Amber Anderson University of Alabama at Birmingham August 23, 2011

Health & Economic Summit 2010 The Alabama Coalition hosted a Health & Economic Development Summit in Birmingham, AL on August 20 th. The Alabama coalition along with health and economic experts developed a comprehensive model in boosting economic development. “Wilcox County Student-Service Learning Project” -The UAB School of Business has committed to sustaining the student-service project concept by providing seed funding and incorporating it into their school curriculum.

Student Service Learning Project The project is based on theoretical principles of community empowerment, capacity building, and community based participatory research. Seven UAB Business graduate students spent two weeks in Wilcox County working with 10 high school students (e.g., 5 from the private and 5 from the public high schools) to develop marketing strategies and ideas that highlight the assets of Wilcox County.

Wilcox County Comprehensive Plan Promote and market the Black Belt Treasures, a local tourism business that displays/sells many artifacts that are indigenous to the county Collaborate with the Wilcox Area Chamber of Commerce to develop a county-wide tourism marketing plan Develop in-roads to broaden future employment opportunities within the county through networking, collaboration, and infrastructure building. The plan is aimed at promoting tourism and retirement opportunities

Miller’s Ferry Campground (Outdoor Recreation) Wakefield Plantation Home (Historic Homes) Black Belt Treasures (Arts) Wilcox County Assets Wilcox County Library (Genealogy Research) Gee’s Bend Ferry (History) Pine Hill Depot Museum (History)

Wilcox County Project Objectives 1. Assist Black Belt Treasures business, specializing in retail sales of artistic works, by providing technical assistance to the website. promoting sales of the artwork on the black belt treasures website while managing data and supporting interviews and profiles of the artists. 2. Provide services to the Snow Hill Institute, founded in 1893 for the descendants of African slaves.

Project Objectives… 3. Develop a marketing plan for the local chamber of commerce. Students will analyze data and help develop the brand and tag line that the chamber can use for their branding campaign to promote businesses in their area. Students will also research and develop information packets for both target markets (i.e., packets for fishermen/hunters and packets for retirees).

Wilcox County Economic Development Plan Function: Communication, Planning, Strategy Focus: Infrastructure, Workforce Development, Industry/Business Recruitment, Incentives, Linkage to Agencies and State Members: Education, workforce development, health care, historic preservation, city and county services, churches, and social services.

As a result…. taken-at-marina-we-began-day.html taken-at-marina-we-began-day.html

THANK YOU REACH US & UAB SCHOOL OF BUSINESS

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Program Aims Conduct formative evaluations in a rural and urban county in Alabama to assess the community’s (e.g., parents, school administrators, providers, pastors) knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs regarding cervical cancer screening and HPV vaccination. Based on the outcomes, use CBPR to design, implement, and evaluate a culturally-relevant Community Action Plan (CAP) to increase knowledge and awareness of HPV and cervical cancer screening (i.e., elected officials, school administrators, providers, pastors, parents).

Preliminary Outcomes Two sessions conducted in Tuskegee, AL (Macon County) on April 6, participants in each focus group session; 20 participants total 20 surveys completed Two sessions conducted in Birmingham, AL (Jefferson County) on April 7, participants in session one; 9 participants in session two (19 total) 19 surveys completed

Objectives Partner with Alabama Comprehensive Cancer Center Program and the Bureau of Health Promotion and Chronic Disease in campaigning a newsletter for Macon and Jefferson County residents on HPV prevention. Develop a HPV CHA Training Curriculum targeted for school officials, parents, guardians, and community residents whom are interested in becoming an HPV community advocate.

Next Steps Produce a HPV fact sheet/handout that focus on HPV in relationship to cervical cancer to distribute throughout Jefferson and Macon County (libraries, schools, community centers, etc). Advocate and spread educational messages at various venues and community mobilization efforts Develop a website/clearinghouse for HPV awareness.

REACH US Collaborators Dr. Mona Fouad AL Dept of Public Health Dr. Edward Partridge American Cancer Society Dr. Isabel Scarinci UAB Comp. Cancer Center Dr. Theresa Wynn Amber Anderson Rosa Posey National Black Church Family Council Norwood Resource Center B&D Cancer Care Center National Dunbar Abrams SISTAs Can Survive Friends of West End Alabama Breast and Cervical Cancer Coalition UAB Minority Health & Health Disparities Research Center