Hello Idaho Oral Health Alliance members and supporters!
Our board and staff have been working hard since our last update to you, so we wanted to take the opportunity to share some great news. We hope you find the following informative and helpful. Any questions? Just contact us and we’ll respond to you.
New Initiative and Mission Statement
With our increased focus on oral health integration into primary care in Idaho, the IOHA Board of Directors has adopted a new mission statement and voted to focus on a new significant initiative. Here’s the mission statement adopted in May: The IOHA mission is to: Lead collaborative efforts to bring optimal oral health to Idahoans through education, advocacy, and program development. While we will continue our initiative with our Healthy Me is Cavity-Free collaborative, the board voted in June to turn its attention to a new multi-year initiative of leading oral health integration into primary care in Idaho. We’re researching the key components of this effort, looking to other states who are a few steps ahead of us, reviewing national data on the topic, and building relationships with key partners. Our participation in the Idaho Healthcare Coalition of the Statewide Healthcare Innovation Plan (SHIP) continues, and our efforts to bring attention to oral health as part of whole health are well received. We’ll have more news on our efforts in this initiative as we build our strategic plan.
New Website and Sponsorship Options by September:
Keep an eye out for a new look and more content for the IOHA website in September. We’re working hard to create an updated and user-friendly website that is more robust and inclusive. We’re also working on our first-ever Sponsor Program that will help fund our initiatives and operations. For more information on becoming a corporate sponsor, simply reply to this email.
New Ways to Donate to the IOHA:
AmazonSmiles: The IOHA is now a registered recipient of AmazonSmiles donations. So, visit https://smile.amazon.com/ch/20-0454949 and log in with your Amazon password, then shop, shop, shop. The AmazonSmiles Foundation donates 0.5% of your eligible purchases to the IOHA.
Fred Meyer Rewards Card: The IOHA is now a registered recipient of the Fred Meyer Community Rewards Program, so visit www.fredmeyer.com/communityrewards then sign into your account and link your card to the IOHA. Just select the Idaho Oral Health Alliance or look up our assigned nonprofit number of 84427 to help us earn money from your purchases. You’ll still receive your rewards points, your fuel points, and your rebates.
New Ways to Connect with the IOHA:
Facebook: We now have a Facebook page. Like us athttps://www.facebook.com/idahooralhealthalliance/
LinkedIn: We now have a LinkedIn page: Connect with us at https://www.linkedin.com/in/idaho-oral-health-alliance-97b56b122
Membership:
Have you paid your 2016 membership? To be eligible to vote in the December new board member elections, you will need to be a current dues-payer. Don’t know if you’re current? Contact us and ask your membership question.
Interested in Being a Future Board Member?
If you’re interested in adding your name to our pool of future board candidates, review the attached Board Member Job Description then complete the board nomination form and email it to jwheeler@idahooralhealth.org or mail it to The IOHA, PO Box 2309, Boise ID 83701. Applications will be kept on file for a minimum of three years.
New Partnership with IHAWCC:
We’ll soon have more information about a new partnership with the Idaho Health and Wellness Collaborative for Children. We’ll be working with this St. Luke’s team to create a statewide learning collaborative focused on oral health for children. The IHAWCC works to create meaningful, long term collaborations with stakeholders invested in child health care with the common purpose of improving the health of the children and youth of Idaho.
Opportunity for Community Healthworker Training:
The Idaho Department of Health and Welfare (IDHW), through the Idaho Statewide Healthcare Innovation Plan (SHIP), is implementing a Community Health Worker (CHW) training program in collaboration with Idaho State University. The application and registration period is now open. To learn more about this online training program visit http://www2.isu.edu/idiem/chw.shtml
A Note of Thanks:
The IOHA Board of Directors would like to publicly thank NaDene Palmer and Karen Portillo for their IOHA board service. NaDene recently retired from her position with Idaho Smiles (DentaQuest) and Karen left Idaho State University’s Dental Hygiene program for a new position out of Idaho. Please join our board in thanking them for their dedicated service to the IOHA.
Thank you for your continued support of the Idaho Oral Health Alliance. Keep an eye out for the announcement of our new website, like us on Facebook, join us on LinkedIn, direct your AmazonSmiles and Fred Meyer donations our way, check on your dues, and enjoy the summer.
Here’s to optimal oral health for Idahoans!