labama’s Nurse Family Partnership Programreceived word that it has been granted fundingtotaling $360,000. The program provides home

visits to low-income first time parents from pregnancythrough their child’s second birthday. It operates in areas 7and 10 with funding from Temporary Assistance to NeedyFamilies.

Nurse home visitors work with low income, first timeteen mothers to improve pregnancy outcomes, preventfuture unplanned pregnancies and promote a positivematernal life course. Participation in the intensive programis strictly voluntary. Alabama’s participants are quite high-risk in that 89 percent are teens and participants are mainlyAfrican American and poor.

Nurses associated with the program have sponsoredspecial events such as hosting baby showers forparticipants, publishing quarterly newsletters and awardingcertificates of completion to graduates.

Even though the Nurse Family Partnership Programonly began in 2000, it has proved successful already, andwill receive $180,000 to continue. Joyce Conn, the WestAlabama coordinator, relayed a few recent success storiesin the program’s colorful quarterly newsletter.

For example, one graduate is continuing her collegeeducation at Mississippi State University majoring inbiology with a career goal of veterinary medicine. Shehopes to attend Tuskegee University. In Sumter Countyfive participants attended a Heartsaver CPR training class.

A Marengo County family has enjoyed raising twinboys, now 17 months old. Although the task was dauntingat first, they have received plenty of support from familyand friends. Both of the twins’ parents have jobs; the

mother works in the evening and the father in the day. Atnight the father and his sister keep the boys while theirmother is away. In Wilcox County several high schoolseniors enrolled in the program have applied for collegescholarships.

In Public Health Area 10 the program was funded$180,000 to continue serving young women in Houstonand Barbour counties, and to add a program in Henry/Dalecounties. Each year of the grant the program is evaluatedby the National Center for Children, Families andCommunities at the University of Colorado.

The evaluation report compares Alabama’s program toother Nurse Family Partnership programs across the U.S.

Public Health Area 10 Nursing Director Eileen Rogersreported the highlights from this year’s report:

• Alabama Nurse Family Partnership participantshad a repeat pregnancy rate of 0 percent at 6months postpartum and 3 percent at one yearpostpartum. Nationally the NFP repeat pregnancyrates were 4 percent at 6 months and 13 percent at1 year.

• Although the overall prematurity rate was higherin Alabama than nationally the race-specific ratesdemonstrated that Alabama’s African Americanprematurity rate of 11.3 percent in NFPparticipants was lower than the rate of prematurityin African American NFP participants nationally(12.1 percent).

• Immunization completion rates for Alabama’sNFP participants’ infants were 94 to 100 percent

ALABAMA’S

HEALTHA PUBLICATION OF THE ALABAMA DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH

VOLUME 36 NUMBER 12 AUGUST 2003

Nurse Family Partnership home visitation programachieves success

Nurse...................................................continued on page 2

August 20032

A l a b a m a ’s Health is an official monthly publication of the Alabama Department of Public Health, Bureau of Health Promotion and Chronic Disease. If you would like to receive the publication or wish to submitinformation for future articles, please telephone requests to (334) 206-5300. Articles may be reprinted provided credit is given to the Alabama Department of Public Health. The department’s web site is< h t t p : / / w w w. a d p h . o rg >

Donald E. Williamson, M.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . State Health Off i c e r

Jim McVa y, Dr. P. A . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . D i r e c t o r, Bureau of Health Promotion and Chronic Disease

Arrol Sheehan, M.A. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . E d i t o r

Takenya Stokes, J.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Contributing Editor

Toni Prater . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Graphic Designer

Marion Wi l f o r d . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P h o t o g r a p h e r

Informational materials in alternative formats will be made available upon request..

ALABAMA’S HEALTH

Alabama Department of Public HealthMission

To serve the people of Alabama by assuring conditions in which they can be healthy.Value Statement

The purpose of the Alabama Department of Public Health is to provide caring, high quality and professional services for the improvement andprotection of the public’s health through disease prevention and the assurance of public health services to resident and transient populations of thestate regardless of social circumstances or the ability to pay.

The Department of Public Health works closely with the community to preserve and protect the public’s health and to provide caring qualityservices.

by 1 year of age.• There were statistically significant increases in the

number of Alabama NFP participants working at 6and 12 months of infant age as compared toprogram entry; and no significant change inschool enrollment. Nationally, NFP participantsshowed significant decreases in school enrollmentat 6 and 12 months of infant age.

• There were significant increases in the use ofWIC, TANF and Food Stamps over programintake in the Alabama NFP program.

Ms. Rogers said, “I think the data as well as thewonderful stories we hear form the nurses show what adifference the NFP nurses are making in the lives ofunmarried pregnant women in the state.”

A nurse in Barbour County said that four of herpatients are now in junior college. One of these was a 16-year-old who dropped out of high school, was encouragedto get her GED, and is now attending junior college.Another patient attends the University of Alabama atBirmingham.

In Houston County one NFP participant is pursuing acareer in the U.S. Air Force. Many participants havegraduated from high school and are employed.

“These are real achievements for these young women,and fulfills one of the Nurse Family Partnership goals ofhelping these women create a vision for their futures and

become self sufficient.”The Nurse-Family Partnership represents a highly

refined approach to home visiting. Specifically, theprogram achieves three important objectives:

(1) Improves pregnancy outcomes by helping womenpractice sound health-related behaviors. These includeobtaining good prenatal care from their physicians,improving diet, and reducing use of cigarettes, alcohol andillegal drugs.

(2) Improves child health and development by helpingparents provide more responsible and competent care fortheir children.

(3) Improves families’ economic self-sufficiency byhelping parents develop a vision for their own future, planfuture pregnancies, continue their education, and find jobs.

The program addresses women’s health behaviorsrelated to substance abuse and nutrition, which helpimprove pregnancy outcomes. After delivery, the emphasisis on family caregiving for infants and toddlers to preventchild maltreatment and injury. The program focuses onpreventing unintended pregnancies, school drop out,failure to find work and welfare dependence. The programenhances informal support for families.

Throughout the course of the program, there is aconsistent focus on the five domains of family functioning:

ALABAMA’S HEALTH

Nurse.........................................continued from page 1

Nurse....................................................continued on page 9

ALABAMA’S HEALTH August 20033

William B. Johnston, D.V.M.r. William Benjamin Johnston, 56, state publichealth veterinarian for the past 10 years, diedAug. 4 after a brief illness.

In notifying health department employees, Dr. CharlesWoernle, assistant state health officer for disease controland prevention, noted Dr. Johnston’s uncommon“enthusiasm, creativity and wit.” He added, “Bill initiatedmany worthwhile programs to reduce the likelihood ofpeople becoming sick from animals. He’ll always beremembered for his exceptional knowledge and hiscongenial, uplifting personality. We’ll all miss him.”

“Bill Johnston was an innovator, a leader, acommunicator who loved people, and a professional whocared deeply about his community and state,” said Dr.Donald Williamson, state health officer.

A graduate of Auburn University with B.S. and D.V.M.degrees, he had a private veterinary practice for sevenyears, while also serving as an instructor in chemistry,anatomy and physiology at Snead State Junior College anda county rabies inspector.

He was a veterinary medical officer from 1980 to 1985and an animal industry veterinarian from 1985 to 1993. Healso served for four years as a consultant/inspector for theAlabama State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners.

Dr. Johnston was on the team of national leadersworking on planning efforts to control raccoon rabies withoral rabies vaccination. He also coordinated and publishedin the Journal of the American Veterinary MedicalAssociation in 1996 a national survey of rabies controlprocedures, and was board certified by the AmericanCollege of Veterinary Preventive Medicine. Dr. Johnstonserved as president of the National Association of StatePublic Health Veterinarians and as president of theAlabama Veterinary Medicine Association. He was namedthat association’s Veterinarian of the Year in 1998, andheld many other positions of leadership.

Among the many programs with which he workedwere a West Nile virus surveillance project and rabiescontrol. Dr. Johnston was praised for his high degree ofprofessionalism and his accessibility to both veterinariansand the general public.

Others remember his kindness and generosity to co-workers, such as his frequent donations of sick leave toother employees. Administrative Assistant Joan McGoughsaid Dr. Johnston made these donations regardless ofwhether he knew the recipient.

The president of the National Association of StatePublic Health Veterinarians, Millicent Eidson, MA, DVM,

DACVPM, of New York, in communicating withveterinary colleagues praised him for his “courage, humorand support for those around him.”

Dr. Eidson said, “He was a great example to new andold public health practitioners alike, on how to balancescience with policy, and how to work with others to getthings done. He was incredibly smart and insightful onissues, very passionate about protecting public health, buthe was one of those special people who knew how topersuade others to his point of view with his southerncharm. Whenever you saw him, he was ready with a grinand a hug.”

She continued, “Even after he became ill, he was stillhelping and encouraging others, ending notes with‘You’re my hero!’ or ‘You’re the greatest.’ Of course, hiscolleagues feel those accolades really apply to him.”

Survivors include his wife of 36 years, Lynette DanielJohnston; son Charles Daniel Johnston; and daughter, JulieJohnston Stone; three grandchildren; mother DorothyNelson Johnston; brother, Robert Foster Johnston; andsister, Mary Johnston Haney.

Memorials may be made to the Auburn UniversityFoundation College of Veterinary Medicine, 317 S.College St., Auburn, Ala. 36849; or his beloved church,First United Methodist Church of Wetumpka, 306 W.Tuskeena St., Wetumpka, Ala. 36092.

Dr. Johnston is shown with his dog Eclair.

ALABAMA’S HEALTH August 20034

Unwed pregnancy prevention program working to change lives

etween 1960 and 2000,the percent of births tounmarried mothers in

Alabama almost tripled from 11.6percent to 34.3 percent. Toaddress the issue of unwed birthsin the state the AlabamaDepartment of Public Health inpartnership with the Alabama

Department of Human Resources created the AlabamaUnwed Pregnancy Prevention Program with the goal ofreducing unwed births and encouraging responsiblebehavior among women of childbearing age. Since itsinception the program has assisted more than 21,000persons in 22 counties in Alabama.

“Before this program there were pockets of activitiessupported by communities to address the teen pregnancyproblem, statewide, whether it was trying to provideactivities for youth that focused on targeting teenpregnancy directly or indirectly. The problem was thatmost of these small agencies/organizations never had asteady stream of funding. Therefore, would start and thenstop and then eventually try to start again. With thisprogram we are now able to give these communitiesmoney so that they can continue their work,” said PhyllisGilchrist, director of the Alabama Unwed PregnancyPrevention Program in the Bureau of Family HealthServices.

Gilchrist began the project in January 1999 afterreceiving bonus funds through the Temporary Assistancefor Needy Families welfare block program. Alabama wasone of five states to receive the out-of-wedlock bonusbased on a decrease in unwed births and reduced abortionrates. The program focuses primarily on teens and womenage 19-25.

The first step for the program was the funding of 30-plus projects statewide. Then the program launched amedia campaign that included four primetime publicservice announcements encouraging parents and teens tohave better communication. A hotline was developed thatallows teens and parents to call to receive material andinformation on pregnancy prevention and abstinence.

“The hotline provides information to teens and parents.Teens who call the hotline are mailed information onabstinence and are encouraged to have their parents callthe hotline for additional information. Parents and othercaregiving adults are provided with information toeffectively communicate with youth, and are encouraged

to share their values and expectation with teens. Youngpeople are smart; they just need the right information tomake the appropriate right decisions,” said Gilchrist. Through AUPPP, funding has been provided to over 30community-based projects throughout the state. Theseprojects follow a variety of different methods and areoffered through different types of organizations such aschurches, schools, county health departments and countyagencies.

“We let the communities decide what they want topresent to their communities. If they want to teachabstinence only or talk about a combination of bothabstinence and contraception methods, it’s up to them. Wefeel that these organizations know and understand whattheir communities need better than we do,” said Gilchrist.

In addition to the community-based projects, AUPPP isworking with the University of Alabama at Birmingham todevelop a Web-based resource directory of services andagencies in Alabama that addresses the issues surroundingunwed pregnancy. AUPPP also provides funding for aproject with the Auburn University Cooperative ExtensionSystem to assess community opinions and determine why19-25-year-old women, who have the highest number ofunwed pregnancies, are deciding not to marry. The study’saim is to develop cultural and county appropriate strategiesfor encouraging a decline of unwed pregnancies in this agegroup.

Through AUPPP funds, the Alabama Campaign toPrevent Teen Pregnancy was established, along with twolocal campaigns located in Tuscaloosa and Montgomery.These campaigns are patterned after the NationalCampaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy, a nonprofit,nonpartisan organization located in Washington, D.C., thataddresses teen pregnancy from a national perspective.

“We’ve also provided funds to the Alabama Chapter ofthe American Academy of Pediatrics to support its effortsin assisting pediatricians improve their skills in assessingadolescents.

“In addition to providing funds, we have held severalworkshops and conferences to provide current informationand teaching materials for agencies and organizations toimplement within their programs,”

Recently AUPPP funded and participated in theproduction of the publication titled “Births to UnwedMothers in Alabama,” a detailed statistical analysis ofunwed births in the state that serves as a tool to involvethose who may be unaware of the depths of the problem in

Pregnancy............................................continued on page 5

ALABAMA’S HEALTH August 20035

Alabama. Also AUPPP funded and collaborated with other state

agencies, public and private, in the production of thepublication “What Childbearing Costs the State,” adetailed cost analysis of the economic impact of teenpregnancy and unwed pregnancy in Alabama. Bothpublications are excellent resources for legislators,educators, counselors, medical personnel, and anyone whois concerned about unwed and teen pregnancy.

“We are gradually seeing the rate of unwed birthsdecrease in the state, without an increase in abortions andthat’s a very positive thing. It’s just a very slow process,but things are changing in the state,” said Gilchrist.

For more information and to download copies of thepublications please visit the AUPPP Web site atwww.adph.org/AUPPP, or contact Phyllis Gilchrist at 334-206-5675, Pgilchrist@adph.state.al.us.

By TAKENYA STOKES

Pregnancy..................continued from page 4

Retired employee celebrates 100th birthdayuly 10 was a special day for Mabel Bennett, a formeremployee who retired in 1965 and worked for theBureau of Vital Statistics which is now known as the

Center for Health Statistics. This day marked her 100thbirthday. Family and friends gathered to celebrate thismomentous event with this bright, lovely lady.

In 2008, which is only five years away, the Center forHealth Statistics will also celebrate 100 years of servicesince 1908 when the Office of Vital Statistics was formed.Members of the Center for Health Statistics staff signedseveral large birthday cards for Mrs. Bennett’s birthdayand State Health Officer, Dr. Donald Williamson, andState Registrar Dorothy Harshbarger signed a certificaterecognizing Mrs. Bennett.

Donna Little, director of the Administrative ServicesDivision, and Bill Duke, director of the Records ServicesDivision, ensured that Mrs. Bennett received her much duerecognition from the department. Ms. Little discussedsome of the changes that have taken place at the Centerover the years concerning computers and technology usedin the issuance of vital records.

Records maintained by the Office of Personnel andStaff Development confirmed that Mabel Bennett was first

employed onMarch 16, 1941,and retiredeffective Oct. 29, 1965, as aclerk typist.

When asked,“What is the secretto a long life?”Mrs. Bennettanswered, “Mydear mother andfather tried to instillin us a love of thegood Lord, and thatthere is anappointed time foreach of us. I’vealways heard thatgodliness andcontentment aregreat gain.”

Her granddaughter remarked that Mrs. Bennett istotally unselfish and is easy to live with. Mrs. Bennett’sdaughter, Betty Janney, with whom she lives, agreed, “Shehas been tractable all her life.” Mrs. Bennett and herhusband had been married just under 60 years when hedied 21 years ago.

Health wise, Mrs. Bennett recounted that she neversmoked or drank alcohol. She worked in the old VitalStatistics office on Dexter Avenue. Physical activity alsopaid off. Instead of riding the bus to shop downtownduring her lunch hours, she enjoyed walking to the storesseveral blocks away. Her co-workers teased her about themoney she saved on the five-cent bus fares. Sheconcluded, “I just tried to live simply and not overdo.”

After her initial career as housewife and mother, Mrs.Bennett read in the newspaper in 1941 that the stateclerical examination was being given. Mrs. Bennett tookthe exam and accepted employment at a pay rate of $80per month (50 cents an hour). She remembers withaffection Chief Clerk Olivia McNair who was an excellentworker who subsequently became one of her best friends.

Despite all the intervening years, she has manymemories of the past. At that time photostatic copies ofbirth and death certificates cost 50 cents each. Waiting

Mrs. Mabel Bennett

Bennett.................................................continued on page 6

ALABAMA’S HEALTH August 20036

Bennett.....................................continued from page 5rooms and drinking fountains were segregated by race. Dr.D.G. Gill then was state health officer.

Mrs. Bennett’s chief work responsibility was ascorrections clerk. In the 40s, the records vault was locateddownstairs in an old wood-frame residence which hadbeen converted into offices. The records vault spannedfrom floor to ceiling, and a maid and porter would pull theheavy bound volumes for the clerical staff and send themthrough a dumbwaiter. But to expedite her worksometimes she would climb the ladder to retrieve thevolumes herself. After her long years of coding countiesby number, she can still recall the names of all 67Alabama counties in order. She was employed there whenthe bureau moved to the new air-conditioned State OfficeBuilding.

Mrs. Bennett’s descendents include her daughter, threegrandchildren, and eight great grandchildren. For herbirthday all of them came from Texas, Georgia andAlabama for the surprise celebration. Her 100th birthdaywas announced on television stations in Birmingham andMontgomery, and she received a stack of birthday cardsfrom far and wide.

Mrs. Bennett is the daughter of Lucinda and GeorgeBrunson and a native of Luverne in Crenshaw County. Shemarried Aubrey Graham Bennett after he graduated fromAuburn University in 1922. He was an electrical engineerwith Western Railways.

Mrs. Bennett remembers the horse and buggy days, thesinking of the Titanic, the Great Depression, many great

inventions, and numerous presidents over the past century.During the Great Depression, her residence became apopular spot for respite. She recalls cooking many abreakfast for people who were unemployed and hungry. Infact, they learned that destitute people had marked arrowsin chalk on the sidewalk directing those in need from thestreet car line to their home.

The Bennett’s lived in the same house on FederalDrive in Montgomery for 50 years. Later, Mrs. Bennettlived with their daughter in Alabaster. Mother anddaughter now have returned to reside in the same area ofMontgomery. She has been a member of Capitol HeightsUnited Methodist Church for over 76 years.

fter she became eligible for Social Security she filedher paperwork for retirement, but then State RegistrarRalph Roberts convinced her to work a couple of monthslonger.

She has drawn a state retirement check for the past 38years, even though she only worked for the state for 24years. Although her vision has failed her, she enjoyslistening to game shows on television. She has neverwatched a soap opera. Her keen mind remains alert, she isquite a conversationalist and she is loved by all.

Mrs. Bennett’s daughter said that the entire family isvery appreciative of the citation and cards from the healthdepartment. They were particularly amused that oneemployee wrote on the card, “We have an opening; comeon back.”

In memory of Georgia Ann Heberteorgia Ann Hebert of the Division of Health CareFacilities died in Montgomery July 26 after a longillness. Mrs. Hebert was first employed with the

Department of Public Health in June of 1988, and firstworked as a nursing supervisor in the Montgomery CountyHealth Department. In February of 1990, she transferred towhat was then the Division of Licensure and Certification.She served as a nursing home surveyor, a complaintsurveyor, an assisted living surveyor, an assisted livingunit director, and, finally, as a field and classroom trainerfor other surveyors.

“She was known to all of us as a person of integrity,wit, and strength of character. Those who were with hernear the end report that her faith never wavered,” saidRick Harris, director of the Bureau of Health ProviderStandards.

In a eulogy to Mrs. Hebert, Harris praised her strongskills in conducting complaint investigations at assistedliving facilities. He found her to be “someone with astrong voice and a strong will who demanded to be heard.”Harris noted, “The people who do the kind of workGeorgia Ann did, who go into nursing homes and healthcare facilities and who see week in and week out thehuman suffering that is caused by greed and incompetencecan easily become cynical. We become so disappointed, sotraumatized by what we see and learn that we simply giveup and expect the worst from others. We lose our faith, welose our hope, and we lose our ability to love.

“But that never happened to Georgia Ann, and I reallythink it was because she was so stubborn. She witnessedsome indescribably terrible things happening to vulnerable

Mrs. Hebert.........................................continued on page 8

ALABAMA’S HEALTH August 20037

Garden adds art and memories to Pine Applewalking trail

ine Apple residents will not only be able to stop andsmell the flowers these days, but also take a strolldown memory lane courtesy of a newly created

garden in their neighborhood. Artist Christine Goetz’screation, “Grandmother’s Garden,” recently added to thePine Apple Walking trail features a look into a ruralgrandmother’s home complete with table, chairs, pots andpans, window and door. A vegetable and flower gardenoutline the makeshift home and a clothesline helps add

even more authenticity.Goetz is a Catholic artist and retired art teacher from

New Mexico who learned about the Pine Applecommunity from a public television special reporting onDr. Roseanne Cook and her work at the Pine Apple Clinic.She decided that she wanted to bring art to the community.Once she arrived in Pine Apple she was inspired to createthe memory garden after gathering recollections from localcitizens about their grandmothers’ homes.

The idea coincided perfectly with Sister KathyNavarra’s desire to have some landscaping done to thetrail. Sister Kathy is a community outreach worker withEdmundite Missions who works in the Pine Applecommunity,

“Christine really brought the community together onthis project,” said Sister Kathy. “Everything in the gardenwas donated. And we have volunteers from the communitywho come out and help maintain the garden.”

The garden is literally filled with memories of thecommunity. Residents from Pine Apple brought Goetz

items from their family homes such as tables, chairs andwheelbarrows. To add even more of a communityconnection to the project, commemorative stones with thenames of residents’ grandmothers were included.

The trail is the result of a rural community healthinitiative sponsored by the University of Alabama atBirmingham. It is a quarter of a mile with motivationalsigns located along the trail and surrounded by mostlywooded area. The memory garden provides a welcomescenery change for walkers that includes all members ofthe community.

“Christine wanted to show people that art is more thanjust drawing. She wanted people to see that art is anappreciation of everything around you,” said Sister Kathy.

The walking trail is just one the many projects thathave been completed in the Pine Apple community. Someof the other projects the community center offers includedan Arthritis Self-Help Course coordinated by the AlabamaDepartment of Public Health, the Alabama Chapter of theArthritis Foundation and the University of Alabama; afarmer’s market sponsored by the Alabama Department ofPublic Health’s Cardiovascular Health Program; and aWalk! Alabama program sponsored by the AlabamaCooperative Extension System.

“The community has truly appreciated the walkingtrail. We have elderly that come out here to walk as well asyoung people. Some come early in the morning and otherscome late at night. It’s a safe place for residents to walk,”said Sister Kathy.

By TAKENYA STOKES

Sister Kathy stands at the doorway to “Grandmother’sGarden.”

Artist Christine Goetz wanted to bring art to Pine Apple.

ALABAMA’S HEALTH August 20038

Speaking of RetirementCheck with the RSA

he RSA has become increasingly aware thatprivate, “for profit” companies are advertising theyhave “retirement experts” or “retirement

specialists” who can advise public school teachers andpublic employees on their retirement plans. These areprivate companies seeking to sell financial services and, inturn, make a substantial profit from your account. Whilethey may know the plan they are marketing, they do notknow the details of the RSA plans. You should not relyupon their “expert” advice with respect to TRS, ERS, JRF,PEIRAF or RSA-1. Please be aware that these companiesdo not represent the RSA and cannot know our plans northe laws and regulations the way our counselors do. If anyof these private plans or their employees tell you that theyrepresent the RSA, please call us immediately and adviseus of that fact.

The Best Way To Contact A Retirement Counselor!

Phone number: 334-832-4140 or 800-214-2158Division Extension E-mail addressTRS 499 trsinfo@rsa.state.al.usERS 399 ersinfo@rsa.state.al.usRSA-1, PEIRAF 299 rsa1info@rsa.state.al.us

The RSA counselors are available 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.Monday through Friday to answer your questions andadvise you with respect to your retirement accounts. RSAissues numerous publications explaining our programs andthese publications may be found on our Web site atwww.rsa.state.al.us. The RSA conducts retirementplanning seminars and personal counseling sessions (alsolisted on the Web site) throughout the state on a regularbasis. Individuals may make appointments for personalcounseling in our offices or may simply drop in duringregular business hours for counseling with respect to theirretirement accounts.

If you have a question about one of our retirementplans or about your personal account, CHECK WITH THERSA.

Prepared by the Communications staff of the RetirementSystems of Alabama. To have your questions answered in“Speaking of Retirement”, please address them to MikePegues, Communications, Retirement Systems of Alabama,135 South Union St., P. O. Box 302150, Montgomery,Ala. 36130-2150.

elderly people. I know, because I read her reports. But shenever gave up on others.

“Without any objective reason to do so, she alwaysexpected the best. Without any empirical evidence tosupport her beliefs, she always held onto her hope that ourefforts would have a positive result. She never lost sight ofwhat brings us to this work in the first place, which is agenuine sense of caring and love for the residents andpatients we are charged with protecting.”

Mrs. Hebert “had rigorous expectations” about thequality of care that nursing homes and assisted livingfacilities should deliver to their residents and was stubbornand uncompromising in handling difficult cases.

Survivors include her husband, Richard, son, Brian,daughter, Debbie, and three grandchildren.

Mrs. Hebert.............continued from page 6 Retirees

Note of thanks

he following employees retired effective Aug. 1:

Joyce Wiginton - Marion County Health DepartmentRebecca Hall - Health Care FacilitiesEvelyn Johnson - Health Care Facilities

inda and H.E. Harrison wish to thank current andformer Health Department staff for theirexpressions of sympathy in the recent loss of his

daughter, Kim S. Harrison.

ALABAMA’S HEALTH August 20039

Training provided in new National Women’s andMinority Health Database

he U.S. Department of Health and HumanServices’Office on Women’s Health has funded aproject to develop a new national women’s and

minority health database. The goal of the project is toprovide state and local public health agencies with reliablecomparative data for monitoring health status changes,

developing grant proposals, and performing other programand policy related tasks.

This database will provide a single source of capturing“extensive health data by age, race/ethnicity and sex.” It isa Microsoft Access database with mapping ability.

The data used in the database include national, stateand county levels of data. The outcomes expected fromthis database development project are as follows:* HHS Regional Health Status Indicators Books* Regional Women’s and Minority Health Status

Indicators Database on CD* On-site training in how to use the Database and* An Internet-based National Database

Staff from the Computer Systems Center assisted withset-up for the training session held July 31 in Montgomery.In addition to training health department employees,representatives from state universities, the Department ofHuman Resources, the Cooperative Extension System andthe Department of Mental Health/Mental Retardation

participated in the day-long session.The contracting company’s consultants provided

training to each participant present through demonstrationsduring hands on exercises using laptop computersprovided by their consulting company. Database CDs andHealth Status Indicator books will be available through theAlabama Department of Public Health’s Office ofWomen’s Health.

For more information contact Jessica Hardy, M.P.H.,Director, Office of Women’s Health, Office of Professionaland Support Services, (334) 206-5665, e-mail jhardy@adph.state.al.us.

Participants were provided hands on training in a databasewith mapping ability.

Attending the session were Jessica Hardy, ADPH Officeof Women’s Health director; Alfred Meltzer, consultant,Quality Resource Systems, Inc.; Annie Brayboy Fair,U.S.Department of Health & Human Services, Office ofWomen’s Health/Region IV; and Gwen Lipscomb,director, ADPH Office of Minority Health.

Nurse.........continued from page 2

• Health (physical and mental health)• Home and neighborhood environment• Family and friend support• Parental role• Life course (pregnancy planning, education and

employment)The nurses involve the mother’s support system

including family members. They help families use otherhealth and human services they may need.

ALABAMA’S HEALTH August 200310

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• You can link data fromdifferent Lotus 1-2-3workbooks so thatinformation only needs to beupdated once.

• Lotus 1-2-3's smartfill featurecan copy formulas to othercells changing the relevantreferences.

• In Lotus 1-2-3, you can createquery tables to find only theinformation you need in aparticular workbook.

• You can create labels fromexisting Lotus Approachdatabases.

• By joining two or more relatedApproach databases, you can share the informationcontained in both eliminatingduplicate data entry.

• You can create simple formletters using Approachdatabases.

FREE TRAINING!Beginning in September we will offer free Lotus SmartSuite training

(Lotus Word Pro, 1-2-3, Approach and Freelance Graphics).

■ Training will take place inthe RSA Tower.

■ Class size is limited to 10per session.

■ Participants will receive auser manual and trainingcertificate.

■ Training will use a mobileclassroom – training cancome to you!

■ There will be two levels oftraining – beginner andadvanced.

■ Classes can be customizedfor different programs,bureaus, etc.

■ Standard training – 2 day sessions.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:The Lotus Users Group Member for your Bureauor send an email to csctraining@adph.state.al.us

ALABAMA’S HEALTH August 200311

ealth department employeeswho are listed here havereceived letters of

commendation recently. To recognizeother employees, please send lettersthrough your supervisors or the statehealth officer to Alabama’s Health.

Jamie BoyleHome and Community Services

From Ronald GrantlandDecatur, Ala.

Linda BoldingCenter for Health Statistics

From Catherine SlagleAddress unlisted

Beverly Jo CarswellOffice of Radiation Control

From Guida Rothstein, RTRMAthens, Ala.

Kathryn ChapmanCenter for Health Statistics

From Robert BrantleyMontgomery, Ala.

Jacqueline GiddensHome and Community Services

From Nancy HeadleyMontgomery, Ala.

Liz GordonCenter for Health Statistics

From Mirenda BentonAddress unlisted

Annie GreenCenter for Health Statistics

From Otha TuckerHuntsville, Ala.

Tricia HartleyWalker County Health Department

From Mary Anne SeelJasper, Ala.

Nicole HendersonCenter for Health Statistics

From Essie SimmonsMontgomery, Ala.

Evelyn JacksonCenter for Health Statistics

From Barbara J. McCantsDetroit, Mich.

Cathy MolchanCenter for Health Statistics

From Steven SchwartzAddress unlisted

Nick MossVideo Communications

From N. William LayfieldMobile, Ala.

Kathie PetersCenter for Health Statistics

From Anika LanierAddress unlisted

Karen RaspberryCenter for Health Statistics

From Debbie L. DriverMuskegon, Mich.And from Rachel P. MaddoxAddress unlisted

Joann RobinsonCenter for Health Statistics

From Probate Judge HaglerPaul WilsonAddresses unlisted

Betty StricklandCenter for Health Statistics

From Helen JonesAddress unlisted

Wendy WashingtonCenter for Health Statistics

From Johnnie and Lyn HarrisAddress unlisted

Marion WilfordCommunications & Social Marketing

From Amanda CalhounAuburn, Ala.

Commendations

August 200312

August 20 Medicaid Eligibility Update, For Alabama Case Managers, 10-11:30 a.m. For moreinformation contact Priscilla Miles, (334) 242-5658.

August 26 ICD-9-CM Coding Update, 2-4 p.m. For more information contact JaniceMcIntosh, (334) 347-2664, extension 400.

August 27 Preconception Counseling, Public Health Staff Development, 2-4 p.m. For moreinformation contact Annie Vosel, (334) 206-2959.

September 17 HIV and Females, Public Health Staff Development, 2-4 p.m. For moreinformation contact Debbie Thomasson, (334) 206-5648.

September 24 Home Health Aide and Home Attendant Continuing Education, 2-4 p.m. For moreinformation contact Janice McIntosh, (334) 347-2664, extension 400.

September 30 Steps to Success in Community-Based HIV/AIDS Prevention Program: How toDetermine Who is at Risk and Why (Module 1 of 3), 1-3 p.m. For moreinformation contact Video Communications Division, (334) 206-5618.

October 2 ADPH Statewide Staff Meeting, 3-4 p.m. For more information contact JimMcVay, Dr.P.A., (334) 206-5600.

October 3 Nurse Practitioner Billing and Reimbursement, time to be announced. For moreinformation contact Genelle Lee, Alabama Board of Nursing, (334) 242-4184.

October 8 HIV and Pharmacology, Public Health Staff Development, 2-4 p.m. For moreinformation contact Debbie Thomasson, (334) 206-5648.

October 29 Bessie Brooks Seminar, Home Health Aide and Home Attendant ContinuingEducation, 2-4 p.m. For more information contact Janice McIntosh, (334) 347-2664, extension 400.

Calendar of Events

ALABAMA’S HEALTH