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CHANCE Obesity-Prevention Pilot Program
In Collaboration With:
CUCE-NYC Nutrition & Health program
It is an epidemic that affects millions of people across the nation. Overweight and obesity are two major health concerns, particularly in Bushwick/Bed-Stuy. About 1 in 4 adults in these neighborhoods is obese, leading to chronic diseases such as heart disease and diabetes. The problem is also affecting children. Many of us are concerned and have been looking for ways to improve the health of our families and the community.
CHANCE is a statewide pilot project, funded through Cornell University Cooperative Extension's Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP), and a collaborative effort of the Nutrition & Health and Family & Youth Development program areas. The project will be piloted in Brooklyn's Bushwick and Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhoods, in partnership with the Brooklyn District Public Health Office. Agency staff and parents in local schools, day care and Head Start programs will participate in an intensive nutrition and parenting skills workshop series. The series will be delivered by two Cornell Paraprofessional Community Educators and will utilize a learner-centered, hands-on approach to learning about nutrition and parenting skills. Program implementation is set to begin in March 2006.
CHANCE project objectives:
- To provide educational activities for low-income parents (and guardians) on the prevention of childhood obesity. Lessons will integrate relevant topics in nutrition, parenting skills, physical activity, environmental influences, and advocacy skills
- To enhance parents’ ability and motivation to adopt healthy lifestyles and to help prevent childhood obesity through their modeling and influence on behavioral and environmental factors.
- To facilitate collaboration of agency staff, parents, and community members to plan and implement actions to create more healthful nutrition and activity environments for children.
- To provide training to collaborating agency staff on ways to be supportive of parents’ and children’s efforts to follow healthful dietary and physical activity practices, including modeling healthy behavior.
- To initiate or strengthen Worksite Wellness programs in Cooperative Extension Associations (and in some collaborating agencies) that will provide pilot project staff with opportunities to make behavioral and environmental changes in support of their own health and well-being.
- To provide supported transition and a network of support for program graduates as they implement nutrition and health activities within their agencies.
- To support and educate members of individual school health and nutrition committees to promote their efforts within their school.
Partners
- The New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, Brooklyn District Public Health Office
- Bushwick Agenda for Children Tomorrow
- Food and Fitness Task Force of Bushwick/Bed-Stuy
- Builders for Family and Youth - Project Bridge/Adolescent Services Advisory Committee
Other collaborating agencies
- The New York City Department of Education
- Health Coordinators, Parent Coordinators, Principals and Assistant Principals, School Nurses, Family/Social Workers and other staff
- Office of School Food and Nutrition Services
- Administration for Children’s Services/Head Start
- Local neighborhood day care centers