In an effort to combat childhood obesity locally, a task force of community leaders will begin implementing a formal action plan.
The Healthy Schools Healthy Communities (HSHC) initiative, led by Capital Region Medical Center wellness coordinators, is a grant-supported program through the Missouri Foundation for Health (MFH). It has a two-part component to the single mission of improving children's health and has brought together members of the health industry, local government, law enforcement, social service agencies and more to serve on its HSHC Executive Council.
Jefferson City Public Schools students in Callaway Hills, East, South and Thorpe Gordon elementary schools will participate in healthy living programs and activities - designed to accomplish the goal of decreasing the student population's body mass index by five percent within the grant's in five-year period. The schools were selected for the HSHC initiative based on their free- and reduced-lunch rate, which MFH stipulated had to be 60 percent or higher to qualify.
To follow through with what the children are learning in school, HSHC will introduce community-wide events and programs promoting a healthy lifestyle. The community aspect to the initiative will target adults as well as youth to set examples of healthy living.
Last week, Ashley Varner, healthy communities coordinator, laid out the Communities Action Plan - an outline of how HSHC will spend $88,000 of grant funds in community wellness by September 2017. Three subcommittees will assess the primary objectives - physical activity, healthy eating and community design that encourage an active lifestyle.
During a November meeting, the HSHC task force analyzed the health climate of Jefferson City and Holts Summit to create its Community Healthy Living Index (CHLI) assessment, which shows needed focus areas and acts as a guideline for the action plan.
"The whole idea now is the implement strategies in each of those goal areas so that in two years we're going to have to redo the CHLI assessment ... because our schools are healthier and our kids are healthier," Varner said.
Physical environment and activity scored 27 percent on the CHLI assessment; community design received 22 percent; food and nutrition was at 19 percent; and healthcare scored at zero percent.
The action plan to improve these wellness goals includes various programs and an environmental changes, such as:
• Color Vibe 5K: HSHC will support the event through a partnership with Jefferson City Parks and Recreation, Convention and Visitors Bureau and Central Missouri We Can, a group also fighting childhood obesity. The event takes place on June 11 in downtown Jefferson City.
• Cardio challenge: The program will provide a three-hour fitness event for Jefferson City Public Schools employees.
• Rapid Flash Beacon: HSHC would like to purchase and install a rectangular rapid flash beacon structure on both side of the street at the bottom of the hill at South Elementary in order to allow children to walk safely in the neighborhood.
• Healthy Snack Month: Coordinating efforts with area grocery stores, HSHC will feature a new healthy snack every month. Participating students can turn in receipts, proving purchase of the snack, to be entered for a prize. "Children have buying power, and this is giving them the tools to say, "I want to eat healthier,'" Varner said. She said she's requested stores stock a higher volume of the featured snack each month.
• Healthy concessions: HSHC wants to educate volunteers working at concession stands during athletic games to show them how to store, sell and answer questions about healthy food options. HSHC also could provide storage and food transportation.
• Farmers market: HSHC would like to participate in the local farmers markets to promote its programs and provide healthy snacks such as apple chips, granola bars or fresh fruit. The farmers market is currently without an EBT terminal to accept food stamps. HSHC is interested in partnering with Local Foods Coalition, the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Lincoln University (which has its own farmers market) to purchase a terminal.
• Cooking classes and demonstrations: HSHC plans to work with Root Cellar, a downtown Jefferson City whole food store, to host classes, teaching people how to prepare and create home-cooked meals.
• Community Wellness Commission: In collaboration with Jefferson City government, HSHC has interest in establishing a commission to review and add city-wide policies that broaden physical activity opportunities, food security and access to nutritious food.
• Bike lanes: HSHC wants to participate in and provide input to the Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization and the Missouri Department of Transportation for bike lane painting in Jefferson City.
• Family focus groups: HSHC plans to reach out to families who will gather and provide input on the concerns of low-income families. Focus groups will also give feedback on HSHC programming at the schools and in the community.