January 2022

January 2022 Newsletter 

Dr. King confronted the many injustices faced by Black people and all people in America. This included the inequities that still persist in healthcare. Dr. King once said, "Of all forms of inequality, injustice in healthcare is the most shocking and the most inhuman because it often results in physical death."

We stand in solidarity with anti-racist and social justice organizations, listening to what is needed, and advocating for a healthier Rochester community.

We value community partnerships as we continue to prioritize the work that addresses the disparities plaguing Rochester's neighborhoods. We believe that if we continue to work together we can abolish the injustices impacting our kids and their families.

Learn how to engage children of varying abilities with easy and fun activities for children and adults alike. You will also learn new ideas to use during recess, which is mandated for every child, of all abilities, in the Rochester City School District. 

As Healthi Kids continue to support the Rochester community in navigating COVID-19, it’s important we share opportunities for kids and family to practice safe ways to stay active. Virtual activities are alternative and effective options that allow you to use items you already have at home.

Check out this list of virtual programming that accommodates people with disabilities from The Disability and Health Program at the Bureau of Community Chronic Disease Prevention.

·       The ARC offers an ARC virtual program library for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, caregivers, and service providers. Offerings include fitness classes, art classes, virtual social events, advocacy education, theatre, social clubs and many more

·       The National Center on Health Physical Activity and Disability (NCHPAD) offers an Inclusive Home Workout Toolkit

·       Move United offers adaptive physical activity classes for “wherever you are” at: Move United on Demand

·       Special Olympics offers a whole new way to exercise at: School of Strength.

·       The Administration for Community Living (ACL) offers a list of activities to help older adults and adults with disabilities make connections to programs and activities at: https://acl.gov/CommitToConnect/activities

·       Local independent living centers near you may also offer activities. Find your local Center for Independent Living at the New York Association on Independent living at NYAIL

Healthi Kids actively supports community partners working to identify better resources to support the health and wellbeing of Rochester’s kids and their families. This month, Action for a Better Community hosted its signature virtual conference series to address the laws and policies needed to repair generations of historical injustices that continue to impact the health of Rochester kids.  

The theme for ABC’s 2022 virtual Signature Conference Series was “Economic Justice for an Inclusive Recovery”. The conference addressed the laws and policies needed to repair the historical injustices done by racism, red lining, and other forms of economic marginalization. Healthi Kids is aligned with ABC's work to ensure that the physical and social/emotional health of all people is equitable. Economic Justice is at the core of the Social Determinants of Health. It is imperative that everyone has access to what makes a healthy society.

Healthi Kids would like to congratulate two of our valued leaders at Common Ground Health for being panel experts at the conference. Dr. Linda Clark, Chief Medical Officer, contributed to the “Maternal Justice – Birthing the Health of a People” panel during the opening session. Beatriz LeBron, PlayROC's Project Coordinator, shared her expertise during the “Funding Economic Development in Marginalized Communities” panel on January 20.

As cases of COVID-19 increase among local children, a regional task force focused on the safe reopening of schools is advocating for a potentially life-saving set of guidelines for kids to return to sports and physical education after recovering from COVID-19.

The COVID-19 Return to Exercise After COVID-19 Infection guidance was developed by physicians of the Finger Lakes Reopening Schools Safely Task Force’s Health Workgroup, and based on clinical recommendations from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). 

The group, convened by Common Ground Health, wants families to know that COVID-19 infection can pose risks to kids and teens’ hearts.

Click here to read more about the guidance for kids returning to sports and physical activity. To download the Returning to Play after a COVID-19 Infection Guidance for Families click here.

Healthi Kids is excited to welcome University of Rochester senior
Daisha Danson as an intern with the Healthi Kids team for the spring semester.

Daisha is a participant in the U of R’s political science undergraduate internship program under the leadership of Professor Stuart Jordan. She is working towards a dual degree in Political Sciences and African American studies. Daisha is a leader on her campus and holds several leadership positions at U of R. She is a senior advisor to the Black Students' Union; President of the U of R Rochester Business Association; and President of the Omicron Beta Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority.

Daisha will contribute to Healthi Kids’ Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health (IECMH) project. In this role Daisha will support the IECMH community needs assessment to help families with children up to 5 years old better understand the services and supports that are available.

Help us congratulate Daisha Danson on her internship at Healthi Kids by leaving a comment underneath our social media posts on Facebook and Instagram.

Are you trying to incorporate healthy bedtime habits into family routines? Is this a struggle you never thought you had to deal with? Fortunately, there are many options for healthy, fun, and productive bedtime routines.

Creating a healthy bedtime routine should include bedtime exercises to debrief from our day and prepare our bodies, minds, and souls for the healing process that comes along with proper sleep. A bedtime routine starts with a nutritious dinner that helps families sleep well. Following dinner, a healthy routine of hygiene habits such as brushing our teeth, and bathing is important.

Creating a “wind-down” and bedtime routine for your family is important for a positive family dynamic. Families are eating and winding down later and later as technology becomes the focus of our lives. Remove the television and electronics for our healthy family wind-down and bedtime routine.  The environment parents create for their family will help create a safe space and wind-down environment.

Click here to view a list of easy tasks to consider when creating your wind-down routines for you and your family.  

Related news stories

·       Kids in Rochester surprised with new bicycles - Rochester First, December 25, 2021

·       Boosters for kids: Monroe County offering 3rd vaccine doses for residents 12-15 - Rochester First,   January 14

·       Shoveling or sledding, ROC residents make most of first big snowfall of the year – Spectrum News, January 17

·       Golden Apple: Congratulations to Gym Teacher Phil LaPietra - Rochester First, January 18

·       Transporting Our Tiniest Patients – University of Rochester, January 19

·       URMC medical students create basketball program to reach Rochester's youth – Rochester First, January 20