Anti-obesity, tobacco efforts organized
A group of Jackson County leaders interested in reducing obesity and tobacco use in their communities will meet next week to organize their efforts.
The Tuesday morning meeting comes in the wake of state grant monies being officially awarded to a four-county consortium seeking funds aimed at encouraging healthy habits.
Word came last week from Bonnie Frederickson of Cottonwood-Jackson Community Health Services, coordinator of the effort, that the four-county consortium had received full funding from the Statewide Health Improvement Program for planning and organizing programs geared toward the promotion of healthy living.
Officials with Cottonwood-Jackson Community Health Services, in partnership with Renville and Redwood counties and with the support of communities in each, had applied for grant dollars through SHIP. The grant application sought a two-part infusion of dollars, with $135,000 for planning and $400,000 for implementation of programs geared to the promotion of healthy living.
On the Tuesday agenda is a review of the Phase I grant, including funding, staffing and timeline details; a review of the roles of the leadership team, communication ideas and commitment of community leaders; more information on how the planning process will be handled with an eye toward possible program implementation by Jan. 1, 2010; how to spread the word of the effort to the public; and a time for questions.
Frederickson said a similar group of Cottonwood County leaders will meet to discuss the same items the morning before.
Copyright © Jacksoncountypilot
