Foundation's annual policy forum agenda announced; due to pandemic, it will be a monthly webinar series on children's health

The Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky has announced the full agenda for its annual policy forum that will focus on policies and programs that reduce the chances of disease and unhealthy behaviors that often begin in childhood, including substance use, suicide and vaping.

 

The Howard L. Bost Memorial Health Policy Forum, which typically draws 350 policymakers, health advocates and health care providers, will be a free monthly webinar series this year due to the coronavirus pandemic. The first webinar will be held at 2 p.m. ET Monday, Sept. 21.

The forum is named for Dr. Howard L. Bost, who helped create Medicare and Medicaid, developed the Appalachian Regional Hospitals system, improved mental-health services in Kentucky and created the vision for the foundation.

The foundation is partnering with Kentucky Youth Advocates on this year's forum, titled "Moving Kids Toward Natural Highs: Kentucky Opportunities to Prevent Youth Substance Use, Suicide and Risky Behaviors." The webinars are free, but registration for "attending" each one is required. Here's the schedule:

State of Child Health in Kentucky: Monday, Sept. 21, 2-3 p.m. ET. The panelists will be: Dr. Henrietta Bada, director, Maternal and Child Health Division, state Department for Public Health; Dr. Hatim Omar, founder of the Stop Youth Suicide Campaign; Terry Brooks, executive director, KYA; and Ben Robinson, Daviess County student, youth speaker. The moderator will be Vivian Lasley-Bibbs, director, Office of Health Equity, DPH.  Click here to register. 

Intervening Early: Monday, Oct. 19, 2-3 p.m. ET. The panelists will be: Lisa Lee, commissioner, state  Department for Medicaid Services; Anthony Zipple, senior associate, Open Minds; Allison Miller, family learning specialist, National Center for Families Learning; and Dr. Julia Richerson, pediatrician, Family Health Center Iroquois. The moderator will be Tracey Antle, chief operating officer, Cumberland Family Medical Center. Click here to register.

Promoting Healthy Lifestyles through Nutrition and Physical Activity: Monday, Nov. 9, 2-3 p.m. ET. The panelists will be: Amanda Goldman, health-care sales strategist, Gordon Food Service;  Paula Little, assistant superintendent, Clinton County Schools; Jamie Sparks, school health program manager, ETR; Nellie Ellis, Whitley County High School graduate, youth speaker. The moderator will be Marianne Smith Edge, founder/principal, The AgriNutrition Edge. Click here to register.  

Understanding Youth and Building Good Mental Health:  Monday, Dec. 14, 2-3 pm ET. The panelists will be: Felicia S. Smith, licensed psychologist, co-owner of StrongMinds;  Dr. Allen Brenzel, medical director, state Department for Behavioral Health;  Kerry Gallagher, director of K-12 Education, ConnectSafely; and Beatrice Roussell, Manual High School STAMINA Suicide Prevention Group, youth speaker. The moderator will be Sheila Schuster, executive director, Advocacy Action Network. Click here to register. 

Stopping Vaping and Substance Use:  Monday, Jan. 11, 2021, 2-3 pm ET. The panelist will be: Devine Carama, community coordinator, Lexington FEND Movement and  the founder of Kingtucky, LLC ; Van Ingram, executive director, state Office of Drug Control Policy;  Shannon Baker, director of advocacy, American Lung Association, "How to Talk to Your Kids About Vaping;" and Abby Hefner, anti-vaping advocate, McCracken County High School, youth speaker. The moderator will be Eva Stone, health coordinator, Jefferson County Public Schools. Click here to register. 

Questions about registration? Email Alexa Kerley, akerley@healthy-ky.org.