Children's Health, Events & Funding

The six-day CDC Knight Public Health Journalism Boot Camp is designed to equip journalists to explain and analyze the critical health issues of the day, including the potential for epidemics after a natural catastrophe such as the recent hurricanes or the rise of a deadly new virus such as avian influenza. Participants learn how to read clinic studies and ask the right questions of scientists and public health policy makers. There is also a tour of CDC's world-renowned labs. The 2006 Boot Camp will be held June 25-June 30, 2006, in Decatur, Georgia. The program is open to any journalist, whether print, online or broadcast, interested in learning more about public health science. Fifteen journalists receive housing, per diem and partial meal allowance. Participants are required to finance their own transportation to and from camp.
Deadline: March 15, 2006

Nominations are open for the Purpose Prize, five $100,000 investments in Americans over the age of sixty who are combining their passion, creativity, experience, and entrepreneurial skills to tackle issues of social significance. The program will also honor sixty semi-finalists ("60 at 60+") for their social innovations. To be eligible for the prize, the nominee must be at least 60 years old, a U.S. resident, and currently working in a leadership capacity in an organization or institution (public, private, nonprofit, or for-profit) to address a major social problem. Self-nominations accepted. Application information on-line.
Deadline: February 28, 2006

The Association of Health Care Journalists (AHCJ) honors excellence in health care reporting. Reporters from radio and TV may submit as many entries as they would like, but no entry can have more than three authors. First place award is $500, plus travel expenses to the annual conference. Certificates will be awarded for second place and honorable mention. Entry fee: $40 AHCJ members, $60 non-members. Categories, entry forms and FAQs on the Web site.
QUICK Deadline: January 6, 2006

The Partnership for a Walkable America has a whole lot of ideas about why your community should take part in this year's International Walk to School Week. They'll also help you do it. In addition, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation has some great info available on Designing Walkable Neighborhoods at http://www.rwjf.org/news/video/walkabilityTV.jhtml.

The Channing Bete Company through their Youth Matters program, publishes a list of funding opportunities related to positive youth development in the areas of health and safety, community development, and education. A brief sampling of grants found specific funding for schools, radio and TV stations, and non-profit organizations to provide services to rural, underserved, and homeless youth in mental health, pregnancy prevention, tobacco education, health and fitness. Grantors ranged from federal projects to private companies such as Albertson's and Starbucks. Definitely worth the read.

The LInCS Fund (Local Independents Collaborating with Stations) provides incentive or matching moneys ($10,000-$75,000) to partnerships between public television stations and independent producers. Single shows in any genre (including documentary, drama, animation or innovative combinations) will be considered. Projects may be in any stage of development.
For additional information email Elizabeth_Meyer@itvs.org or call 415-356-8383 x270.

Connect for Kids has compiled an on-line calendar containing campaigns for kids and families, annual conferences of many national organizations focused on family and child health, education, and welfare, and other opportunities to get involved.