best thing is meeting with every committee chairperson or officer individually. Meeting should include a 2-way conversation regarding conditions and standards as well as progress and other issues or problems as they arise. This is also a good time for doing performance evaluations. Sometimes, “good job” or “you need to do more of this and less of that” is enough. Sometimes performance is an issue. A regular meeting is a safe place to talk about performance and to start the discussion when performance needs improvement. Volunteer status is not an excuse for poor performance. Each committee chairperson should meet with each of their committee members, similarly.

HEALTH MINISTRIES TOOLKIT

TOOLS

IMPLEMENT - WORKSHEET 3E-1

Use a good management strategy Training, confidence and motivation. As the keeper of the standard, the leader is often the ideal person to conduct in-service training. Training is important for everyone. Training builds confidence and motivates. Training does not have to be formal. On-the-job training can be provided by a committee chairperson. A training component can be offered at every member/volunteer meeting. Leaders need training. The best use of training time is to reinforce the standards and expectations of the jobs being performed. Adults value training that is specific and helps them do their jobs better and efficiently. Training can be expensive and time-consuming, but don’t neglect your training Staff assessment and ability. Few people like being told that they are not capable of doing a job. But in truth, everyone has different abilities and a single person should not be expected to be able to perform every task well. Sometimes as leader, you will need to tell someone that they are not suited for a certain job, role or responsibility. Offering the skills inventory located in the Tools section for Part One—Discover, Worksheet 1B1 to every member and volunteer makes this task a lot easier. The inventory will allow you to place people in the optimal job at the start. Conversely, those taking the inventory will identify their suitability for certain jobs over others. In addition, written standards help identify the temperament and skill set for each role. Reward. There are several ways to reward people for doing good work. A word of praise, a hug, a pat on the back goes a long way to motivate and reinforce a job well done. As leader, your job is to seek out people to reward and ways to reward them. Be generous and specific. Don’t use reward to shame others, but if those who are undeserving are rewarded the reward loses its value.

HEALTH MINISTRIES TOOLKIT

STUDY GUIDES KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS DEVELOPMENT

The following Study Guides contain skills building information that help you create comprehensive health ministries. Comprehensive health ministries are those that are sustainable, adaptive and responsive. • Effective and comprehensive health ministries address physical health, social health, mental health, and spiritual health. • Sustainable health ministries not only consider physical health factors, but the social determinants of health, as well. • Adaptive health ministries can and do respond to changing social and political climates. • Responsive health ministries know and address the needs of all segments of their congregations and communities. Here are the topics of Guides contained in this section. Study Guide 1

Understanding the Structure of Power

Study Guide 2

Don’t Let Internal Issues Shake You

Study Guide 3

Recognize Health Ministry Fatigue

Study Guide 4 Collaborate Study Guide 5

Gather All the Tools You Can and Know What’s Out There

Study Guide 6

Communicate Effectively

Study Guide 7

Choose Your Words Wisely

Study Guide 8

Target Your Ministry for the Biggest Impact

Study Guide 9

Be Truly Diversity Competent

Study Guide 10 Practice Social Justice Study Guide 11 Reach Underserved Populations

HEALTH MINISTRIES TOOLKIT

STUDY GUIDES - 1 Understand the Structure of Power Pastors matter, but real leadership of the health ministry should lie within the health ministry. Health ministries should be on par with all the other ministries of the church. Where is the power base in your church? The Five Bases of Social Power 1. Legitimate Power—power based on title or rank. 2. Expert Power—power based on skills and knowledge. 3. Referent Power—power based on reciprocity or mutual respect. 4. Reward Power—power based on the ability to give and take away reward. 5. Coercive Power—power based on the ability to punish. Power is always wielded in pairs—groups of two. Legitimate/Coercive Power shows up in 85% of the systems in the United States. This kind of power is bestowed by position and the power to punish. Examples of this kind of power might be the police or the IRS. Legitimate/coercive power creates lack of trust. Unfortunately, Legitimate/Coercive Power shows up in many churches as well. The most effective kind of power comes from an Expert/Referent base, where skill and mutual respect is the foundation. Title or rank does not necessarily mean competence. Real power comes through lived experience and capability. How do you change the power base at your church to an Expert/Referent base? • Meet with those in Legitimate Power to work toward a meeting of the minds. • Approach issues differently by choosing respected people who are knowledgeable for positions of leadership. • Shift how you respond to issues. Look to respected and knowledgeable people for advice or recommendations. • Approach Legitimate Power from the standpoint of Maslow’s Hierarchy. He or she may be operating from a standpoint of safety/fear and how to address their basic human needs. • Reward Power can also operate from a standpoint of safety/fear. Leadership training is needed among pastors and health ministry leaders.

HEALTH MINISTRIES TOOLKIT

STUDY GUIDES - 2 Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t Let Internal Issues Shake You Group Dynamics All groups, including your health ministry team, follow a distinct progression in development. The steps of progression include the following: Forming

There is excitement and optimism about the mission.

Storming

The reality of hard work and barriers set in, accompanied by frustration.

Norming

A cohesive team that copes with problems and has shared goals is formed.

Performing The team performs at highest level through leadership and teamwork. Adjourning Change occurs, as does anxiety and dissatisfaction. Next Steps Options arise â&#x20AC;&#x201C; next phase, new growth, new direction or new members. Members are skilled and excited. They anticipate and embrace the new.

HEALTH MINISTRIES TOOLKIT

STUDY GUIDES - 3 Recognize Health Ministry Fatigue Health ministry fatigue occurs when... • There is a lack of successful outcomes. • Congregations and other ministry participants only show interest in information that directly affects them at the moment and not for the long-term total health picture. • Number of people who need health support, fail to show up and take advantage of the services. • Everyone seems tired of hearing about health and health issues. • The more you teach the more it seems people are not listening. • There is a general waning of enthusiasm among members, volunteers and participants. Possible solutions Examine the following: • Doing more is not the answer. • Do you see the issues/needs the same as your congregation and community? • The things you are most proud of may not be the same for your congregations and communities. • Are you missing the biggest areas of opportunity by not looking to your congregation and community when determining need? • What is your mission? Is your health ministry mission driven? • Is your health ministry driven when attending to the needs of the congregation and community driven when attending to the needs of the community? • Is your health ministry inclusive of young and old, as well as life course events?

HEALTH MINISTRIES TOOLKIT

STUDY GUIDES - 4 Collaborate Collaborate inside your church with other ministries and outside you church with other churches. How can churches go about creating more collaborative health ministries? Here are some suggestions: • Form a task force of church ministry leaders to meet quarterly. • Share ministry work plans to identify common areas for screening, seminars and workshops. • Create a calendar all events for all churches. • Look for ways to combine budgets. • Map regions where churches are located to encourage churches in the same region to work together. • Apply for funding as a group.

HEALTH MINISTRIES TOOLKIT

STUDY GUIDES - 5 Gather All the Tools You Can and Know What’s Out There It could be the difference between someone being at safety or at social. What tools and resources will you need to create a world-class health ministry? • Resources and referrals for medical follow-up, somewhere to send people needing medical care or prescription refills. • Resources for the homeless and uninsured. • Dissemination of information about follow-up care resources that are available.

HEALTH MINISTRIES TOOLKIT

STUDY GUIDES - 6 Communicate Effectively Speak to the level of the participant. • Maslow’s Hierarchy of Need says when participant concerns are about physiological need messages that address esteem level need cannot be heard. • Remember that people do not skip steps In Maslow’s Hierarchy. Each level must be reached in order—physiological, safety, social, esteem, self-actualization. • Most often trainers and health professionals are at the level of esteem and naturally speak from that level. Most often unhealthy people and people with health concerns are at the level of safety, so health messages must be delivered at the level of safety, if they are to be heard and accepted. • Fear is a primary factor of safety and often encountered when dealing with health issues or when hearing health messages. • Very successful messages addressing safety concerns offer options to address fear and make the participant part of the solution. • People at the level of social will understand you and are on your side. • Remember no one ever really reaches the level of self-actualization. If they appear to have reached this level, it is most likely just fear (therefore safety) in disguise.

HEALTH MINISTRIES TOOLKIT

STUDY GUIDES - 7 Choose Your Words Wisely It could be the difference between someone being at safety or at social on the Maslow Hierarchy. Words impact your life. How do your words impact your health ministries? Here are some words that might be loaded. Intersectionality—Here are the key trends in diversity and inclusion. African American or Black May have different generational meaning.

Health or Wellness What’s the difference? Do participants know?

Millennials Who?

Hispanic or Latino Hispanic is a government word.

Homosexual or Gay and Lesbian Call people what they call themselves.

At Risk Could be negative.

Minority Could be offensive. You people Could be demeaning or racist.

There are many other loaded words. Keep your language relevant.

HEALTH MINISTRIES TOOLKIT

STUDY GUIDES - 8 Target Your Ministry for the Biggest Impact The 20-60-20 Theory • The theory is that 20% of the group will love you and support you, no matter what you do. 20% of the group will hate you, no matter what you do. But 60% are neutral or on the fence. • Target your communication and your effort toward the 60%. Find out what they need and want and give it to them. This is where you will make the biggest impact. • Statistically, 90% of effort is used to address the 20% that will never see things your way.

HEALTH MINISTRIES TOOLKIT

STUDY GUIDES - 9 Be Truly Diversity Competent It’s a “spork” kind of world. People don’t fit neatly into boxes and especially in the same box. Don’t try to put them there. Most people have multiple identities—mother, grandmother, women, African American, diabetic, nurse, health ministry leader, cancer survivor, and more. Intersectionality—Here are the key trends in diversity and inclusion. • Religion • LGBTQIA • People with disabilities and veterans • Gender • Global • Multiple identities • New global workforce • Immigration • Race

HEALTH MINISTRIES TOOLKIT

STUDY GUIDES - 10 Practice Social Justice The Health Equity Model considers life course, determinants of health, health factors, and health outcomes in developing health programs. Health factors are most often the only consideration. Look at your health programs through the lens of health equity. Life course: Needs change depending on the stage of life. Determinants of health: Social, economic, environmental and cultural factors impact and determine health outcomes at least as much as, if not more than health factors (nutrition, physical activity and tobacco) do. As you look at the list of social determinants of heath provided try to expand the list. Most notably missing from the list is “parenting” and “toxic stress.”

HEALTH MINISTRIES TOOLKIT

STUDY GUIDES - 11 Reach Underserved Populations What population within your health ministry is the most underserved and what can you do to help? (Orange Question) • For youth who are not showing up—Use music and conduct a survey to find out what will work for them. • For seniors—Aurora is a largely untapped area. • Pair youth and seniors for mentoring. • Increase physical activity. • The World Health Organization definition of Health is: “Health is a complete state of physical, mental, emotional and spiritual well being and not merely the absence or disease or infirmity.: • Strategies to use include conducting surveys, setting a budget, encouraging storytelling, creating a task force, hosting quarterly meetings.

HEALTH MINISTRIES TOOLKIT

WRAP-UP The purpose of this tool kit is to... • Build better church health ministries based on multi-church collaboration using the strength and expertise of each individual church. • Empower church leadership to put health at the top of their list of priorities. • To strengthen health ministries in African American churches.

RESOURCES Best Practices Review the following best practices models. See what new innovations you can incorporate into you ministry. • Adventist Health Ministries • Interdenominational Health Ministry Coalition, Rochester, NY • The Rockefeller Foundation • Healthy Congregations Needs Assessment Tool—United Methodist Church • Holding the Ropes by Clint Archer

HEALTH MINISTRIES TOOLKIT

HEALTH

MINISTRIES TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE For assistance in executing any portion of the Health Ministry Tool Kit, please contact

HEALTH MINISTRIES TOOLKIT

2019 HEALTH AWARENESS

CALENDAR Written by Kelly Aiglon on December 7, 2018 www.healthline.com/health/directory-awareness-months#13

One of the biggest tools we have to fight health conditions is the power of human connection. That’s why awareness months, weeks, and days are so important: They rally us together to spread awareness and show support. Educational and fundraising events are often held at these times to create a ripple effect of positivity and empowerment for not only those living with health conditions, but their loved ones, too. Sure, you’ve heard about the bigger awareness campaigns like Breast Cancer Awareness Month and World AIDS Day. But what about lesser-known ones, such as National Family Health History Day, Give Kids a Smile Day, or National Mediterranean Diet Month? Keep track of the events you’re passionate about — and discover some new ones, too — with this 2019 calendar of health awareness events.

HEALTH MINISTRIES TOOLKIT

JANUARY/ FEBRUARY H E A LT H A W A R E N E S S JANUARY ❑ Cervical Health Awareness Month ❑ National Birth Defects Prevention Month ❑ National Glaucoma Awareness Month ❑ National Radon Action Month ❑ National Stalking Awareness Month ❑ National Winter Sports Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Awareness Month ❑ Thyroid Awareness Month ❑ National Folic Acid Awareness Week (Jan. 7–13) ❑ National Drug and Alcohol Facts Week (Jan. 22–27)

FEBRUARY ❑ AMD/Low Vision Awareness Month ❑ American Heart Month ❑ International Prenatal Infection Prevention Month ❑ National Children’s Dental Health Month ❑ Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month ❑ African Heritage and Health Week (first week of February) ❑ National “Wear Red” Day for women’s heart health (Feb. 1) ❑ Give Kids a Smile Day (Feb. 1) ❑ World Cancer Day (Feb. 4) ❑ Congenital Heart Defect Awareness Week (Feb. 7–14) ❑ National Donor Day (Feb. 14) ❑ Condom Week (Feb. 14–21) ❑ Eating Disorders Awareness and Screening Week (Feb. 25–March 3)

HEALTH MINISTRIES TOOLKIT

MARCH

H E A LT H A W A R E N E S S MARCH ❑ Multiple Sclerosis Education and Awareness Month ❑ National Bleeding Disorders Awareness Month ❑ National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month ❑ National Endometriosis Awareness Month ❑ National Kidney Month ❑ National Nutrition Month ❑ National Traumatic Brain Injury Awareness Month ❑ Save Your Vision Month ❑ Trisomy Awareness Month ❑ World Kidney Day (March 14) ❑ World Sleep Day (March 15) ❑ National School Breakfast Week (March 4–8) ❑ National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day (March 10) ❑ Patient Safety Awareness Week (March 10–16) ❑ National Sleep Awareness Week (March 3–10) ❑ Brain Awareness Week (March 11–17) ❑ National Poison Prevention Week (March 17–23) ❑ National Native American HIV/AIDS Awareness Day (March 20) ❑ World Tuberculosis Day (March 24) ❑ American Diabetes Alert Day (March 26) ❑ Purple Day for epilepsy awareness (March 26)

HEALTH MINISTRIES TOOLKIT

APRIL

H E A LT H A W A R E N E S S APRIL ❑ Alcohol Awareness Month ❑ Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) Awareness Month ❑ National Autism Awareness Month ❑ National Child Abuse Prevention Month ❑ National Donate Life Month ❑ National Facial Protection Month ❑ National Minority Health Month ❑ National Sarcoidosis Awareness Month ❑ Occupational Therapy Month ❑ Oral Cancer Awareness Month ❑ Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month ❑ Sexual Assault Awareness Month ❑ STD Awareness Month ❑ Women’s Eye Health and Safety Month ❑ National Public Health Week (April 1–7) ❑ National Alcohol Screening Day (April 11) ❑ Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network (RAINN) Day (April 5) ❑ World Health Day (April 7) ❑ National Youth Violence Prevention Week (April 8–12) ❑ National Youth HIV/AIDS Awareness Day (April 10) ❑ National Infertility Awareness Week (April 21–27) ❑ Every Kid Healthy Week (April 22–26) ❑ World Meningitis Day (April 24) ❑ National Infant Immunization Week (April 26–May 3) ❑ National Minority Cancer Awareness Week (TBA) ❑ World Immunization Week (TBA) 64

HEALTH MINISTRIES TOOLKIT

MAY

H E A LT H A W A R E N E S S MAY

❑ American Stroke Awareness Month

❑ World Hand Hygiene Day (May 5)

❑ Arthritis Awareness Month

❑ North American Occupational Safety and Health Week (May 5–11)

❑ Better Hearing and Speech Month ❑ Clean Air Month ❑ Cystic Fibrosis Awareness Month ❑ Food Allergy Action Month ❑ Global Employee Health and Fitness Month ❑ Healthy Vision Month

❑ Cornelia de Lange Syndrome Awareness Day (May 11) ❑ National Women’s Health Week (May 12–18)

❑ Hepatitis Awareness Month

❑ National Alcohol- and Other Drug-Related Birth Defects Awareness Week (May 12–18)

❑ International Mediterranean Diet Month

❑ HIV Vaccine Awareness Day (May 18)

❑ Lupus Awareness Month

❑ National Asian and Pacific Islander HIV/ AIDS Awareness Day (May 19)

❑ Melanoma/Skin Cancer Detection and Prevention Month

❑ World Autoimmune Arthritis Day (May 20)

❑ Mental Health Month

❑ Don’t Fry Day (May 24)

❑ National Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month

❑ National Senior Health Fitness Day (May 29)

❑ National Celiac Disease Awareness Month

❑ Children’s Mental Health Awareness Week (TBA)

❑ National High Blood Pressure Education Month

❑ Food Allergy Awareness Week (TBA)

❑ National Osteoporosis Awareness and Prevention Month

❑ National Hurricane Preparedness Week (TBA)

❑ National Physical Fitness and Sports Month

❑ National Neuropathy Awareness Week (TBA)

❑ National Teen Pregnancy Prevention Month ❑ Ultraviolet Awareness Month ❑ National Physical Education and Sport Week (May 1–7)

❑ National Stuttering Awareness Week (May 5–11)

HEALTH MINISTRIES TOOLKIT

❑ World Preeclampsia Day (TBA)

JUNE / JULY/ AUGUST H E A LT H A W A R E N E S S

JUNE ❑ Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month ❑ Cataract Awareness Month ❑ Hernia Awareness Month ❑ Men’s Health Month ❑ Myasthenia Gravis Awareness Month ❑ National Aphasia Awareness Month ❑ National Congenital Cytomegalovirus Awareness Month ❑ National Safety Month ❑ National Scleroderma Awareness Month ❑ Scoliosis Awareness Month ❑ National Cancer Survivors Day (June 2) ❑ Men’s Health Week (June 10–16) ❑ World Sickle Cell Day (June 19) ❑ Helen Keller Deaf-Blind Awareness Week (June 23–29) ❑ PTSD Awareness Day (June 27)

JULY ❑ Cord Blood Awareness Month ❑ International Group B Strep Throat Awareness Month ❑ Juvenile Arthritis Awareness Month ❑ National Cleft and Craniofacial Awareness and Prevention Month ❑ World Hepatitis Day (July 28)

AUGUST ❑ Children’s Eye Health and Safety Month ❑ Gastroparesis Awareness Month ❑ National Breastfeeding Month ❑ National Immunization Awareness Month ❑ Psoriasis Awareness Month ❑ World Breastfeeding Week (Aug. 1–7) ❑ National Health Center Week (Aug. 4–10)

HEALTH MINISTRIES TOOLKIT

SEPTEMBER

H E A LT H A W A R E N E S S SEPTEMBER ❑ Blood Cancer Awareness Month ❑ Childhood Cancer Awareness Month ❑ Healthy Aging Month ❑ National Atrial Fibrillation Awareness Month ❑ National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month ❑ National Cholesterol Education Month ❑ National Food Safety Education Month ❑ National ITP Awareness Month ❑ National Pediculosis Prevention Month/Head Lice Prevention Month ❑ National Preparedness Month ❑ National Recovery Month ❑ National Sickle Cell Month ❑ National Yoga Awareness Month ❑ Newborn Screening Awareness Month ❑ Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month ❑ Pain Awareness Month ❑ Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) Month ❑ Prostate Cancer Awareness Month ❑ Sepsis Awareness Month ❑ Sexual Health Awareness Month ❑ Sports Eye Safety Month ❑ World Alzheimer’s Month ❑ Usher Syndrome Awareness Day (third Saturday) ❑ National Suicide Prevention Week (Sept. 8–14) ❑ World Suicide Prevention Day (Sept. 10) ❑ World Sepsis Day (Sept. 13) ❑ National Celiac Disease Awareness Day (Sept. 13) ❑ National HIV/AIDS and Aging Awareness Day (Sept. 18) ❑ National School Backpack Awareness Day (Sept. 18) ❑ Falls Prevention Day (Sept. 23) ❑ Malnutrition Awareness Week (Sept. 23–27) ❑ National Women’s Health and Fitness Day (Sept. 25) ❑ Sport Purple for Platelets Day (Sept. 27) ❑ World Rabies Day (Sept. 28) ❑ Family Health and Fitness Day (Sept. 28) ❑ World Heart Day (Sept. 29) 67

HEALTH MINISTRIES TOOLKIT

NOVEMBER / DECEMBER HEALTH AWARENESS

NOVEMBER ❑ American Diabetes Month ❑ Bladder Health Month ❑ Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Awareness Month ❑ Diabetic Eye Disease Month ❑ Lung Cancer Awareness Month ❑ National Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month ❑ National Epilepsy Awareness Month ❑ National Family Caregivers Month ❑ National Healthy Skin Month ❑ National Hospice Palliative Care Month ❑ National Stomach Cancer Awareness Month ❑ Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month ❑ Prematurity Awareness Month ❑ World Prematurity Day (Nov. 17) ❑ Great American Smokeout (Nov. 21) ❑ International Survivors of Suicide Day (Nov. 23) ❑ GERD Awareness Week (Nov. 24–30) ❑ National Family Health History Day (Nov. 28) ❑ World Antibiotic Awareness Week (TBA)

DECEMBER ❑ World AIDS Day (Dec. 1) ❑ National Handwashing Awareness Week (Dec. 1–7)

HEALTH MINISTRIES TOOLKIT

HEALTH MINISTRY TIPS TIPS