Jessica Lawrence

This is the first blogpost from new guest blogger Jamie Sparks! We are thrilled that Jamie will be a regularly featured blogger for Cairn Guidance. To hear Jamie verbally/visually present this blog post (audio-blog), click here. In March of 2013, I finally gave in and converted to Twitter (@JamieSparksCSH).  It was my second conversion to the world of social media, the other being LinkedIn.  I use both mediums for strictly professional purposes to increase awareness and Read ▸ about Physical Activity Interventions

Last Thursday, the Department for Public Health (DPH), Cabinet for Health and Family Services sponsored their annual conference and you'll NEVER guess what their topic for this year was?? Coordinated School Health (CSH). It got me thinking… I've moved to the right state.DPH Coordinated School Health lead, Victoria Greenwell partnered with Department of Education Coordinated School Health, Jamie Sparks, Todd Davis and Stephanie Bunge (which forms the CSH Team between health and education), Board Read ▸ about 2013 Coordinated School Health Summit, All In for Health & Academic Success

Clinton Foundation's Health Matters Initiative (CHMI) invited me for the third time to facilitate a breakout session at their third Blueprint Meeting. I not only love working with the CHMI team, but it is inspiring meeting local public health stakeholders, experts and advocates. I have had the opportunity to facilitate this process in both Coachella Valley CA and Little Rock AR prior to facilitating Houston's Blueprint Meeting. "The Clinton Health Matters Initiative (CHMI) works to improve Read ▸ about CHMI Houston Blueprint Event

As we open our doors again for work after a three-month bicycle-trip sabbatical, a great opportunity has come our way. I have been asked to serve on the Board of Directors at RMC Health in Colorado. I am honored to have been asked to participate in an advisory roll for this innovative non-profit within the school health field.I initially worked with RMC Health (previously Rocky Mountain Center) when I was working at the Oregon Department of Education (ODE) in 2004. ODE contracted with RMC to Read ▸ about New Opportunity for Cairn Guidance!

Jefferson County Public Schools (JCPS) is the 28th largest school district in the US. And, now it's my local school district in Louisville, Kentucky. I was invited to attend the JCPS Principal Advisory and District Wellness Committee Meeting today. I was incredibly impressed by the organizations and partners in attendance, including a school board member, Family Resource and Youth Services Center representative, PTA, the school counseling lead for the district, food service director, Read ▸ about Jefferson County Public Schools

I choose it. I'm fortunate enough to live anywhere and I picked Louisville.I've been hearing that a lot lately from family, friends, colleagues and even strangers. People that know me are curious to know why a Jewish girl who grew up in CT, went to school in NY and has lived in Portland Oregon for 16 years choose to live in Kentucky.  Read ▸ about What? Why Louisville?

For the first time, I was invited to be part of an expert panel (volunteer) for the Alliance for a Healthier Generation (AHG) in Washington DC at the beautiful Pew Charitable Trust building yesterday! The national advisors from AHG were of course present as were about 20 invited content experts from different areas of school health. It was like a family reunion for me! I walked into the room and was thrilled to see many familiar faces, including close colleagues. We Read ▸ about Alliance for a Healthier Generation Content Expert Meeting

List of grantees. Amazing! OEA Choice Trust hosted their 5th annual Journey to Wellness event in Eugene Oregon yesterday. Over 25 grantees were in attendance. They came together to learn, share and network. The mission of the OEA Choice Trust Wellness Grant Program is to improve the health and well-being of Oregon school employees through grant-making; focusing on empowering and enabling the participants to take responsibility for Read ▸ about Journey to Wellness