The Triple R Mindset

This post was written by Diana Bernal,  Program Coordinator for the Creating Healthy Schools & Communities program at Bronx Health REACH. 

As part of the New York State Department of Health’s Creating Healthy Schools & Communities program, Bronx Health REACH is working with Equity Design, a longtime Bronx Health REACH partner whose goal is to design sustainable programs and services that translate to the specific social, cultural and physical health disparities, and schools in the Bronx to help improve school wellness. One way used to help schools is by providing their school wellness councils with technical assistance and help them implement local wellness policies. 

Bronx Health REACH, Equity Design and IS 584’s school wellness council went through team building and mind mapping sessions to identify areas of improvement for their students, teachers, and community. One area that the school wanted to prioritize was the teacher well-being. Given that teachers play many roles and are the backbone of a school, the need to support their wellness is paramount. “Nationally, there are reports of increased teacher burnout and subsequent turnover in recent years.”

For this reason, IS 584’s school wellness council came up with a Triple R Policy for their school: Relax, Recharge, and Renew. The school’s leadership considers implementing this policy as necessary for teacher relaxation and mental health with the aim to foster a supportive environment for staff, and improve teacher retention and morale. An outcome of this teacher focus was the creation of the Triple R Mindset Teacher Lounge, a room that school leadership designated as a teachers only space for them to unwind and recharge before, during, and after school.

  

                                                       

Based on this policy and vision, Equity Design connected IS 584 with Metropolitan Bank  who offered to provide the school funding to revamp their teachers’ lounge. This allowed for an inviting teachers’ lounge that included comfortable seating, a walking pad, stationary bicycles for physical activity, a refrigerator, water/coffee station, and an inviting décor, all to create a positive and peaceful space. The Triple R Mindset Teacher Lounge will help teachers experience time for reflection, team-building, engagement in physical activity, wellness and emotional stability while in a workplace setting. This is a great example of what can happen through a school wellness council and community partnerships working together to create healthier environments! 

‘Men, Let’s Talk’ - A Men's Only Health Forum for Men of Color in the Bronx

 

Debut of Bronx Health REACH's 'Men, Let's Talk' series at the Institute for Family Health's Stevenson Health center. 

June is Men’s Mental Health Month but for Bronx Health REACH each of the past 8 months we have been holding conversations with men in the Bronx on their mental health and wellbeing. It has been well reported how much the COVID pandemic inflicted mental stresses on everyone. This was brought home strongly to Bronx Health REACH by many leaders of our faith based outreach initiative and our community outreach team.  We heard from many that they were especially concerned about the mental wellbeing of the men in our community.

To address these concerns, Bronx Health REACH created, ‘Men, Let's Talk’, an ongoing series of monthly Saturday morning meetings that were part of the Minority Mens Wellness Initiative funded by the New York State Department of Health. These meetings provide a forum where men discuss with each other and with experts, issues that impact their mental health and wellbeing. The first meeting was held in person in October 2022 at the Stevenson Family Health Center, but with the increase, at that time, of COVID cases, subsequent meetings have been held virtually. Participants have shared that the forum has been a safe space to discuss topics that they previously were unable or uncomfortable discussing and sharing.

To date 157 men have attended the monthly Men, Let's Talk meetings. If you are interested in participating,  please contact: Joseph Ellis (917)293-4247; Cheikhou Oumar Ann at (929)215-9506; Felix Rojas (Spanish speaker), at (917)650-0987.

Men’s Health Workshop Debuts at the Institute for Family Health Stevenson Family Health Center

Eight men attended the Men’s Health Workshop at the Institute for Family Health’s Stevenson Family Health Center. Joseph Ellis, author of this article, is fourth from the left.

This post was written by Joseph Ellis, a Community Health Worker at Bronx Health REACH.

As a Community Health Worker for Bronx Health REACH and the Men’s Department Coordinator for my church, Bronx Deliverance Center of Faith, I have been working and communicating with men in the community and the churches for several years. Our conversations have been on various subjects such as spiritual growth, finances, community involvement, and health.

I’ve noticed that when we begin to talk about our health, we come up with many reasons why we are not giving our health top priority in our life. For example, we work, we are tired when we get home, we have no desire, we are not interested in exercising because it takes too much time, we eat whatever our partner cooks, or we do not have time to go to the Doctor.

Normally men have a difficult time discussing issues concerning our health. Our perception of ourselves is often: whatever we face, we can handle. Irrespective of the challenge, men believe they are indestructible, and can address any issue on their own, even if it’s a health one. But this is not always the case.

Many of the men I have spoken with mentioned having struggles with health concerns like diabetes, being overweight and losing the weight, being stressed about work and providing for their families. As a Community Health Worker, I wanted to do something to address these concerns. If I could get them all together in a workshop and have their health concerns addressed by a doctor, maybe they would be more receptive to opening up about the challenges they have as men regarding being healthy.

With the help of Ms. Tabasa Ozawa, one of the interns at Bronx Health REACH, we created a Men’s Health survey that we distributed to men to get a broader idea of the other health topics they are concerned about. Using this survey, I was able to outreach to 160 men from different ethnicities and ages in the community, churches, and masjids. It took a couple of months to gather all this important information together.

From the information gathered, I organized a Men’s Health Workshop at the Institute for Family Health’s Stevenson Family Health Center in the Bronx. Dr. Eric Gayle, the NYC Regional Medical director for the Institute for Family Health, led this first Men’s Health Workshop on Saturday, January 18, 2020.

Dr. Eric Gayle led the workshop and answered questions about Men’s health.

Several health topics were chosen that we felt would encourage a dialogue among the men.
Those topics were:

a. Age Dependent Preventive Health
b. Health
c. Wellness
d. Interacting with your Primary Provider
e. Cancer Screenings


The interaction between the men and Dr. Gayle was dynamic. He talked to them and not at them. As they warmed up to him, the questions just kept coming. This workshop was designed to get the men to open up about their health concerns, and they did. Scheduled for two hours, the workshop easily went another half an hour.

Questions were addressed about diabetes, family history, discussing your health concerns with your doctor; (the doctors are here to help you but need you to communicate to them what is bothering you), sexual health, prostate growth and cancer, what are the options to combat these concerns and more.

The workshop hit home for the men and they wanted to know when we would be holding the next one. When the workshop ended, a couple of the men hugged Dr. Gayle and prayed for him. Wow! What a positive response to a dynamic workshop.

Attendees were encouraged to be proactive in managing their health.

As a Community Health Worker, I am encouraged that having these Men’s Health Workshops will be a tremendous help in assisting the men in our communities to take charge of their health and become more proactive. With the help of Dr. Gayle and other providers at the Institute for Family Health, we will continue to organize more workshops to provide a forum where men can have an open discussion about their health.


If you would like more information about the Men’s Health Workshop, contact Joseph Ellis at (212) 633-0800, ext. 1341.

Farm Share Program Wraps Up Successful Season at Two Community Health Centers

This post was written by Milagros Neyra, Community Health Project Manager.

The Bronx Health REACH/Corbin Hill Farm Share Program wrapped up a successful season with over 500 bags of fresh and affordable fruits and vegetables distributed to Mt. Hope, Morris Heights, and Soundview residents. While the Farm Share site at the Institute for Family Health’s (IFH) Stevenson Family Health Center continued for a second year, IFH’s Walton Family Health Center debuted as a new, second location for the Farm Share program.

The summer Farm Share season ran from July to November 2019. Participants picked up their bags, consisting of five to seven vegetables and one fruit, at the Walton Family Health Center on the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of the month, and Stevenson participants picked up their bags on the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays of the month. From its inception, the Farm Share program was designed to give the neighborhood residents access to affordable, locally grown fresh produce. Recipes were provided so customers would have creative ways to prepare their vegetables at home. Cooking demonstrations, led by community chefs and supported by the Corbin Hill Food Project, were held at the locations allowing customers to taste test recipes using the vegetables.

“Having the Farm Share program at the Walton Family Health Center brought our patients, community members, and staff together for a common goal: to be able to purchase affordable, fresh produce, that is otherwise difficult to access in this community,” said Marlin Morel, Farm Share site coordinator for the Walton Family Health Center. “As a Health Coach, my goal is to teach our patients that food is the best medicine, and eating a balanced diet of fresh, whole foods is instrumental in their journey to better health.”

To participate in the program, patients, staff, and community members can sign up onsite or online at any time. By placing an order at least one week in advance of the pick-up date, participants can enjoy high quality and locally grown produce delivered to their health centers. “I'm so grateful that this program was in our neighborhood. Health statistics for the Bronx are very devastating and we desperately need this type of program, as well as the cooking and education about the right things to eat,” said Veronica Millender, a resident of Castle Hill for 43 years and a Farm Share program participant since 2018. “Having the Farm Share year round would mean more healthy residents and less chronic conditions. The big picture is the Bronx having healthier residents who are eating well and can afford to buy fresh produce for their families.”

Participants purchased the produce using cash, credit, debit, EBT/SNAP and Health Bucks. The affordable prices and flexibility of payment options, makes the Farm Share program accessible for all to purchase foods that may have been previously unattainable. The Winter Farm Share Season is scheduled to begin mid-January at the Stevenson and Walton locations. The Winter Farm Share Season begins January 14th at the Walton Family Health Center and January 21st at the Stevenson Family Health Center. If you would like to participate, you can order online or email Mila Neyra, Community Health Project Manager at mineyra@institute.org, or call (212) 633-0800 ext. 1224.

Corbin Hill Winter Farm Share Comes to Two Institute for Family Health Bronx-Based Health Centers

Bronx Health REACH, Stevenson Family Health Center and Mt. Hope Family Practice have partnered with Corbin Hill Food Project to host a Winter Farm Share where employees and patients can purchase vegetables and fruit every week for only $10. The Winter Farm Share at Stevenson Family Health Center is offered every Tuesday from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. The Mt. Hope Farm Share is offered every Wednesday from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Since the January 23rd debut, over 125 people have purchased from the Winter Farm Share. Customers can pay with cash, credit card, debit card, EBT, or SNAP.

Interested participants can sign up in person or online. For further information about the Stevenson Health Center Farm Share, you can call Tiffany Diaz at (718) 589-8775 ext. 2832; for the Mt. Hope Farm Share, you can call Casey Luber at (718) 583-9000. Sign up now to enjoy fresh, local veggies and fruits!

Healthy Beverage Zone Launches in the Bronx

On Tuesday, April 18th Bronx Health REACH/The Institute for Family Health, and Union Community Health Center officially launched the Healthy Beverage Zone initiative, a borough-wide movement promoting healthy beverage consumption among individuals who work and/or live in the Bronx. The event, held at Hostos Community College, a partner in the initiative, included Bronx Health REACH's Kelly Moltzen, Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr., New York State Senator Gustavo Rivera, Assemblyman Victor Pichardo, and Dr. Vanessa Salcedo from Union Community Health Center. The speakers encouraged Bronx residents to take the pledge to make their workplace, school, place of worship and home a healthy beverage zone free of sugar sweetened drinks.

The Institute for Family Health's Mount Hope, Stevenson and Walton health centers will soon become Healthy Beverage zones. The Bronx, selected as one of 50 finalists in the Healthiest Cities & Counties Challenge, has received a $10,000 community award to support the Bronx Healthy Beverage Zone. At the end of the Healthiest Cities & Counties Challenge, the programs that show measurable change may be eligible for prize awards of up to $500,000.

You can read more about the Healthy Beverage Zone by visiting the website. 

Bronx Health REACH Wins Two Awards at The Institute’s Annual Research & Innovation Symposium

Bronx Health REACH won first place in two categories at the Institute for Family Health's Sixth Annual Research Innovation Symposium held in April. The poster, “South Bronx Churches Leading the Effort to Increase Access to Fruits and Vegetables” won first place in the Innovative Projects category, and “Disparities in Physical Education and Activity in NYC Schools: A District-Wide Assessment of South Bronx Elementary Schools” took first place in the Research category.

“South Bronx Churches Leading the Effort to Increase Access to Fruits and Vegetables” highlights how 12 South Bronx churches, members of the Bronx Health REACH Coalition, increased consumption of fruits and vegetables by distributing more than 1,000 Health Bucks (paper vouchers, each worth $2, used to purchase fruits and vegetables at farmers markets), and conducted more than 15 farmers' market tours with congregants and local residents.

“Disparities in Physical Education and Activity in NYC Schools: A District-Wide Assessment of South Bronx Elementary Schools” was an assessment of physical activity spaces and physical education instruction in New York City’s South Bronx District 9 elementary schools. Findings from 24 schools surveyed show limited student access to PA/PE. As a result of the assessment, Bronx Health REACH will collaborate with the New York City Departments of Health and Mental Hygiene and Education to improve PA/PE in schools in this District.

Photos from the event can be found here
.

For Our Community Health Workers There Are No Limits When it Comes to Assisting Patients in the Vegetable and Fruit Prescription Program

The Institute for Family Health’s Bronx Health REACH Vegetable and Fruit Prescription Program encourages obese patients to eat more fruits and vegetables. Six hundred and six patients across three Institute health centers in the Bronx - Stevenson, Mt. Hope and Walton - have received prescriptions for vegetables and fruits from their providers who encourage them to “fill” the Rx at supermarkets, bodegas, and farmers’ markets participating in the program. Patients attending a farmers’ market tour receive $10 worth of Health Bucks to spend at the market on fruits and vegetables. Health Bucks are $2 vouchers distributed by the New York City Department of Health to be used only for the purchase of fruits and vegetables at farmers markets.

Our Community Health Workers are a key element of the Vegetable and Fruit Prescription Program. They provide the patients with nutrition information, invite them to participate in the food demos held at the health centers, and attend tours of supermarkets, bodegas and farmers’ markets. Joseph Ellis, our current Community Health Worker, is a lifelong resident of the Bronx with a remarkable commitment to the community and his fellow residents. As he enrolls patients into the Vegetable and Fruit Prescription Program, conducts baseline and follow-up surveys, coordinates the supermarket and farmers market tours, and assists in food demonstrations he is constantly encouraging patients to make even small changes in their eating habits  that can go a long way to improving their health.

Joseph describes his role as very rewarding. He attributes that to his interaction with the community residents and the fact that he works with some amazing people at the health centers. Working with patients at the health centers has made him more conscious of social issues affecting the community. “I didn’t realize the amount of help that some people need. Needing [assistance] with nutrition and learning to eat healthier doesn’t have a particular face, color, or economic background. People are in need of help and we do our best to aid the patients any way we can.” He recalls one instance where a provider from the Walton Family Health Center approached him regarding a concern he had about a patient. The patient was not taking her medicine because she could not afford to buy food, and for the medicine to work, it needed to be taken with food. Immediately, Joseph went to a local church food pantry and was able to get 2 bags of groceries for the patient. He also gave her information about 2 other food pantries that were located near her home. With tears in her eyes, she thanked him and let him know what a great help he had been.

Zaira Hernandez, a former Community Health Worker in the Vegetable and Fruit Prescription Program agrees that her experience in the program has also been filled with many learning experiences. “Working as a Community Health Worker for the Vegetable and Fruit prescription program has been an incredible experience. Many patients have shared with me their love of fruits and vegetables, but that they find it difficult to buy healthy food where they live.”

Zaira remembers one patient telling her that when she would visit her native country, the Dominican Republic, she was able to not only purchase fruits and vegetables at a lower price, but she could also literally get them from her backyard where there were mango trees providing her free daily access to fresh fruit. In contrast, when she returned to the Bronx she no longer had those options. Zaira was able to connect the patient to services where she could purchase fruits and vegetables.

Changing one’s eating habits is not an easy goal, but with our Community Health Worker's knowledge, passion and commitment to improving patient’s health, our Community Health Workers are making a difference with the Vegetable and Fruit Prescription Program.

Assemblyman Victor M. Pichardo - Making Government a Force for Good

Bronx Health REACH continues its series on individuals who have made a significant contribution to not only the Institute for Family Health, but to the African-American, Black and Latino communities in the Bronx where they have been strong activists for needed change. A notable member of this group of change agents is New York Assemblymember Victor M. Pichardo, representing the 86th New York State Assembly District, which includes the University and Morris Heights, Mount Eden, Kingsbridge, Tremont, and Fordham sections of the Bronx.

Assemblyman Victor M. Pichardo became interested in public service following a family tragedy fifteen years ago. The Asemblyman’s cousin, who had been working as a livery cab driver, accidently bumped a motorcycle and the motorcyclist ended up stabbing his cousin to death. The suspect fled to the Dominican Republic. “It seemed like the case to get the guy that killed my cousin had stopped, so Senator Charles Schumer took an interest in the case and flew down to meet the President of the Dominican Republic to request extradition. Unfortunately word got around and the suspect then fled to Belgium. With the assistance of Senator Schumer, Interpol tracked down the suspect and he was later brought back to face justice. From that point on, I understood that government is, and should always be, a force for good.”

Assemblymember Pichardo's start in public service began as an intern for Senator Schumer, and eventually became the Community Outreach Coordinator/Latino Liaison. After taking a position at Mercy College, Pichardo discovered that public service was a better fit, and took a job as the Director of Community Affairs for New York State Senator Gustavo Rivera. In this position he saw the severity of health disparities faced by Bronx residents. “I have heard residents tell me, ‘My daughter is suffering from asthma, and I still have to wait three months to get an appointment,’ while others have confided that they are unable to get affordable cancer screenings and the only time they can get them is when a community health fair has them for free. But now with the Affordable Healthcare Act in place, health care must be provided to communities of all sizes, regardless of geographic and socio economic status, and individuals should receive the same equity of care in a timely matter.”

With the Bronx being ranked 62 out of 62 counties by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation County Health Rankings & Roadmaps, Assemblyman Pichardo would like to turn around the negative stereotypes most people have about the Bronx. “It should not matter which zip code you were born in, you should be given and afforded the same resources and opportunities as anybody else in terms of jobs, housing, and education. Take the recent incidents of police brutality, which I feel has spiked in the last few years. Government has a responsibility to make sure that a young man of color, regardless of the neighborhood he lives in, be it the Bronx, Staten Island, Louisiana, or Minnesota, should be able to safely walk in his community, and not lose his life for an unfathomable reason.”

He adds, “People who feel more job and housing secure tend to be healthier overall, and their health outcomes tend to be better. We need to create sustainable safe communities with residents having gainful employment and affordable/stable housing. When that happens your mind is focused on taking care of your health, and the health of your family. The flipside is that being stressed out on things like a paycheck that won’t pay the rent and buy sufficient food, much less healthy food negatively affects ones health.”

Last April, when Bronx Health REACH held the #Not62 – The Campaign for A Healthy Bronx! Town Hall, the Assemblyman spoke to attendees after having spent an all-night legislative session in Albany to finalize the budget. He shared with the audience what he and the other Assembly members had been fighting for - a $15 minimum wage in New York State. “That $15 minimum wage means there is more money in the community for residents to purchase healthy fruits and vegetables, which means healthier outcomes, and that would be one of the first steps we can take to move from worst to the best, so the Bronx is no longer 62 out of 62.”

Gada Dickerson - Doing All That She Can to Help Improve the Health and Well-being of Bronx Residents

As the Health and Wellness Ministry Chairperson for Thessalonia Worship Center in the Bronx, Gada Dickerson always had an interest in health; not just her health, but improving the health and well-being of others. Her mother and father worked in a hospital, so it seemed natural for Gada to pursue a job as a hospital nurse. She enrolled and graduated from a nursing program, but as fate would have it, her nursing career was not to be. After completing the nursing program a hiring freeze went into effect at New York City public hospitals, which quickly limited her options. As a result, she changed her career focus and, instead, pursued a health services administration degree.

When Gada began attending Bronx Health REACH meetings, she discovered that Bronx Health REACH offered various health programs at Bronx churches. In time, Thessalonia Worship Center joined Bronx Health REACH's Faith Based Outreach Initiative. This Initiative helps faith organizations – of all denominations – raise their congregations awareness of racial and ethnic health disparities; provide health programming around nutrition and fitness, and diabetes prevention and management. The first program launched at Thessalonia Worship Center was Fine, Fit and Fabulous. It was well received by the congregation with 20 church members participating in the program. Gada pointed out that the reason for the success was, “Our late pastor, Dr. Rev. Shellie Sampson, Jr. was a big supporter of maintaining a healthy lifestyle. He viewed obesity as a daily struggle, and allowed us to use the banquet hall whenever we needed it for our Fine, Fit and Fabulous classes. Our current pastor, Reverend Malobe Sampson is also a big supporter."

Following on Fine, Fit and Fabulous, Thessalonia Worship Center implemented the culinary ministry which provided information on selecting, preparing, and serving healthy versions of favorite meals at church events. "Our church provided traditional fare such as macaroni and cheese, fried fish, fried chicken, and collard greens which are not the healthiest options. A Bronx Health REACH nutritionist spoke to the church kitchen staff that had been preparing the meals, and eventually there were changes made that included using less fat and salt, offering fruit and salad at the start of the buffet table, and reducing portion sizes," Gada noted.

As a lifelong South Bronx resident Gada sees many health challenges faced by those living in the community. “When I go grocery shopping and see other shoppers filling their shopping carts with unhealthy items such as frozen pizza and hot pockets, I wonder, where are the fruits and vegetables? If you eat fruits and vegetables as a child, you will continue eating them as an adult. People have to make health a priority in their life.”

For now, Gada is focused on improving the health of her fellow church members. “Our church is always doing a healthy program, and since I am on various email lists, I am able to get Thessalonia Worship Center involved in a variety of health programs. Currently our church is doing blood pressure readings every Sunday for church members.” Whether it be at her church, or a #Not62 – Campaign for A Healthy Bronx! Town Hall event, you can be certain that Gada is doing all that she can to help improve the health and well-being of her fellow Bronx residents.

e-blast: January 12, 2011

Bronx Health REACH Awarded Tobacco Control Grant

Bronx Health REACH has been awarded a $20,000 mini-grant from Public Health Solutions, Inc. to work with the Bronx Smoke-Free Partnership on tobacco control and prevention in our target schools and surrounding communities.  The focus will be on educating parents and school staff about the problem of tobacco in the south Bronx, especially the many point-of-sale (POS) tobacco outlets near the school buildings.

UFT Unveils Healthy Schools, Healthy Communities Initiative

On December 2, 2010, the United Federation of Teachers, a Bronx Health REACH Legacy grantee, unveiled their new “Healthy Schools, Healthy Communities” initiative.  The event kicked off with a humorous and educational skit by UFT staff, who demonstrated a clever way that teachers could integrate nutrition education into the school day.  Through UFT’s new initiative, 13 Bronx schools have committed to bringing the Food Bank for New York City’s Cookshop program to students and their families. Cookshop for Classroom will be implemented in at least five classes in each participating school, and parents at the schools can choose to attend a 6-week Cookshop for Families program. Additionally, at least six classes in each school will also implement Move to Improve, educational physical activity exercises which can be done in the classroom.  The full story is available in the online version of UFT’s newspaper, New York Teacher, here.

Virginia Legacy Project Grantee Awarded Funding for Nationals Women’s Health Week Event

The Virginia REACH Faith Based Outreach Initiative, a Bronx Health REACH Legacy grantee, received an award from John Snow, Inc and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office on Women’s Health.  The award will be used to implement Fine, Fit, and Fabulous at churches of the Virginia REACH Faith Based Outreach Initiative in conjunction with National Women’s Health Week next May.  Congratulations to the Virginia REACH Faith Based Outreach Initiative and to former Bronx Health REACH health coordinator Margie Callahan who leads the project!

NY Faith & Justice: Food Justice Working Groups

NY Faith & Justice is beginning to hold meetings for its Food Justice Working Groups.  These include:

Business Outreach – Will focus on getting businesses to support various health promotion programs around New York City

Farm Bill – Will focus on shifting federal subsidies to support the growth of a wider variety of fruit and vegetable crops

Community Engagement – Will develop creative ways to engage faith communities, schools, and community groups in activities to improve the health of NYC neighborhoods, such as helping communities start co-ops, community gardens, or band together to develop centralized CSA's (Community Sponsored Agriculture projects)

Food and Voter Education – Will educate faith communities and community groups on political leaders' positions regarding food and health issues and inform people about how they can take individual and organizational responsibility to make healthy food choices

Incentives to Purchase Healthy Foods – Will call on NYC policy-makers to incentivize the purchase of healthy food for people receiving government assistance

Living Wage for Food Workers – Will join a larger city-wide effort to pass a Living Wage Bill in New York City and ensure that food workers are a part of this bill

-For more information, visit here. To register for a Working Group, please contact Stephen Tickner at stickner@nyfaithjustice.org or (917) 628-5131.

Nutrition & Fitness Workgroup meeting: January 13, 2011

The first Nutrition & Fitness Workgroup meeting of 2011 will be held Thursday, January 13^th.  During the first half of the meeting, we will focus on our school policy work with an open discussion of relevant strategies for bolstering school wellness policies at the building, district, and citywide levels.   There will also be a presentation on organizing and facilitating parent advocacy trainings on school food.  The second half of the meeting will examine next steps for our bodega/social marketing project and the expansion of the afterschool initiative.

Date:  Thursday, January 13, 2011

Time: 1:00-3:00pm

Location: Morrisania Diagnostic and Treatment Center, Room 214

1225 Gerard Avenue, Bronx, NY 10452

NYC Strategic Alliance for Health- 2011 Excellence in School Wellness Award

The Strategic Alliance for Health has released the 2011 Excellence in School Wellness Award.  Elementary school principals in the Bronx (Districts 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 & 12), Northern Manhattan (Districts 3, 4, 5, & 6), and North & Central Brooklyn (13, 14, 16, 19, 23, & 32) have been invited to complete the application. Anyone can access the application at http://www.nycsafh.org/news/2011-excellence-school-wellness-award-application-documentation-guide.  Please contact the Strategic Alliance for Health at info@nycsafh.org if you have any questions.  They will provide technical assistance on the completion of this application until March 31^st, and applications are due April 22. 

NYAM Obesity Prevention Symposium: January 20^th

On January 20^th, local advocates, public health practitioners, and researchers will come together to present to policymakers their best suggestions and specific strategies for how to stop the epidemic of obesity in New York’s low-income neighborhoods and communities of color. One of the speakers will be Steve Ritz, who will describe his successful use of Green Living Technologies to grow organic vegetables within the classroom and the community setting.  This event is open to the public; please find the agenda and registration information at http://www.nyam.org/events/2011/2011-01-20-02.html

Date: Thursday, January 20, 2011

Time: 10:30am-2:00pm

Location: The New York Academy of Medicine, 1216 Fifth Avenue at 103^rd St, New York, NY  10029

Green Living Technologies Training: January 15-17^th

From January 15-17, Green Living Technologies (GLT) will be holding a training session on the use of green roofs and green walls in schools and within communities.  Those who receive the training will become certified to bring the technology to schools/organizations to grow vegetables that can be sold on school campuses during the school year, as well as serve as a professional job opportunity for youth throughout the summer. Steve Ritz and GLT are offering to host and pay for the certification and training of teams of four students, as long as at least one adult advisor registers for the training, which is $750.  For more information, visit the “training” link of www.agreenroof.com, or contact Kelly Moltzen (kmoltzen@institute2000.org) or Steve Ritz (SNL978@aol.com).

NYC Nutrition Education Network General Meeting: January 20^th

On January 20^th, NYCNEN will hold its second general meeting of the year, which will be an informative session on: “Why Aren't You Listening? Promoting Behavior Change in Individuals, Groups & Organizations.”  Speakers will provide insight into the nation-wide Healthy Monday Campaign, discuss techniques to engage people in the topic of nutrition in group settings, and provide attendees with an interactive session on motivational interviewing.

Date:  Thursday, January 20th, 2010

Time:  9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. 

Location:  The New School, 66 West 12th Street, 5th Floor, Room 509

Free for NYCNEN members, $5 for non-members. Space is limited!  Please RSVP mindfully by sending your name & organization to:  nycnenadmin@gmail.com

Making Child Nutrition Reauthorization Work for Your Community

The Food Resource and Action Center has created a webinar to explain how the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 will affect groups and individuals at the community level.  This webinar is available here. If you would like a two-page briefing on what this bill means for schools, please email Sigrid Aarons at saarons@institute2000.org.

Employee Wellness & the Institute for Family Health

For the latest edition of the Institute for Family Health’s “Our Health Newsletter,” email Kelly at kmoltzen@institute2000.org. Here you will find personal stories about how several Institute employees successfully implemented change in their lives to improve their health and fitness. The Institute’s Chief Nutritionist, Jaime Schehr, ND, RD, shares some valuable tips on staying healthy during the winter months. There are some healthy recipe choices included in the newsletter as well. The newsletter represents the Institute’s renewed focus on worksite wellness.  Employees are being encouraged to adopt and exemplify a healthy lifestyle for our patients.  One of the Institute for Family Health’s physicians, Linda Prine MD, bikes to work and was recently featured in StreetsBlog.org for a letter she wrote to the City Council requesting more bike lanes so that New Yorkers can attain more physical activity by biking to work safely.

Health Disparity Workgroup Updates

The Bronx Health REACH Health Disparity Workgroup meets every 2^nd Wednesday of the month at 1:30 at the Cosmopolitan Church of the Lord Jesus located at 39 West 190^thStreet.  Because of a snow forecast, the next meeting was re-scheduled for January 19^th, 2011. We will be updating people on the City Council Resolution and the recruitment of sponsors for the re-introduction of the Health Equality Bill in Albany, both of which request quality outpatient care for patients of academic medical centers regardless of source of payment.

Upcoming Bronx Health REACH Coalition Meeting

Date: February 18, 2011

Time: 9:30am-12:00pm

Location: Walker Memorial Baptist Church

120 East 169th Street, Bronx, New York 10452

Please RSVP to Yvette Holland at yholland@institute2000.org or (212) 633-0800 ext 1232.

EMPLOYEE WELLNESS

CDC Launces New Website to Help Employers Combat Obesity and Reduce Health-Related Costs