The Institute for the Development of Educational Alliances and InnerLink, Inc. Team up for Tobacco Prevention Efforts in Chicago

CHICAGO, Oct. 12 /PRNewswire/ -- The Institute for the Development of Educational Alliances (IDEALL) was one of thirty organizations awarded subcontracts totaling more than $2 million to provide vulnerable communities with smoking cessation resources and promote policies that encourage tobacco-free living.

The contracts were awarded as a strategy of the Chicago Tobacco Prevention Project, a partnership between Respiratory Health Association of Metropolitan Chicago and the Chicago Department of Public Health.

"Local partners are an important part of our strategy in approaching Chicago's diverse communities with culturally appropriate messaging to help people quit smoking and with policy ideas that are feasible to implement," said Joel Africk, president and chief executive officer of Respiratory Health Association of Metropolitan Chicago.

IDEALL and its curriculum and technology partner InnerLink, Inc. will implement Student Health Force Chicago, a workforce development program that fosters a unique methodology Learn it!, Live it! and Share it! to create changed behaviors, with a goal of helping to decrease smoking rates and exposure to secondhand smoke across Chicago. Student Health Force Chicago will target high school students in Austin, Humboldt Park/Logan Square, Albany Park and Bronzeville.

"We are pleased to be chosen to participate in the Chicago Tobacco Prevention Project," said Sidney Marland, executive director of IDEALL. "These funds offer IDEALL the opportunity to expand on our work in Chicago over the last two years with a focus on reducing tobacco usage and promoting smoke free environments by fostering strong advocates for healthy lungs and lifestyles through the Student Health Force program."

"I learned how to treat lung cancer at Rush Medical School in Chicago, and am thrilled that my team is now involved in preventing it through IDEALL and the Chicago Tobacco Prevention Project with Student Health Force Chicago," said Robert G. Gillio, M.D., chief executive officer and chief medical officer of InnerLink, Inc.  

Applauding the diversity of the selected partners, Dr. Bechara Choucair, commissioner of the Chicago Department of Public Health, added: "These dedicated organizations have the experience and the expertise to help us reach and serve groups with higher rates of smoking -- people who often are not reached with traditional outreach efforts."  He continued, "We may come from different neighborhoods, different backgrounds and so forth -- but we are united in our commitment to build a healthier, smoke-free Chicago for everyone."

For more information about Student Health Force, visit www.studenthealthforce.com.

About IDEALL

Based in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, The Institute for the Development of Educational Alliances (IDEALL) is a nonprofit foundation dedicated to supporting and rewarding innovation in the School District of Lancaster and elsewhere, through sales and marketing efforts of excellence-driven initiatives developed therewith. Early pilot efforts of student health programs in the local district led to the development and expanded reach of Student Health Force. For more information, visit www.ideall.org.                                                              

About InnerLink

Headquartered in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, InnerLink, Inc., is a health and wellness company combining information technology with an impressive set of content to influence, support and document outcomes that prevent disease and promote health. Historically, the business is best known for its development and marketing of a coordinated school health portal which includes electronic student health records and online health curriculum as part of its core offering. The company also creates innovative, custom solutions for clients to enhance its core product mix and capability.  For more information, visit www.theinnerlink.com.

About the Chicago Tobacco Prevention Project

In partnership with the Chicago Department of Public Health, RHAMC will lead the Chicago Tobacco Prevention Project through March, 2012.  Funded by a grant from the Centers for Disease Control, the comprehensive program includes hard-hitting media, outreach to vulnerable population groups, and policy efforts that reduce exposure to secondhand smoke.  To learn more, visit www.lungchicago.org/ctpp.

About RHAMC

Respiratory Health Association of Metropolitan Chicago (RHAMC) has been a local public health leader since 1906.  Today, the association addresses asthma, COPD, lung cancer, tobacco control and air quality with a comprehensive approach involving research, education and advocacy activities.

About CDPH

Since 1835, the Chicago Department of Public Health has provided leadership to make Chicago a healthier and safer place for everyone. Currently the Department is engaged in several "winnable battles" to address major public health challenges - one of which is tobacco smoking.

SOURCE InnerLink, Inc.