Mardi Gras Safety
/Mardi Gras 2017 falls on February 28. The most popular time to visit the New Orleans area is during the Mardi Gras season. So, if you're planning to celebrate this "greatest free show on earth" by attending the parades and/or the other numerous festivities, it is advisable to follow these Mardi Gras safety tips.
Mardi Gras safety tips provided Courtesy of National Safety Council, South Louisiana Chapter.
National Children's Dental Health Month
/Each year, the month of February is recognized by the American Dental Association (ADA) as National Children's Dental Health Month to aid in increasing awareness and promoting healthy smiles for kids. Why is this type of celebration—and year-round attention to children’s dental health--important? This recognition hopes to emphasize to both parents and children the importance of being proactive, rather than reactive when it comes to pediatric oral health needs.
Despite the fact that it’s almost entirely preventable, tooth decay is the most common chronic disease in children. The good news is there are safe and effective preventive measures that can protect teeth.
Info provided by American Dental Association.
National Donor Day
/Not only is February 14 Valentine's Day, it is also National Donor Day. National Donor Day is focused on five points of life: organs, tissues, marrow, platelets and blood. Organ donation and transplantation save over 28,000 lives a year.
Donation and Transplantation: How Does it Work?
Frequently Asked Questions About Organ Donation.
Listen to Blake's story and see what you can make possible.
Information provided by the Health Resources & Services Administration of the U. S. Department of Health & Human Services.
Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month
/February is Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month. Plaquemines Community CARE Centers Foundation, Inc. (CARE Center) wants you to know that there’s a lot you can do as a parent to prevent teen dating violence and abuse.
More than 1 in 10 teens who have been on a date have also been physically abused by a boyfriend or girlfriend in the last year. One of the most important things you can do is keep the lines of communication open with your kids.
Take steps to make a difference:
- Be a role model – treat your kids and others with respect.
- Start talking to your kids about healthy relationships early – before they start dating.
- Get involved with efforts to prevent dating violence at your teen’s school.
- If you are worried about your teen, call the National Dating Abuse Helpline at 1-866-331-9474 or text “loveis” to 22522.
You can also help keep your loved ones safe and healthy by contacting the CARE Center. Our mission is to assist victims of abuse. We provide Counseling, Assessment/Advocacy, Resources and Early Intervention.
For more information, visit our website. Or, to make an appointment, call 504-393-5750.
Article provided by U.S. Department of Health & Human Services.
February is Heart Health Month
/Heart disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women, but heart disease is preventable and controllable. Every journey begins with one step, whether it’s climbing a mountain or preventing heart disease. This American Heart Month, CDC is offering weekly tips for better heart health. Take your first step on the road to a healthy heart with us.
Heart disease is a major problem. Every year, about 715,000 Americans have a heart attack. About 600,000 people die from heart disease in the United States each year—that’s 1 out of every 4 deaths. Heart disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women.
Heart attack symptoms. The five major symptoms of a heart attack are:
~Pain or discomfort in the jaw, neck, or back.
~Feeling weak, light-headed, or faint.
~Chest pain or discomfort.
~Pain or discomfort in arms or shoulder.
~Shortness of breath.
If you think that you or someone you know is having a heart attack, call 9–1–1 immediately.
The term “heart disease” refers to several types of heart conditions. The most common type in the United States is coronary heart disease (also called coronary artery disease), which occurs when a substance called plaque builds up in the arteries that supply blood to the heart. Coronary heart disease can cause heart attack, angina, heart failure, and arrhythmias.
Cardiovascular disease, including heart disease and stroke, costs the United States $312.6 billion each year. This total includes the cost of health care services, medications, and lost productivity. These conditions also are leading causes of disability, preventing Americans from working and enjoying family activities.
The situation is alarming, but there is good news—heart disease is preventable and controllable. We can start by taking small steps every day to bring our loved ones and ourselves closer to heart health. CDC is providing a tip a day throughout February, but you can take these small steps all year long.
One Step at a Time. As you begin your journey to better heart health, keep these things in mind:
~Don't become overwhelmed. Every step brings you closer to a healthier heart.
~Don't go it alone. The journey is more fun when you have company. Ask friends and family to join you.
~Don't get discouraged. You may not be able to take all of the steps at one time.
~Reward yourself. Find fun things to do to decrease your stress.
Plan for Prevention. Some health conditions and lifestyle factors can put people at a higher risk for developing heart disease. You can help prevent heart disease by making healthy choices and managing any medical conditions you may have.
Eat a healthy diet. Choosing healthful meal and snack options can help you avoid heart disease and its complications. Be sure to eat plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables—adults should have at least 5 servings each day. Eating foods low in saturated fat, trans fat, and cholesterol and high in fiber can help prevent high cholesterol. Limiting salt or sodium in your diet also can lower your blood pressure.
Maintain a healthy weight. Being overweight or obese can increase your risk for heart disease. To determine whether your weight is in a healthy range, doctors often calculate a number called the body mass index (BMI). Doctors sometimes also use waist and hip measurements to measure a person's body fat.
Exercise regularly. Physical activity can help you maintain a healthy weight and lower cholesterol and blood pressure. The Surgeon General recommends that adults should engage in moderate-intensity exercise for at least 30 minutes on most days of the week.
Monitor your blood pressure. High blood pressure often has no symptoms, so be sure to have it checked on a regular basis. You can check your blood pressure at home, at a pharmacy, or at a doctor's office.
Don't smoke. Cigarette smoking greatly increases your risk for heart disease. If you don't smoke, don't start. If you do smoke, quit as soon as possible. Your doctor can suggest ways to help you quit.
Limit alcohol use. Avoid drinking too much alcohol, which can increase your blood pressure. Men should stick to no more than two drinks per day, and women to no more than one.
Have your cholesterol checked. Your health care provider should test your cholesterol levels at least once every 5 years. Talk with your doctor about this simple blood test.
Manage your diabetes. If you have diabetes, monitor your blood sugar levels closely, and talk with your doctor about treatment options.
Take your medicine. If you're taking medication to treat high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or diabetes, follow your doctor's instructions carefully. Always ask questions if you don't understand something.
Together, we can prevent heart disease, one step at a time. Have a healthy February!
Article courtesy of Centers for Disease Control and Prevention --Keeping You Safe
CDC is the nation's health protection agency, working 24/7 to protect America from health and safety threats, both foreign and domestic. CDC increases the health security of our nation.
National Wear Red Day
/Friday, February 3, 2017 is National Wear Red Day. Why Go Red? Heart disease and stroke cause 1 in 3 deaths among women each year, killing approximately one woman every 80 seconds. Fortunately, we can change that because 80 percent of cardiac and stroke events may be prevented with education and action. That’s why this year we are asking that you wear red on National Wear Red Day®.
Find out more about National Red Day here.
January 23 to January 29, 2017 is National Drug & Alcohol Facts Week
/National Drug & Alcohol Facts Week® links students with scientists and other experts to counteract the myths about drugs and alcohol that teens get from the internet, social media, TV, movies, music, or from friends. It was launched in 2010 by scientists at the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) to stimulate educational events in communities so teens can learn what science has taught us about drug use and addiction. The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism became a partner starting in 2016, and alcohol has been added as a topic area for the week. NIDA and NIAAA are part of the National Institutes of Health.
Why Celebrate National Drug & Alcohol Facts WeekSM? Looking at past month drug use among high school seniors, more than 5% misuse prescription drugs, more than 20% smoke marijuana, and 35% use alcohol. Many teens are not aware of the risks to their health, to their success in school and the dangers while driving under the influence. When teens are given the scientific facts about drugs, they can be better prepared to make good decisions for themselves and they can share this information with others.
For more details visit https://teens.drugabuse.gov/national-drug-alcohol-facts-week
Information provided by National Institute on Drug Abuse.
How to Talk to a Loved One About Mental Health
/When a loved one has a psychiatric disorder, it’s a challenge for the whole family: parents, siblings, friends and relatives. The willingness to come together as a unit, accept the diagnosis, look for help, go beyond criticism, blame and judgment will not guarantee recovery, but it makes it far more likely. Denial and disapproval will only worsen the situation.
Family support is vital to recovery and consequences and challenges can result when parents, relatives and friends refuse to accept the illness or worse ostracize the individual who is struggling.
One tip to support a loved one with mental is to start dialogues, not debates. If your family member doesn’t agree she or he has an illness, talk about it; find out why. Listen without trying to change them or their mind. Forget the power struggle. Focus on building trust and rapport.
Read the complete Psychology today article "How to Help a Loved One with a Mental Illness" here.
National Birth Defects Prevention Month
/January is National Birth Defects Prevention Month. The National Birth Defect Prevention Study (NBDPS) was one of the largest studies conducted in the United States to determine the causes of birth defects. The article below helps raise awareness about the different types of birth defects that researchers have identified, ways to prevent birth defects, as well as some complexities surrounding each birth defect. Findings illustrated specific links between a particular type of birth defect and its cause, while other birth defects involved specific risk factors. Click on the link below to learn about the different types of birth defects you or a loved one can prevent or may be experiencing.
National Stalking Awareness Month
/This January is the 14th observation of National Stalking Awareness Month (NSAM). Started in 2004 by the National Center for Victims of Crime, NSAM was developed to increase awareness of the crime of stalking. According to the Bureau of Justice Statistics, 7.5 million people are stalked in one year in the United States. The legal definition of stalking varies from state to state, but the common working definition is a course of conduct directed at a specific person that would cause a reasonable person to feel fear.
Visit http://www.stalkingawarenessmonth.org for more information.
Co-Parenting During the Holidays
/The holidays can have their fair share of stress without including balancing a co-parenting relationship. Events that were once spent together are often divided, post-divorce, and navigating the ins and outs of how to manage the different aspects of the holiday season can be difficult, at times. In the article below, you will find advice for minimizing stress and tension for the holidays when it comes to amicably relating with your co-parent.
Gina LaRose, LMFT, LPC, NCC
Clinical Supervisor
Self Care During the Holidays
/Self-care is always important, but it can be even more crucial during this stressful holiday season. People may experience external stressors, such as financial stress as resources are drained to purchase gifts or internal stressors as they struggle with recent or unresolved loss. A proactive self-care routine can help you manage you stress and make things run more smoothly.
http://psychcentral.com/lib/the-importance-of-self-care-during-the-holidays/
By: Katelyn Osterbuhr
December is National Safe Toys and Gifts Month
/As we all know the holiday season is just around the corner and for some of us this means shopping for the kids, we all like to see the kids happy at this time of year.
The CPSC (Consumer Product Safety Commission) is recommending the following safety tips while we shop for the kids.
Under 3 years old
- Children under 3 tend to put everything in their mouths. Avoid buying toys intended for older children that may have small parts that pose a choking danger.
- Never let children of any age play with deflated or broken balloons because of the choking danger.
- Avoid marbles, balls and games with balls that have a diameter of 1.75 inches or less. These products also pose a choking hazard to young children.
- Children at this age pull, prod and twist toys. Look for toys that are well-made with tightly secured eyes, noses and other parts.
- Avoid toys that have sharp edges and points.
Ages 3 to 5
- Avoid toys that are constructed with thin, brittle plastic that might easily break into small pieces or leave jagged edges.
- Look for household art materials, including crayons and paint sets, marked with the designation "ASTM D-4236." This means the product has been reviewed for chronic health hazards and, if necessary, the product has been labeled with cautionary information.
- Teach older children to keep their toys away from their younger brothers and sisters.
Ages 6-12
- For all children, adults should check toys periodically for breakage and potential hazards. Damaged or dangerous toys should be repaired or thrown away.
- If buying a toy gun, be sure the barrel, or the entire gun, is brightly colored so that it's not mistaken for a real gun.
- If you buy a bicycle for any age child, buy a helmet, too, and make sure the child wears it. • Teach all children to put toys away when they're finished playing so they don't trip over them or fall on them.
It is also important to read all labels carefully. The CPSC requires toy manufacturers to meet stringent safety standards and to label certain toys that could be a hazard for younger children.
Look for labels that give age recommendations and use that information as a guide. Labels on toys that state "not recommended for children under 3 … contains small parts," are labeled that way because they may pose a choking hazard to children under 3. Toys should be developmentally appropriate to suit the skills, abilities and interests of the child.
By: Irma Miller
Help Prevent Child Abuse
/We can all work towards preventing child abuse. If you are interested in scheduling a training at your organization, please contact Dawn Barras, LPC at dbarras@pcccf.org or 504-393-5750.
Protect Yourself, Protect Your Family
/This week is National Influenza Vaccination Week. The CDC recommends that all individuals 6 months or older be vaccinated to protect not only yourselves but your family as well!
Louisiana Kids in Crisis
/
As Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services faces an uncertain future due to budget cuts, the children they protect are in crisis.One way to get involved in helping keep these children safe is to become a volunteer CASA Advocate. CASA of Plaquemines trains volunteer Advocates to submit recommendation to the court on behalf of children and help bring stability to their lives. To learn more about becoming a volunteer please contact Katelyn Osterbuhr at 504.393.5750 or email: kosterbuhr@pcccf.org
Part One
Part Two
http://www.fox8live.com/story/33729049/kids-in-crisis-what-happens-after-foster-care
The Great American Smokeout
/"Every year, on the third Thursday of November, smokers across the nation take part in the American Cancer Society Great American Smokeout event. Encourage someone you know to use the date to make a plan to quit."
