Product Releases & Updates
AVSS has upgraded its system, which means that the steps for downloading the Y2KCountyCBC file have changed.  By now, most counties have transitioned over to the "new" AVSS/NET and AVSS/FX system.  This improved AVSS system creates greater flexibility for the county users by allowing a web interface with the database.  The steps for generating the data files (Y2KCountyCBC file) are basically the same as always, however, there is a new process for downloading the file, which is where AVSS/FX comes in.  You can see the AVSS instructions for generating and downloading the file here.  Additionally, the AVSS website is an excellent resource for AVSS technical support.

Useful County Data Resources
The FedStats website provides basic data profiles of local areas (state, county, city, district) in areas such as population, geography, income, housing and business related statistics.  The user-friendly web site allows you to navigate by clicking on a map and then selecting from simple drop-down menus.  This resource can be found here at the FHOP Website at Public Health Data > General Public Health Data Resources under "Demographics".

Trainings
Injury Conference FHOP staff will be conducting a workshop “Using a Logic Model for Program Planning and Evaluation” on Wednesday morning, October 5, 2005 as part of the 19th Annual California Conference on Childhood Injury Control. The conference, October 2nd through the 5th in San Diego, is sponsored by the California Department of Health Services’ Maternal, Child, and Adolescent Health Branch in conjunction with the Center for Injury Prevention Policy and Practice at the San Diego State University Graduate School of Public Health. The focus of the conference is on improving the professional skills of participants and building the capacity of injury prevention programs.

The FHOP workshop will introduce a logic model and aims to develop skill in using a logic model framework to effectively plan and evaluate prevention and intervention programs that can achieve demonstrated outcomes. This session will include presentation of a logic model, review useful applications, present step-by-step motor vehicle occupant safety examples, and provide participants with an opportunity to practice using the logic model framework. Register before September 9th for the reduced registration fee.  Go to the Center for Injury Prevention Policy and Practice web page at www.cippp.org 

Upcoming FHOP Trainings: FHOP is busy planning trainings for the next year.  With the input gathered from the training questionnaire, taken by MCAH staff, and from the Training and Technical Assistance Workgroup, topics over the next year will include Program Evaluation, Trend Analysis, Data Methods, and EpiHOSP.  Program Evaluation 1, will be held on December 7th in Sacramento.  The announcement and registration for the Program Evaluation 1 training will be on the FHOP website shortly.  Please check the training section of the website for other upcoming trainings. In addition, if you plan to attend the 19th Annual California Conference on Childhood Injury Control in San Diego (see above), FHOP staff will be conducting a workshop, covering the use of a logic model and other useful applications, which will also be taught at the December training.  

Spotlight
MCAH Action Home Visiting Workgroup Questionnaire
Thank you to all who have completed the MCAH Action Home Visiting Workgroup Questionnaire, "Home Visiting for Pregnant Women, Newborn Infants, and/or High Risk Families" The purpose of the workgroup’s home visiting survey is to gather detailed information about local health department run home visiting programs, such as what programs exist within health departments, what models are being used, and how they are funded.  MCAH Action hopes to use the survey results, and some other data, to propose that home visiting services be a covered benefit in the universal health care legislation being put forward. As of mid August, 25 health jurisdictions have reported 55 separate home visiting programs.  Over the next month, FHOP will be preparing a web-based survey, to gather information from as many additional California health department home visiting programs as possible.  If you have not previously responded or have additional home visiting programs serving the MCAH population, for which a survey was not completed, please check your email and the FHOP website.  We hope to hear from all 61 health jurisdictions.