SEE BELOW for SPECIAL BACK TO SCHOOL EVENT INFORMATION!!!

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Quit smoking for potential profit!

Indiana promotes second QUIT 2 WIN cessation contest

Governor Mitch Daniels’ INShape Indiana program and Indiana Tobacco Prevention and Cessation recently unveiled an exciting contest to encourage Hoosiers to quit using tobacco products.    

Known as QUIT 2 WIN, the statewide promotional contest is being supported by Clarian Health, a leader in health prevention and wellness, who has offered a $2,500 first prize. Once the winner is determined, the prizes will be awarded later this fall.           

“Smoking is not just a habit, it’s an addiction,” said State Health Commissioner Judy Monroe, M.D.  “We hope the Quit 2 Win contest will motivate other smokers in Indiana to take that same first brave step of deciding that it’s time to quit.”

“For those smokers who are ready to quit, I encourage you to set a date to quit smoking, and then make use of the many resources we have in this state to help you,” said Dr. Monroe.  “Talk to your health care provider, contact the local tobacco control coalition in your county, or visit www.inshape.IN.gov for help.  It’s important to remember that you’re not alone.”

In LaPorte County, free cessation classes are offered at LaPorte Regional Health System’s Wellness Center at the Crossing, 326-2480; at Saint Anthony Memorial, call 877-1557. Also, the Prenatal Substance Use Prevention Program offers cessation support to pregnant women. Call 1-800-897-0007 for information. In addition, smokers may call the free 1-800-QUITNOW line for counseling support.

“There has never been a better time to quit”, said Karla Sneegas, Executive Director, Indiana Tobacco Prevention and Cessation.  “Our local coalitions are ready to help every Hoosier be successful.”

In order to enter the QUIT 2 WIN contest, you must be at least 18 years of age and pledge to stop using tobacco between September 15 and October 15.  All QUIT 2 WIN entries must be received by September 1st. A winner will be drawn at random and tested to make sure they are tobacco-free.

To enter online, simply visit the INShape Indiana Web site at www.inshape.IN.gov and click on the “Quit2Win” icon.  To fill out an entry form locally, visit LaPorte Regional Health System's HealthQuarters, Saint Anthony Memorial, Purdue North Central, LaPorte Library, HealthLinc, Community Health Center, or the LaPorte Health Department.

Anyone that has quit after May 1 is eligible BUT they must have been a daily smoker since at least last October. 

1-800-QUIT-NOW                                                                 

Everyone who is interested in kicking smoking is encouraged to call this 

statewide quitline for free support in quitting, a quit kit of materials and / or referrals to local community resources.  As well as free Nicotine Replacement Therapy products while supplies last. Or directly access the www.indianaquitline.net  web site for assistance. 

In addition, free nicotine patches and gum are available NOW through Healthy Communities of LaPorte County by calling 326-6232. The products are underwritten by a Drug Free Partnership grant.

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COVERING KIDS COUNCIL OFFERING BACK TO SCHOOL EVENTS

Healthy Communities Covering Kids and Families Council will hold its secondspecial Back to School enrollment events in August to sign up eligible children for Hoosier Healthwise, and adults for Healthy Indiana Plan insurance.

On Thursday, August 14, the event will be held at Elston Middle School in Michigan City. In addition to insurance enrollment assistance, refreshments and free school supplies will be offered - first come / first served. A drawing also will be held for a savings bond, donated by National City Bank. Additional sponsors include MDwise, Managed Health Services, Anthem, LaPorte Regional Health System, Saint Anthony Memorial, and Duneland Health Council.

For more information, call Covering Kids & Families Coordinator Cara Logan at 219-210-9147.

Who We Are

The Healthy Communities movement began in the mid-1980s, aiming to spread positive change across the country. Its ambitious goal is to measurably improve residents' health and long-term quality of life.

Healthy Communities of LaPorte County (HCLC) takes a broad view of health, forming new collaborative efforts with individual and organizational partners, and sharing resources to address unmet needs and to build stronger communities.

Our History

The group organized in late 1996 with leadership from LaPorte Regional Health System (LRHS) and LaPorte Hospital Foundation. Saint Anthony Memorial was invited to join the effort, and the two health systems continue to be major supporters of the organization.

The next year, public meetings were sponsored to introduce the Healthy Communities concept and invite participation in the process. The Healthy Communities Initiative advanced to identify unmet health-related needs.

In April of 2000 the group formed plans to expand to a countywide "quality of life" organization and recruited dozens of community leaders to help redefine its direction.

A year later, a full-time director was hired. That fall, "visioning" sessions were held throughout the county to find out what area residents felt were the most important unmet needs. At a countywide meeting in November 2001, results of these meetings and other research assessments were presented, and new priority issues were adopted for the organization.

Since its inception, the number of Healthy Communities' issue councils has quadrupled, to include the important quality of life efforts listed in the column at right.

Early Achievements

• In its early years, Healthy Communities collaborated with 13 organizations and agencies, with major contributions from LaPorte County Public Library, to develop a computer-based Community Information Resource to help people locate needed human services. You can access this database by clicking on the LaPorte County "helping services " box in the upper left corner of this page.
• HCLC also coordinated development of a dental clinic, located within Community Health Center at 400 Teegarden Street, LaPorte, to provide basic dental care for Medicaid beneficiaries, low-income and uninsured county residents.

Where We Are Now

HCLC currently focuses on the following important areas, tackling these topics through a collaborative council structure:

• Health
• Tobacco Prevention and Cessation
• Transportation expansion
• Literacy
• Covering Kids & Families (Hoosier Healthwise and HIP enrollment)

The mission statement of Healthy Communities of LaPorte County is to initiate and support a dynamic community-wide change process that will enable LaPorte County residents to identify, take ownership of, and find solutions to critical issues that impact their emotional, physical and spiritual health, and hence, the overall quality of life in LaPorte County.

Call 326-6232 to find out how you can contribute to Healthy Communities' vision.