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Two  grant programs are available with ARRA funding to support the training and development of the skilled workforce required to support broad adoption and use of health information technology (health IT). 

National Coordinator for Health Information Technology, David Blumenthal, M.D., M.P.P.,  announced the availability of
 
Information Technology Professionals in Health Care:

• Program of Assistance for University-Based Training Programs (University-Based Training Program)
• Competency Examination for Individuals (Competency Examination Program).

Authorized by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, the grants will strengthen and support the health IT workforce.

University Based Health IT Competency Training Program
The new grant programs will award $32 million to establish university-based certificate and advanced degree health IT training programs

University Based Health IT Competency Exam Program
$6 million dollars to develop a health IT competency examination program.

Community College Consortia Grants
These awards, together with the previous announced $80 million in workforce program grants (Community College Consortia on Nov. 24, 2009, and Curriculum Development Centers on Dec. 15, 2009), recognize the critical importance of developing a well-trained health IT workforce to support the adoption and meaningful use of health IT.

Applications are due by Jan. 25, 2010, with final awards expected in March 2010. 

ULE will soon test a number a range of products in line for environmental certification, including sunglasses, wind turbines, dishwashers and televisions

UL Environment, or U.L.E., new subsidiary of Underwriters Laboratories that is launching global environmental-standards, has awarded its first product certification to EcoRock, a recycled drywall.

UL Environment gave Serious Materials in Sunnyvale, Calif., an environmental certification that will help the company sell EcoRock panels for building projects aiming for LEED certification from the USGBC. Kevin Surace, chief executive of Serious Materials, claims that EcoRock can contribute 8 of the 100 points necessary for the USGBC LEED rating.

U.L.E. verified the drywall's recycled materials content and tested for volatile organic compound emissions, mercury emissions and mold resistance.

The company will soon test a number of other products in line for environmental certification, including sunglasses, wind turbines, dishwashers and televisions, said the vice president and general manager of U.L.E., Marcello Manca.

RESOURCE: UL Environment

UL Environment's Database of Environmentally Sustainable Products
Manufacturers may submit their products for UL testing and environmental claims validation.

It takes an inside champion to get an organization started on a greener pathway.  You can practice your leadership skills at the same time you develop new job skills AND green your own workplace environment by initiating a green program.  And you don't have to do it alone.  The San Francisco based Connect the Dots nonprofit is making it easy for you by providing an easy to implement system just for nonprofits!

Connect the Dots disseminates environmental sustainability practices to nonprofit organizations to help organizations meet their social missions in an environmentally responsible manner. They provide the guidance nonprofit organizations need to realize their desire for environmental responsibility. Now nonprofit organizations can undertake the path towards sustainability and truly maximize their care for the communities they serve.
 

The Green Start Program

The Connect the Dots consulting program, the Green Start program, concentrates on high impact, minimal effort conservation practices to "jumpstart" organizations towards sustainability.

Initially, they act as an extension of an organization's staff, planning and taking action on its behalf, including scheduling audits with existing programs, creating action lists and implementing them, setting up and/or facilitating an internal "green team" group, developing a strategy, and setting up and monitoring savings.

Over time, as organizations acclimate to using our tools (e.g. action worksheets, monitoring tools, etc.), they take over their own planning, execution, and tracking of their green program.

For 3 months, Connect The Dots partners with nonprofits to serve as "personal trainers" to address the most beneficial greening processes:

• Waste Management

• Energy & Utilities

• Environmentally-Preferred Purchasing Policy

• Education & Outreach

• Tracking & Reporting

To promote ongoing changes, the Connect The Dots' methodology integrates planning and tracking tools to help nonprofits make informed decisions about environmental sustainability.

CONTACT:
Connect The Dots
1442 Florida Street
San Francisco, CA 94110
415.830.5858 or 888.666.0031
www.connectthedotsnetwork.org