Go For Health! E-Newsletter



United Way of
Santa Cruz County 
 Live United - United Way
GIVE, ADVOCATE, VOLUNTEER.
 August 21, 2009




GFH Logo
Next Go for Health! Collaborative Meeting
Thursday, October 22, 2009
 9:00am-11:00am
  Location: TBA
 Topic: Strategic Planning #3
Announcements:
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas Foundation Invites School Nurses to Apply for Healthy Habits for Life Grant Program

Grants of up to $1,000 will be awarde.d to school nurses working to create programs that help kids reduce their risk of heart problems, increase their physical activity, and learn healthy eating habits....

To learn more click here...
  
Deadline: September 18, 2009

Jóvenes SANOS Recruitment Fair
Thursday, September 3rd
4:00-5:30 pm
GHWR Youth Center
30 Maple Avenue
Watsonville, CA 95076


Jóvenes SANOS and United Way of Santa Cruz County are seeking local youth motivated to create lasting change in their community concerning issues of health and wellness. Jóvenes SANOS is youth-based advocacy program in Watsonville raising awareness about childhood obesity and implementing policies that promote health nutrition and physical activity.  For more information, please contact Angela Rocchio, Program Coordinator at (831) 465-2210 or arocchio@unitedwaysc.org

Click here for application  


Two years in the making, we are excited to announce the official release of Trailnetšs Healthy, Active, & Vibrant Community Toolkit.
 
This comprehensive and visually compelling document presents an exciting vision for the future of our communities a future built around quality of life, health, vibrant local economies, and the environment.The Toolkit is packed with case studies, mini-articles, and policy recommendations related to infrastructure, policy, healthy food systems, potential funding sources, and more. 

Click here to learn more and for a FREE toolkit



Event:
Life Lab Celebrates 30 Years
Annual Benefit Event
Taste of the Harvest

September 12, 2009
The Life Lab Garden Classroom, UCSC FARM
4:00-7:00p.m.

Lab Science Program invites you to discover the flavors of the season with delicious hors d'oeuvres prepared by Chef Jon Dickinson of Café Cruz.
Bid on fabulous local art, goods and services while you stroll among the fields and flowers and enjoy the view. 

�Hors d'oeuvres, local wine and beer   �Live Music
�Farm and garden walk    �Silent Auction

$50 per person or
Reserve the Early Bird Special: $150 for 4 people - until September 4th.

Event Website

California Diabetes Summit - Register Now!

Hosted by the California Diabetes Program, California Department of Public Health, and University of California San Francisco
 
Radisson Hotel, Sacramento, California
Sept 2 - Evening reception
Sept 3- Summit
 
Don't miss out on this opportunity to:
ˇ  Interact with colleagues from throughout California
ˇ  Discuss the social determinants of health
ˇ  Gain the national perspective
ˇ  Learn best practices and new approaches for diabetes  prevention and control in California
ˇ  Find out the winner of the 2009 DIRC Award of Excellence
 
View the full agenda and register:

http://www.cce.csus.edu/conferences/cdph/cds08/index.htm

Space is limited. Reserve your hotel room by August 5th to receive the discounted rate.


Opportunity:

Youths offered grants to fight obesity

UnitedHealth Group is offering grants of up to $1,000 to young people in California to learn about childhood obesity, designing programs to address it and implementing the programs in their communities.
Schools and youth-focused, community center-based programs are eligible.

To obtain an application, visit. ysa.org and click on the "UnitedHealth HEROES" link under "Support -- Get Funding" or the "UnitedHealth HEROES" link under "What's New."

Applications must be submitted online before midnight Thursday, Oct. 22. Grant recipients will be notified in December and January.

Mantis Awards 

Deadline: March 1, 2010

Each year, Mantis provides the Mantis Awards for charitable and educational garden projects that serve to improve the quality of life for youth and community members. The purpose of this funding opportunity is to turn slim resources into bountiful gardens that increase access to nutritious foods and provide education on the importance of nutrition.


2010 Youth Garden Grants Program

The National Gardening Association and The Home Depot provide Youth Garden Grants to schools and community organizations with child-centered garden programs.

Application deadline: November 2, 2009

For more information:
Click here
 

Advocate for  52-10!

5210 logo

Go for Health! has adopted the Maine Youth Overweight Collabrative's (MYOC) social marketing campaign, 52-10.
 
Find out what these numbers stand for here.
 
Volunteer - Do you have free time on your hands?
United Way and Volunteer Centers work with volunteers and local nonprofits to develop the best opportunities for youth, busy working adults and seniors.

Contact the Volunteer Center of Santa Cruz County today at 831.427.5070 or visit www.scvolunteercenter.org.

Forward this eNewsletter to any interested parties!

You can LIVE UNITED by helping us spread the word.

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In the News:
RWJF News Digest: Childhood Obesity
August 2009


Report Finds Modest Improvements in School Food Nutrition
The biannual State of School Nutrition report by the School Nutrition Association has found that, although the nutrition content of school meals is slowly improving, funding remains a barrier to providing healthy food options, the New York Times reports.


Cincinnati Public Schools Launches Computer-based Wellness Program
Cincinnati Public Schools (CPS) recently launched Clever Crazes for Kids (CCK), a program aimed at teaching students ages 6 to 12 about the benefits of a healthy lifestyle, the Business Courier of Cincinnati reports.


Study to Evaluate Effect of Medical Education on Childhood Obesity
The Weight Control Center of Beaumont Hospital and the Oakland University School of Health Sciences have partnered to conduct a study that will measure the association between weight and weight loss on type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure and early heart disease among children, WDIV reports.


Survey Finds Obesity is Top Child Health Concern
Obesity is parents' top health concern for children for the second consecutive year, according to a poll by the University of Michigan's C.S. Mott Children's Hospital, the Detroit News reports.


Maine Health System Launches Program to Curb Childhood Obesity
Eastern Maine Healthcare Systems (EMHS) has partnered with local schools, day-care centers, community agencies, municipalities and other groups to implement a program aimed at promoting physical activity and healthy eating among children, the Bangor Daily News reports.


Program Promotes Walking in New Mexico to Curb Obesity, Chronic Conditions
The New Mexico Department of Health and the city of Santa Fe have launched the Prescription Trails Program to promote walking throughout the capital city and help reduce rates of obesity and chronic conditions among city residents, the Associated Press reports.





In the News:

Pajaro Valley parents win back school bus stops

WATSONVILLE -- Pajaro Valley school officials reversed course Monday and added back several rural bus stops cut to save money.

Dozens of parents from the San Andreas labor camp and the Las Lomas area protested the route reductions at a school board meeting Wednesday, saying the move to regional rather than neighborhood stops forced children to walk along busy roads with no sidewalks.

Read full story