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Update on IHS Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative
Posted by on December 10, 2012 at 7:22 PM EDTEditor's note: This is cross-posted from the Indian Health Service Director's blog.
The Rosebud IHS Service Unit has achieved designation as a Baby-Friendly® Hospital, which makes it the first hospital to achieve this designation in the Indian Health Service and in the state of South Dakota. This prestigious award is given to facilities that practice the Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding. Research shows that following the Ten Steps increases exclusive breastfeeding, and this helps to reduce obesity and diabetes in the population.
Co-administered by the World Health Organization and the United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund, the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative is an evidence-based practice care model designed to protect and promote breastfeeding as the safest, healthiest way to nourish babies. Hospitals that achieve Baby-Friendly status are committed to promoting and protecting breastfeeding at all stages, including prenatal counseling, inpatient services, and community awareness. Core components of the initiative promote the benefits of breastfeeding, such as skin-to-skin contact between mom and infant, and non-separation of mother and infant.
As a result of this initiative at Rosebud IHS Hospital, breastfeeding initiation rates are now consistently in the 90th percentile and exclusive breastfeeding rates have continued to climb.
"The staff and providers at Rosebud have made this program a success, and their hard work and dedication to protecting breastfeeding is evident," says Clifton Kenon Jr., Maternal Child Health Program Manager for Aberdeen Area Indian Health Service.
"Baby-Friendly at Rosebud is a reality because every single person made a commitment to making the program a success, which is an attribute we pride ourselves on at Rosebud," says Sophie Two Hawk, M.D., Chief Executive Officer at Rosebud Hospital.
Rosebud's achievement started as a campaign to decrease childhood obesity, through the First Lady's "Let's Move in Indian Country" initiative. Our goal in the IHS Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative is to have all 13 IHS hospitals with obstetric services achieve the designation.
Please join us in congratulating Rosebud IHS Hospital for becoming one of the less than 5 percent of hospitals designated as Baby-Friendly in the U.S. Their work to promote breastfeeding will help improve the health of their community for generations to come.
Dr. Yvette Roubideaux is the Indian Health Service Director at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Learn more aboutWWTDG: Xian Horn and Beauty Positivity
Posted by on December 7, 2012 at 5:07 PM EDT
This week’s Women Working to Do Good profile spotlights a young woman who is making a difference in the lives of those living with disabilities.
Xian Horn grew up battling cerebral palsy. Her disability never discouraged her from doing the work she was called to do and from seeing her true worth as approaches each day with a contagious happiness. After she was given the opportunity to share her story of overcoming her insecurities in a theater class, Xian discovered that by approaching her worth and beauty as a holistic concept rather than simply an external feature, she could help individuals with disabilities cultivate their own purpose.
Using her own story to inspire others, Xian is challenging traditional ideas of what beauty is. “One of the most important things we can do is throw out the idea of perfection and usher in authenticity,” she told me. “I’ve learned that what I can do is tell my story, and hope that that inspires someone else to tell their story or to recognize the beauty that’s in them. Because I think that’s the power of telling our stories…”
It is your stories that have encouraged the President to continue advocating for the 50 million Americans with disabilities. Thank you Xian for all you do to encourage our youth. Your story has inspired us all.
Ronnie Cho is Associate Director of the Office of Public Engagement
Learn more aboutWWTDG: When All Love Is Not Lost
Posted by on December 7, 2012 at 4:59 PM EDT
Christina Ramussan Blog Youth Engagement
Losing a loved one is never an easy situation and something that happens to all of us at one point. This week we highlight Christina Rasmussen, a woman that lost her husband of ten years after a battle with cancer who is now working to help others cope with loss. In this edition of Women Working to Do Good, the author writes:
The main thing Christina wants people to know is that “when a life interruption occurs, you shouldn’t try to go back to the life you had before. It doesn’t work out. That’s why you need to allow change in as early as possible and you have to plug yourself into your new life in increments.”
Christina’s work has helped countless individuals begin the healing process after losing a loved one. During this holiday season, let’s all cherish the time we have with our friends and family.
Ronnie Cho is Associate Director of the Office of Public Engagement
Learn more aboutPresident Obama to Host the 2012 White House Tribal Nations Conference
Posted by on December 4, 2012 at 12:53 PM EDTOn December 5, 2012, President Obama will host representatives invited from each of the 566 federally recognized American Indian tribes, and Alaska Native Villages, at the 2012 White House Tribal Nations Conference. Fulfilling a commitment to improve and expand dialog with Indian Country, the President has hosted a Tribal Nations Conference in each year of his Presidency to facilitate a lasting discussion between Tribal Leaders and Senior Administration Officials. The opening and closing sessions of the Conference will be available for live online viewing at www.WhiteHouse.gov/Live and also at www.DOI.gov/Live. The expected agenda is as follows:
Opening Session, 9:00am – 10:30am EST
Secretary Ken Salazar, Department of the Interior
Secretary Arne Duncan, Department of Education
Deputy Secretary Neal Wolin, Department of the Treasury
Acting Secretary Rebecca Blank, Department of Commerce
Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, Department of Health and Human Services
Secretary Tom Vilsack, Department of AgricultureClosing Session, 1:30pm – 3:30pm EST
Leaders of Each Tribal Leaders Breakout Session
Secretary Ray LaHood, Department of Transportation
Secretary Hilda Solis, Department of Labor
President Barack ObamaThe White House Tribal Nations Conference is the cornerstone of the Administration’s outreach and engagement with tribal governments and the dialogue and lessons learned will help shape federal policy in the weeks, months and years to come. We would like to sincerely thank all tribal leaders who will be taking part in the White House Tribal Nations Conference and we look forward to our continued collaboration and dialogue.
Learn more about Additional Issues2012 White House Tribal Nations Conference
Posted by on November 29, 2012 at 11:15 AM EDTOn December 5, 2012, the White House will host representatives invited from each federally recognized tribe at the 2012 White House Tribal Nations Conference in Washington, D.C. on Wednesday, December 5, 2012, from 9:00am to 3:30pm. The Conference will be held at the Department of the Interior’s Sidney R. Yates Auditorium. For more details, please see the below frequently asked questions.
Each federally recognized tribe is invited to designate one representative to attend the Conference. If you have not already done so, please register by 10 p.m. EST on Thursday, November 29, 2012 at http://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov//webform/2012-tribal-nations-conference. Following the registration deadline, you will receive a confirmation and further instructions.
We hope to see you at the 2012 White House Tribal Nations Conference.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Where will the 2012 Tribal Nations Conference be held?
A: The Conference will be held at the Department of the Interior, with the opening session in the Sidney R. Yates Auditorium and breakout sessions in ancillary meeting rooms.
Q: Why isn’t the conference being held at the White House?
A: We are inviting all 566 federally recognized tribes to send a representative to the Conference, and we needed a location that would ensure we had enough space. The Department of the Interior has graciously offered its main auditorium to use for this important event.
Q: Will the President speak at the conference? Will he interact with the tribal leaders?
A: The President is expected to deliver remarks.
Q: Can Tribal Organizations send a representative to the conference?
A: The purpose of the conference is to further strengthen the government to government relationship between federally recognized tribes and the Obama Administration. Unfortunately, we are unable to accommodate organizations at the event.
Q: Can I bring more than one representative?
A: Regretfully, due to space constraints we can only accommodate one representative from each tribe.
Q: Our tribal chairman cannot attend; may we send another elected representative from our tribe?
A. Yes, however only one person per tribe may participate in the Tribal Nations Conference. Tribal leaders who cannot attend any of the events must approve another member of the tribe to represent the tribe on the tribal leader’s behalf. Any requests for exceptions will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
Q: Does the White House provide for travel or accommodations?
A: No. The White House is unable provide travel or hotel accommodations.
Q: Is there a host or preferred hotel?
A: No, but local tribal organizations may be able to assist with lodging recommendations.
Q: Can I get a White House tour?
A: If you are interested in a White House tour, please write us at IndianCountry@who.eop.govwith your preferred dates for a tour. Please keep in mind that space is limited and we may not be able to accommodate all requests.
Q: Can I register via phone?
A: No, please register here or send a fax to (202) 456-1647 with the name, title, tribe phone number and e-mail address of your tribe’s representative, confirmation will be made by email.
Q: I am a member of the press, can I cover the conference?
A: Please call Shin Inouye at (202) 456-6238 or email Media_affairs@who.eop.gov.
Q: May our tribal delegation meet separately with the President while we are there?
A: Regretfully, due to the volume of inquiries and the time constraints of the President’s schedule, we are unable to consider any meeting requests with the President.
Q: May our tribe present the President with a gift?
A: We understand some tribal leaders may be interested in bringing a gift for the President. We appreciate the generosity, but gifts are not expected nor encouraged. For those who do bring gifts, they will have to be submitted on site through the White House Gift Office. Please note that a gift registration form will need to be completed for each gift before entering the conference venue and gifts will not be accepted without a form attached. The gift registration forms will be provided to you in the morning. Due to security restrictions, gifts will not be permitted in the auditorium, and must be presented to the White House Gift Office staff prior to entering the building. There will not be an opportunity to present gifts directly to the President. If you are planning to bring a gift, please allow for extra time for this process prior to entering the conference.
For any additional questions, please contact us at IndianCountry@who.eop.gov
Transgender Day of Remembrance
Posted by on November 20, 2012 at 4:52 PM EDTEarlier today, a group of transgender community advocates met with White House staff to mark Transgender Day of Remembrance and discuss ways in which we can work together to ensure dignity, equality, and justice for all people.
Throughout America and around the world, many transgender people face bullying, harassment, discrimination, and violence. Far too often, we hear shocking and tragic stories about transgender people who have been assaulted and even killed because of their gender identity or expression. The Obama Administration is committed to preventing violence against all people, including all members of the LGBT community, and this meeting was an important opportunity to explore ways to make our communities and neighborhoods safer.
At the meeting, community leaders highlighted a range of issues and concerns of importance to transgender people. In the months and years ahead, we look forward to working to ensure the safety and wellbeing of all transgender people.
As we mark Transgender Day of Remembrance and reflect upon the lives that have been lost to violence and injustice, let us all recommit ourselves to ensuring dignity, equality, and justice for all people.
Gautam Raghavan is an Associate Director in the Office of Public Engagement.
Learn more about Civil RightsFor The Win: No Place For Hate
Posted by on November 20, 2012 at 12:42 PM EDTFor the Win is a guest blog series featuring the remarkable initiatives that young Americans are advancing to win the future for their communities. Each week we highlight a new young person and learn about their inspiring work through their own words.
Maryam Farooq, 14, was honored as a 2012 Hasbro Community Action Hero, an award recognizing outstanding young service leaders presented by Hasbro in partnership with generationOn, the global youth service enterprise of Points of Light.
My name is Maryam Farooq and I am an eighth grade student at Middle School 172 in New York. I work with a group called No Place for Hate, which is sponsored by the Anti-Defamation League (ADL). This program is 100 percent free and brings attention to the dangers of bullying and creates a more respectful atmosphere at school. Our goal is to make sure students are not afraid to come to school because of bullying and bring positive change.
Maryam Farooq (Photo Courtesy of Points of Light).
I brought this program into my school because bullying wasn’t a topic that was discussed.Though that does not mean it didn’t exist. I decided to take action. I first started by getting a guidance counselor to supervise, then we worked together to create a committee of 12 eight grade students. As a committee, we meet at least once a week at our lunch period to discuss issues and create activities.
Going Purple for Spirit Day
Posted by on October 19, 2012 at 10:35 AM EDTSpirit Day -- the celebration to honor and support young people who have been victims of bullying -- is now three years old.
It has become a day when people the world over rally for LGBT community and speak out against the bullying of LGBT teens.
And this year, the White House is once again going purple online. You can check out our Twitter feed or our Facebook page to see how we're marking the day -- and take part by making your social networking icon purple or adding a statement of support.
To learn more about what you can do to support kids and stop bullying, check out stopbullying.gov/.
Learn more about Civil Rights,
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