An Association of County Children and Families Commissions
Investing in Nutrition and Physical Activity For Children Birth to 5
2010 Updates: Funded Projects
Active Bodies serves providers in centers to work towards reducing childhood obesity. Through self-assessment, action planning and onsite technical assistance and training, Active Bodies staff works with providers to improve the quality of early childhood education in the area of nutrition and fitness.
2008: First 5 Napa County is part of the Children and Weight Coalition of Napa County www.healthyNapakids.com/. The group is a collaboration of community organizations, schools, recreation facilities, healthcare professionals and others dedicated to reducing childhood overweight in Napa County. They serve as a resource for the development of interdisciplinary, evidence-based strategies to promote children's health through nutrition and physical activity. The Coalition funds nutrition education, physical activity education programs, physical activity equipment and numerous resource materials. A subcommittee of the coalition was asked to take the lead in a separate project to develop/assess the possibility of a childhood overweight treatment program. During the funding year, the subcommittee worked on assessing treatment programs, and meeting with local pediatricians/clinicians to assess their needs. In February 2007, the subcommittee held a workshop with state and national program representatives focused on treatment models for overweight children. They are currently working on developing a treatment model for local use. First 5 Napa has also funded a number of mini-grants including the Active Bodies Project that teaches child care professionals how to create an environment that encourages active movement and healthy eating along with talking to parents about incorporating children’s healthy behaviors at home. A larger grant for $70,000 has been awarded for a gestational diabetes program. The program focuses on early identification, case management and education to support healthy moms and babies.