| Important Dates & Upcoming Events |
 Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Center Webinar Series: Making the Grade: Reversing Childhood Obesity in Schools  Each webinar is held bi-monthly on Thursdays at 2:00PM and covers the important links between school environments, health, and academic achievement. These webinars feature researchers, advocates, and policymakers discussing solutions to problems that schools face in providing healthier opportunities for students. Series webinars:-
May 13: Learning Curve: What You Need to Know about the Elementary & Secondary Education Act (ESEA)
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May 27: Reading, Writing, & Running: The Connection Between Physical Activity & Academic Achievement
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June 10: Revisiting Recess: Strategies for Implementing Physical Activity Breaks During the Day
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June 24: Pass or Fail: Evaluating How Industry Markets Food to Children
Did you miss a webinar? All webinars are archived on the
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Increasing Physical Activity in America
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Making Schools the Model for Healthier Environments
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Let's End the Childhood Obesity Epidemic
Maine Agriculture in the Classroom Summer Institute  The 2010 Summer Institute at the University of Maine, Machias August 10-13 will focus on gardens, local agriculture, aquaculture, dairy, fiber, bio-fuels, and more. Tours will include the Wild Blueberry Barrens and processing facilities, aquaculture facilities, and classrooms teaching sustainable living. There will be bio-diesel activities for the classroom and a visit to a 40-gallon bio-diesel tractor and school greenhouse heating application. Participants will receive 36 contact hours or 3.6 CEUs. Thanks to grants from the Maine Potato Board, The ME Department of Agriculture, and proceeds from ME Agricultural License Plates, the cost of this training has been greatly reduced. Participants will receive the 55-lesson Food, Land, & People Resources for Learning, The Maine Teacher Resource Guide, Growing Potatoes in Northern Maine, and The Wild Blueberry Curriculum in addition to the USDA interactive CD Growing a Nation-The Story of American Agriculture. FEE: $200 before July 17, $225 after July 17 includes lodging, travel during the workshop, and meals. Scholarships available. FMI & Registration: maineagintheclassroom.org or 207.287.5522
NPLAN Webinar: Fast Food Regulations: Promoting Healthy Food Options for Kids & Families The National Policy & Legal Analysis Network is hosting a webinar on June 10, 2010 at 1:00PM about fast food regulations and what local governments can do to promote healthier foods for kids. Nearly 1/3 of American children eat fast food everyday, consuming an average of 187 additional calories than those who do not and accounting for an extra six pounds of weight gain per year. The marketing of unhealthy foods and beverages to children greatly influences their food choices and consumption habits. Both the Institute of Medicine (IOM) and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) report that the food and beverage industry spends more that $1 billion per year marketing to children and teenagers. In 2006, fast food restaurants sold more than 1.2 billion children's meals with toys to children ages 12 and younger. The webinar will cover restaurant meal toy giveaway regulation and zoning ordinances in addition to an overview of two of NPLAN's model policy tools:
FMI & Registration:
For a list of upcoming and archived webinars:
2010 Kennebec Area Plant-a-Row Challenge  The University of Maine Cooperative Extension Master Gardener Volunteer Program launched this program as a public service campaign to encourage citizens to dedicate a portion of their garden to grow produce for local food pantry donation. To participate in the challenge, enrolled volunteers can donate produce from their own gardens or participate in a community garden already growing fresh produce for donation. The goal of the challenge is to provide 12,000 pounds of produce to food pantries throughout Kennebec County. Gardeners who sign up will receive more detailed information and ongoing support throughout the season. FMI & Registration: PlantARowKennebec@umext.maine.edu or 207.622.7546 or toll-free 1.800.287.4891. To enroll online: http://extension.umaine.edu/kennebec/resources/plant-a-row/
Green Thumb Garden Series The University of Maine Cooperative Extension's Augusta-based staff and the Gardiner Caring Community Garden project are offering the Green Thumb Garden Series. Class times and topics are:
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June 10: Using Pesticides & Organic Pest Control Materials Safely 6:30-8:30PM at the United Methodist Church, 31 Highland Avenue, Gardiner, ME
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June 16, July 21, August 18, September 15: Monthly on-site work & learn sessions at the Caring Community Gardens plot in Gardiner
FEE: $5 suggested donation to Caring Community Gardens Registration (at least 4 days in advance of the program):
KV YMCA Friday Night Nia Dance Party  Certified instructor Maggie Bokor will lead participants in a heart-pumping, joy-filled Nia experience. Nia is a worldwide transformational fitness practice that blends movements from the dance arts, martial arts, and healing arts (such as yoga). Nia offers cardiovascular whole-body conditioning, stress reduction, increased strength, flexibility, and improved balance. The Friday Night Nia Dance Party is for those new to Nia or those who have already begun their Nia practice. No experience with Nia or any other movement form is required. Also learn about the upcoming Nia Teacher Training happening in Camden, ME this July with Nia trainer Casey Bernstein. Class size is limited to 25 pre-registered participants. FEE: $5 Members, $8 Program Members, $10 Non-Members. Register: Call 207.626.3488
KV YMCA Camp KV Camp KV offers activities for kids ages 4 to 15 including swimming, kayaking, arts and crafts, nature, field games, team building, character development, and much more. Camp KV also offers Leaders in Training for high school freshmen and sophomores. Camp runs in six sessions from June 15-August 21, 2010, Monday-Friday 8:00AM-4:00PM. Registration is open and ongoing. FMI: visit kvymca.org
Sun Blocks Childcare Sun Safety Program 2010 Stakeholders Meeting  This meeting will provide the opportunity for participants to share feedback on the program, network with other providers, obtain resources, and learn how Sun Blocks is making a difference in Maine communities. All past and present mini-grant recipients, training participants, program participants, Resource Development Centers, Healthy Maine Partnerships, and future interested participants are invited to attend on June 25, 2010 8:30AM-1:30PM at the Maine Principals Association 50 Industrial Drive, Augusta. Applications for 2010-2011 mini-grants will be available at this meeting. FEE: Free Registration Deadline: June 11, 2010 FMI & Registration: Andrea Fletcher 207.287.4321 or Andrea.Fletcher@maine.gov
Service Learning Institute for Educators July 20-23, 2010 Portland, ME  At this KIDS (Kids Involved Doing Service-Learning) Consortium-sponsored event participants will:
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Explore Service-Learning-an innovative teaching strategy
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Learn how to implement a quality service-learning project
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Leave with strategies to develop authentic school/community partnerships
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Explore ways to use service-learning as a strategy to implement school and district goals
Registration Deadline: June 25, 2010 FEE: $750 first person, $700 second person, $650 additional people includes four days of instruction, breakfast & lunch, and resources. Limited to 30 participants. Scholarships available. FMI & Registration:
Registration Open for Walk to School 2010  During this international event communities from over 40 countries join together to walk and bike to school. International Walk to School Day is Wednesday, October 6, 2010. Registration is free and available to individuals and organizations holding a 2010 Walk to School event in the U.S. Schools that register their event on the Walk to School website will be displayed on an interatctive U.S. map where neighboring communities, media, and other organizations can identify who is walking in their area. In 2009, participation reached a record high of 3,369 registered events. Registering a Walk to School event provides organizers access to a variety of downloadable materials, including event ideas, certificates, flyers, and frequent walker punch cards. Registrants can also subscribe to receive a weekly e-newsletter for six weeks in September and October with tips and resources on holding a Walk to School event. FMI & Registration: www.walktoschool.org/register
Health Literacy & Plain Language: Writing Skills for Clear Health Communications Sponsored by the Maine Nutrition Network, participants in this 3-day course will gain skills in designing "easy to read" health communications. There will be a focus on nutrition education materials but skills developed will apply to any education materials. Located at Viles Arboretum, 153 Hospital Street (Rt. 9), Augusta, ME. Course Dates:
- August 31, 2010 9:00AM-4:00PM
- September 1, 2010 8:30AM-3:30PM
- September 21, 2010 9:00AM-4:00PM
Fee: $60.00 includes training, materials, and meals. Course is limited to the first 35 paid registrants. FMI & Registration: Heidi Weatherford 207.626.5260 or hweatherford@usm.maine.edu
Augusta Boys & Girls Club for Teens 1st Annual Flea Market  at the Lou Buker Community Center, 22 Armory Street, Augusta, ME on Augusta 7 & 8, 2010 from 8:00AM-5:00PM. Accepting donations every Thursday until 5:30 or by appointment. Please stop by the 21st Century Office first. Items must be in re-saleable condition and generally good appearance. Mattresses and boxsprings will not be accepted. Please call ahead if you have a truckload. If you would like to sell your own stuff and keep the profits, you can purchase one of 60 outside 10' X 20' spaces for $40 and set up your own table. Food provided by the 120th Family Readiness Group. All proceeds benefit the Augusta Boys & Girls Club for teens. FMI: Tyler Backus 207.623.3273 or tbackus@spurwink.org
School Composting Workshop  The faculty of the award-winning Maine Compost School will present a 2-day compost workshop for schools and public institutions at Highmoor Farm, Monmouth, ME August 17 & 18, 2010. The workshop will focus on developing compost/recycling programs in public settings. Participants will learn through hands-on activities, group interaction, demonstrations, and lectures.
Who should attend?
By the end of the workshop, participants will have:
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Experienced the science & art of composting
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Developed skills to initiate a school composting program
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Used & learned appropriate classroom activities for students
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Developed a network of school compost colleauges
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Had an experience of a lifetime!
FEE: $250 includes lunch, educational materials, and CEUs. Registration deadline: August 1, 2010. FMI & Registration: Mark Hutchinson 201-832-0343 or 1.800.244.2104 or
The Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation Speaker Series  On May 22, the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation, Georgia Organics, and other partners hosted a discussion on food access for schools and low-income communities. The Food Network's Alton Brown moderated a thought-provoking and probing conversation focused on how we can overcome food access obstacles in underserved neighborhoods, well-funded schools, and places between. Speakers included:
- Anthony Geraci, Baltimore City Schools, the nutrition director that has created a successful district-wide Farm to School program that has provided jobs for Maryland farmers, organic food for school kids, and saved the school system millions of dollars in the process.
- Yael Lehman, The Food Trust, a non-profit increasing access to fresh, healthy food in low-income communities.
Maine School Food Service Association Annual Conference at the Sunday River Grand Summit Hotel August 2 - 4, 2010. Hear keynote speaker Dr. Katie Wilson and participate in several breakout sessions. Register by July 16, 2010. Free registration for a second person from the same district. FMI & Registration: Barbara Rose at 207.929.9106 or
MYAN 27th Annual Peer Leadership Conference  The Maine Youth Action Network (MYAN) annual Peer Leadership Conference on November 11, 2010 at the Augusta Civic Center will bring together hundreds of 7th-12th grade youth and adult advisors interested in youth leadership, youth-adult partnership, and community change from across Maine for inspiring workshops, networking, speakers, and action planning. Participants leave feeling inspired, informed, and ready to take action back home. MYAN plans this event with guidance and input from youth leaders to ensure this event is relevant and powerful for YOU! MYAN is currently seeking youth, adults, and youth-adult teams to present workshops at the conference. Registration discounts are available to presenters. Workshop proposals due: July 31, 2010. Conference FEE: $80 FMI & Registration: www.myan.org/?conference
MYAN 7th Annual Maine Anti-Tobacco Youth Summit Sponsored by the Partnership for a Tobacco Free Maine this FREE event on November 12, 2010 at the Augusta Civic Center mobilizes youth from grades 7-12 from across Maine to come together with adult advisors to fight the battle against tobacco. Attendees take part in various workshops and activities to help them gain information, resources, skills, and connections to fight tobacco in their communities and create healthier homes. MYAN plans this event with guidance and input from youth leaders to ensure this event is fun, inspiring, and relevant for YOU! MYAN is currently seeking youth, adults, and youth-adult teams to present workshops at the conference. Workshop proposals due: July 31, 2010. FEE: Free FMI & Registration: www.myan.org/?summit
9th Annual Women's Bicycle Ride  This all-women's bike ride on June 13, 2010 at 9:00 AM begins from L.L. Bean's Casco Conference Center in Freeport and is suited for all ages and fitness levels with distances of 5, 15, 25, and 50 miles. The ride offers beautiful countryside and coastal views. Proceeds benefit the Bicycle Coalition of Maine's (BCOM) safety and education programs. Preregistration is encouraged. FEE: $25 (BCOM members) $35 (non-members, includes first-time BCOM membership for 2010) FMI & Registration: www.bikemaine.org/events/womensrideindex
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Kids Oral Health Partnership Free Training Available KOHP provides training on how to do oral assessments with young children and provide caregiver guidance and early prevention detection techniques-including fluoride varnish. This training for healthcare, childcare, and other family service providers is available for free. KOHP has also begun to offer a "Train the Trainer" course for those interested in delivering this curriculum. FMI on scheduling a training or becoming a trainer, contact Bonnie Vaughn RDH bvaughan@mcd.org or kohp.org
La Leche League Mother to Mother Breastfeeding Support Group
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Third Mondays of the month at 202 Brunswick Avenue, Gardiner. Please call Katherine in advance to let her know you are coming. 207.582.8250
Raising Money While Promoting Health in Schools Webinar  Co-sponsored by the Alliance for a Healthier Generation and the National PTA, this webinar recorded on January 20, 2010 will help school staff, parents, and caring adults influence efforts to conduct health-promoting and profitable fundraisers in schools. Explore guiding principles and alternatives to traditional candy and baked goods fundraisers. Hear from others, including PTA leaders, who have stories to share. Gain ideas and resources for taking the next step in your school community. View the webinar at: www.healthiergeneration.org/schools.aspx?id=3892
View other Alliance for a Healthier Generation Webinars:
- Taking Action: Competitive Foods & Beverages
- Setting the Standard: What Schools are Doing about Competitive Foods
9th Annual Maine Lobster Ride & Roll  Cycle on beautiful country roads past lighthouses and the rock-bound coast, then dine on a freshly made lobster roll lunch. (tuna and vegetarian options available) This fully-supported ride on July 24, 2010 begins at 7:00 AM from Rockland District High School and offers four distance options of 16, 30, 50, or 100 miles. Proceeds benefit the Bicycle Coalition of Maine's (BCOM) safety and education programs. Pre-Registration FEE: $65 (members) $85 (non-members, includes free trial BCOM membership for the calendar year) Lower rates for children. FMI & Registration: www.bikemaine.org/events/lobster-ride or 207.623.4511 |
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Governor Baldacci, in his State of the State Speech, launched the Keep ME Well initiative. This online tool helps people assess their health risks, obtain a report that helps them take action to find local resources and suport in their own communities, and find low cost health care services. This will be a very useful web site for health care providers and their patients.
Keep ME Well is designed to help Maine residents assess their risk for chronic disease, improve their health through education, and link them to local resources and supports that can help them decrease their risk of chronic disease and improve their health. It is part of the Governor's Universal Wellness Initiative aimed at helping Maine reach its goal of becoming the healthiest state in the nation.
Keep ME Well has two main features. The first is an assessment that Maine residents, 18 years or older, can complete. Based on answers to a series of health questions, participants will get three personalized reports. The reports assess risk for chronic disease, highlight where one can go to take action to improve his or her health, and provide a list of local resources that can help with disease prevention and management.
The second feature helps Mainers, especially those who are uninsured or underinsured, learn about low cost health care services in their local area. To learn more and access the tool, go to keepmewell.org. |
| Our Towns |
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Augusta
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Chelsea
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Farmingdale
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Fayette
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Gardiner
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Hallowell
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Litchfield
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Manchester
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Monmouth
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Mt. Vernon
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Pittston
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Randolph
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Readfield
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Richmond
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Vienna
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Wayne
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W. Gardiner
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Windsor
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Winthrop |
| HCCA Board of Directors |
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Mary Frances Bartlett
Rebecca West Dick, Chair
Cindy T. Flye
Rob Gordon
Chuck Hays, Treasurer
Bill McKenna
William McPeck
Kathi Wall
Jim Wood, Secretary
Mark Yerrick | |
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| School & Youth Newsletter June 2010 |
Welcome to the June Issue of Youth News
This issue is dedicated to schools, youth-serving organizations, and anyone concerned about the health and wellbeing of our children. You are invited to submit articles, ideas, and event announcements to: rpage@mcd.org Please use the Forward E-mail link at the bottom of the page when forwarding this newsletter to others. |
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Maine State Park Passport Program
For years, Maine state parks have shared their unique natural treasures with visitors from around the world.  From breathtaking mountains to magical seashores, Maine's outdoor opportunities are as diverse and varied as the people who come to enjoy them. From the thrill of a white-water river ride to a quiet picnic by the lake, there is a Maine state park designed around your favorite outdoor activity!
Maine's Bureau of Parks and Lands oversees 48 state parks and historic sites located throughout our beautiful state and more than 2 million people each year choose these spectacular backdrops for a variety of recreational experiences. Whether you are a first time visitor or already have made Maine state parks part of your family's tradition, visit the parks often as you discover for yourself the abundant treasures of Maine's wonderful natural heritage.
To celebrate the 75th Anniversary of the Maine State Park System in 2010 the Maine State Park Passport Program is being introduced. Get your passport at any one of Maine's state parks and start collecting stamps at the brown passport station located at each park. Passport holders can earn prizes along the way:
- 8 Stamps: Free sticker
- 16 Stamps: Free patch
- 24 Stamps: Free water bottle
- 32 Stamps: Free day use pass
- 40 Stamps: 2 Free nights of camping
- 48 Stamps: Free vehicle season pass
To further celebrate the 75th Anniversary, there are a variety of activities planned throughout the summer at state parks across Maine. Visit
Remember, by law, smoking is prohibited at all Maine state parks and beaches, group shelters, buildings and common areas as well as outdoor dining areas. Breathe easy, you're in Maine!  |
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Farm to School in Local Schools
At the beginning of the 2009-2010 school year HCCA awarded mini-grants to the following schools to help support Farm to School implementation:
- Henry L. Cottrell Elementary School, Monmouth to support a Fall Move-a-Thon that engages community members, has a local foods component, and is intented to replace traditional Halloween celebration activities
Move-a-Thon! Monmouth |
- Libby-Tozier Elementary School, Litchfield to begin work with first graders on a school garden that links activities to science and nutrition curriculum
- Readfield Elementary School to expand curriculum linked to the existing school garden by introducing a compost project called Worms Make Dirt!
Worms Make Dirt! Readfield
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- Wayne Elementary School to start a small school garden to bring existing nutrition curriculum to life and use the harvest to supplement school snacks
Farm to School programs connect schools with local farms with the objectives of:
- serving healthy meals in school cafeterias
- improving student nutrition
- improving health and nutrition education opportunities
- assisting the local economy by supporting local farmers
Successful Farm to School programs consist of several components:
- Schools buy and feature farm fresh foods in their school lunch program
- Students experience learning opportunities through farm visits, gardening and recycling programs, and classroom instruction on the importantce of buying and eating locally grown foods
- Growers gain access to a new market through schools and connect to their community through participation in programs designed to educate kids about local food and sustainable agriculture
Many of the components within a successful Farm to School Program support the U.S. Surgeon General's recommendations to address overweight and obesity.
HCCA recently awarded seven additional mini-grants to support Farm to School activities across our local service area. Look for up and coming Farm to School projects at:
- The Boys & Girls Club of Greater Gardiner
- Capital Area Technical Center, Augusta
- Chelsea Elementary School
- The Children's Center, Augusta
- Henry L. Cottrell Elementary School, Monmouth
- Maranacook Community High School, Readfield
- Marcia Buker Elementary School, Richmond
If you would like help getting started on or enhancing an existing Farm to School project, contact Renee Page at rpage@mcd.org or 207.588.5020 |
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Safe Graduation Celebrations
Many well-meaning parents think that it is enough to take away the car keys at their teen's parties so the teens cannot drink and drive. Some parents provide the alcohol or allow alcohol to be consumed based on the false belief that it is a rite of passage, especially at prom and graduation parties. Don't be a party to teenage drinking...it is against the law! Familiarize yourself with Maine's Underage Drinking Laws and encourage fun, safe graduation celebrations.
What Parents Should Know:
- You cannot give alcohol to your teen's friends under the age of 21 without their parent being present, even in your own home, even with their parent's permission
- You cannot knowingly allow a person under the age of 21, other than your own child, to remain in your home or on your property while consuming or possessing alcohol
If You Break the Law:
- Children can get hurt or die
- You can face a fine of up to $2,000 and/or 1 year in jail
- Others can sue you if anyone gets hurt or property is damaged
Protect Yourself and Your Teen:
- Refuse to supply alcohol
- Be home when your teen has a party
- Monitor your home if you are out of town
- Talk to other parents
- Provide alcohol-free opportunities
- Report violations to local police
5 Tips for Monitoring Your Teen:
- Limit Access: If you have alcohol in your home, keep track of it-know what and how much you have and keep it where it is not accessible to teens.
- Network: Get to know the parents of your teen's friends. Let the parents of your teen's friends know your rules and where you stand on underage alcohol use.
- Enforce Rules: Enforce your rules consistently. Don't look the other way if your teen violates the rules. They need to know you are serious.
- Check In Often: Be sure your teen knows how to reach you before they leave the house. Ask if adults will be present and if anyone will have alcohol.
- Be Up & Be Ready: Wait up or set the alarm for curfew time. When they arrive home, look for signs of use. Be prepared in advance for what you would do the FIRST time you discover that your teen has been drinking.
If your teen will be attending graduation parties and celebrations, keep these tips in mind and remember...Parents Who Host Lose the Most. |
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HCCA Recognizes Champions in Our Local Schools
HCCA held its annual meeting on May 24, 2010 and recognized some local champions doing ground breaking work in our schools.
Shelly Simpson,
Principal Shelly Simpson | Principal at Pittston Consolidated School received HCCA's Big Public Health Picture Award for providing leadership in prioritizing the integration of physical activity during each school day as a mechanism to improve student health and academic outcomes. Shelly and her staff have created a school culture that promotes and supports daily physical activity for all students. As a result the school has enjoyed improved health, academic, behavioral, and attendance outcomes. If you would like to learn more about incorporating daily physical activity at your school, contact Renee Page at rpage@mcd.org or 207.588.5020.
Winthrop High School Youth Voices Coordinator Danielle Doucette received HCCA's The Earlier the Better Award for leading and guiding students to advocate for better policies and healthier choices around substance and tobacco use. For the past five years Danielle has worked with Winthrop students to develop youth awareness around teen issues. Students participate in projects, attend leadership training, and educate other students on the dangers of using alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs. If you would like to form a youth advocacy group at your school, contact Renee Page at rpage@mcd.org or 207.588.5020.
Winthrop Youth Voices Students Raising Awareness Around the Dangers of Tobacco Use | |
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Grant Opportunities and Resources
Building Healthy Communities Grant Program  Grants, in the form of a Home Depot gift card for the purchase of tools or materials, are available up to $2500 to non-profit organizations and schools that are using the power of volunteers to improve the physical health of their community. Two grant cycles remain for this year: May 15 - July 1, 2010 and September 15 - November 1, 2010. Applicants must apply online. FMI & Application:http://corporate.homedepot.com/wps/portal/Grants
MaineDOT Quality Community Program (QCP) Funding  The QCP includes Safe Routes to School and Transportation Enhancements infrastructure improvements funding. Improvements such as sidewalks, better crossings, traffic calming, bike lanes, etc. can increase safety and get more people walking and biking to schools and other destinations. Arrange a site visit from the Safe Routes to School team and MaineDOT engineers to evaluate specific needs in your area. Application deadline: July 1, 2010. FMI & Application: www.state.me.us/mdot/projects-grant-applications/qcp/index.htm
Reserve Your Free Fuel Up to Play 60 School Wellness Kits Now for 2010-2011  Fuel Up to Play 60, the school wellness program provided by the National Dairy Council, your local Dairy Council, and the National Football League, in partnership with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, is helping to make wellness part of the game plan in more than 60,000 schools across the country. The program encourages school teams to make real changes in their eating and physical activity habits by choosing and implementing Action Strategies that help them to "fuel up" with healthy foods and "get up to play" for 60 minutes a day. Fuel Up to Play 60 can be used to complement an existing school wellness program or to help get a school started. When you join Fuel Up to Play 60 your school will receive:
- A free School Wellness Kit with tools, resources, and display materials to help you kick off, promote, and implement the program
- New opportunities for funding, recognition, and rewards for students, educators, and schools
- Full access to online tools, Action Strategies, resources, and ideas
- Monthly e-newsletters with updates, ideas from other schools, and wellness news for staff and parents
To join Fuel Up to Play 60, request a free School Wellness Kit, or learn more about the program, go to:
Safe Routes to School Online Resource for Law Enforcement Officers  The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration announced the launch of a new web-based resource for law enforcement officers. The Safe Routes to School for Law Enforcement web site, www.saferoutesinfo.org/lawenforcement provides tips, tools, and other materials to help law enforcement officers get involved in Safe Routes to School, a national effort to enable and encourage children to safely walk and bike to school.
2010 Subaru Healthy Sprouts Award  The 2010
Subaru Healthy Sprouts Award is aimed at supporting schools or organizations that plan to garden in 2011 with at least 15 children between the ages of 3 and 18. The selection of winners is based on the demonstrated relationship between the garden program and education related to environmental, nutrition, and hunger issues in the U.S. A total of 30 awards will be made. Prizes include a $500 gift certificate to the Gardening with Kids catalog and online store for basic youth gardening supplies and supporting educational materials; National Gardening Association's Eat a Rainbow Kit which includes nutrition lessons and education; and a literature package from the National Gardening Association. Application Deadline: October 1, 2010. FMI & Application:
Bicycle Coalition of Maine Bicycle Safety Share the Road Videos  The Bicycle Coalition of Maine has produced two new bicycle safety Share the Road videos. One stresses the importance of children and adults wearing bicycle helmets. The other informs viewers about the law in Maine and several other states requiring motorists to give at least three feet of clearance when passing cyclists. View the 30-second videos at: www.bikemaine.org/news-room/share-the-road-media-campaign
Free Seeds from the America the Beautiful Fund  Since 1980 the Operation Green Plant Program has saved more than 800 tons of seeds and 7 million flower bulbs from going to waste in landfills, grown more than 1.75 billion pounds of food for the hungry, and beautified roadways, parks, and neighborhoods in 20,000 communities in all 50 states. They invite you to join in the America the Beautiful Fund dream by making your own community more beautiful. To request a grant of vegetable, flower, and/or herb seeds, go to: www.america-the-beautiful.org/free_seeds/index.php
Maine Dental Access Coalition Video  This short video presents the need for oral health policies that recognize the role oral health plays in overall health and the need for better access to oral health services. Dental disease has a significant impact on cardiovascular disease, heart attack and stroke, and complications of diabetes as well as being associated with low birth weight and pre-term births. View the video at: www.mainedentalaccess.org/video.php
Bike Racks for ME Program  MaineDOT and GO MAINE Commuter Connections, in partnership with the Bicycle Coalition of Maine, support and encourage bicycling as an important mode of transportation and have created Bike Racks for ME for communities, organizations, and workplaces across Maine to help expand bicycling parking opportunities. The only cost to you or your community is the local match of 20%. As of mid-March 2010, orders have exhausted current available funding, but the program is still accepting applications in anticipation of continued funding. FMI & Application: http://gomaine.org/11/bike-racks-for-me/
Finish Line Youth Foundation Grants  The Finish Line Youth Foundation supports youth programs that are effective and inclusive. Funding opportunities are available for participation in youth programs that place an importance on youth development and an active lifestyle. Grants generally range from $1,000 to $5,000. Applications are accepted throughout the year. FMI: www.finishline.com/store/youthfoundation/guidelines.jsp |
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Thank you for your commitment to the health and wellbeing of our children. Please let us help you make connections to improve lives across our southern Kennebec communities.
Sincerely,
Joanne Joy, Director
&
Renee Page, School & Youth Program Manager
Healthy Communities of the Capital Area
A Local Healthy Maine Partnership
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