7-11-02

#731

Date: Thu, 11 Jul 2002 00:34:55 -0700
From: William Cissell <WCissell@VENUS.TWU.EDU>
Subject: Value of CHES and Responses to Related Comments

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HEDIRs Who Care About Line of Discussion,

Michael and Rob acknowledged their biases on the value of CHES up front. I
will do the same; I carry the certificate number 005. I was a member of the
Task Force that established NCHEC as a non-profit credentialing agency. I
served as an interim commissioner and treasurer as the transition to elected
commissioners and board members was occurring.

Key points: 1. Staff members of NCHEC did not create it, and it does not
provide themselves with "lucrative" employment. The salaries and fringe
benefits of NCHEC staff are modest when compared to those of staff of other
credentialing agencies in the northeast. 2. No one makes money by serving
as a commissioner or a board member; there are no insider trading
opportunities. 3. CHES do not pay dues or hold membership in an
organization; rather, they pay fees to a credentialing agency that provides
services at minimal costs. The fees CHES pay for maintenance of their
certification are below the median fee costs for the maintenance of
credentials by various health professionals. 4. While continuing education
opportunities were highly limited a decade ago, they are abundant today.
The costs associated with earning CHES CEUs can be very low, particularly
when one receives them for reading articles in journals or on line and
responding to questions posed about the content of the articles. 5.
Acquiring and maintaining CHES is an elective process about which each
professional health educator ultimately makes his or her own decisions.
Some employers, agencies, and colleagues may provide incentives for doing
so. Others provide these for the professional health educator who refrains
from acquiring or maintaining CHES. 6. Quality assurance, which can be
verified through both individual credentials and professsional preparation
program accreditations, is the mark of a maturing or mature profession.
Both the professional and the profession, through its associations and
credentialing agencies, have the collective responsibility to advance the
profession. Quality assurance is the responsibility of all responsible
professional health educators. Health educators who decline to advance the
profession are declining to accept a basic responsibility of a professional.

I was mid-career at the point that we established NCHEC. I did not
anticipate that I would ever need the CHES certificate to gain employment or
a promotion throughout the remainder of my career. As 1,557 other
professional health educators did in 1988-1989, I paid the initial
certification fees and have continued to maintain the credential for the
single purpose of advancing the profession. The fees paid by the first
1,558, plus several who did not meet the charter certification criteria,
provided the financial base to launch NCHEC. The fees paid by those who
subsequently sought certification and maintained it have provided the funds
to sustain the individual quality assurance program available to all
qualified professional health educators. The teaching certificate does this
for qualified school teachers; they receive a license from their states to
practice. CHES does more than teacher certification to advance the
profession as a whole.

You did not really believe that you could continue a dialog on CHES for long
without me jumping into the fray. It is difficult to discuss this topic
without getting emotional, but I believe an objective analysis of the
effects of establishing NCHEC and CHES certification would reveal that this
has contributed immensely to the advancement of our profession.

Bill "Guillermo" Cissell

------------------------------
#732

Date: Thu, 11 Jul 2002 08:42:34 EDT
From: Suzy Harrington <Sshari@AOL.COM>
Subject: Re: Value of CHES and Responses to Related Comments

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Thank you all for supporting of CHES. I would like to see CHES more accepted
and think it is going the right direction. A profession needs to take care of
itself, and promote itself. unfortunately recognition is a slow process.

While CHES is well recognized within the profession (albeit with some
struggle), it has a way to go outside of it. A health education specialist
certification was not enough to teach health education in a middle school
setting, at least in Maryland.

I was very disappointed in the health education program my middle school
children were receiving last year so inquired into teaching the program
myself. I thought that being certified in health education would bring
substantial recognition to the my professional "educating" ability, because
teachers are certified. I was disappointed to learn that I needed a teacher
certification, which required another year of school. And yet the teacher,
who had his teaching certificate, was unable to teach the health education,
at least to my satisfaction. Health education was his primary teaching
position.

I have my CHES, earned my Master of Science in Health Services with a
concentration in Wellness Promotion, and have been an RN since 1984. I have
even taught health education in a rural state, as a school nurse. Yet, I was
not qualified to teach health promotion in Maryland. While this is the
extreme of requiring certification - a teaching certification - hopefully a
health education certification will be not only recognized, but required in
the teaching of health promotion to our children.

Suzy Harrington, RN, MS, CHES
Columbia, Maryland

------------------------------
#733

Date: Thu, 11 Jul 2002 10:21:57 -0400
From: "Simmons, Rob" <RSimmons@CHRISTIANACARE.ORG>
Subject: 53rd SOPHE Annual Meeting in Philadelphia

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Didn't see this posted on the HEDIR yet, so wanted to share. Beside
honoring Dr. Koplan, there will be many outstanding, interactive
presentations including Dr. Albert Bandura and so many others as we
celebrate our interdependence with other health education-related
professions.

SOPHE 53rd Annual Meeting
"Declaring Our Interdependence: United for Health Education"
November 8-9, 2002
Crowne Plaza Center City
Philadelphia, PA

The Society for Public Health Education's (SOPHE) annual meeting,
cosponsored by CDC and Eta Sigma Gamma, will have more than 30 pre- and
post-conference workshops, plenaries, and concurrent sessions, ....as well
as poster sessions, a mentoring program, resource room, job bank, wellness
challenge "Rocky Walk/Run", and more! Don't miss the cameo event -- the
SOPHE Awards Banquet -- at the Academy of Natural Sciences honoring SOPHE's
2002 award winners including Jeffrey P. Koplan, MD, MPH, former CDC Director
(2002 Honorary Fellow). Visit the SOPHE Web site ( www.sophe.org
<http://www.sophe.org>) or call (202) 408-9804 for more information.

------------------------------
#734

Date: Thu, 11 Jul 2002 10:56:54 -0400
From: "Poll, Christine" <Christine.Poll@MOSESCONE.COM>
Subject: Worksite Screenings

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Hello! I am a Health Educator at Moses Cone Regional Cancer Center in
Greensboro, North Carolina. We currently provide cancer screenings to the
community including Skin Cancer, Cervical Cancer, Prostate Cancer, Oral
Cancer and Colorectal Cancer. We are looking at possibly doing worksite
cancer screenings, such as skin cancer. Have any of you provided worksite
screenings to local businesses? If so, did you charge the business or
provide the service free? What type of screening did you provide? Did you
feel it is or was a success? Please let me know your thoughts or opinions.

Thanks,
Christine Poll
Health Educator
Oncology Community Outreach
(336) 832-0838
Fax: (336)832-0841
Email: christine.poll@mosescone.com

------------------------------
#735

Date: Thu, 11 Jul 2002 11:31:28 -0400
From: Mary Tremethick <mtremeth@NMU.EDU>
Subject: Medical Terminology and WEB CT

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Hi,
I am looking for some advice on the WEB CT resources that accompany medical
terminology texts. Has anyone encountered any problems with the use of WEB
CT ready testing that is offered in conjunction with various texts?

Also, has anyone utilized the "Medical Terminology for Health
Professionals, 4e WEB TUTOR" by Ehrlich? If so, did you use it with or
without a text? Were there any problems with the WEB CT site that hosts
this tutorial? How did the students react to this type of a learning
environment?

Thanks Mary Jane Tremethick
Northern Michigan University

------------------------------
#736

Date: Thu, 11 Jul 2002 09:28:56 -0700
From: Chari Jornada <CJornada@UNIVERSALCARE.COM>
Subject: Open Position

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Dear Colleagues,
Please forward this message to any potential applicants.

Universal Care has opened a full time Health Education Specialist I position
to be based in Garden Grove, California. The Health Education Specialist
delivers resources and services to promote positive health outcomes for a
diverse member population. Join the Health Education Department of Universal
Care, and interact with a full team spectrum, including colleagues in
disease management, women's health, training, and provider education.
Established in 1983, Universal Care is a mixed-model Health Plan
(Staff/Network Model) comprised of Contracting Medical Groups and Staff
Model Medical Groups throughout Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San
Bernardino, San Diego, Kern and Ventura counties. Universal Care is
recognized as a leading NCQA-accredited healthcare services organization
that meets or exceeds consumer expectations, provides a rewarding work
environment for its employees, demonstrates social awareness and a
commitment to the communities that it serves.

Health Education Specialist Responsibilities:
o Ensures provision of culturally and linguistically
appropriate Health Education resources and services for members and
providers
o Conducts health education classes and one on one
interventions. Documents patient assessment and progress/follow-up
o Maintains databases on health interventions and provider
group communications
o Assists in audit preparation and regulatory response
o Provides assistance for development and implementation of
employer group programs
o Assists in development, implementation, and evaluation of
health education systems
o Coordinates provision of health education screenings at
community health fairs
o Assists with assessment of population needs
o Other duties as assigned

Preferred Skills:
o Masters in Public Health Community Education or equivalent
o Proficiency in Excel, Access, Microsoft Word, and PowerPoint

o Bilingual Spanish preferred

Please forward resumes to:
Chari Jornada Tsai, MPH, CHES
Manager, Health Education
Universal Care
12852 Palm Drive
Garden Grove, CA 92840
Fax: 714-636-4621
Email: cjornada@universalcare.com <mailto:cjornada@universalcare.com>

------------------------------
#737

Date: Thu, 11 Jul 2002 10:34:00 -0700
From: MARIBEL ALOMARI <ma2876@YAHOO.COM>
Subject: Re: HEDIR-L Digest - 9 Jul 2002 to 10 Jul 2002 (#2002-156)

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I would like some some historical health education information on the following leaders:
Sally Lucas Jeans
Clair E. Turner
Robert Synovits Sr.
Thomas Wood
William Howe
Godfrey Hochbaum

------------------------------
#738

Date: Thu, 11 Jul 2002 13:53:03 -0400
From: Lori Dewald <l.dewald@MOREHEAD-ST.EDU>
Subject: unsubscribe

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will re-subscribe with a new email address next month.

Dr. Lori Dewald, EdD, ATC, CHES

------------------------------
#739

Date: Thu, 11 Jul 2002 13:37:09 -0500
From: Marci Ronald <ronalm@LPHA.HEALTH.STATE.MO.US>
Subject: Ideas?

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Greetings HEDIRs,

Third time's a charm? I haven't had much luck with responses on two previous posts, but perhaps someone will have some info for this topic.

I am coordinating a physical activity program with 3 small agencies. There are point values assigned for various types of physical activity. It was brought to my attention that I ought to include various types of physical activities for people with disabilities. Does anyone have a favorite website that offers ideas on things I can include? Or an actual organization that can help me out?

Thanks very much.

Sincerely,
Marci Ronald, BS, CHES

------------------------------
#740

Date: Thu, 11 Jul 2002 07:57:52 -1000
From: NANCY ATMOSPERA-WALCH <NWALCH@QUEENS.ORG>
Subject: Re: Renew CHES?

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Aloha To All!

Well said Michael, thank you!

At the same time, I would like to point out that we should not be arguing =
about the cost of CHES since you can claim as your Continuing Education =
expenses all the money that you pay for CHES as well as all the money that =
you pay to obtain CHES credits when you file for your tax returns.=20

Nancy Walch, RN, MPH, NHA, CDE, CHES
The Queen's Medical Center
Health Education and Wellness
1301 Punchbowl Street
Honolulu, Hawaii 96813
Phone: (808) 547-4450
Fax: (808) 537-7828
e-mail address: nwalch@queens.org

>>> Michael Pejsach <healthedman@COX.NET> 07/10/02 05:41AM >>>
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** Deal with the issues NOW!
** http://www.health-educators.org

Jennifer,
Before I respond to the CHES debate I must first warn you that I am =
biased.
I am a strong proponent of the CHES.

I don't believe that it is the responsibility of NCHEC to enhance "the =
value
of the CHES." I believe that it is up to a professional organization. It
seems to me that your professional organization should be playing the role
of promoter, promoting health educators. At this point in time professional=

organizations seem to be merely clearinghouses for CHES CECH's (CEUs). =
While
this is an important role, it is clearly not enough.

I believe that the "value of the CHES" would be enhanced when folks who =
hire
professionals know who they are and what you can do. The CHES helps to
define the roles and responsibilities of the entry level health professiona=
l
who can serve as a health educator. The CHES is internal marketing of =
sorts.

Doesn't it make sense that the professional organizations, taking over
$200-300 per year in dues, should be educating THE PUBLIC, as well as =
other
potential health care team members, about the role of the health
educator...and, thus, what the minimum requirements are to function in =
that
role? This external marketing role is the role of the professional
organization, I believe.

I'm certain you've seen the marketing and promotion pamphlet the New York
State Health Educators group developed. It promotes health educators and
CHES by educating about the role and responsibilities of the professional.
It's a wonderful piece of marketing, but it's "a New York thing." As a =
state
organization I'm sure they don't have the resources (the $200-$300 dues) =
to
publish it for all to use. It is, also, only a small part of campaigns =
that
are needed to promote "the trained health educator", which would,
undoubtedly, enhance "the value of the CHES." At a recent New Orleans
conference the NY pamphlet came bundled with other materials. Unfortunatel=
y
I heard attendees commenting that "this New York thing wouldn't work in my
state." I believe it would make a difference if a national organization =
had
published it (along with other promotional activities).

The separation of "promotion and marketing the professional," and the CHES
is important. NCECH should, in my humble opinion, continue to focus
primarily on quality tests and testing procedures as well as, secondarily,
working with professional organizations to promote the profession. The =
only
piece that's missing now, articulated in your message, is the fact that a
professional organization hasn't stepped up to the plate to wholeheartedly
market and promote who we are. (Private partners can help: Have you seen =
the
Johnson and Johnson television ads --paid TV ads, non-PSA-- for nursing?)

Don't give up your certification. An old Jewish Proverb says that "If I am
not for myself, who will be? But if I am only for myself, who am I?" I =
think
that the big picture and the future are important. I maintain my CHES
certification even as an unemployed health educator! I believe that it is
the most important aspect of the developing profession. It is important =
for
the profession in the long term, in the big picture, outside of myself,
although it has little or no impact here in Louisiana for me and/or most =
of
my colleagues at this time (except for academia; CHES means little in =
hiring
other health educators here). If we hang in there, it will have an =
impact,
perhaps "not for ourselves," but for the future health educators.

Should we be arguing about the $155 value of CHES certification fees
required by NCHEC to maintain a quality process? I believe their
administrative costs are pretty lean and, because of highly dedicated hard
working volunteer representatives, have a pretty smooth low cost operation.=

I think we should be raising hell with our professional organizations,
pushing them to do more to "enhance the value of the CHES." This pressure
to move on this should come from outside the coalitions and outside NCHEC.
It takes letter writing and phone calls from the membership.

It takes money and muscle to educate, and the professional organization =
have
those resources and should be using it for the professional, not for the
organization. Take a look at "administrative costs" of running the
organization. Are they the same folks purporting to support these efforts,
and then complains that the "resources are simply not there" to do so.

Don't lose heart! There are some wonderful examples of state led efforts,
such as the Great Lakes Chapter, Society of Public Health Education
(Michigan), that promotes the profession, helping to prevent "everyone =
and
their mother think[ing] they can be a health educator." By participating =
in
such groups you can contribute to enhancing the value of the CHES.

Please note that I am not writing this to attack professional organizations=
.
These organizations have done much. It is, however, the time to take =
things
to the next level is long overdue. It seems to me that many health
education professionals, leaders in these organizations, either stymied by
the organization's bureaucracy, or by their wait and see nature (late
adopters?), have chosen to wait and see, or stall on the idea of marketing
and promotion! How many more health education positions need to go to
non-CHES or non-professionally prepared "health educators" before we take
action to stop or prevent it?

Don't give up: "If you think you=88re too small to be effective, you =
have
never been in bed with a mosquito."

Best wishes,

Michael

Michael Pejsach, Ed.D., CHES
Life&Health Enhancement Services
Health Behavior Change Consulting
5101 W. Esplanade Avenue
Metairie, LA 70006

Voice/fax: (504) 885-4254

** For more health education info, visit:
** http://healthbehavior.com/index3.shtml
**
** Review/Learn about PRECEDE/PROCEED @
** http://healthbehavior.com/CHESCECHs.shtml
**

** Advertise Jobs On The HEDIR
** http://www.hpcareer.net/hedir.cfm
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------------------------------
#741

Date: Thu, 11 Jul 2002 15:44:26 -0400
From: "Ghanem, Nina (NCI)" <ghanemn@MAIL.NIH.GOV>
Subject: Re: Renew CHES?

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Really? I didn't know I could claim that on my tax return. Thanks!

Nina
_____

NINA GHANEM, M.Ed., CHES
Communications Coordinator
Office of Liaison Activities
National Cancer Institute
National Institutes of Health
6116 Executive Blvd.
Suite 3068A, MSC 8324
Bethesda, MD 20892-8324
301-594-3194 office, 301-480-7558 fax
http://la.cancer.gov <http://la.cancer.gov>

"Connecting Communities to Cancer Research"

-----Original Message-----
From: NANCY ATMOSPERA-WALCH [mailto:NWALCH@QUEENS.ORG]
Sent: Thursday, July 11, 2002 1:58 PM
To: HEDIR-L@SIU.EDU
Subject: Re: Renew CHES?

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Aloha To All!

Well said Michael, thank you!

At the same time, I would like to point out that we should not be arguing
about the cost of CHES since you can claim as your Continuing Education
expenses all the money that you pay for CHES as well as all the money that
you pay to obtain CHES credits when you file for your tax returns.

Nancy Walch, RN, MPH, NHA, CDE, CHES
The Queen's Medical Center
Health Education and Wellness
1301 Punchbowl Street
Honolulu, Hawaii 96813
Phone: (808) 547-4450
Fax: (808) 537-7828
e-mail address: nwalch@queens.org

>>> Michael Pejsach <healthedman@COX.NET> 07/10/02 05:41AM >>>
**
** Improve the Profession-Join AAHE
** http://www.aahperd.org/aahe/template.cfm
**
** Hey!!! Send the HEDIR Your Picture...
** http://www.hedir.org/people
**

** Deal with the issues NOW!
** http://www.health-educators.org

Jennifer,
Before I respond to the CHES debate I must first warn you that I am biased.
I am a strong proponent of the CHES.

I don't believe that it is the responsibility of NCHEC to enhance "the value
of the CHES." I believe that it is up to a professional organization. It
seems to me that your professional organization should be playing the role
of promoter, promoting health educators. At this point in time professional
organizations seem to be merely clearinghouses for CHES CECH's (CEUs). While
this is an important role, it is clearly not enough.

I believe that the "value of the CHES" would be enhanced when folks who hire
professionals know who they are and what you can do. The CHES helps to
define the roles and responsibilities of the entry level health professional
who can serve as a health educator. The CHES is internal marketing of sorts.

Doesn't it make sense that the professional organizations, taking over
$200-300 per year in dues, should be educating THE PUBLIC, as well as other
potential health care team members, about the role of the health
educator...and, thus, what the minimum requirements are to function in that
role? This external marketing role is the role of the professional
organization, I believe.

I'm certain you've seen the marketing and promotion pamphlet the New York
State Health Educators group developed. It promotes health educators and
CHES by educating about the role and responsibilities of the professional.
It's a wonderful piece of marketing, but it's "a New York thing." As a state
organization I'm sure they don't have the resources (the $200-$300 dues) to
publish it for all to use. It is, also, only a small part of campaigns that
are needed to promote "the trained health educator", which would,
undoubtedly, enhance "the value of the CHES." At a recent New Orleans
conference the NY pamphlet came bundled with other materials. Unfortunately
I heard attendees commenting that "this New York thing wouldn't work in my
state." I believe it would make a difference if a national organization had
published it (along with other promotional activities).

The separation of "promotion and marketing the professional," and the CHES
is important. NCECH should, in my humble opinion, continue to focus
primarily on quality tests and testing procedures as well as, secondarily,
working with professional organizations to promote the profession. The only
piece that's missing now, articulated in your message, is the fact that a
professional organization hasn't stepped up to the plate to wholeheartedly
market and promote who we are. (Private partners can help: Have you seen the
Johnson and Johnson television ads --paid TV ads, non-PSA-- for nursing?)

Don't give up your certification. An old Jewish Proverb says that "If I am
not for myself, who will be? But if I am only for myself, who am I?" I think
that the big picture and the future are important. I maintain my CHES
certification even as an unemployed health educator! I believe that it is
the most important aspect of the developing profession. It is important for
the profession in the long term, in the big picture, outside of myself,
although it has little or no impact here in Louisiana for me and/or most of
my colleagues at this time (except for academia; CHES means little in hiring
other health educators here). If we hang in there, it will have an impact,
perhaps "not for ourselves," but for the future health educators.

Should we be arguing about the $155 value of CHES certification fees
required by NCHEC to maintain a quality process? I believe their
administrative costs are pretty lean and, because of highly dedicated hard
working volunteer representatives, have a pretty smooth low cost operation.

I think we should be raising hell with our professional organizations,
pushing them to do more to "enhance the value of the CHES." This pressure
to move on this should come from outside the coalitions and outside NCHEC.
It takes letter writing and phone calls from the membership.

It takes money and muscle to educate, and the professional organization have
those resources and should be using it for the professional, not for the
organization. Take a look at "administrative costs" of running the
organization. Are they the same folks purporting to support these efforts,
and then complains that the "resources are simply not there" to do so.

Don't lose heart! There are some wonderful examples of state led efforts,
such as the Great Lakes Chapter, Society of Public Health Education
(Michigan), that promotes the profession, helping to prevent "everyone and
their mother think[ing] they can be a health educator." By participating in
such groups you can contribute to enhancing the value of the CHES.

Please note that I am not writing this to attack professional organizations.
These organizations have done much. It is, however, the time to take things
to the next level is long overdue. It seems to me that many health
education professionals, leaders in these organizations, either stymied by
the organization's bureaucracy, or by their wait and see nature (late
adopters?), have chosen to wait and see, or stall on the idea of marketing
and promotion! How many more health education positions need to go to
non-CHES or non-professionally prepared "health educators" before we take
action to stop or prevent it?

Don't give up: "If you think you^re too small to be effective, you have
never been in bed with a mosquito."

Best wishes,

Michael

Michael Pejsach, Ed.D., CHES
Life&Health Enhancement Services
Health Behavior Change Consulting
5101 W. Esplanade Avenue
Metairie, LA 70006

Voice/fax: (504) 885-4254

** For more health education info, visit:
** http://healthbehavior.com/index3.shtml
**
** Review/Learn about PRECEDE/PROCEED @
** http://healthbehavior.com/CHESCECHs.shtml
**

** Advertise Jobs On The HEDIR
** http://www.hpcareer.net/hedir.cfm
**
** Check Your HEDIR Info...
** www.hedir.org/directory
**

** Advertise Jobs On The HEDIR
** http://www.hpcareer.net/hedir.cfm
**
** Check Your HEDIR Info...
** www.hedir.org/directory
**

------------------------------
#742

Date: Thu, 11 Jul 2002 15:03:37 -0500
From: "Lance & Debra Lafler Jr." <debnlance@MINDSPRING.COM>
Subject: News Flash: New LifeSkills Training Study Results

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For those of you who are familiar with the alcohol, tobacco & other drug
prevention program, LifeSkills Training, developed by Dr. Gilbert Botvin,
new study results have been released regarding teen marijuana use.
(You can find more general info on LST at: www.lifeskillstraining.com
<http://www.lifeskillstraining.com/> or by contacting the PR rep., Rachael
Astrachan, below.)

-----Original Message-----
From: Rachael Astrachan [ mailto:rastrachan@nhpanet.com]
Sent: Thursday, 11 July, 2002 1:18 PM
Subject: News Flash: New LST Study Covered by Major News Web Sites
News Flash: New LifeSkills Training Study Covered by Major News Web Sites

Study Shows 46% Reduction in Teen Marijuana Use
Study is First to Show Effectiveness of School-based Prevention Program With
Rural Youth.

A government-funded study conducted by researchers at Iowa State University
showed that a school-based prevention program called LifeSkills Training can
reduce new marijuana use by 46% when students receiving the LifeSkills
Training program were compared with controls one year after the program was
administered. Somewhat stronger effects (a 48% reduction in marijuana use)
were found for students who received both the LifeSkills program and a
family-centered prevention program called Strengthening Families.

Click here to read the entire story on Internet Wire:
http://www1.internetwire.com/iwire/release_html_b1?release_id=44346

This new LifeSkills study was covered by several major news websites,
including U.S. News, Yahoo!, CNN Money, www.newsalert.com
<http://www.newsalert.com/> , www.bcbshealthissues.com
<http://www.bcbshealthissues.com/> ,
www.medicalresources.com <http://www.medicalresources.com/> and
www.eScience.com <http://www.escience.com/>

For a full report of the media coverage, contact Rachael Astrachan, NHPA
Marketing Manager, at rastrachan@nhpanet.com <mailto:rastrachan@nhpanet.com>

------------------------------
#743

Date: Thu, 11 Jul 2002 17:08:43 -0400
From: Nicolette Warren-White <nwwhite@LEECOUNTYNC.COM>
Subject: FW: Sex education stirs controversy

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-----Original Message-----
From: Mary Hunter Finch [mailto:maryhunter.finch@leecountync.com]
Sent: Thursday, July 11, 2002 2:47 PM
To: Nicolette
Subject: Sex education stirs controversy

Hello Nicolette:

I thought you might be interested in this USATODAY.com story.

Sex education stirs controversy

To learn more, visit
http://www.usatoday.com/news/healthscience/health/child/2002-07-11-sex-ed-co
ntroversy.htm

Comments or concerns? Please e-mail us at
mailto:emailnewsletters@usatoday.com

For up to the minute news and information, visit http://www.usatoday.com/

------------------------------
#744

Date: Thu, 11 Jul 2002 11:08:12 -1000
From: NANCY ATMOSPERA-WALCH <NWALCH@QUEENS.ORG>
Subject: Re: Renew CHES?

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Any continuing education expense to maintain or improve your job or =
profession is a legal tax deduction. However, check with your accountant =
first.=20

Nancy Walch, RN, MPH, NHA, CDE, CHES
The Queen's Medical Center
Health Education and Wellness
1301 Punchbowl Street
Honolulu, Hawaii 96813
Phone: (808) 547-4450
Fax: (808) 537-7828
e-mail address: nwalch@queens.org

>>> "Ghanem, Nina (NCI)" <ghanemn@MAIL.NIH.GOV> 07/11/02 09:44AM >>>
**
** Improve the Profession-Join AAHE
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Really? I didn't know I could claim that on my tax return. Thanks!

Nina
_____

NINA GHANEM, M.Ed., CHES
Communications Coordinator
Office of Liaison Activities
National Cancer Institute
National Institutes of Health
6116 Executive Blvd.
Suite 3068A, MSC 8324
Bethesda, MD 20892-8324
301-594-3194 office, 301-480-7558 fax
http://la.cancer.gov <http://la.cancer.gov>

"Connecting Communities to Cancer Research"

-----Original Message-----
From: NANCY ATMOSPERA-WALCH [mailto:NWALCH@QUEENS.ORG]
Sent: Thursday, July 11, 2002 1:58 PM
To: HEDIR-L@SIU.EDU
Subject: Re: Renew CHES?

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Aloha To All!

Well said Michael, thank you!

At the same time, I would like to point out that we should not be arguing
about the cost of CHES since you can claim as your Continuing Education
expenses all the money that you pay for CHES as well as all the money that
you pay to obtain CHES credits when you file for your tax returns.

Nancy Walch, RN, MPH, NHA, CDE, CHES
The Queen's Medical Center
Health Education and Wellness
1301 Punchbowl Street
Honolulu, Hawaii 96813
Phone: (808) 547-4450
Fax: (808) 537-7828
e-mail address: nwalch@queens.org

>>> Michael Pejsach <healthedman@COX.NET> 07/10/02 05:41AM >>>
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** Deal with the issues NOW!
** http://www.health-educators.org

Jennifer,
Before I respond to the CHES debate I must first warn you that I am =
biased.
I am a strong proponent of the CHES.

I don't believe that it is the responsibility of NCHEC to enhance "the =
value
of the CHES." I believe that it is up to a professional organization. It
seems to me that your professional organization should be playing the role
of promoter, promoting health educators. At this point in time professional=

organizations seem to be merely clearinghouses for CHES CECH's (CEUs). =
While
this is an important role, it is clearly not enough.

I believe that the "value of the CHES" would be enhanced when folks who =
hire
professionals know who they are and what you can do. The CHES helps to
define the roles and responsibilities of the entry level health professiona=
l
who can serve as a health educator. The CHES is internal marketing of =
sorts.

Doesn't it make sense that the professional organizations, taking over
$200-300 per year in dues, should be educating THE PUBLIC, as well as =
other
potential health care team members, about the role of the health
educator...and, thus, what the minimum requirements are to function in =
that
role? This external marketing role is the role of the professional
organization, I believe.

I'm certain you've seen the marketing and promotion pamphlet the New York
State Health Educators group developed. It promotes health educators and
CHES by educating about the role and responsibilities of the professional.
It's a wonderful piece of marketing, but it's "a New York thing." As a =
state
organization I'm sure they don't have the resources (the $200-$300 dues) =
to
publish it for all to use. It is, also, only a small part of campaigns =
that
are needed to promote "the trained health educator", which would,
undoubtedly, enhance "the value of the CHES." At a recent New Orleans
conference the NY pamphlet came bundled with other materials. Unfortunatel=
y
I heard attendees commenting that "this New York thing wouldn't work in my
state." I believe it would make a difference if a national organization =
had
published it (along with other promotional activities).

The separation of "promotion and marketing the professional," and the CHES
is important. NCECH should, in my humble opinion, continue to focus
primarily on quality tests and testing procedures as well as, secondarily,
working with professional organizations to promote the profession. The =
only
piece that's missing now, articulated in your message, is the fact that a
professional organization hasn't stepped up to the plate to wholeheartedly
market and promote who we are. (Private partners can help: Have you seen =
the
Johnson and Johnson television ads --paid TV ads, non-PSA-- for nursing?)

Don't give up your certification. An old Jewish Proverb says that "If I am
not for myself, who will be? But if I am only for myself, who am I?" I =
think
that the big picture and the future are important. I maintain my CHES
certification even as an unemployed health educator! I believe that it is
the most important aspect of the developing profession. It is important =
for
the profession in the long term, in the big picture, outside of myself,
although it has little or no impact here in Louisiana for me and/or most =
of
my colleagues at this time (except for academia; CHES means little in =
hiring
other health educators here). If we hang in there, it will have an =
impact,
perhaps "not for ourselves," but for the future health educators.

Should we be arguing about the $155 value of CHES certification fees
required by NCHEC to maintain a quality process? I believe their
administrative costs are pretty lean and, because of highly dedicated hard
working volunteer representatives, have a pretty smooth low cost operation.=

I think we should be raising hell with our professional organizations,
pushing them to do more to "enhance the value of the CHES." This pressure
to move on this should come from outside the coalitions and outside NCHEC.
It takes letter writing and phone calls from the membership.

It takes money and muscle to educate, and the professional organization =
have
those resources and should be using it for the professional, not for the
organization. Take a look at "administrative costs" of running the
organization. Are they the same folks purporting to support these efforts,
and then complains that the "resources are simply not there" to do so.

Don't lose heart! There are some wonderful examples of state led efforts,
such as the Great Lakes Chapter, Society of Public Health Education
(Michigan), that promotes the profession, helping to prevent "everyone =
and
their mother think[ing] they can be a health educator." By participating =
in
such groups you can contribute to enhancing the value of the CHES.

Please note that I am not writing this to attack professional organizations=
.
These organizations have done much. It is, however, the time to take =
things
to the next level is long overdue. It seems to me that many health
education professionals, leaders in these organizations, either stymied by
the organization's bureaucracy, or by their wait and see nature (late
adopters?), have chosen to wait and see, or stall on the idea of marketing
and promotion! How many more health education positions need to go to
non-CHES or non-professionally prepared "health educators" before we take
action to stop or prevent it?

Don't give up: "If you think you^re too small to be effective, you have
never been in bed with a mosquito."

Best wishes,

Michael

Michael Pejsach, Ed.D., CHES
Life&Health Enhancement Services
Health Behavior Change Consulting
5101 W. Esplanade Avenue
Metairie, LA 70006

Voice/fax: (504) 885-4254

** For more health education info, visit:
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------------------------------
#745

Date: Thu, 11 Jul 2002 16:43:24 -0700
From: Mark Fulop <fulopm@NWREL.ORG>
Subject: Re: Renew CHES?

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CHES dues and continuing ed fees are typically deductible if you itemize
your deductions AND have employee expenses in excess of some % or if you
file a schedule C (self-employed) they are also deductible. Again I would
check with a tax attorney. However, even if the costs are deductible to
you, it simply means that you get a tax break equal to your tax bracket.
Which means the costs are only discounted by the tax bracket amount (i.e.
28%). Having reduced the annual cost of your CHES certification by 28%, one
still has to ask, is the cost (and hassle of getting units) worth it? The
bottom line is that there is no evidence that CHES brings any premium in
salary.

As far as a way to promote quality of the profession, if NCHEC was really
interested in that, they would publish the pass rates for all schools and
programs of public health on their website as a way of exposing deficient
MPH programs (helping promote consumer choice and allowing schools to be
benchmarked as a way to improve the quality of training). However, that
assumes that there are sufficient numbers of people failing the
certification test to warrant exposing such uneven MPH training.
Conversely, if there are not enough folks failing the CHES certification
test then the test likely is not discriminating enough to warrant being the
defacto credential to practice health education in any state.

M
------
Mark P. Fulop, MA, MPH
Director, National Mentoring Center
Email: fulopm@nwrel.org
Website: http://www.nwrel.org/mentoring

Northwest Regional Educational Laboratory
101 S.W. Main Street, Suite 500
Portland, OR 97204
(503) 275-0121 (p)
(503) 275-0444 (f)

------------------------------
#746

Date: Thu, 11 Jul 2002 20:05:49 -0700
From: Brandon Cross <cross_training@YAHOO.COM>
Subject: UNSUSCRIBE

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Please remove my email from the mailing list
Thank you

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------------------------------