April 22, 2010
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It is with excitement that I announce my appointment to State Representative for the 18th District of Illinois. Julie Hamos recently stepped down from the General Assembly to take on a new role as the Director of the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services, and I have been appointed to finish her term.
While this represents a change in title for me, it does not mean that I will be leaving IMCHC immediately. As we begin the search for a new Executive Director, I will continue to make sure that the organization makes a smooth transition on all fronts. And of course, my new job in no way changes my commitment to maternal and infant health in Illinois. |
My staff at IMCHC has been working diligently to keep our membership informed about national health care reform with conference calls, an area on our website and even videos explaining portions of the bill. If you are in the Chicago area, I urge you to attend our upcoming Chicago Area Chapter Meeting on May 17th where staff members Kathy Chan and Sara Howard will give a full presentation on maternal and child health issues in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.
Finally, in light of the upcoming National Infant Immunization Week (April 24 to May 1), I am so proud of the work of IMCHC’s project, the Chicago Area Immunization Campaign. They have been diligently planning the 9th National Conference on Immunization and Health Coalitions scheduled for May 26-28. I strongly encourage you to attend and learn more about the ways a coalition can improve public health through immunization education, better access to care and a reduction in health disparities.
Best Wishes,
Executive Director
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Confused about some of the changes in national health care reform? IMCHC is here to help. Click here to watch a video of staff members Kathy Chan and Sara Howard explain the maintenance of effort requirement for the Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Programs. And feel free to visit IMCHC’s Health Care Reform area on our website for new fact sheets and links about national health care reform.
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If you have any further questions or would like to invite an IMCHC staff member to come discuss national health care reform and its impact on families in Illinois, please email Sara Howard.
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Hundreds of youth and other maternal and child health stakeholders were part of a 15,000 person "Save Our State" Rally organized by the Responsible Budget Coalition on April 21st!
Services for children, the elderly, the disabled and the unemployed are in jeopardy -- just when they’re needed the most. And tens of thousands of jobs are in danger. All because the state is $13 billion in the hole. We demand that legislators act now to Save Our State. But too many of them are still ducking and dodging a balanced solution--one with adequate revenue.
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In response, over 15,000 concerned providers, teachers, parents, children and many others descended on the Capitol in the largest demonstration Springfield seen in many years. Check out pictures and video at the Progress Illinois website. We’ll have pictures of school health center attendees on our website shortly.
If you were unable to make it on Wednesday, you can still do you part by calling your legislators and asking them to support a responsible budget that raises adequate revenue to save jobs, funds essential services and pays the state’s bills. Visit our "Take Action" center to find your legislators and their Springfield contact information.
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Nominate a Young Professional for IMCHC’s Junior Board’s Advocate of the Year Award 2010
Nominate a Young Professional for IMCHC’s Junior Board’s Advocate of the Year Award 2010
The Junior Board Advocate of the Year is an award for a young professional who has shown exceptional leadership in the field of advocacy and public service. This person is hardworking, passionate and dedicated to advancing the well being of families in Illinois. The award will be presented at IMCHC’s Junior Board Fundraiser on Thursday, June 24, 2010 at 7pm at 117 N. Jefferson, Penthouse. To download a nomination form visit here.
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IMCHC out in the Field
IMCHC is hard at work advocating for maternal and infant health in a variety of ways. If you see us out in the field be sure to say hello and let us know what you think of our work. Here are some places where you’re likely to run into a member of the IMCHC family:
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- Associate Director Kathy Chan is headed to Washington, DC at the end of April to lobby with Women Employed about federal paid sick days legislation.
- Staff Attorney Sara Howard will be presenting on national health care reform with the Department of Healthcare and Family Services at four state program trainings across Illinois in May and June.
- Staff members from the Chicago Area Immunization Campaign, including Lisa Kritz, Sheila Sanders, Melissa Ponce and Lilah Handler will be attending the 44th National Immunization Conference in Atlanta, Georgia, they will have a table with information at the conference.
- Members of the Illinois Coalition for School Health Centers, including staff members Divya Mohan Little, Conor Butkus and intern Alison Grubbs, will be escorting over 200 students to Springfield, Illinois to meet with their legislators and advocate for school health centers.
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Name:
Jeanine Solinski
Title:
Manager, Immunization Initiatives
Organization:
Illinois Chapter, American Academy of Pediatrics (ICAAP)
Educational Background:
B.S. in Chemistry/Environmental Sciences and B.A. in Spanish from Loyola University Chicago (2001). M.P.P. (Master of Public Policy) from University of Chicago (2004).
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What first brought you into the field of immunizations?
Before working at ICAAP, I was at the Respiratory Health Association of Metropolitan Chicago working with health care providers to promote lung health. Having always been interested in health issues and looking for a new challenge, I found a great opportunity with ICAAP and joined their immunization team.
How long have you been involved with Chicago Area Immunization Campaign?
Since starting at ICAAP in November 2008, I have been involved with CAIC through ICAAP and CAIC’s close collaboration on many immunization-related initiatives and by being a part of CAIC’s Public Awareness Committee
Why are immunizations so important to maternal and infant health?
Immunizations truly help protect the health and well-being of children. No child should have to get sick from a vaccine preventable disease. However, it’s easy to forget about the severity, and sometimes the tragedy, of vaccine preventable diseases because our immunization program has done such a great job in getting children vaccinated. Some parents don’t see the importance of the vaccines but these diseases can and do pop up. These diseases still exist in our communities, in some cases are only a plane ride away, and can be passed on to those who are not protected by the vaccines.
In your opinion, what is the best place for dancing in Chicago?
I can only speak for salsa dancing in Chicago, but my favorite places are the Alhambra Palace in the West Loop on Tuesday nights and the Cubby Bear by Wrigley Field on Sunday nights. The city of Chicago also has a great program called Summer Dance that offers free dance lessons of all kinds and live bands in Millennium Park that will be starting soon.
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9th National Conference on Immunization and Health Coalitions
May 26-28, 2010
Westin River North Hotel, Chicago
Register Today!
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Immunizations can save your child’s life by protecting them from diseases.
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Vaccines are safe and effective and used on children only after careful scientific testing.
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Immunization protects other people you care about by not exposing your loved ones with weakened immune systems, or other medical conditions, to vaccine-preventable disease.
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Immunizations can save your family time and money, preventing unnecessary spending on preventable illnesses and time away from school and work.
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Immunizations protect future generations from formerly deadly diseases, such as smallpox, which we no longer vaccinate for because it no longer exists.
For more information about reasons to vaccinate, visit here.
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For more information about our upcoming events or to find out how to RSVP visit our calendar on our website.
IPIHN – Illinois Premature Infant Health Network
ICSHC – Illinois Coalition for School Health Centers
CAIC – Chicago Area Immunization Campaign
CKF-IL – Covering Kids and Families Illinois
CSOB – The Campaign to Save Our Babies
APRIL
April 26
IPIHN Committee Calls
MAY
May 6
ICSHC’s Public Education and Advocacy Committee Meeting
May 6
ICSHC’s Conference Planning Committee Meeting
May 7
Chicago Area Immunization Campaign’s Community Immunization Education Training Session
May 10
IMCHC’s Junior Board Meeting
May 12
ICSHC’s Steering Committee Retreat
May 12
Junior Board Networking Event “Health Reform: What’s in it for Me?”
May 13-14
2010 School Health Center Conference in Springfield
May 14
CAIC’s Community Immunization Education Training Session
May 17
IMCHC’s Chicago Area Chapter Meeting (note date and time change)
May 18
CAIC’s Public Awareness Committee
May 20
ICSHC’s Program Development and Evaluation Committee Meeting
May 26-28
9th National Conference on Immunization and Health Coalitions in Chicago
JUNE
June 3
ICSHC’s Conference Planning Committee Meeting
June 10
ICSHC’s Public Education and Advocacy Committee Meeting
June 11
CAIC’s Community Immunization Education Training Session
June 15
IMCHC’s Annual Meeting at Maggiano’s in Chicago
June 17
ICSHC’s Program Development and Evaluation Committee Meeting
June 18
CAIC’s Community Immunization Education Training Session
June 21
IPIHN Full Meeting at LaRabida Children’s Hospital in Chicago
June 22
CAIC’s Public Awareness Committee Meeting
June 24
IMCHC’s Junior Board June Fundraiser
June 25
CAIC’s Registry Workgroup Meeting
June 26
IMCHC Lake County Chapter Meeting
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