Promoting Child Health Through Programs and Policy

Wilkes Wild about

Wellness

Location/Demographics of Washington-Wilkes

Population: 10,687White: 5924Black: 4601Other: 21

Atlanta

Athens

AugustaWashington

A beautiful Community…

And two blocks away….

A County in Rural DeclineDemographic Characteristics Wilkes

CountyGeorgia Average

% change in population 1930-2000 - 33 % + 181.5%

Unemployment Rate February 2004 7.2% 3.8%

% not completing high school: 2000 35.0% 21.4%

% Bachelors degree or higher: 2000 7.8% 24.3%

% of individuals living below poverty 1999

17.5% 13.0%

Per Capita Income 2002 $22,101 $28,523

% students eligible for free/reduced lunch 2001

63.4% 43.2%

Ratio of residents to physicians 1069:1 520:1

Today’s Agenda….

Getting into a Community

Getting Results

Keeping the Momentum Going

A “Needs Driven” Process1) Community acknowledges a problem – Wilkes County

citizens seem to have more health problems than other communities.

2) Community asks for help – More and More community leaders hear the concerns of their citizens.

3) Community leaders respond- Problem solvers/ Resource Professionals are invited into the

community by the community leaders.4) Build Partnerships -- Resource Professionals seek to

understand the Problem or Need – Community leaders and local citizens are a part of identifying the

problem.5) Resource Professionals and Community Leaders

identify ways of dealing with the problem.6) Hire a staff to carry out the plan.

Getting into a Community….

A “Winning” Process or PlanMultiple strategies aimed at multiple avenues

Wellness Classes

Walking ClubsCooking

DemonstrationsHealth FairsAge Specific ProgramsDisease Specific

ProgramsGender Specific

Programs

CommunitySchoolsChurchesHospitalRestaurants

and Grocery Stores

Business

Getting Results….Best Practices

Community Champions

Leadership Support

Partnerships

Grocery StoresInterviews with Grocery Store ManagersTalking with employees within the grocery stores – gaining understanding around their knowledge of healthy eating.Cooking DemonstrationsHealth Fairs in conjunction with Wills Memorial Hospital in the lobby of grocery stores.Checking shelf space – looking for markers for healthy items. 

RestaurantsInterviews with Restaurant ManagersTalking with employees within the restaurants – gaining understanding around their knowledge of healthy eating.Checking Menus   

NewspapersHealthy Articles/Information is running as follows:

January - 223.5 Column Inches February- 216.5 Column Inches March - 138.0 Column Inches April - 264.5 Column Inches• We pay for a 60 Column Inch

Column each month.

• Other news comes from “Partners” – I.e. Grocery Stores, Restaurants, County Extension, Wills Memorial Hospital, Parks & Recreation Dept., etc.. 

RadioRadio Messages – approximately 10 messages per day.Also special announcements when presented – I.e. Kickoff – 30 minute interview, announcements for cooking demonstrations, Health Fairs, etc.

Program WebsitePassing on the word…… Handing out cards….. Handing out cards….. Handing out cards…

Website:http://

www.fcs.uga.edu/washingtonwilkes/

Other Publicity Pieces… We became “the Wellness Patrol”

Met with A-Star Parents and Kids for their monthly meetings at all five sites and identified “peer educators” and possible training opportunities.Quarterly Newsletters to all participantsPresentations to local civic clubs – Kiwanis, Lions, Rotary, Women’s Club, etc.Partnering with all health agencies and businesses.Health messages for church bulletins and ministers.Partnering with Family Connections.Are “active” members of the Local Health Coalition.

Parks/RecreationInstalled message boards and pamphlet racks for health message inclusion.Framed Health MessagesServe on Parks & Recreation Board.Participated in Youth Fair on March 8th with over 100 participantsPartnered with P&R with Outdoor track opening event – Walking Parade with over 20 participating.Provided Food Demonstration and Tastings for Basketball game with over 75 visiting the booth.Identified and trained community coaches.

Faith-Based Initiatives

Wilkes Ministerial Association meeting to discuss possible sessions.Methodist Church presentation on Nutrition Class with about 50 participants.First Baptist Church meeting, discussed Peer Training Opportunities within the organization.Black Rock Church meeting, discussed Lifestyle and Physical Activity Opportunities within Rev. Andrews congregations.Provided “healthy snacks” and trained personnel on how to prepare healthy snack for Vacation Bible School during summer.

Nutrition/Lifestyle Classes

Parks & RecreationWills Memorial Kids Cooking Classes with over 80 participantsA-Star SitesJumpStart Class with 30 participants

6-Week Nutrition Class at First Baptist Church with weekly avg. attendance at 125. Dr. John Childers inspired the group by loosing 170 lbs.!!!

Kids Cooking Show

Even the Mayor got in on this action!

Physical Activity

Parks & Rec partnership – has resulted in facility being open more hours for kids to “play” in a safe environment.Tiger Tracks developed for school systemWills Memorial Hospital is developing a “Walking Track” around it’s perimeter.Walking tracks developed all around the city on sidewalks.Walking teams and partnerships are developed, Example: Mother/Daughter walks.

Tiger Tracks……

“

Special Events promoting Nutrition and Physical Activity

Kick-off event with about 250 total participantsJumpStart Pregnant Women and new Mothers with about 45 participantsEarth Day/Wildlife Action with about 70 participantsCookbooks for KidsKids Cooking ShowWe had fun at the “candy less” Easter Egg Hunt – 10,000 eggs stuffed with toys!Sidewalk Art Contest

More Special events….

Sidewalk Art

Breakfast Week at School

Keeping the Momentum going…

Advocacy Health Coalition Wilkes County School System –

Wellness Team Tiger Tracks Wills Memorial Walking Track Parks & Recreation Extended hours Healthy Items on Restaurant Menus

Stop and Evaluate,Evaluate,Evaluate!