AZ Public Health Connect
Thanks to a new initiative by the state and county health departments, the public health workforce can enroll now to receive twice-weekly supportive text messages by texting AZPHconnect to 60298. (http://slkt.io/7YfV)
A workgroup made up of Arizona county health partners & ADHS team members is developing messages and resources that public health professionals can use to implement well-being into their daily lives. These texts include encouraging messages and resources on self-care, gratitude, and social connection.
For a little background on the program, the Arizona Nurses Association created the RN Connect 2 Well-being initiative designed to support nurses facing significant burnout, fatigue, and increased stress.
Arizona nurses were invited to enroll in a free text messaging program that provided 2x weekly messages with tips on various topics such as stress management, mindfulness, and healthy living. The RN Connect program was successful in providing well-being support for Arizona nurses and has allowed for the opportunity to extend this service to Arizona public health professionals.
The Arizona Nurses Association has graciously allowed the state county health department team to use their platform for the new AZ Public Health Connect (AZPH Connect) for the public health workforce.
Following the model of the RN Connect 2 Well-being initiative, public health professionals are encouraged to enroll in the AZ Public Health Connect program as a way to get a little extra support and encouragement. We anticipate the first text messages to begin the week of June 6, but people can continue to enroll after that date.
See this promotional flyer for more information and feel free to share this well-being resource with your Arizona public health partners. For questions, more information, suggestions, or to express interest in joining the workgroup of public health professionals developing the messaging, please contact Erika Garcia at [email protected]
It’s been a pleasure working on this new initiative for the public health workforce, and I hope you will find it to be of value for yourself.
Sheila Sjolander, MSW
Assistant Director
Division of Public Health – Prevention Services
