The purpose of Region 6 State Advisory Groups (SAG) is to provide leadership guidance for each state’s outreach and engagement activities conducted by Region 6 staff and Partner Outreach Program (POP) members. The SAG charge is two-fold:
- To guide the development and implementation of an action plan for each state in Region 6 that addresses how NNLM can support specific health disparities identified as priorities for that state, with a focus on medically underserved populations.
- To develop strategic recommendations, programs, and relationships that advance the health of communities through equal access to biomedical and health information resources and data.
Specifically, members of the Advisory Group will provide three core services:
- Identify Opportunities
- Provide input on communities that would most benefit from NNLM and NLM products and services
- Recommend organizations to join NNLM
- Offer ideas and input on potential partnerships with organizations in the state
- Advise on potential conferences, health fairs, or other public events that would benefit from an NNLM Region 6 presence
- Provide Feedback
- Review and offer guidance on effective messaging and outreach from R6
- Develop recommendations for ongoing communications across the state from R6
- Consult with R6 on the development and implementation of any state-wide assessments
- Align Activities
- Decide on select priority health topics for the state that align with NNLM initiatives and priorities
- Develop state action plan to guide Region 6 training, funding, and engagement activities
We are always accepting applications for new members. If you are interested in becoming a member of your state's SAG, contact region6-rml@uiowa.edu
Illinois SAG Action Plan
The Illinois SAG Outreach Award was designed to improve health literacy and increase health equity throughout the state of Illinois. The award closed 15 May 2023 and was awarded Northern Illinois University School of Nursing for the Smart Tablet Education for Healthy Living (STEHL) Project in the amount of $10,000. Primary Investigator, Dr Anitha Saravanan, will direct the project, built on a previous project recently funded by an NNLM and All of Us research award which was completed in April of this year. The project will engage older adults to help them become more comfortable with technology designed to assist them in finding quality health information online. Dr Saravanan and her team launched the project August 2023 and completed it this summer A blog article, STEHL Project Smart Tablet Education For Healthy Living for Older Adults; a webinar recording; and the STEHL Website are all available for review.
Illinois Toolkit
Coming soon!
Illinois SAG Members
Adam Roloff
Reference and Education Services Librarian
Southern Illinois University School of Medicine
Felicia Barrett
Regional Head Librarian
University of Illinois Chicago, Library of the Health Sciences at Rockford
Gregory Scott
RN Manager-Faith Community Health
Carle Health
Joe Filapek
Director of Continuing Education and Consulting
Reaching Across Illinois Library System (RAILS)
Monica Rodriguez
Senior Director
Pyxis Partners
Q. Eileen Wafford
Research Librarian
Galter Health Sciences Library & Learning Center
Sharon Comstock
Teaching Assistant Professor University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Tracy Smith
Director of Community Health and Programs
Illinois Public Health Association
Jacqueline Leskovec
Network Coordinator
NNLM Region 6
jacqueline-leskovec@uiowa.edu
Indiana SAG Action Plan
Indiana will partner with Dr. William Cooke, physician and author of Canary in the Coal Mine, to publicly engage with communities throughout Indiana for addiction and recovery information. The objectives are to raise understanding for the social determinants of health that contribute to substance use; explain interventions, such as harm reduction, that can lead to clinical treatment and recovery resources; and help individuals and communities respond compassionately for persons living with and recovering from addiction. Indiana Addiction and Recovery Information Program.
Indiana Project
Canary in the Coal Mine Community Events
Indiana partnered with Dr. William Cooke, physician and author of Canary in the Coal Mine, to publicly engage with communities throughout Indiana for addiction and recovery information. A series of presentations we given to raise understanding for the social determinants of health that contribute to substance use; explain interventions, such as harm reduction, that can lead to clinical treatment and recovery resources; and help individuals and communities respond compassionately for persons living with and recovering from addiction. Listen to a podcast about the program and watch a short video covering one of the events!
Indiana SAG Members
Aisha Hallman
Librarian
Allen County Public Library
Amy Minix
Neuro- and Health Sciences Librarian
Indiana University Bloomington
Carla R. Clayton
Wellness Coordinator
Community Health Network
Helen Azarian
Reference Librarian
Evansville Vanderburgh Public Library
Kara Cleveland
Director of Professional Development
Indiana State Library
Karen Strandjord
Family Caregiver and Nursing Educator
IU Health
Olanike Olaniyi
Collection Development Librarian
The Indianapolis Public Library
Rachel Ashcraft
Director
Flora Public Library
William Cooke
Physician, Foundations Family Medicine
Clark Memorial Health
Darlene Kaskie
Associate Director
NNLM Region 6
darlene-kaskie@uiowa.edu
Iowa Action Plan
Iowa's Community Partnerships for Mental Health initiative aims to achieve three key objectives. First, it focuses on developing a comprehensive toolkit as a valuable resource for promoting mental health in communities. This toolkit includes a user-friendly website/guide on NNLM.gov, customizable bookmarks with local information, a concise one-page guide for quick reference, and three programming ideas.
Iowa Toolkit
The Iowa Mental Health Information Community Partnerships Toolkit, is a comprehensive collection of resources designed to help community organizations, healthcare providers, educators, and other partners effectively address mental health information needs within their communities. It offers practical guides, templates, and strategies to establish and maintain partnerships, develop mental health programs, and promote community-wide mental health awareness and support. By leveraging these resources, you can create impactful mental health information initiatives that are inclusive, sustainable, and tailored to the unique needs of your community.
Iowa SAG Members
Abby Less
Community Health Consultant,
Iowa Department of Public Health, Office of Health Care Transformation
Angie Doyle Scar
Executive Officer
Office of Healthcare Transformation
Iowa Department of Public health
Becky Heil
District Consultant
State Library of Iowa
Cynthia J Fiester
Chronic Disease Coordinator/Registered Nurse
Linn County Public Health (LCPH), Cedar Rapids
Gina Schlesselman-Tarango
Science Librarian
Grinnell College
Jennie Ver Steeg
Director of Library and Media Services
Mercy College of Health Sciences and MercyOne, Des Moines
Lisa Johnson
Director
Orange City Library
Mara Strickler
Director
Pella Public Library
Riley Samuelson
Education & Outreach Librarian
University of Iowa
Sam Helmick
Community and Access Services Coordinator
Iowa City Public Library
Staci Stanton
Programming and Outreach Manager
Urbandale Public Library
Tyler Hahn
Director
Cherokee Public Library
Bobbi Newman
Community Engagement and Outreach Specialist
NNLM Region 6
bobbi-newman@uiowa.edu
Michigan SAG Action Plan
The Michigan SAG developed a mental health resource kit for NNLM member libraries in Michigan to serve as a blueprint for supporting people with mental health and substance use conditions: State of Michigan Advisory Group for NNLM R6 Project Mental Health Resource Kit for NNLM Member Libraries.
Michigan Toolkit
Mental health is a significant public health concern impacting all demographics in Michigan. According to 2021 data from the National Alliance of Mental Illness, over 1,4600 adults in Michigan experience mental health conditions, while 119,000 adolescents aged 12-17 in Michigan are affected by depression. The Michigan Mental Health Training Kit was created to address this gap. This resource is designed to support librarians, library workers, and front-line library staff across Michigan by enhancing their understanding of both crisis and non-crisis mental health situations. Its goal is to increase their confidence in responding to the mental health needs of library visitors.
Michigan SAG Members
Anne Heidemann
Tribal Librarian
Saginaw Chippewa Tribal Libraries
Chana Kraus-Friedberg
Health Sciences Librarian
Michigan State University
Deborah Smith
Director
Wellness Inx
Jarrod Irwin
Behavioral and Health Sciences Librarian
Eastern Michigan University
Kevin King
Director
East Lansing Public Library
Susan Kroll
Librarian
Charlevoix Public Library
Sherri McConnell
Head Librarian
Stockbridge Branch, Capital Area District Libraries
Erica Lake
Health Sciences Librarians Outreach Specialist
NNLM Region 6
erica-lake@uiowa.edu
Minnesota Action Plan
The State of Minnesota Advisory Group for NNLM R6 bonded to promote crisis resource information: Partnering to Promote Mental Health Crisis Information Across Minnesota.
Minnesota Toolkit
Minnesota Crisis and Mental Health Resource Handout
We are excited to share a valuable resource with you - the Crisis and Mental Health Resources handout. It is specifically tailored for Minnesota residents and is available in five languages. The following will download each handout: English, Hmong, Ojibwe, Somali, and Spanish.
Minnesota SAG Members
Julie Flathers
Statewide Health Improvement Partnership
Clearwater County Public Health
Katherine Chew
Associate Librarian
Research/Outreach Services & Mortuary Science, Center for Allied Health Programs and Center for Bioethics Librarian
University of Minnesota Health Sciences Library
Lisa Sanders
Patient Education Specialist
Essentia Health
Monica Taylor-Desir
Consultant Department of Psychiatry and Psychology
Mayo Clinic
Naomi Carlson
Development Specialist, Transportation Planner, SHIP School Coordinator
Headwaters Regional Development Commission
Nicole Miller
Library Director
Cannon Falls Library
Rosemond Owens
Director of Health Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion
Center for Prevention
Blue Cross Blue Shield Minnesota
Erica Lake
Health Sciences Librarians Outreach Specialist
NNLM Region 6
erica-lake@uiowa.edu
Ohio SAG Action Plan
Ohio will partner with Aunt Flow, a Columbus-based non-profit to develop culturally- and age-appropriate health information to educate about period poverty and menstrual health. The goal is to promote the toolkit to public and school libraries and community centers throughout the state. Ohio Menstrual Health and Period Poverty Information Project
Ohio Project
Know Your Flow
Ohio partnered with Aunt Flow, a Columbus-based non-profit to develop culturally- and age-appropriate health information to educate about period poverty and menstrual health. The goal is to promote the toolkit to public and school libraries and community centers throughout the state. The link leads to the Know Your Flow website.
Ohio SAG Members
Julie Chaya
Director of Community Health and Prevention Sciences
Richland Public Health Department
Margaret A. Hoogland
Assistant Professor, Clinical Medical Librarian
University of Toledo
Monique Mason
Manager, Science & Technology Division
Akron Public Library
Neil Nero
Medical Librarian
Cleveland Clinic
Rhyanne McDade
Postdoctoral Teaching Fellow
Northern Kentucky University
Sharon Purtee
Cataloging Librarian
University of Cincinnati - Health Sciences Library
Tiffany Grant
Assistant Director for Research and Informatics
University of Cincinnati - Health Sciences Library
Yvonka M. Hall
Executive Director
Northeast Ohio Black Health Coalition
Darlene Kaskie
Associate Director
NNLM Region 6
darlene-kaskie@uiowa.edu
Wisconsin SAG Action Plan
Wisconsin will partner with D R Moon Library in Stanley, Wisconsin. Elizabeth Miniatt, the library director, has a long-standing relationship with the Amish communities in her region. Because of this important connection, she will lead the development of an oral and dental health book that is trustworthy, easy-to-read and comprehend. A dental student and a local artist will develop the content and illustrate the book with approval from the local Bishops. The books will be distributed to the local Amish schools including train-the-trainer instruction for the school teachers. Wisconsin Dental and Oral Care Health Information Project and Logic Model
Wisconsin Project
Smile! A Guide to Healthy & Happy Teeth
Wisconsin partnered with D.R. Moon Memorial Library in to develop an oral and dental health book that is trustworthy, easy-to-read and comprehend. The books will be distributed to the local Amish schools including train-the-trainer instruction for the school teachers. Following the Smile! link will download a copy of the book as a digital pdf.
Wisconsin SAG Members
Bhumi Khambholja
Project Manager
Wisconsin Health Literacy
Elizabeth Miniatt
Library Director
D.R. Moon Memorial Library
Caitlyn Mowatt
Education and Outreach Coordinator
Northern Highland Area Health Education Center (AHEC)
Anna Perez-Pelaez
Case Manager
Capital BlueCross
Darren Rausch
Health Officer/Director
Greenfield Health Department
Ashley Zeidler
Reference Librarian
Medical College of Wisconsin
Darlene Kaskie
Associate Director
NNLM Region 6
darlene-kaskie@uiowa.edu