continued from coverYouth Change Policies Affecting Schools and the EnvironmentEstablishing Healthy Eating HabitsThe Public Health Institute’s California Project LEAN (Leaders Encouraging Activity and Nutrition) is using a three year, $120,000 TCWF grant to enhance its nutrition and fitness campaign, "Food on the Run" (FOR), in schools throughout the state."Almost one-third of California adolescents are overweight or at risk of being overweight, and most 12- to 18-year-olds do not meet any of the daily dietary standards," said Amanda Purcell, FOR program manager. California Project LEAN funds contracting agencies in 10 regions, such as county health departments, universities and nonprofit organizations, to recruit, train and work with low-income youth as part of community teams that assess needs in their schools and develop campaigns that address those needs. During the grant period, approximately 200 teenagers will learn policy basics, strategies for changing policy and how to work with adult leaders to achieve healthier school environments. "Each group has a general framework to lay out its goals, but each develops strategies that will work in their own school communities," Purcell said. For example, they have conducted surveys to determine what students want and how to market healthy choices to peers, discussed nutrition issues with food service directors and vendors and have made presentations to school board members. "What is exciting about this grant is that youth are learning that public policy isn’t an abstract concept, but a way to improve things in their communities," said Ruth Holton, TCWF director of public policy. "In this case, they are working to change the fitness and nutrition policies in their own schools." As a result, a partnership has been formed with the California School Boards Association, and a policy guide has been developed for school board members throughout the state. "We focus on the concept that healthy choices need to be easy choices," Purcell said. "An environment must be established that will make good food as accessible, attractive and competitively priced as junk food. In schools that are making changes – such as replacing sodas with water, juice or milk and providing salads and vegetables on lunch menus – kids are responding positively." "Our strongest projects are those that are most youth-centered, but they need to be in partnership with adults who can provide support and guidance," she said. "A good advocacy program needs as many voices as possible speaking on an issue. Adults supporting youth views lend validation and professional knowledge that are vital in influencing policymaking." Healthy Adolescent Sexuality
"The participants in the Camp Fire ‘Speak Out!’ program researched the impact of teen pregnancy on youth in Orange County and strategized ways to target their advocacy in areas where they could have the greatest impact," said Pauline Daniels, TCWF program director. They have targeted Costa Mesa and Santa Ana because those communities are known as "hot spots" for their high numbers of teen pregnancies. continued |
Promoting policies that contribute to adolescent
health is the objective of youth advocates
in Camp Fire USA-Orange County Council,
which is using a two-year, $150,000 TCWF
grant to create teen
pregnancy prevention action plans.
Summer 2003
| Young Californians Advocate for Healthier Communities
Recruiting Native Americans for careers in health professions Center’s services for at-risk women aim to reduce infant mortality |
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Wellness Foundation.
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