Below is listed the types of information typically posted on the Web site, categorized according to the navigational button where it can be found. Also included are suggested ways the information and resources might be used. We would welcome any additional ideas for using the information and resources and will gladly add them to this list.

Home Page
The home page changes at least monthly and is updated with timely and important information from the Office of National Health Ministries. Included on the page are Health Advisories, typically posted under the "alerts" box, which are designed to provide additional detail about health topics that are currently in the news. The intent is to go beyond the sensationalism often driving the media reporting and to both more fully explain the health risks and provide links to additional and reliable sources. You might:

• use the information (or parts of it) in a newsletter or bulletins
• develop a brief presentation and share the information with Sunday school classes or other groups that meet
• use the information to recognize which groups or individuals in your congregation might be most vulnerable (for example, the information predicting a particularly virulent flu season this year included a warning about the vulnerability of frail elderly and very young children)
• use the portions of the information on "risk reduction" to educate and promote preventive activities

Return to the home page

News and Announcements
Information about related conferences and other relevant educational opportunities is typically provided in both Web based information and in downloadable files. By using the downloadable files you can make copies of brochures, bulletin information and even posters. The newest resources will routinely be listed here as well. This useful information can be distributed, posted or otherwise circulated.

Return to the News and Announcements page

Advocacy
This section contains timely issues on which the PC(USA) has specific policy statements requesting "action" on the part of Presbyterians. In addition to the actual policy statements, suggestions for ways that individuals, congregations or other groups with in the church may get involved are listed. Contact information for other organizations, both within and outside the church, are also listed. This Web site section can be used as:

• A call to action for your congregation.
• The basis for a current events program.
• The basis for a program on the positions of the PC(USA) related to health and justice issues.
• Training materials for those who which to do advocacy work.

Return to the Advocacy page

Congregational Health Ministries
Ministry models, training aids and educational information are included in this section. Often congregational health ministry work is provided through volunteers who care about the health of their fellow congregation members and come to this ministry from a variety of educational backgrounds and experiences. A great deal of the more recently created materials on the Web site are designed to support the preparation of the volunteers who will be the hands and feet of health ministry. These materials might be utilized as:

• Introductory materials for assessing the need and support for "Congregational Care Teams" can be downloaded and used for exploratory activities in order to find out if a congregational care team is the right fit for your particular situation.
• Topic specific resources like — Don’t Sit on the Bed, which provides hints for successful hospital visitation — can be used for training or as a "read and heed" piece for individuals who are about to embark on a new and perhaps less than comfortable ministry.
• Resources like the "Parish Nurse Primer" can be very helpful if your congregation is exploring a new ministry and more information is needed.

Return to the Congregational Health Ministries page

Health Information
This section addresses the needs and concerns of individual Presbyterians. Information related to specific health issues, prevention and wellness information, practical suggestions like "How to Talk to Your Doctor" and many others, are typically provided on the Web site after repeated requests have come to the office.

While this information is geared for individual needs, almost any piece can be used as the basis of a health centered program. If you do not have someone in your congregation who would be able to easily facilitate a the health program, finding a nurse or pharmacist to help is usually not difficult.

Return to the Health Information page

Family Care Giving
The family care giving section supports those who are giving care. Although the information contained in this sections specifically addresses issues of family care givers, it can also be used for:

• assistance for caregivers
• training materials for congregational care teams
• educational programs
• support groups for care givers

Return to the Family Care Giving page

Resources
Everything you ever wanted to know about health ministry (well almost) is listed topically in this section. Publications, posters, brochures or other material may be ordered with the click of a button. These resources will supplement any health related activity you might be planning.

Return to the Resources page

Health Ministries Community Connections
Three online discussion groups, hosted by the Office National Health Ministries, are accessible via the Web site. Often people are seeking particular information or solutions to problems that have already been experienced by someone else. The online forums allow a single request for assistance to reach a group of people simultaneously.

The discussion groups also provide the following:

• In addition to responses that often include a variety of suggestions, the discussion around and adaptation of replies usually provides a veritable plethora of suggestions and ideas.
• At times people who are involved in health ministry may feel they have no local "colleagues." The online discussion groups enable us to support and assist one another.
• The elist "sign on" is the link to the health ministries data base and an electronic update mechanism. This allows you to receive an email when new information is posted to the Web site.
• Congregational Liaison enrollment allows you to become an official point of contact for your congregation on health related issues. You will be the first to know!

Return to the Health Ministries Community Connections page