The Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH) needs your help as we CLICK for Babies. This campaign is to create awareness of the Period of PURPLE Crying to prevent Shaken Baby Syndrome. Frustration with crying infants is the number one trigger for the shaking and abuse of an infant. The OSDH is recruiting crochet artists and knitters to help reach this year’s cap goal of 4,300 to spread Shaken Baby Syndrome prevention efforts across the state.
The Period of PURPLE Crying is a time when babies cry more than any other time in their life. It is important for parents to know that it is a normal and healthy part of infancy, that it is not their fault, and that it is not going to last forever. Currently, Oklahoma has 41 birthing hospitals participating in providing new mothers with The Period of PURPLE Crying DVD to educate them on normal crying patterns, how to cope with unsoothable crying, and the importance of never shaking a baby. Along with the DVD, in the months of November and December, each newborn will receive a purple baby cap as a reminder of the importance of never shaking a baby.
Volunteers are encouraged to knit or crochet newborn baby boy and girl caps of any shade of purple with soft, baby friendly yarn. The caps can have a variety of fun colors and patterns, as long as they are at least 50 percent purple and free of straps, strings or other potential choking hazards. Purple baby caps are accepted year-round. Only caps received by Oct. 1 will make it in this year’s hospital distribution.
Purple caps can be mailed to:
Oklahoma State Department of Health, ATTN: Maternal and Child Health, 1000 NE 10th St, Oklahoma City, Ok 73117-1299
To obtain patterns for caps, guidelines and “CLICK for Babies” campaign details, visit clickcampaign.health.ok.gov, or call Amy Terry at (405) 271-4471, or email amyt@health.ok.gov. Media inquiries should be directed to Cody McDonell at (405) 271-5601.

The Oklahoma Arts Council is seeking nominations for the 42nd Annual Governor’s Arts Awards through September 12. The awards recognize individuals and organizations whose contributions to the arts have had an impact in communities, schools, or across the state. The awards will be presented by the Governor during a special ceremony at the state Capitol in the spring.
Awards are presented in several categories:
The Governor’s Award – recognizes individuals for longtime leadership and significant contributions to the arts across Oklahoma.
Arts in Education Award – recognizes an individual, organization, school, educator or group for their outstanding leadership and service in the arts benefitting youth and/or arts in education.
Business in the Arts Award – recognizes businesses/corporations who exhibit outstanding support of the arts in Oklahoma. This award was created in memory of Earl Sneed, prominent arts advocate.
Community Service Award – recognizes individuals for significant contributions to the arts in specific Oklahoma communities in the areas of leadership and volunteerism.
Media in the Arts Award – recognizes an individual member in the media who demonstrates commitment to the arts in Oklahoma documented through public awareness support and fairness, initiative, creativity and professionalism in reporting. This award was created in memory of Bill Crawford, veteran professional journalist.
George Nigh Public Service in the Arts Award – recognizes an Oklahoma government official for outstanding support of the arts. The category was named in honor of former Oklahoma Governor George Nigh.
Nominees must be current residents of the State of Oklahoma and living in Oklahoma full time, or organizations/businesses that work in and for the benefit of Oklahoma. Previous recipients of The Governor’s Award are not eligible. Honorees will be selected by the Governor’s Arts Awards Selection Committee, which is comprised of members of the Governor-appointed Oklahoma Arts Council board and may include past Governor’s Award recipients.
An online nomination form and a downloadable nomination form are available at arts.ok.gov. Deadline for submissions is Tuesday, September 12, 2017.

Summer is heating up, and as temperatures rise, so does the risk of heat-related illness. Each year, approximately 620 people die from heat-related illness in the United States.
The Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH) reminds residents that heat-related illness can range from heat rash, heat cramps and heat exhaustion to hyperthermia (overheating) and heat stroke. Heat stroke occurs when the body is unable to cool itself sufficiently, and it often results in severe organ damage or even death.
It is important to recognize the signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke and act quickly.
Heat Exhaustion
* Heavy sweating
* Weakness
* Cold, pale, clammy skin
* Fast, weak pulse
* Nausea or vomiting
* Fainting
* Muscle cramps
* Headache
* Feeling dizzy
Heat Stroke
* Body temperature of 103 degrees or higher
* Hot, red, dry or moist skin
* Rapid and strong pulse
* Headache
* Nausea
* Feeling confused
* Feeling dizzy
* Unconsciousness
A heat stroke is a medical emergency. If any signs are recognizable, call 911 immediately and move the person to a cooler environment. Reduce the person’s body temperature with cool cloths or even a bath.
The OSDH offers the following safety tips for preventing a heat-related illness: Stay indoors. Stay in an air-conditioned place. If your home is not air-conditioned, visit the mall or public library, or contact the local health department for the location of a heat-relief shelter in the area.
Stay hydrated. Increase your fluid intake to two to four glasses (16-32 ounces) of cool fluids every hour. If you are on water pills or restricted fluid limit, consult a physician first. Avoid liquids which contain alcohol or large amounts of sugar; they contribute to the loss of more body fluid. Very cold drinks can cause stomach cramps and should be avoided as well.
Dress appropriately. Wear lightweight, light-colored, loose-fitting clothing as well as sunscreen with SPF 15 or higher and broad spectrum or UVA/UVB protection.
Closely monitor those who are more vulnerable. Infants, children, people older than 65 years of age, those with mental illness, outdoor workers, athletes and those with physical illnesses such as heart disease or high blood pressure should be closely observed.
Never leave anyone in a vehicle. Never leave anyone, especially children and the elderly, in a parked vehicle, even if the windows are cracked.

Pet therapy helps residents feel better emotionally and physically. Animals help lift a person’s mood and give them something to focus on outside of themselves. Residents who feel sick, lonely or depressed will often respond to an animal and offer genuine affection and unconditional love. The resident may smile, open their eyes, pet or talk to the animal.
Touching and interacting with animals can help lower a resident’s blood pressure and heart rate and provide stress relief. Residents who have regular visits with pets have longer life spans and suffer from less depression.
Animals increase sensory stimulation, inspire a sense of purpose and increase social interactions with the staff. Pets serve as a valuable conversation starter, and are useful in promoting visitation of children with the elderly. Residents tend to look forward to their visits. They enjoy hearing children tell about their pets.
How does pet therapy work? The animals are non-threatening and non-judgmental. They do not expect anything and there is no pressure on the resident to do or say anything. They accept and are open to whoever the person is and whatever that person needs.
Ombudsman volunteers visit nursing home residents weekly. For more information on the ombudsman program, contact ombudsman supervisors Patricia Shidler, Tonya VanScoyoc, Debra Burris, Eric Locke, or Erin Davis at Areawide Aging Agency at 1-405-942-8500. Group presentations and flexible training schedules are available.

The Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food & Forestry (ODAFF), in collaboration with Oklahoma State University, is continuing to recognize Significant Women in Oklahoma Agriculture. The initiative is designed to honor and recognize numerous women in agriculture across all 77 counties of the state, from all aspects and areas of the industry ranging from producers to educators, leaders to entrepreneurs, veterinarians to board members and many more.
“Our hope is to continue telling the stories of the countless women who give selflessly to this industry but don’t always receive an award,” said Oklahoma Secretary of Agriculture Jim Reese. “This has been such a fun project for all of us in agriculture, learning of and reading the stories of these women and their contributions. We thank all of you who have sent in nominations.”
One honoree is recognized each week on ODAFF’s social media with a detailed biography of her “ag story.” Additionally, a press release acknowledging her selection is submitted to area newspapers. The benefit of using social media for recognition is the accessibility to most everyone and allows the archives to be accessed long after they were published.
“We encourage everyone to submit a nomination,” said Secretary Reese.
All nominations must be submitted online at http://okwomeninagandsmallbusiness.com/. Please submit nominations by September 30. A selection committee will continue the process of identifying nominees to be recognized as Oklahoma’s Significant Women in Agriculture.