Spring into Better Health
Dear FORWARD Coalition Members,

I can already feel the gradual change in the seasons as the days are getting longer and the thermometer is trending towards warmer temperatures. I’m reminded of new beginnings and the excitement in what’s to come. The birds are chirping and springtime flowers are beginning to emerge as nature is waking up from its winter rest. This year, let’s harness that springtime energy and begin a new healthy habit. It’s time to head back out to the great outdoors--dust off our bikes, schedule a softball game with some friends, start your garden or simply take an afternoon walk on the more than 480 miles of trails that are a part of DuPage County.
 
As the warmer weather is emerging, so are FORWARD’s plans for 2018. We are beginning to finalize our calendars. Below is a little something to look forward to:

FORWARD’s 2018 Coalition Meeting:  This year’s meeting, Spring Into Better Health: Exploring Behavior Modification as a Tool for Obesity Prevention, Treatment and Healthy Lifestyle Management is scheduled for Thursday, June 7, 2018 . Come enjoy a healthy breakfast, hear about our future plans and recent activities, network with colleagues from across the county, and earn up to 2.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits TM . At the conclusion of this live activity, participants should be able to:
  • Discuss the medical and psychological issues impacting obesity prevention and treatment and how behavior modification and other modalities can impact healthy lifestyle choices.
  • Review the current obesity rates at the national, state and local levels and discuss the areas impacting obesity in DuPage County for prevention and treatment.
  • Identify useful tools and methods to impact behavior change to improve healthy lifestyle choices for successful weight management.
Click here to for more information or to register.

FORWARD Day at the DuPage County Fair : Mark your calendars for our 2nd Annual “Get in the Action” Day at the DuPage County Fair on Wednesday, July, 25, 2018 . Over 10,000 people are expected to visit the fair and FORWARD will once again assist with offering healthier food and physical activity options. Free tickets will be available for every child in Kindergarten-8th grade in DuPage County. FORWARD is looking for partners to provide interactive games and healthy nutritional opportunities geared towards kids and families with a focus on healthy lifestyles. If you would like to partner with FORWARD or would like more information on this year's Get in the Action Day , please contact Tonia Batogowski at toniabato@gmail.com .
 
Get Moving with FORWARD : FORWARD is dedicated to improving healthy lifestyle choices for residents. We do this by focusing resources and strategies where children and adults spend the bulk of their time. If you are interested in helping to make the healthy choice the easy choice for DuPage residents, please consider getting more involved with one of FORWARD’s strategies--Healthy Schools, Worksite Wellness, Healthy Municipalities and/or Healthy Early Childcare. Contact Tonia Batogowski at toniabato@gmail.com .

It may not be pool season yet, but these warmer months give you tons of excuses to get outside and enjoy a new beginning. All of us at FORWARD wish you a safe and happy Spring!

Ann Marchetti
Consulting Director
FORWARD DuPage
Community Spotlight
The Resiliency Institute is a nonprofit organization using permaculture education and design to foster nature and human connection, grow food security, and build resilient communities. Permaculture is an ecological and ethics based philosophy for designing resilient lifestyles, landscapes, and communities that care for people, care for the earth and care for the future. Some exciting events coming up are as follows:
 
April 17 - 9:30am to 12:00pm
Celebrate the seasonal wonders of Spears Woods and devote time for your wellbeing during Tuesday morning Shinrin-Yoku walks. Develop a connection with Spear Woods, a unique Midwest treasure with a diverse habitat that has been very well restored and is ecologically rich.
 
April 29 - 10:00am to 12:00pm
Join Ellyn, The Resiliency Institute's Bioregional Herbalism instructor, as she shares her journey and lessons learned restoring 2 acres of woodlands/wetland. Meet the many native high-value medicinal and edible plants she has introduced, several of these will be in bloom at this time.
 
May 6 - 9:30am to 12:00pm
Rejuvenate yourself with forest yoga walks by stepping outside and away from electronics to connect with nature, quiet the mind, and reduce stress. Walks will begin with a brief ecological overview of the area, continue with invitations to deepen connection to nature and self, then conclude with a tea ceremony of locally harvested plants. Throughout the walk we will pause to tune our bodies to our surroundings with yoga postures.
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Upcoming Opportunities
Center for Health Food Access
Region Comprehensive Approach

Tuesday, April 17
1:30pm to 3:00pm

This webinar is geared toward those interested in learning about pieces need to successfully implement the model. Click here to register.
Aetna Foundation
Cultivating Health Communities Grant

Application Deadline
Wednesday, April 18

Up to $2 million dollars in grants are expected to be awarded to organizations through this program. Click here for more information.
GardenWorks Project
Spring Kick-Off Volunteer Meeting

Wednesday, April 18
7:00pm to 9:00pm

Want to make a difference in your community? It's amazing the impact just one hour of your time at a garden build can make for a family who relies on food pantries and wants to grow food at home. Register today.
The Conservation Foundation
2018 Earth Day Benefit Dinner

Thursday, April 19
5:00pm to 9:00pm

Attend a three course dinner followed by a program and inspirational video in support of the Conservation Foundation's mission. There will be a nature-themed silent auction, a cash raffle and a wall of wine. Register now.
Native Plant Sale

Pre-Orders Due by April 22
Saturday, May 12 - 8:00am to 9:00pm

Shop the native plant sale featuring a fabulous selection of beautiful native perennials, trees and shrubs from Natural Communities Native Plants, all in time for the spring planting season. Shop now!
B.R. Ryall YMCA
Healthy Kids Day
Saturday, April 21
10:00am to 3:00pm

Together with the College of DuPage Early Childhood Academic Program, the YMCA will off this free community event to celebrate as a part of a national initiative to improve the health and well-being of kids. Click here for more information.
The Y 5K and Super Kids Fun Run 

Saturday, May 19
8:00am to 9:15am

This event is open to everyone from seasoned runners to individuals completing their very first race. The Event is about promoting a healthy lifestyle and being active with your family, friends and community. Register now.
Check. Change. Control.

New Classes to Start in September

Fight back against the silent killer, high blood pressure. Reduce your risk for developing a stroke, heart attack or heart failure. Join Check. To learn more or to register today contact Katie Sivak at 630.547.2022 or ksivak@ryallymaca.org .
Action for Healthy Kids
Every Kid Healthy Week Event

April 23-28


Show your schools support for student health and wellness. Help make Illinois the most active state during this week long event. To learn more click here .
Inspired Health Center
Stress, Hormones and Belly Fat?

Thursday, April 26
6:30pm to 8:00pm

Looking for a different approach? Come to this workshop to learn how functional medicine will get to the root of the problem. Click here to register.
Illinois Health and Hospital Association
Establish and Improve Pre-Diabetes Screening and Referral

Thursday, May 3
10:00am to 11:00am

This webinar will share strategies for working with and educating patients on pre-diabetes. It will also feature information on Prevent Diabetes STAT (Screen, Test, Act Today™). For more information or to register, click here .
Ride Illinois
2018 Illinois Bike Summit

Monday, May 7
8:30am to 5:00pm

Join up to 300 bicycle advocates, planners, engineers, agency staff and others for a day of learning and networking. To learn more click here .
CMAP
Future Leaders in Planning (FLIP)

Application Deadline
Monday, May 7

High school students in the Chicago region are encouraged to apply for this week-long summer program on urban planning. Click here to apply.
Illinois Commission to End Hunger
2018 Hunger Summit

Tuesday, May 8
11:30am to 7:00pm

Join hundreds of community and government leaders to learn about new policies, programs and innovations to address hunger. Click here to register.
AARP
Community Challenge 2018

Application Deadline
Wednesday, May 16 by 5:00pm ET

The AARP Community Challenge  funds projects that build momentum for local change to improve livability for all residents. Apply for a "quick-action" grant to make communities livable for people of all ages. Click here to apply now.
Digging Deep into Diabetes
Prevention & Self Mgmt Symposium

 May 22, 23 & 31
9:00am to 3:30pm

The events will be hosted by the Illinois Department of Public Health and the Illinois Health and Hospital Association. Click here to get the latest information.
Illinois Farm to School Network
Harvest of the Month

 Registration Begins
Friday, June 1

Learn how to take part in this exciting program. Participating schools feature a different local food that students love to eat. Keep watch for the link in May here .
Stanford Diabetes Self-Management Program (DSMP)
Take Charge of Your Diabetes Training

May 29-30 & June 5-6
9:00am to 4:30pm

The Illinois Health and Hospital Association, AgeOptions and the Illinois Department of Public Health are offering two opportunities for federally qualified health centers, hospitals, health departments and community organizations to become recognized providers of DSMP. Click here to register now.
Illinois Farm to School Network
Harvest of the Month

 Registration Begins
Friday, June 1

Learn how to take part in this exciting program. Participating schools feature a different local food that students love to eat. Keep watch for the link in May here .
Illinois Health and Hospital Assn
Diabetes Prevention Program Lifestyle Coach Training
June 26-27
Naperville, IL

This training is based on the PreventT2 curriculum developed by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Register before May 1.
Green Earth Institute
Nature on the Farm

Pre-School (Session 1) - Thursday, June 7, 14, 21 & 28 from 9:30am to 11:00am
Grades 1-2 (Session 1) - June 4-8 from 9:00am to 12:00pm
Grades 3-5 (Session 1) - June 11-15 from 9:00am to 12:00pm

Come spend some time at McDonald Farm this summer and discover the wonders of nature through crafts, stories, garden snacks and hands-on fun. For pricing, information on additional scheduled sessions or to register, c lick here .
Public Education and Health Promotion
 
5-4-3-2-1 Go! Is a public education message with recommendations for children and families to promote a healthy lifestyle.
  • 5 servings of fruits and vegetables a day
  • 4 servings of water a day
  • 3 servings of low-fat dairy a day
  • 2 or less hours of screen time a day
  • 1 or more hours of physical activity a day
For helpful resources and ideas on how to incorporate this message in your DuPage County organization click here .
Do you subscribe to the IMPACT DuPage Newsletter?
Impact DuPage is a county-wide initiative of partner organizations working to influence change in the areas of affordable housing, access to health treatment, behavioral health treatment, substance abuse and healthy lifestyles. FORWARD is Impact DuPage’s vehicle to help influence residents and partners to make positive choices regarding nutrition, physical activity, and the environment
to improve healthy lifestyles.
Impact DuPage is committed to creating a common understanding of community needs, gaps and priorities that will advance the well-being of the DuPage County community. For more details and to stay up to date on local progress, subscribe to their twice
a month newsletter.  
Help Market FOWARD!
Help market FORWARD! Do you know of an upcoming event or health fair in DuPage County? We have marketing materials available for our coalition members. Please contact us if you are interested in distributing health and wellness materials at an upcoming event. Call us at 630.221.7550 or email healthpromotions@dupagehealth.org .