COMMENT PERIOD EXTENDED:
Struggling Workers and Families Deserve Food
Tell the Trump Administration: Hands Off SNAP!
It’s quick and easy - Leave a Comment by Wednesday, April 10th

Procrastinators: You're in luck! If you didn't leave a comment by the deadline this week, the submission period has been extended. You can still comment by Wednesday, April 10th. 

Food assistance is under attack—again. And we need your voice to fight back.

If the Trump Administration has its way, 755,000 very poor people could lose nutrition benefits through SNAP (formerly known as food stamps). These are working-age people without dependents who receive benefits because they live in places with very high unemployment. Thanks to waivers requested by state governments, these people are exempt from the standard time limit of three months of assistance every three years if they cannot document enough work hours. This exemption means people who can’t work enough through no fault of their own still get enough to eat.

But the Trump Administration has been fighting to make it harder for states to give struggling workers a break. Right now, they’re trying to force rigid time limits through a rule change—but they cannot implement their proposed rule without first taking into account public comments about the proposal.

Public feedback works. That’s why we need your help. The government has to take every unique comment under consideration when assessing a rule change like this; the more comments, the more roadblocks to slow or stop harmful changes. Furthermore, judges deciding cases challenging these kinds of rule changes have referred to these comments in their own rulings. It might feel like leaving a comment won’t make a difference. But judges have overturned unfair rules like this in part because federal agencies didn’t take comments into consideration. This was evidence that the process behind making these changes was unfair. (You can read about such an instance involving Medicaid here.)

That’s why your voice is so important.

Here’s how to comment:

The Coalition on Human Needs’ member the Center for American Progress has a comment portal that makes it easy to send a comment. Use the comment in this platform and then add your own take to make it unique. You can talk about how everyone deserves to be free from hunger; you can tell a personal story about how benefits like SNAP have positively impacted you or someone you know; or write about any other reason that resonates for you personally.

(Note: Please make sure your comment is unique: “unique” is understood to mean that about 30 percent of the comment’s text is different from other submissions.)

Use the Center for American Progress comment platform at handsoffsnap.org

Let’s get to commenting!

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This call to action was originally published by the Coalition on Human Needs.

January 23, 2019

Please welcome these incredible young adults who are completing 10-month apprenticeships in Miami nonprofits as part of the Public Allies AmeriCorps program. Through this program, these Allies sharpen their leadership skills and gain real-world experience working for social justice. The mission of Public Allies is to create a just and equitable society and the diverse leadership to sustain it.

Back row: Megan Bennett, Kenneth Mobley, Elijah Muhammad, Roxy Azuaje (program manager), Shekita Tookes; Middle row: Kathy Rodriguez, Alexis Miller, Kayla Jean-Baptiste; Front row: Yareliz Mendez-Zamora, Mauricio Montealegre

Kenneth Mobley serves as a Community Outreach Specialist at Catalyst Miami. He specializes in strengthening community cohesion by collecting, analyzing, and reporting data that provides an opportunity to develop leadership and other comprehensive programs. Before working with Catalyst, Kenneth’s worked as a Pharmacy Technician. After being denied from another AmeriCorps program, undeterred and tenacious, Kenneth applied to be a Public Ally. Someone once told Kenneth, “You’re at the table or on the menu.” Today, Kenneth strives to make sure everyone has a seat at the table.

Elijah Muhammad is a recent graduate from Miami Northwestern Senior High. His commitment to helping his community led him to apply to the Public Allies Miami program. He is placed at the Miami Children’s Initiative where he does community outreach work and collects data for personal development and growth. Elijah spends his time helping others in the Liberty City area, dancing, and tinkering with technology. One of Elijah’s goals is to break stereotypes surrounding young black men through dance. Though he is young, Elijah knows that through Public Allies, he can sharpen his skills, build his leadership potential, and challenge the notion that young people do not care about their future.

Kathy Rodriguez is currently a Public Ally at Catalyst Miami. She is a Community Outreach Specialist at Live Healthy Miami Gardens. Her role as a Community Outreach Specialist focuses on promoting wellness programs, such as SNAP and WIC. She is a recent graduate from the University of Florida where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Telecommunications. Apart from being passionate about traveling and learning about different cultures, Kathy is passionate about women’s rights. She hopes to work with young women empowerment organizations to promote education, self-empowerment, and hope.

Shekita Tookes is a Miami native and the daughter of small business owners in Liberty City. Growing up, Shekita had fun with her friends, and was an entrepreneur alongside her parents. As an adult, job opportunities and cost of living caused Shekita to try out her talents in Metro-Atlanta, but that did not stunt her love for the city of Miami. With every vacation or visit home, changes throughout her beloved city became more prominent, talks around climate change and gentrification could no longer be avoided and the need for resilience has become personal. Becoming a Public Ally has allowed Shekita to reconnect with the city she loves and be a part of the change. As a Community Outreach Specialist for Miami Gardens, Shekita hopes to be a part of conversations and initiatives to build a stronger Miami.

Alexis Miller is from Fort Lauderdale, Florida. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Psychology from the University of Central Florida. As a Public Ally, she is with the Federation of Families in Miami Gardens where she works as a Youth Coordinator for their Positive Development After School Program.

Megan Bennett is a Tampa native with a dedication to equipping and empowering vulnerable communities. She currently serves at Opa-Locka Community Development Corporation as their Tech Hire Coordinator where she links youth to tech training, and jobs. Prior to joining Public Allies, Megan worked connecting individuals to grassroots community initiatives. She has overseen operations at a mission camp, facilitated volunteer trips with Alternative Breaks, and taught English abroad. Megan graduated with a Bachelor's in Sociology and Certificate in Latin American Studies from Florida International University. She hopes to pursue higher education in Public Administration. In her free time, she enjoys journaling, butchering languages, and travel. #jackdidntneeddie

Mauricio Montealegre is the son of Colombia immigrants and a born native of Miami, Florida. He graduated from Florida International University with a Bachelor’s in Mass Communication and currently is seeking to further his education by earning a Master’s degree. Mauricio serves as the Community Outreach Specialist for Homestead, where he explores what resiliency is in an area that faces many challenges, but is still filled with people who have hope. Mauricio’s interest include podcasts, TV shows, horror movies, traveling, and reading.

Yareliz Mendez-Zamora is an activist, story-teller, and writer. Born and raised in Miami, Yareliz grew up listening to her family’s immigration stories and constantly draws inspiration from them. Her family comes from La Tierra de Lagos y Volcanes– Nicaragua. She graduated from the University of Florida with a BA in English and History, as well as a Minor in Latin American Studies in 2016. Yareliz is currently enrolled at the University of Miami, where she is getting her Masters in Community and Social Change. She is working as a Public Ally and is serving as a Community Outreach Specialist at Catalyst. In the future, Yareliz wants to continue fighting for equity and liberation.

Kayla Jean-Baptiste is currently a Public Ally at Catalyst Miami. She is a Community Outreach Specialist for the Little Haiti/ Little River area. Her role as a Community Outreach Specialist focuses on promoting community engagement and involvement. Kayla is from Wynwood, Florida. She is a currently a student at Florida Atlantic University majoring in Criminal Justice.  Kayla has an Associate of Arts Degree in Criminal Justice Administration from Miami-Dade College. She is passionate about advocating for youth because when the youth stand for their beliefs and understand the impact of their voices, they can represent themselves, and their communities, with pride and courage. Kayla’s interest is watching horror movies, listening to music, and reading. She hopes to work with the Juvenile Justice Department.

February 20, 2019
By Megan Bennett
Community Outreach Specialist, Public Allies AmeriCorps Member

The Public Allies Miami cohort participated in their mid-year retreat marking the halfway point of their 10-month tenure of service over January 31st to February 1st, 2019. The overnight retreat at Oleta River State Park was spent connecting with nature, each other, self-reflection, and learning what leadership looks like as a Public Ally.

After a rainy start, the Allies did some team bonding by kayaking through mangroves and wildlife. There they tapped into their "blue heart", a term their kayaking guide used to explain the feeling of calm and oneness when on the water and in nature. Being a Public Ally is about the protecting and advocating for those in need. Through their guided tour, they learned just why the beauty of nature and the environment needs to be protected as well.

The last activity for the evening was “Gift Seat”, where an Ally was chosen for the ‘seat’ and all members of the cohort gave the selected Ally praise, constructive criticism, and a unique perspective about the individual that they may have not seen about themselves. Though this was more of a difficult activity, each Ally came out with a better sense of self and a deeper respect for each other.  

The next morning, each Public Ally was awarded a superlative that best described their interaction within the cohort and their best qualities. After saying good-bye to Dave the duck and Fred the feral cat (friendly animal neighbors), the trip ended with the Allies writing a letter to our future selves. In that letter, the Allies reflected on how they struggled, and what they learned in the first half of the year and how they will strive to continue learning and be their best selves for the remainder of their service.

Cheers to a phenomenal first half of service and the growth that awaits in the second half!

January 19, 2018 
By Russell Correa, Ed.M., guest blogger

Consider some examples of what are being referred to as the Matt Lauer guidelines at NBC, after his much publicized firing recently.

• Do not share a taxi home with colleagues.
• If you hug a co-worker, you have to do a quick hug, then an immediate release, and step away to avoid body contact.
• Do not take vegans to steakhouses.
• No office affairs or romances between colleagues.
• If you are aware of an office romance or affair, you must inform the company or face termination for covering up.

Now, I think most of us will agree that it is long overdue that we take issues of power, bullying and harassment seriously and give voice to those who have been victimized in the workplace. And that we should not only focus on women’s issues, but issues across race, religion and culture as we can find decades of illegal and harassing behavior targeted against different groups.

The unintended consequence, though, of this nationwide review of workplace policies, is that inevitably many organizations will overreach (like the ones listed above) in a way that can potentially do more harm than good in terms of creating a culture of respect.

The opposite – a culture of fear – could actually develop as employees question how they are supposed to act in the office in today’s charged environment.  Hopefully, it is a safe assumption that we all want to create a respectful work environment, but just what are the dos and don’ts in the office now?

Well, while I’d love to list out some bullet points or a policy below that you could follow, the easy answer to the question I just posed is that there is no easy answer.  Consider the below example of a “workplace respect policy” that I read the other day.

1. (Company) is firmly committed to ensuring a positive and professional working environment to building and preserving a safe, productive, and healthy working environment, based on mutual respect for all its employees. In pursuit of this goal, (Company) does not condone and will not tolerate acts of disrespectful behavior, including; violence, harassment, discrimination, or bullying against or by any (Company) employee, subcontractor, agency staff/contractor, supplier and client.

So what is your reaction to this? Sounds good, right?

Yes, it does sound good. However, this is where the problem lies in that policies like these are very vague and general and don't really give specifics about day-in, day-out behavior or give employees the opportunity to talk in an open forum about what these topics really mean to them.

I would also add that it’s very difficult to impose expected behavior on people or train employees how to act without their buy-in or agreement. Anger, resentment and fear typically result from this type of initiative.

So what is your organization trying to do to define guidelines for a respectful workplace?  Here are a few suggested Dos and Don’ts, from both an organizational and personal perspective:

DO - Acknowledge the past reality and context of our work environments and how they exist in a broader society that has struggled for decades with issues of racism and sexism.

DON’T – Impose blanket rules without soliciting feedback from your employees. Consider the use of an outside facilitator as these conversations can be emotionally charged.

DO – Review all of your internal policies and procedures related to office behavior to make sure everything is updated. This will also protect your organization against legal exposure.

DON’T – Be afraid of difficult conversations in the office related to gender (as one example). Problems and issues will not just go away without being addressed.

DO – Provide your employees with communication and conflict resolution skills to handle  these difficult conversations in a professional way.

DON’T – Assume all employees feel comfortable reporting issues when they take place. Make sure everyone knows that your organization is a safe space for them.

DO – Consider what you may be doing in the office that makes others feel disrespected. If you say or do something questionable , own it in the moment and think how you can do things differently in the future.

DON’T – Assume the intent or motivation of others. Before reacting or forming a conclusion, take a few moments to analyze the issue that may have upset or offended you. Consider getting outside input and feedback.

DO – Put yourself in the other person’s shoes, so to speak. How are others experiencing you?

DON’T – Be afraid to be yourself. We all can work on our style in the office but do it in a way that is consistent with who you are.

If you would like to learn more insights and tips into this topic, please register for a 45-minute webinar I will be hosting on January 31^st at 12pm - The New Normal: The Dos and Don'ts of Office Behavior in 2018. The registration fee is $35 for individuals and $125 for groups and agencies (for 5 or more attendees). This webinar is part of my ongoing Working Smarter / Living Smarter series that I will be hosting in 2018. For more information and to register, go to https://www.zetaconsultingfl.com/6203202.en.html

About Russell Correa, Ed.M., LMHC
As the Principal of Zeta Consulting Group, Russell Correa brings close to 20 years of experience as a licensed clinician, certified executive coach, HR & Management consultant and trainer to his work. Russell also serves as a board member for Allegany Franciscan Ministries, a funder of nonprofits in the Miami, Tampa Bay and Palm Beach areas. You can contact Russell at 786.457.5371 or [email protected]. You can also visit his website at zetaconsultingfl.com

August-September 2018

If you plan to attend our Enable Project events Advocate Training: The Intersection of Civic Engagement and Disability or Advocate Training & Applying for Social Security Disability Insurance 101, please download the following materials so you can be fully prepared for the events!

Advocate Training: Civic Engagement

ADA Checklist 2018

Advocate Training: SSDI Applications

Advocate Training: Applying for Social Security Benefits

Attorney Training: SSDI Appeals

For more information about these events and to RSVP, click on the thumbnails below.

This workshop is a part of the Enable Project which is a coalition that provides training to non-profits and social justice organizations and their staff to create channels for inclusion of people with disabilities in their organizations and movements.

March 14, 2018
By our Prosperity staff in collaboration with YES! Youth.

Check this out.

These are our oral health advocates from Youth Empowered Solutions (YES!) from Miami Northwestern Senior High School.

These young activists are working hard to bring nutritional and oral health education to their school and schools in their community. Last month, in honor of National Children's Dental Health month, the YES! youth challenged their peers by asking different questions about oral health disparities. A compilation of interviews can be seen in the video above.

May 22, 2018 
By Bentonne Snay, guest blogger

Are private foundation grants part of your nonprofit organization’s broad-based fundraising plan? If so, would you like to attract more and larger private grant awards?

If you are not already applying for private foundation grants, would you like to know how to obtain private grant awards?

Here you will find a few important things to help you achieve your fundraising goals.

One reason to add private grants to your comprehensive fundraising approach is that private foundation grants - unlike government grants - often require only one final report to ensure the grantor that you accomplished the objectives set forth in your grant proposal and spent their funds as promised.

However, private foundations are increasingly accepting grant requests only from organizations they have invited to apply. In fact, The Snay Group recently conducted prospect research to identify potential grant opportunities for 19 nonprofit organizations. Between June 2016 and February 2018, we found that 31% to 74% or an average of 50% of all 1,000+ foundations identified as having interests and funding types matching our nonprofit clients did not accept unsolicited applications.

Without a prior relationship, most private foundations are unlikely to invite an application, despite a well-crafted letter of inquiry. They are also unlikely to respond to an application requesting funding, regardless of the organization’s accomplishments or programs, even when it seemingly matches the foundation’s interests or priorities perfectly. This is because what differentiates one organization’s proposal from another’s might not be their programming, but their board members. Even when foundations accept unsolicited applications, board connections are important and can provide the edge needed to win a grant award despite competition with many nonprofits seeking limited grant funds.

In her Blog: Fundraising for Nonprofits, Lynn deLearie states that a client determined that 75% of their proposals to new prospective foundations that had a connection to their board were funded as compared to only 35% of proposals without a board connection receiving grant awards (deLearie, Lynn, Cultivating the Grantor, Part 1, https://managementhelp.org/blogs/fundraising-for-nonprofits/2012/10/04/cultivating-the-grantor-part-1/).

The importance of an engaged board of directors that recognizes its importance in the grants process is fundamental to a nonprofit organization’s success in obtaining private grant awards. Most boards are comprised of individuals who have skills and connections that are beneficial to their organization. These individuals choose to be on the board because they value the organization’s mission and work and are willing to advocate on its behalf. The board members for your organization are probably the same.

Unfortunately, board members are often recruited without being informed of the organization’s expectations about their roles and responsibilities, especially regarding fundraising. Other times, they know what is expected but are not given the proper support and training to effectively raise funds for the nonprofit organization.

As a result, board members may lose their enthusiasm for the organization. This disengagement can lead to board members’ complacency and reluctance or refusal to assist with fundraising, including making connections with private foundations. In either case, the organization’s ability to secure private grants will be limited.

To prevent this, you can take the following steps can avoid or mitigate potential board disengagement:

Clarify the role of board members. Sometimes board members are not well informed about what is expected of them. Other times, board members and executive staff do not agree on the role of the board. Staff and board members must address this discrepancy to come to an agreement on the board’s expected role in the organization. Both these situations can be remedied with the provision of a written Board Member Job Description. If interested, please email [email protected] for a digital copy of a Board Member Job Description.

Personalize the organization’s relationship with board members. In larger organizations, there are dedicated members of the development team who cultivate and steward relationships with board members. However, even in small nonprofit organizations, creating ties to different stakeholders in the organization (staff, clients and donors) will encourage board members to become and stay involved in the organization’s fundraising success. What can you do today to connect with your board members?

Engage board members in advocacy and fundraising. Board members should willingly use their professional and personal networks to benefit your organization. Organizations should share information on a potential grant funder’s board and staff with board members, encouraging them to utilize any connections with potential funders to aid in the grants process. Engaging board members in this way will also deepen their commitment to the organization’s success.

Creating an environment that encourages board engagement requires strategically employing members’ time and skills in support of your organization. An engaged board is a vital component to the overall health of an organization. While involving board members in the grants process will not guarantee funding from potential grantors, your chances may improve significantly with their involvement.

For nonprofit organizations seeking additional information on private grants and how to utilize board members to secure them, check out the information provided on our website at www.thesnaygroup.com. If you are interested in The Snay Group’s services, complete the Grant Readiness Questionnaire.

About Bentonne Snay

Bentonne Snay, President and CEO of The Snay Group, Inc., is an experienced executive and fundraiser with more than 30 years in the nonprofit sector, including 26 years as a grant professional. She has been a Grant Professional Certified since 2011. She is proficient in all areas of fund development and excels at the development of award-winning grant proposals.

Established in 1991, The Snay Group, Inc. provides the highest quality professional consulting services to organizations seeking to increase their revenues through the acquisition of public, private, and community grant awards in addition to other fundraising initiatives. The Snay Group has secured nearly $39 million in grant awards for numerous nonprofit clients, including Catalyst Miami.

September 17, 2018 
By Fransisca Meralus

Catalyst Miami has recently hired Fransisca Meralus as our Oral Health Coordinator. We asked her to answer these 5 questions to learn more about what her goals and aspirations at Catalyst Miami are!

1- Please tell us a little bit about yourself.

My name is Fransisca Meralus and I am Haitian-American. I was born and raised in Miami and attended Miami-Dade County Public schools, eventually graduating from North Miami Senior High School. I then went on to attend Howard University in Washington, D.C. for four years, where I received my Bachelors of Science in Nutritional Sciences.

2- Please share with us your career goals and how the position of Oral Health Coordinator fits into your plan?

Throughout my matriculation at Howard University, I realized a developing passion for service. So what better way to do that than to give back to the community that raised me? Catalyst Miami offers services that equip members of the community with the tools and skills needed to be self-sufficient citizens. With a background in nutrition, oral health is definitely an area that is overlooked and needs to be brought into the spotlight. Catalyst Miami is putting in great effort to make sure that the awareness of oral health in Miami Dade County is a priority, an effort that I am now glad to be a part of.

3- What is the state of Oral Health in our state, county, and city, and why is it important to do this work in our community?

There has been progress made to improve the health of our county, but there is still a lot of work that needs to be done. For instance, about 98.1% of residents in Miami-Dade are served by community water systems that receive optimally fluoridated water, this is greater compared to the 77.0% average across the state of Florida.

However, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Florida has no oral health plan, which is why organizations around Florida, such as Catalyst Miami and partners, are committed to raising oral health as a social justice issue, systemic issue; prioritizing advocacy to improve access to dental care, community education, ongoing communication, and ensuring that oral health services are available to all Floridians.

The Florida Department of Health’s County Health Departments provide School-Based Sealant Program services that as of now serve 51% of students in Florida. These are just some ongoing initiatives, already set in place, that we are working to improve.

It’s important to do this work to change the state of oral health in Florida. The current perception of oral health is a matter of personal hygiene and individual agency. We are working diligently to change that!

Diseases and issues in oral health have shown to link with diseases and issues that affect overall health of a human. Therefore it makes it important for the community to take care of their oral health with the same care they do their overall health, and for public officials to make sure everyone, regardless of socio-economic and legal status, has access to care.

4- What is the Oral Health 2020 vision, and how does your work and the work of Catalyst Miami fit into that vision?

The vision of Oral Health 2020 is to eradicate dental disease in children and improve oral health across the lifespan. My work as Catalyst Miami’s Oral Health Coordinator, is primarily to change the public perception of oral health in Miami through various methods, including working with Miami-Dade Oral Health Network partners to reach members of the community and get their input, raise awareness in Miami-Dade County specific communities by engaging community residents, students, school administrators, etc., in community engagement activities that allow them to share their collective input about the changes they want to see in their communities.

I will also be working on a public education and awareness campaign to change perceptions about oral care, host online webinars focused on oral health care, and advocate for oral health policy changes at the city, county, school board and state level to name a few.

The Oral Health 2020 vision places community residents at the forefront of change, which is exactly what we do at Catalyst Miami, so the work fits perfectly with our mission and the way we engage our partners and community base.

5- What are some of the specific areas of work you'll be responsible for, and what are some of the ways community members and organizations can get involved?

My specific areas of work include engaging high school age youth in advocating for change at the school board level. Our partnership with the Miami Children’s Initiative has allowed us to work with the youth at Miami Northwestern Senior High School.

In addition to coalition building within the Miami Dade Oral Health Network, I’ll be raising public awareness by participating in community outreach events and launching social media campaigns, facilitating workshops that will train oral health advocates on the current obstacles and realities to oral health care within MDC, and encouraging parent engagement by working with local parent-teacher associations.

We welcome and encourage the participation of anyone committed to improving oral health through education, assessment, policy/program development and collaboration. Please share your interest in participating in The Miami-Dade Oral Health Network by emailing me at: [email protected]. We look forward to collaborating!

February 20, 2018
By Kristina Reed

Why should someone else’s oral health be your problem, or the government’s for that matter? Who cares about someone else’s toothache or gingivitis?

Well, you should.

Why the public’s oral health matters:

Oral health policies and outcomes affect more than just individuals. They have measurable consequences for our nation and the economy. One way that oral health influences the economy is through its effect on employment. Job candidates with visible or untreated oral health problems are significantly less likely to be hired, which contributes to chronic unemployment in some segments of workers and starts a cascade of economic effects. Oral health problems can translate into lost earnings, along with a loss of tax revenue and economic activity and an increase in costs associated with public assistance.

Oral health problems also affect the economy by leading to increased health care costs. When care is difficult to access - due to factors including inadequate insurance coverage and cost - patients are more likely to develop preventable problems. Many patients will defer treatment until the problem becomes severe, then seek emergency treatment. This is more expensive and rarely solves the problem, as emergency treatment is not meant for chronic health issues, making it likely that care will need to be sought once again. Meanwhile, the emergency system becomes overburdened, lowering the quality of care for all. The overall effect is an increase in health care costs, with no improvement in health outcomes. This is a frustrating and vicious cycle, especially because oral health problems are preventable through sound public health measures.

The problem with how we think about oral health:

Intersections among policy, outcomes, disparities, and costs are obvious to experts, but the public still has a narrow view of the consequences of poor oral health. Most people make simple and immediate associations: poor oral health leads to pain and “low self-esteem”. Prompting may cause people to consider some ripple effects, such as missed work days or opportunities. Yet, the common view is that these negative impacts are problems for individuals and family members, not matters of public concern. If the problem is thought of as the occasional toothache and a little personal embarrassment, then it becomes difficult to justify the need for policy and programs.

Ordinary Americans also believe that oral health problems can be prevented, but place the responsibility for doing so on individuals. In the public’s eye, prevention involves three simple behaviors: brushing, flossing, and visiting the dentist regularly. These are assumed to be matters of personal choice, willpower, and responsibility. This mindset leaves little role for policy and little chance that problems can be solved through a public response. The factors shaping the integration or separation of medical care and oral health are completely absent from the public’s thinking, and public health efforts are not considered. Oral health care remains low on the public policy agenda even in the midst of intense debate about other health care issues. We need to consider structural and systemic factors that influence oral health and the kinds of policies and programs that could change them.

Why public health interventions work:

How can oral health be improved? Experts see oral health issues as completely preventable with public health efforts that reach large numbers of people consistently. A great example of a successful public health approach is water fluoridation, which is inexpensive, low-key, and has resulted in dramatic improvements in dental health. Other preventive measures, like screening and dental sealants could improve outcomes further if made widely available. The availability and affordability of healthy food also plays an important role in oral health, and federal nutrition programs and policies have been connected to oral health outcomes. Similarly, access to affordable, quality oral health care is essential to effective public policy on oral health. There is also need for a variety of changes in current health insurance schemes, such as expansion of eligibility for Medicare and Medicaid, increase of oral health coverage in these plans, and inclusion of at least some oral health treatment in private medical insurance. Other policies could better integrate oral health concerns into medical care, such as screenings for oral infections during pregnancy. It is important to recognize that oral health intersects with several other issues and public health solutions should be from a variety of angles.

January 18, 2018
By Planted in Miami