June 21, 2021

New Funding!

We’re thrilled to share that Healthi Kids has been awarded a 5 year grant through New York State called Creating Healthy Schools and Communities! This funding will let us continue to advance our work in building equitable communities and supporting healthy learning environments.

The deliverables of the grant allow us to focus on:

  • Supporting physical activity and nutrition interventions in schools
  • Expanding our work to support physical activity and nutrition interventions in early care and learning environments
  • Advancing food service guidelines in worksites and community settings
  • Connecting routes to destinations and supporting physical activity access in communities.

 

National/State Highlights:

  • Coalition members present at US Play Coalition! Shout-out to our coalition members Evette Colon, Heather Feinman, and Dori Young. On June 2nd they presented alongside Jenn and Kathryn Mariner, Anthropologist at the University of Rochester at the national US Play Coalition conference. Their presentation entitled “Capture the Flag: How Traditionally Marginalized Residents Reclaim Urban Space Through Play” shared more about their work in their neighborhood to transform Rochester!

  • Brookings Placemaking Postcards Our play work was recently highlighted nationally in the Brookings Institute’s Placemaking Postcards series. Be sure to read that article here.

  • APHA Blog on Healthiest Cities Challenge: Our work to establish a resident-led Food Policy Council here was recently highlighted nationally in the APHA’s blog for the Healthiest Cities Challenge. Read that article here:

  • Healthy Families New York (Broome County): This spring Erick presented our work related to infant and early childhood mental health (IECMH) at a monthly meeting of Healthy Families New York in Broome County. The group reached out to Erick after connecting with him at the New York State Association for Infant Mental Health’s annual meeting. Practitioners were able to learn more about why it’s important to center culturally responsive and relative practices when advancing the work.  

  • Alliance for the Advancement of Infant Mental Health: This spring Stephanie has continued to work with the Alliance’s Policy and Systems Development Committee to develop recommendations addressing early care and learning suspension and expulsion, and its disproportionate impact on Black and Brown children.  

 

Opportunities for Action:

 

Parents/Caregivers Needed to Join GRASSA Advocacy Committee!

  • Healthi Kids currently co-chairs the Greater Rochester After School and Summer Alliance with The Children’s Agenda. We are currently recruiting additional members to join in! We’re specifically looking for parents and caregivers. If you or anyone you would know would be interested in joining, please let us know.
  • Commitment: monthly one hour meetings
  • Who to contact:  if you’re interested in participating or learning more please contact Jenn at jenn.beideman@commongroundhealth.org

 

 

Calling all Rochester residents - Apply to be a Member of the Food Policy Council

  • We are currently recruiting City of Rochester residents with a passion for our food system to join the Rochester Food Policy Council.
  • More details on how to register and spread the word are on our website here.
  • Who to contact: Contact Mike for more details at mike.bulger@commongroundhealth.org

 

City of Rochester: Point de Rennes Public Meeting

  • The City of Rochester is hosting a public meeting for the Pont de Rennes and Browns Race Rehabilitation Project
  • Thursday, June 24th (via zoom) from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m.
  • Who to contact: If you’d like to participate, please reach out to Mike: mike.bulger@commongroundhealth.org

 

 

 

Families and Students Needed to Share Your Vision for Playful Learning in RCSD!

  • Our work continues to advance in the power of play portfolio. This Spring we launched PlayROCs the RCSD – and we’re in the process of creating alongside students and families a collective vision for playful learning for play in RCSD! We need you to help us get out the word of a live survey so we can continue to collect feedback.
  • More details are on our website here.
  • Who to contact:  If you’d like to learn more please reach out to Beatriz: Beatriz.lebron@commongroundhealth.org

 

 

 Parents/Caregivers Needed to Join ECDI Advocacy Committee!

  • Healthi Kids currently co-chairs the Early Childhood Development Initiative’s Advocacy Committee and is recruiting additional members to join in! We’re specifically looking for parents and caregivers. If you or anyone you would know would be interested in joining, please let us know.
  • Commitment: monthly one hour meetings
  • Who to contact:  if you’re interested in participating or learning more please contact Stephanie at Stephanie.david@commongroundhealth.org