PRESS ANNOUNCEMENT
Release Date: September 15, 2006
Contact: Rick Norris
CSD Communications Office
[email protected]
CSD Awarded Grant by Tobacco Settlement Endowment to Reduce Deaf and Hard of Hearing Tobacco Use
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. — CSD is pleased to announce that they have received funding for the Addressing Tobacco in Specific Populations grant from the Oklahoma Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust.
CSD is the nation’s largest deaf and hard of hearing human service organization and also, in a partnership with Sprint Nextel, operates the nation’s largest traditional relay service network.
The overall award will be meted out to CSD over a five-year period.
Although tremendous progress has been made in recent years, tobacco use remains Oklahoma’s leading preventable cause of death, killing about 5,700 Oklahomans each year – more than AIDS, alcohol, illegal drugs, murders, suicides and auto accidents combined.
The Deaf and Hard of Hearing Tobacco Use and Cessation program allows CSD to implement comprehensive programs that focus on reducing the toll of tobacco throughout Oklahoma.
“We will be developing a detailed plan to implement effective strategies which address the needs of Oklahoma’s deaf and hard of hearing population to help reduce their risk for tobacco use and tobacco-caused disease,” said Ben Soukup, CSD chief executive officer. “CSD will make a difference in the lives of Oklahomans by developing informational avenues that are effective for our unique community.”
CSD will accomplish these goals by:
* Conducting a culturally competent needs assessment within the deaf and hearing loss community to ascertain the numbers of youth and adult smokers, types and needs for intervention, and families and youth at risk for second hand smoke.
* Building awareness about the effects of second hand smoke exposure among deaf and hard of hearing families through culturally and linguistically appropriate messages in American Sign Language (ASL) throughout the state of Oklahoma.
* Building awareness about smoking cessation whereby deaf and hard of hearing youth receive culturally and linguistically appropriate messages in ASL.
* Establishing “Deaf Quit” support groups whereby deaf and hard of hearing adults receive culturally and linguistically appropriate smoking cessation and behavior modification messages in ASL.
The mission of the Oklahoma Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust board of directors is to improve the health and quality of life of all Oklahomans through accountable programs and services that address the hazards of tobacco use and other health issues. The Oklahoma Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust was established through a voter-approved constitutional amendment in November 2000.
About CSD – CSD, also known as Communication Service for the Deaf, Inc., is a private, nonprofit human services agency headquartered in Sioux Falls, S.D. and is also one of the world’s oldest and largest telecommunications relay service providers. Through a wide variety of contracts and partnerships, CSD serves an estimated 18 million users in 30 states across the nation. Since its inception in 1975, CSD has been dedicated to providing quality services; ensuring public accessibility; and increasing public awareness of issues affecting the deaf, hard of hearing and individuals with speech disabilities. For more information, see the company Web site at www.c-s-d.org.
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