Hl livingthe cause_ygp02_14_12

Healthy Living:

Living The Cause

YMCA of Greater Providence

FOR YOUTH DEVELOPMENTFOR HEALTHY LIVINGFOR SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

February 14, 2012

AGENDA

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YMCA of Greater Providence

Healthy Living: Living the Cause

Our story focuses on:• Healthier Communities• YMCA’s Diabetes Prevention Program• Health Equity• Relationships

Healthier Communities

In late 2007, the YMCA of Greater Providence convened a diverse coalition to participate in the Pioneering Healthy

Communities (PHC) initiative.

Focused on two opportunities by implementing two unique, mobile programs: •Y On the Move - Based on the concept that there is no better way to get kids moving than by parking a playground in their front yards, Y On the Move brings unique, engaging activities to youth and families where they live, work and play •Fresh to You - delivers the highest quality, fresh fruits and vegetables to convenient locations and sells this produce to participants at substantial discounts. According to Research by Brown University, Fresh to You significantly increased fruit and vegetable consumption among low-income children.

Healthier Communities

2009 - present Approached by the Rhode Island Healthy

School Coalition (HSC) and asked to implement the

physical component of the HSC program, Y staff traveled to school districts throughout

the state training teachers how to incorporate exercise

breaks into the school day. To date - introduced these

breaks in 12 school districts in more than 120 classrooms,

affecting more than 130 faculty and 2,600 students.

Healthier CommunitiesHealthier Olneyville

• The Y is currently working in collaboration with RI Department of Health and Olneyville Housing on the this initiative

• Community stakeholders and residents were engaged in a community health assessment and a community improvement planning process

• We’ve established the Olneyville Community Action Team, to determine the specific actions needed to improve the health of Olneyville and to work collectively to implement changes

• Secured $52k to go directly to implementation of proposed community changes; specifically to impact opportunities for physical activity

Areas of focus are: – Neighborhood Design– Litter– Safety

• Healthcare– Physical Activity– Nutrition

Healthier CommunitiesHealthy Places by Design – In RFP - DOH mandated YMCA of Greater

Providence be a key partner for any municipality due to access to CHLI

• The Y is a key community partner in the RI Department of Health’s Healthy Places by Design project in Pawtucket, North Kingstown and South Kingstown

• The project focuses on strengthening land use, transportation and urban design policies and local ordinances that guide the decision making process for the built environment to be more supportive of health, particularly as it relates to physical activity and healthy eating.

• The Y conducted CHLI assessments in all three communities and was the lead Community-Based Organization in both North Kingstown and South Kingstown. CHLI process is centered around the participation of community residents and stakeholders in assessing their own environment. This approach deepens the level of community engagement and authentic voice that residents and community leaders have within the assessment process.

Healthier CommunitiesHealthy Places by Design

• As the lead CBO in North and South Kingstown, the Y has collaborated with each municipality to lead the community assessment and public engagement efforts. This has included:

– CHLI Assessments– Community Health Survey– Hosting Public forums– Hosting a design charrette on community health issues– Leading and supporting the formation of working groups that will continue to

work key areas of concern after the grant has concluded

The four key areas of focus identified by both towns are:

•Access to Healthy Food•Access to Recreation/ Public Spaces

•Walking and Biking•Supporting Village Development

YMCA’s Diabetes Prevention Program

2010 – 1 class completed – 5 participants

2011 – 9 classes – 58 participants completed

2012 – 5 classes to date; 1 completed; 2 running; 2 upcoming (Feb. 21 & Mar 8)

We have a solid referral base (7 PC Practices referring – part of AAFP study); 2-3 other PCP’s referring a little more sporadically; Nurses from BCBSRI also referring

2 of the PC practices are federally funded health clinics – the majority of patients referred from these clinics are very low income; have seen a correlation between mental health; poverty and obesity.  Transportation schedule key to attendance

Challenges:

Participants need to qualify for the program in two ways:

• Biometric

• Readiness for change – this is the most difficult

Business Case

As soon as the Rhode Island Department of Health received federal stimulus funds, the agency contacted the Y and awarded it $450,000 to take the lead and execute the Healthy Places by Design effort, which incorporates healthy community policies and local comprehensive planning and zoning practices to promote active lifestyles. Funding has also come from municipalities. In four years, the YMCA of Greater Providence leveraged its initial seed funding of $40,000 into $650,000.

Partnerships have flourished with:

• Dept. of Health

• Brown University

• Medical Community

• Schools

• Municipalities

• Business Community

THANK YOU