Current Projects:

• Local Policy Database  The Local Policy Database project catalogues promising policies in nutrition and activity at the local level.  In other disciplines like tobacco control and injury prevention, local policies have proven to be an effective stimulus for advancing policy in other locales, and at the state and federal levels.  Our goal is to provide health advocates with concrete examples of physical activity / nutrition-related policies that are emerging locally and to stimulate the adoption and implementation of promising policies throughout California. If you are interested in learning more about the Local Policy Database, or if you would like to contribute a local policy that positively impacts healthy eating and activity, please contact Manal J. Aboelata, MPH at 323.296.5750 (manal@preventioninstitute.org).

Healthy and Active Before 5: Action Plan to Reduce Childhood Obesity in Contra Costa County

Funded by: Heathy and Active Before 5

Prevention Institute guided the Healthy and Active Before 5 collaborative in creating a comprehensive action plan to reduce childhood obesity in Contra Costa County. The goal of the comprehensive plan is to create food and activity environments in neighborhoods and key institutions that will motivate and support children and families to adopt healthy behaviors.  In particular, the plan focuses on children ages 0-5, a population that has been missing in many obesity prevention plans, policies and practices. The final plan is composed of eight key principles, developed by leaders from many Contra Costa organizations and agencies, with input from families throughout the County. More information on the Healthy and Active Before 5 Action plan can be found on their website.

Past Projects:

Community Advocacy: Fresh Ideas on Food and Fitness for Orange County’s Kids

Funded by: Health Funders Partnership of Orange County (HFPOC)

Prevention Institute, in partnership with Samuels & Associates (S&A) and Berkeley Media Studies Group (BMSG) provides technical assistance and training to support a multi-year, countywide initiative to prevent Type II Diabetes and its major risk factors among Orange County children and families.   Through quarterly community convenings, Orange County stakeholders receive training about advocacy strategies, effective policies and environmental approaches to improving opportunities for healthy eating and physical activity in schools, neighborhoods, and workplace settings.

Governor’s Action Summit on Health, Nutrition, and Obesity

Held on September 15, 2005 in Sacramento, the Governor’s Summit was an important step in the ongoing commitments that are necessary to improve healthy eating and physical activity in CA. Strategic Alliance’s contributions to the summit include authoring Taking Action for a Healthier California, which identifies concrete steps that business and government can take to create healthier places to live and work.

Monterey County Health Department Steps for a Healthier Salinas

Funded by: Monterey County Department of Health

Prevention Institute is working with the Monterey County Health Department 's Steps for a Healthier Salinas initiative to deliver a series of training sessions designed to shape the vision, direction and priorities of the initiative. Prevention Institute staff is providing strategic planning consultation and technical assistance to local coalition members to identify and prioritize strategies for action to improve nutrition and physical activity environments. Additional information available from Monterey County Health Department’s Steps for a Healthier US.

Transitioning to Obesity Prevention: Harnessing WIC’s Success to Promote Healthy Eating and Active Living (PDF)

Funded by: The California WIC Association and California WIC Branch

In collaboration with California’s Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Supplemental Nutrition Program, Prevention Institute facilitated a six month policy development process intended to shape California WIC’s direction and priorities for obesity prevention in the coming decade.  Transitioning to Obesity Prevention explores how the WIC community can make the broad environmental changes necessary to support the ability of WIC participants to make healthy choices for themselves and their families, while also considering possible new or strengthened partnerships and collaborations.