QuitDoc Foundation is currently working on several projects throughout Florida, including:
CURRENT PROJECTS
Community Tobacco Free Partnerships Bureau of Tobacco Free Florida
The QuitDoc Foundation manages sixTobacco Free Partnerships throughout Florida in DeSoto, Dixie, Gilchrist, Highlands, Indian River, and Okeechobee Counties. The partnerships’ goals are to have policies adopted to reduce smokeless tobacco use, counteract tobacco product marketing at the retail point-of-sale, create smoke-free multi-unit housing, create smoke-free environments other than housing, create tobacco free worksites, build community partnerships, and grow the Students Working Against Tobacco initiative by engaging youth. Tobacco Free Partnerships are funded through the Florida Department of Health’s Bureau of Tobacco Free Florida.
Vaping 911is a tobacco intervention program designed by the QuitDoc Foundation for youth in the 6th through 12th grades who have been cited for tobacco use and/or have been identified as high-risk for tobacco use or initiation. The program includes a series of rotating subjects that address the consequences of tobacco use and secondhand smoke. The pilot program, conducted in Marion County, will help address a statewide need to provide a school-approved anti-tobacco and nicotine program conforming with Florida Statute 877.112(6)(a).
Since 2008, QuitDoc has demonstrated great success on tobacco policy change initiatives in multiple economically and socially diverse counties. One of the strengths of QuitDoc’s successful policy advocacy lies in developing successful partnerships that engage community stakeholders, decision makers, community leaders, SWAT youth, and young adult tobacco control advocates. QuitDoc developed a “give-and-take” philosophy, in which we worked side-by-side with other community members by becoming active partners in the community through joining or serving on local community groups, such as School Health Advisory Committees, Drug/Substance Abuse Coalitions, School Clubs, After School Youth Initiatives, County and State Health Councils, and other such agencies. We strategically chose groups that were working on similar projects that were also aligned with the mission of QuitDoc. This structure made it much more effective for QuitDoc to achieve significant policy changes in the twelve counties in which we are currently funded, particularly by coordinating successful advocacy across communities. In fact, QuitDoc, working closely with the TFP and SWAT Chapter in each county, have obtained some excellent tobacco control successes that are worth noting, click here for a listing of QuitDoc Foundation’s big accomplishments.
Ongoing Mission to Improve Health Outcomes for People of All Ages
From infancy to advanced aged, all sectors benefit from advocacy and policy change aimed at improving health. QuitDoc is excited to expand its reach and encourage positive social change for long term health improvements. Whether it is youth intervention of equipping older adults to live independently longer, QuitDoc is excited to be an advocate for a longer, fully, healthier life.
PREVIOUS PROJECTS
COVID-19 Tobacco/Vaping Cessation Outreach Project Palm Beach, Broward, and Miami-Dade County
As Covid-19 changed the state of our world, the QuitDoc Foundation saw an opportunity to to use the global health pandemic to improve the health of tobacco and electronic nicotine device users. The specific purpose of this short-term project is to: 1) improve awareness of the increased risks of COVID-19 infection associated with the use of tobacco and vaping products; 2) provide materials promoting Florida’s Quit Your Way tobacco cessation resources in unique locations that have increased utilization as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic; and 3) use steps 1) and 2) to increase utilization of the Quit Your Way program. A mass campaign that included flyers and palm cards focusing on sites with increased foot-traffic as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic (food distribution centers, COVID-19 testing sites, medical offices, and open retail outlets); a social media marketing campaign to direct people to information on COVID-19 prevention and tobacco cessation, an additional digital marketing campaign in 75 Quest Lab locations, and direct point-of-sale counter-marketing campaign at tobacco retail outlets to share information on the increased risks of tobacco use during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Measure Up Marion Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
The QuitDoc Foundation is part of a collaboration of organizations and community health advocates who are working to make healthy living easier and more affordable for Marion County residents where they live, learn, worship, work, and play. The initiative specifically works to address chronic diseases, access to affordable healthcare and healthier food, and tobacco free environments. Measure Up Marion is a three-year initiative made possible with funding from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. This collaborative effort is one of four programs funded in the State of Florida and one of thirty-nine funded in the United States.
My Smoke Free Life Health Foundation of South Florida
A unique online cessation program that incorporates interactive video modules for participants, combined with telephone counseling and individual follow-up. My Smoke Free Life is designed to use modern technology to link patients with healthcare professionals for a cost-effective solution to address cessation needs. This innovative pilot program is funded by the Health Foundation of South Floridaand is currently enrolling patients in Miami-Dade, Monroe, and Broward Counties.
Taking Advantage of a Teachable Moment Sarasota Memorial Hospital
Inpatient smoking cessation program that takes advantage of the fact that hospitalized smokers are more motivated to quit, are a captive audience, and have a few nicotine-free days while in the hospital. The program combines educational videos with phone support that starts while the patient is in the hospital and continues after discharge with follow-up calls to assist with any questions or concerns. Taking Advantage of a Teachable Moment is funded by Sarasota Memorial Healthcare Foundation.
Be A Tobacco Free Influence Marion County Hospital District
Be A Tobacco Free Influenceis an innovative program designed by the QuitDoc Foundation that provides tobacco prevention education and cessation services for adolescents and tobacco cessation referrals for adults in their households who use tobacco. This program incorporates three key components: 1) Tobacco intervention for adolescents ages 11-17 identified as high-risk for tobacco use, designed to stop initiation of tobacco use or to encourage quit attempts for youth addicted to tobacco; 2) Targeted tobacco cessation for program participants who identify as tobacco users, designed to promote quit attempts through free group counseling and peer mentoring; 3) Tobacco cessation referrals for adult tobacco users living in homes of program participants to promote tobacco free social norms, and protect participants from secondhand smoke exposure. Intervening with tobacco use at an early age and addressing tobacco use in the home through targeted prevention and cessation intervention, we can greatly reduce the instances of long term health issues caused by tobacco use and secondhand smoke exposure. Be a Tobacco Free Influence was made possible through a grant from the Marion County Hospital District.