eInsights - July 2009
 SBA Prevention Program – Get Involved
The Spina Bifida Association’s (SBA) mission is to promote the prevention of Spina Bifida and to enhance the lives of all affected. To that end, SBA’s Prevention Program is a tool designed to reach the over 65 million women of childbearing age with information on folic acid while increasing public awareness of Spina Bifida.
In May of 2009, Adriane Griffen, SBA’s Director of Health Promotion and Partnerships, joined Rita Evans, Board Member of SBA of Georgia, for a program training of Nutrition Extension Service Agents at the University of Georgia.
The University of Georgia is one of more than 100 colleges and universities which comprise the nation's Land-Grant University System under the USDA’s Cooperative Extension Service. A land-grant college or university is an institution that has been designated by its state legislature or the United States Congress to receive unique federal support. The University of Georgia’s Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP) helps families with children learn how to eat healthier meals and snacks, stretch their food dollars, and reduce the risk of food-borne illness.
Approximately 15 of Georgia’s Nutrition Extension Service Agents, who work on a regional and county level, have now successfully completed SBA’s Prevention Program training and now will integrate folic acid counseling into their interactions with women and their families. SBA hopes to expand this partnership with the USDA so that SBA Chapters in other regions may connect with their respective Land-Grant University System in an effort to reach out to more women and families.
Reinforcing the prevention message
Research says that individuals need to hear something eight times before the message is really received. Realizing this, it is critical that SBA Chapters consistently share information on what Spina Bifida is and how folic acid reduces the risk. Collectively our Chapters need to reinforce our awareness messages in our communities as much as possible.
You never know when your communication might be the eighth one that gets this information to stick!
Want to get involved?
Work with your local Chapter to conduct a Prevention Program presentation.
What are the possible venues for prevention programs?
(You know your community better than anyone but here are some possible venues for Prevention Programs.)
- Human Resource departments at businesses
- Chambers of Commerce (including the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce)
- Gym/fitness centers
- Beauty salons
- Grocery stores
- High school/college leadership groups
- Residential life (dormitory leadership, or teachers and staff)
How do I get program materials?
SBA Chapters have the program materials and could use dedicated volunteers to help share this program in the community. For additional assistance with your Prevention Program, please contact Adriane Griffen at agriffen@sbaa.org or 800-621-3141 ext. 13.
If you would like to provide feedback, please email eInsights@sbaa.org.
Want to review past eInsights stories? Visit our archive.
eInsights is an electronic newsletter brought to you quarterly by the Spina Bifida Association.
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