A Matter of Balance Training for Coaches and Master Trainers, September 23, 2010, 9-11 a.m

A videoconference training from Aging and Adult Services Division, Minnesota Department of Human Services - presented by: Emily Farah-Miller, MOB Statewide Coordinator, Metropolitan AAA, Debra Laine, MOB Regional Coordinator, Arrowhead AAA

A Matter of Balance: Managing Concerns About Falls is an evidence based program designed to reduce the fear of falling and increase the activity levels of older adults. Increasing numbers of older adults have low vision impairments or no vision which puts them at an increased risk for falls. Steps must be taken to examine evidence based programs and ensure programs are accessible and user friendly for a low vision and no vision audience. The Arrowhead Area Agency on Aging received a National Eye Institute grant to examine A Matter of Balance and modify the curriculum and class format to make it accessible to those with vision impairments.

This videoconference training is for A Matter of Balance coaches and master trainers. The training will include an update on Minnesota’s implementation efforts and revised data collection forms including: participant attendance form, first class survey, last class survey, and class information form. The training will also include recommendations and resources needed to facilitate the class to participants with low vision or no vision.

Learning Objectives

Goal 1: Participants will obtain an update on A Matter of Balance implementation efforts and instructions for the completion of data collection forms.

Goal 2: Participants will learn foundational and practical concepts of working with the visually impaired.

Goal 3: Participants will learn strategies and modifications to make A Matter of Balance accessible to those with low or no vision.

Pre-registration is required- http://agingtraining.dhs.state.mn.us. Registration closes at 5:00 p.m. on Monday, September 20th. By registering, you understand that the session will be videotaped with the possibility of your visual and audio likeness being recorded for reproduction and distribution.

Evaluate the Mississippi River Trail by Bicycle

Mn/DOT recently hosted a series of Mississippi River Trail community meetings. Although the route does utilize some off-the-road trails, the vast majority of the alignment in located upon roads. One of the meeting goals was to confirm the bicycle route for the web-based map Mn/DOT is preparing. There are a few locations where the route for 2010 is undecided/needs further evaluation. Mn/DOT now plans to evaluate the route the best way it knows how…by bicycle. Because the Mississippi River Trail passes through or near your community, Mn/DOT heartily invites you or a representative to join us on one of the evaluation rides. This is your chance to confirm routing through your area on the 2010-2011 map that Mn/DOT is preparing.

Upcoming Rides | Routes| Distance and | RSVP Date

September 14 | Elk River to Anoka Loop | 40 miles | September 7
September 15 | Brooklyn Park to Monticello Loop | 44 miles | September 7
September 21 | La Crescent Area/Apple Blossom Trail Loop | 33 miles | September 13
September 22 | Wabasha/Kellogg Loop | 27 miles | September 13
September 28 | St. Cloud-Sartell-Rice-Sauk Rapids Loop | 37 miles | September 20
September 29 | Cottage Grove-Newport Loop | 20 miles | September 20
October 5 | Bemidji to Cass Lake Loop | 44 miles | September 27
October 6 | Grands Rapids to Deer River Loop | 38 miles | September 27

RSVP by emailing or calling Sharon Henschell at sharon.henschell@state.mn.us or 651.366.4172. More details will be received upon registration. See attached for an August MRT Summary.

Celebrating the Age Wave - "Get Ready, Here We Come!"

Over the past five years, Transform 2010 has worked to prepare Minnesota for the coming age wave of baby boomers. As of November 5th, only 56 days will remain until the leading edge of this generation begins turning 65. By the end of 2019, the entire baby boomer generation will be 55 or older and will represent over 25% of the state’s population. Minnesotans have much to celebrate and much more to consider as we “get ready” for 2011 because as the boomers would say, “here we come!”

Plan to join Transform 2010 and its partners at this one-day Boomers Mean Business Forum to review progress for the age wave and look into the future.

WHEN | Friday, November 5, 2010
TIME | 8:00 am to 4:30 pm
WHERE | Earl Browne Heritage Center, Brooklyn Center, MN
COST | $30 Registration Fee (includes continental breakfast and lunch)

At the forum, participants will:

Be the first to learn the results of the largest ever survey of Minnesota’s Boomers;
Hear the analysis and predictions of an economist, demographer and futurist for 2011 and beyond; and
Have the opportunity to participate in concurrent dialogue sessions with experts to think about the aging issues that will require our attention over the next 10-20 years.

Online registration information will be available on the Transform 2010 website in mid-September 2010.

For more information on this Boomers Mean Business Forum or Transform 2010, email Transform2010@state.mn.us, call 651-431-2500, or visit the Transform 2010 website.

CDC Study Finds Annual Cost of Motor Vehicle Crashes Exceeds $99 Billion

Cost amounts to nearly $500 for each U.S. licensed driver in one year - Press Release from August 25, 2010

In a one-year period, the cost of medical care and productivity losses associated with injuries from motor vehicle crashes exceeded $99 billion – with the cost of direct medical care accounting for $17 billion, according to a study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The total annual cost amounts to nearly $500 for each licensed driver in the United States, said the study in the journal Traffic Injury Prevention.

The one-year costs of fatal and non-fatal crash-related injuries totaled $70 billion (71 percent of total costs) for people riding in motor vehicles, such as cars and light trucks, $12 billion for motorcyclists, $10 billion for pedestrians, and $5 billion for bicyclists, the study said. | Read the press release.

BCBS Health Improvement Project Manager Position

BLUE CROSS AND BLUE SHIELD OF MINNESOTA (BCBSMN) is looking for a Health Improvement Project Manager for the Community Initiatives team in their Center for Prevention. This position is responsible for the design, development, implementation, and evaluation of evidence-based health improvement programs. The primary focus of this role is to collaborate with community groups and leaders to implement systems, policy and environmental approaches to addressing health inequities, particularly as they relate to tobacco, healthy eating, and physical activity in the Latino, GLBT, African Immigrant, African American, and Southeast Asian communities. This position requires experience in working inter-culturally in a community setting to address public health issues and expertise in developing and maintaining strong community relationships and providing ongoing support and technical assistance. See attached Position Description for more information.

Mn/DOT State Bicycle Map Project

DOT Bike Map Mn/DOT is in the process of developing a new State Bicycle Map. The need for an updated and usable map for bicycle travel throughout Minnesota is clear.

The last Minnesota State Bicycle Map was produced in 2001.

Mn/DOT is working hard to develop better internal partnerships between the Bicycle and Pedestrian Section and many other departments within Mn/DOT to produce a high quality, accurate, usable and sustainable product for bicycle travel throughout the state.

Where can I get a State Bicycle Map?
The last State Bicycle Map came out in 2001, and is no longer in print. However, an online version is available as are many other Bicycle Maps which can be used in the meantime.

When will there be a new State Bicycle Map?
Mn/DOT plans to produce a new State Bicycle Map in 2011.Not only is producing a State Bicycle Map an important goal of this project, but so is creating a system of data that can easily be updated in the future so that lag-time between updated bicycle maps will be significantly reduced in years to come. This process, along with a public participation process to ensure a usable product, is why the project has a timeline of at least a year.

When and how can I participate?
The State Non-motorized Transportation Advisory Committee and staff in the Bicycle and Pedestrian Section have deleloped a survey to gather information on what customers want for bicycle travel across the state.Tell us what you’d like to see in the next State Bicycle Map

How can I stay informed on the State Bicycle Map?
Sign up for our new State Bicycle Projects email list! This list will help you stay informed about planning and policy issues as well as projects such as the Mississippi River Trail. We'll also keep you up to date on our progress with the State Bicycle Map and seek your input through the survey.

Legal Resources on Safe Routes to School

New resources have been developed by the National Policy and Legal Analysis Network to Prevent Childhood Obesity to provide legal information on the common barriers to the Safe Routes to School program. Resources include fact sheets on liability and protecting volunteers, talking points, and more. | SRTS Legal Resources

A Citizen's Guide to Better Streets: How to Engage your Transportation Agency

Every city, town and neighborhood deserves great streets. However, in most cases, the transportation element has been separated from community planning, which means that community goals often take a backseat to transportation decisions that focus solely on the movement of the automobile.

This Citizen’s Guide is intended to show people who are passionate about creating better streets and walkable communities how they can influence highway professionals to address transportation in ways that place the most value on people and on places. | A Citizen's Guide to Better Places: How to Engage your Transportation Agency

Calendar of Events

September 9, 2010 | Intersection Geometry - Designing for Pedestrian Safety Webinar | FHWA and PBIC
September 10, 2010 | 7:30 - 9:00 AM | Working with Childcare Providers to Prevent Obesity | Coffman Memorial Union | University of Minnesota
September 13-16, 2010 | Pro Walk/Pro Bike Conference | Chattanooga, TN
September 14 | 6:00 - 8:00 PM | Ladies Night: Cleaning and Tuning Up Your Bike | Minneapolis Downtown YWCA
September 19 | 12:00 - 5:00 PM | Fargo-Moorhead Streets Alive | Fargo-Moorhead Streets
September 21, 2010 | 1:00-2:00 PM | The Art and Science of Evaluation: Sound Methods for Assessing Policy and Environmental Change Webinar | The Convergence Partnership
September 22-24 | 2010 American Planning Association Upper Midwest Planning Conference | Mankato, MN
September 23, 2010 | National Falls Prevention Awareness Day
September 23, 2010 | 1:00-2:00 PM | Hide and Seek: Where is Your School and How Do You Get There? | RWJF Center to Prevent Childhood Obesity
September 28, 2010 | 1:00-2:30 PM | Dialogue on Dissemination: A Researcher Perspective | Cancer Control P.L.A.N.E.T Research
September 28 | 6:00 - 8:00 PM | Ladies Night: Night and Winter Riding | Minneapolis Downtown YWCA
October 4-5, 2010 | PE4LIFE Resource Conference Play to W.I.N. | Overland Park, KS
October 7, 2010 | 1:00-2:00 PM | On the Go: Complete Streets and Public Transportation | RWJF Center to Prevent Childhood Obesity
October 17-21, 2010 | International Making Cities Livable Conference | Charleston, SC
October 21, 2010 | 1:00-2:00 PM | Feet to the Streets: Alternatives to Motorized Transportation | RWJF Center to Prevent Childhood Obesity



In This Issue A Matter of Balance Training for Coaches and Master Trainers, September 23, 2010, 9-11 a.m Evaluate the Mississippi River Trail by Bicycle Celebrating the Age Wave - "Get Ready, Here We Come!" CDC Study Finds Annual Cost of Motor Vehicle Crashes Exceeds $99 Billion BCBS Health Improvement Project Manager Position Legal Resources on Safe Routes to School A Citizen's Guide to Better Streets: How to Engage your Transportation Agency Calendar of Events	A Matter of Balance Training for Coaches and Master Trainers, September 23, 2010, 9-11 a.m A videoconference training from Aging and Adult Services Division, Minnesota Department of Human Services - presented by: Emily Farah-Miller, MOB Statewide Coordinator, Metropolitan AAA, Debra Laine, MOB Regional Coordinator, Arrowhead AAA A Matter of Balance: Managing Concerns About Falls is an evidence based program designed to reduce the fear of falling and increase the activity levels of older adults. Increasing numbers of older adults have low vision impairments or no vision which puts them at an increased risk for falls. Steps must be taken to examine evidence based programs and ensure programs are accessible and user friendly for a low vision and no vision audience. The Arrowhead Area Agency on Aging received a National Eye Institute grant to examine A Matter of Balance and modify the curriculum and class format to make it accessible to those with vision impairments. This videoconference training is for A Matter of Balance coaches and master trainers. The training will include an update on Minnesota’s implementation efforts and revised data collection forms including: participant attendance form, first class survey, last class survey, and class information form. The training will also include recommendations and resources needed to facilitate the class to participants with low vision or no vision. Learning Objectives Goal 1: Participants will obtain an update on A Matter of Balance implementation efforts and instructions for the completion of data collection forms. Goal 2: Participants will learn foundational and practical concepts of working with the visually impaired. Goal 3: Participants will learn strategies and modifications to make A Matter of Balance accessible to those with low or no vision. Pre-registration is required- http://agingtraining.dhs.state.mn.us. Registration closes at 5:00 p.m. on Monday, September 20th. By registering, you understand that the session will be videotaped with the possibility of your visual and audio likeness being recorded for reproduction and distribution. Evaluate the Mississippi River Trail by Bicycle Mn/DOT recently hosted a series of Mississippi River Trail community meetings. Although the route does utilize some off-the-road trails, the vast majority of the alignment in located upon roads. One of the meeting goals was to confirm the bicycle route for the web-based map Mn/DOT is preparing. There are a few locations where the route for 2010 is undecided/needs further evaluation. Mn/DOT now plans to evaluate the route the best way it knows how…by bicycle. Because the Mississippi River Trail passes through or near your community, Mn/DOT heartily invites you or a representative to join us on one of the evaluation rides. This is your chance to confirm routing through your area on the 2010-2011 map that Mn/DOT is preparing. Upcoming Rides \| Routes\| Distance and \| RSVP Date September 14 \| Elk River to Anoka Loop \| 40 miles \| September 7 September 15 \| Brooklyn Park to Monticello Loop \| 44 miles \| September 7 September 21 \| La Crescent Area/Apple Blossom Trail Loop \| 33 miles \| September 13 September 22 \| Wabasha/Kellogg Loop \| 27 miles \| September 13 September 28 \| St. Cloud-Sartell-Rice-Sauk Rapids Loop \| 37 miles \| September 20 September 29 \| Cottage Grove-Newport Loop \| 20 miles \| September 20 October 5 \| Bemidji to Cass Lake Loop \| 44 miles \| September 27 October 6 \| Grands Rapids to Deer River Loop \| 38 miles \| September 27 RSVP by emailing or calling Sharon Henschell at sharon.henschell@state.mn.us or 651.366.4172. More details will be received upon registration. See attached for an August MRT Summary. Celebrating the Age Wave - "Get Ready, Here We Come!" Over the past five years, Transform 2010 has worked to prepare Minnesota for the coming age wave of baby boomers. As of November 5th, only 56 days will remain until the leading edge of this generation begins turning 65. By the end of 2019, the entire baby boomer generation will be 55 or older and will represent over 25% of the state’s population. Minnesotans have much to celebrate and much more to consider as we “get ready” for 2011 because as the boomers would say, “here we come!” Plan to join Transform 2010 and its partners at this one-day Boomers Mean Business Forum to review progress for the age wave and look into the future. WHEN \| Friday, November 5, 2010 TIME \| 8:00 am to 4:30 pm WHERE \| Earl Browne Heritage Center, Brooklyn Center, MN COST \| $30 Registration Fee (includes continental breakfast and lunch) At the forum, participants will: Be the first to learn the results of the largest ever survey of Minnesota’s Boomers; Hear the analysis and predictions of an economist, demographer and futurist for 2011 and beyond; and Have the opportunity to participate in concurrent dialogue sessions with experts to think about the aging issues that will require our attention over the next 10-20 years. Online registration information will be available on the Transform 2010 website in mid-September 2010. For more information on this Boomers Mean Business Forum or Transform 2010, email Transform2010@state.mn.us, call 651-431-2500, or visit the Transform 2010 website. CDC Study Finds Annual Cost of Motor Vehicle Crashes Exceeds $99 Billion Cost amounts to nearly $500 for each U.S. licensed driver in one year - Press Release from August 25, 2010 In a one-year period, the cost of medical care and productivity losses associated with injuries from motor vehicle crashes exceeded $99 billion – with the cost of direct medical care accounting for $17 billion, according to a study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The total annual cost amounts to nearly $500 for each licensed driver in the United States, said the study in the journal Traffic Injury Prevention. The one-year costs of fatal and non-fatal crash-related injuries totaled $70 billion (71 percent of total costs) for people riding in motor vehicles, such as cars and light trucks, $12 billion for motorcyclists, $10 billion for pedestrians, and $5 billion for bicyclists, the study said. \| Read the press release. BCBS Health Improvement Project Manager Position BLUE CROSS AND BLUE SHIELD OF MINNESOTA (BCBSMN) is looking for a Health Improvement Project Manager for the Community Initiatives team in their Center for Prevention. This position is responsible for the design, development, implementation, and evaluation of evidence-based health improvement programs. The primary focus of this role is to collaborate with community groups and leaders to implement systems, policy and environmental approaches to addressing health inequities, particularly as they relate to tobacco, healthy eating, and physical activity in the Latino, GLBT, African Immigrant, African American, and Southeast Asian communities. This position requires experience in working inter-culturally in a community setting to address public health issues and expertise in developing and maintaining strong community relationships and providing ongoing support and technical assistance. See attached Position Description for more information. Mn/DOT State Bicycle Map Project Mn/DOT is in the process of developing a new State Bicycle Map. The need for an updated and usable map for bicycle travel throughout Minnesota is clear. The last Minnesota State Bicycle Map was produced in 2001. Mn/DOT is working hard to develop better internal partnerships between the Bicycle and Pedestrian Section and many other departments within Mn/DOT to produce a high quality, accurate, usable and sustainable product for bicycle travel throughout the state. Where can I get a State Bicycle Map? The last State Bicycle Map came out in 2001, and is no longer in print. However, an online version is available as are many other Bicycle Maps which can be used in the meantime. When will there be a new State Bicycle Map? Mn/DOT plans to produce a new State Bicycle Map in 2011.Not only is producing a State Bicycle Map an important goal of this project, but so is creating a system of data that can easily be updated in the future so that lag-time between updated bicycle maps will be significantly reduced in years to come. This process, along with a public participation process to ensure a usable product, is why the project has a timeline of at least a year. When and how can I participate? The State Non-motorized Transportation Advisory Committee and staff in the Bicycle and Pedestrian Section have deleloped a survey to gather information on what customers want for bicycle travel across the state.Tell us what you’d like to see in the next State Bicycle Map How can I stay informed on the State Bicycle Map? Sign up for our new State Bicycle Projects email list! This list will help you stay informed about planning and policy issues as well as projects such as the Mississippi River Trail. We'll also keep you up to date on our progress with the State Bicycle Map and seek your input through the survey. Bike Map Information \| State Bicycle Maps \| State Non-Motorized Transportation Advisory Committee \| State Bicycle Map Survey - TAKE THE SURVEY \| Sign-up for the State Bicycle Projects Email List \| Mississippi River Trail Information Legal Resources on Safe Routes to School New resources have been developed by the National Policy and Legal Analysis Network to Prevent Childhood Obesity to provide legal information on the common barriers to the Safe Routes to School program. Resources include fact sheets on liability and protecting volunteers, talking points, and more. \| SRTS Legal Resources A Citizen's Guide to Better Streets: How to Engage your Transportation Agency Every city, town and neighborhood deserves great streets. However, in most cases, the transportation element has been separated from community planning, which means that community goals often take a backseat to transportation decisions that focus solely on the movement of the automobile. This Citizen’s Guide is intended to show people who are passionate about creating better streets and walkable communities how they can influence highway professionals to address transportation in ways that place the most value on people and on places. \| A Citizen's Guide to Better Places: How to Engage your Transportation Agency Calendar of Events September 9, 2010 \| Intersection Geometry - Designing for Pedestrian Safety Webinar \| FHWA and PBIC September 10, 2010 \| 7:30 - 9:00 AM \| Working with Childcare Providers to Prevent Obesity \| Coffman Memorial Union \| University of Minnesota September 13-16, 2010 \| Pro Walk/Pro Bike Conference \| Chattanooga, TN September 14 \| 6:00 - 8:00 PM \| Ladies Night: Cleaning and Tuning Up Your Bike \| Minneapolis Downtown YWCA September 19 \| 12:00 - 5:00 PM \| Fargo-Moorhead Streets Alive \| Fargo-Moorhead Streets September 21, 2010 \| 1:00-2:00 PM \| The Art and Science of Evaluation: Sound Methods for Assessing Policy and Environmental Change Webinar \| The Convergence Partnership September 22-24 \| 2010 American Planning Association Upper Midwest Planning Conference \| Mankato, MN September 23, 2010 \| National Falls Prevention Awareness Day September 23, 2010 \| 1:00-2:00 PM \| Hide and Seek: Where is Your School and How Do You Get There? \| RWJF Center to Prevent Childhood Obesity September 28, 2010 \| 1:00-2:30 PM \| Dialogue on Dissemination: A Researcher Perspective \| Cancer Control P.L.A.N.E.T Research September 28 \| 6:00 - 8:00 PM \| Ladies Night: Night and Winter Riding \| Minneapolis Downtown YWCA October 4-5, 2010 \| PE4LIFE Resource Conference Play to W.I.N. \| Overland Park, KS October 7, 2010 \| 1:00-2:00 PM \| On the Go: Complete Streets and Public Transportation \| RWJF Center to Prevent Childhood Obesity October 17-21, 2010 \| International Making Cities Livable Conference \| Charleston, SC October 21, 2010 \| 1:00-2:00 PM \| Feet to the Streets: Alternatives to Motorized Transportation \| RWJF Center to Prevent Childhood Obesity

In This Issue