CONFERENCE & REGISTRATION INFORMATION: 2003 Maternal and Child Health Leadership Conference

Pre-Conference Training Workshops | Hotel |Transporation to/from Hotel | Parking
Disney's The Lion King Tickets | Registration Form

PRE-CONFERENCE TRAINING WORKSHOPS:

These workshops are designed to provide individuals with in-depth training in a small group setting. Sessions are 2 hours and will take place on Sunday, April 27 (12:30 - 2:30 pm). Advanced enrollment is required. Space is limited to 25 individuals/session.

METHODS FOR LISTENING TO THE COMMUNITY. Whether your work involves community assessment, program planning or evaluation, learning effective methods for listening to community voices are critical for gathering and documenting relevant and reliable information. In this interactive session, a variety of qualitative tools will be described along with the advantages/disadvantages of each. Through a combination of presentations and group activities, participants will learn about which methods may be useful in specific projects. In the weeks prior to the session, materials for group discussion will be sent to you in the mail. Participants should be willing to discuss examples and questions and assist others through thoughtful and lively discussion. (Registration Form)

METHODS TO CRITIQUE AND ASSESS THE QUALITY OF PUBLISHED RESEARCH ARTICLES. Ever wonder about whether findings from the latest research article are valid or whether that new public health program really produced the positive results claimed? Are you interested in developing and/or enhancing your ability to critique articles for program planning and decision-making? If so, attend this session and learn how to analyze the quality of published journal articles. In the weeks prior to the session, participants will receive two articles along with a set of key questions in the mail. These articles and your initial thoughts about the answers to these questions will serve as a starting point for discussing the strengths and weaknesses of the research. (Registration Form)

POCKETS OF NEED: GIS RISK ANALYSIS. This workshop will discuss the use of GIS in analyzing and addressing public health problems. Speakers will describe methods to analyze spatial data, populations at risk, and health outcomes, The workshop will provide tangible examples of how GIS findings have been used for planning public health programs and allocating scarce resources. Specifically, speakers will address how findings from a GIS analysis were used to identify high-risk individuals by census tract in order to better target home visiting efforts. In addition, speakers will discuss how findings from a cluster analysis were used to settle a legal battle involving childhood lead poisoning. (Registration Form) Top of Page

HOTEL

The Hotel Allegro, 171 West Randolph Street, is a located in Chicago's downtown Loop district. Music, theater, galleries, restaurants, tourism, and night life are moments away from the hotel. Room rates are $145.00 for single/double occupancy (14.9% sales tax). To ensure this rate, please call the hotel for reservations prior to April 4, 2003 (mention the MCH Leadership Conference). The Hotel Allegro is wheelchair-accessible; special accomodations for individuals with disabilities may be provided upon request. NOTE: A large convention is going on in Chicago this weekend - Please consider reserving your room as early as possible. Top of Page

TRANSPORTATION TO/FROM HOTEL: The Allegro is conveniently located adjacent to an "El" train station that offers direct transportation to and from O'Hare International Airport (Blue Line). If you are traveling from Midway Airport, you may also use the El (Orange Line). For detailed routes and schedules and to plan your trip via subway please visit CTA's website. Airport Express Shuttle also serves the Hotel Allegro. For more information, visit the Airport Express website. Top of Page

PARKING: Valet Parking at the hotel, with in-and-out privileges, is available for $28.00/day. Self-parking is available at the hotel's Washington Franklin Self-Park Garage, 233 W. Washington Street (Entrance on Wells Street), for a daily rate of $23/day (also includes in-and-out privileges). Additional parking ranging from $14-$20/day (no in-and-out privileges) is available at a number of other nearby parking garages. Rates depend on the time you enter the garage and the time you leave. Several garages offer Early Bird Specials. Please visit the North Loop parking facilities. Top of Page

DISNEY'S THE LION KING

A limited number of tickets is available for the stage production of The Lion King at the Cadillac Palace Theatre. Tickets for the April 27, 2003 performance (6:30pm) may be purchased in advance on a first come, first serve basis for $40 (Mid-Balcony-row 10+) or $18 (Upper-Balcony-last 3 rows) Theater seating chart. Tickets for this production are in high demand. We must have your ticket order and payment no later than January 15, 2003 in order to guarantee your seat(s). Ticket refunds cannot be made after January 25, 2003. Each conference registrant can purchase a maximum of 4 tickets. If you would like additional tickets, your name can be added to a wait list. If tickets are still available after the January 15, 2003 deadline, you are welcome to purchase additional tickets. For more information or to place your order, please phone Kris Gupta at 312-996-2875.