Autumn Leaves Bring Transformation
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Dear FORWARD Coalition Members,
When autumn leaves start to fall and the days start to get shorter, I am reminded of the value of the change in the seasons. Just as nature goes through its metamorphosis, we too experience transformation in our lives. Whatever changes are calling you this season, embrace them and know something even better is on the horizon.
As the Fall season begins to change the landscape around us, FORWARD is getting ready for its next transformation too. In November, our three-year strategic plan will come to a close. FORWARD, with your support, has achieved a large percentage of our objectives to date (click
here
to review goals, objectives and key actions). To help FORWARD plan for what is next, we have been gathering feedback and information from you, our coalition partners and key stakeholders. With the information that many of you provided, along with national best practices and recent data, the FORWARD Board will work towards a new plan by the end of November. We look forward to sharing our future strategic direction with you as we work together to improve healthy choices for DuPage residents.
Before we move on to share upcoming events and information, I want to extend a special thank you to our twelve organizational partners that helped FORWARD bring a healthy lifestyle message to the first day of the DuPage County Fair this summer. FORWARD’s “
Get in the Action”
Day on July 25
th
(Family Day) was a huge success! Our partners provided a variety of active and healthy stations to an estimated 2200 children and families. The activities included cooking demonstrations, relay races, aerobic drumming, soccer races, butterfly walks, exercise bingo and much more. My favorite quote of the day came from a five-year-old little boy who said to his Mom, “This is the best day ever, rides, games and even fruit!” We could not have done it without the passion and support from FORWARD's Coalition partners and volunteers! Click
here
to check out our Facebook page for a list of partners and photos from our
“Get in the Action”
Day.
I hope you have a chance to enjoy this transformative season of change and reap your own healthy harvest. Get outside and enjoy the falling leaves, crisp fresh air or try some fresh apple cider. If you would like to get more involved with FORWARD and help influence positive changes regarding nutrition, physical activity, and the built environment, please contact Tonia at
toniabato@gmail.com
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Ann Marchetti
Consulting Director
FORWARD DuPage
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This month’s spotlight is on a special partnership to improve the nutrition and physical activity of DuPage County schools. The partnership between Action For Healthy Kids, the DuPage Regional Office of Education, the DuPage County Health Department, Whole Foods (Wheaton, Elmhurst, Hinsdale and Willowbrook), the DuPage Community Foundation, Advocate’s Good Samaritan Hospital and FORWARD has resulted in healthy changes in nine DuPage County schools. The work is central to improving the school environment by establishing strong school Wellness Committees to implement wellness policies to help improve the physical activity, and nutrition environment and engage families and community members in healthier choices. Some examples of the improvements to date include: implementing a 50 mile club during recess, offering more active indoor recess options, having before school yoga classes, using pedometers to increase awareness and motivating students and staff to move more, hosting taste tests to expose students to a variety of new fruits and vegetables, prioritizing nutrition education in PE class, and organizing district fun runs to engage the families. For more information about how to get your school involved, contact Tonia at
tonaibato@gmail.com
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Help FORWARD share models and practices that are working in DuPage County. As a member of the FORWARD Coalition, we want to spotlight your efforts. Share your work with us to improve the lifestyles for DuPage residents. No program or effort is too small. Please reach out to FORWARD to share your stories! Contact Tonia Batogowski at
toniabato@gmail.com.
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Legislative & Advocacy Update
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The Healthy Local Foods Incentive Fund bill was signed into law (
Public Act 100-0636
) by Governor Rauner on July 27, 2018. Subject to appropriation, this law makes permanent a program that would increase low-income Illinoisans’ access to healthy food by doubling the value of their Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) dollars for fresh fruits and veggies at farmers markets. Limited access to affordable, healthy food contributes to obesity and diabetes. These conditions are especially prevalent among low-income Illinoisans and thus costly to the State of Illinois. The Healthy Local Foods Incentive Fund has the potential to reach 2 million SNAP users. It will help make healthier, locally-produced foods more available to this population, will stimulate local economies and support local farmers, and could reduce Medicaid costs with a healthier SNAP population. Special thanks to the Illinois
Alliance to Prevent Obesity
and FORWARD Coalition members that supported this bill.
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Sierra Club
Sustainable Land Use Planning & Urban Design
Thursday, October 11
7:00pm
James Patchett,
Conservation Design Forum, will be discussing sustainable land use planning and urban design, stormwater. Patchett is a dynamic and thought-provoking speaker. For more information click
here
.
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Illinois Prairie Path Clean-Up
Saturday, October 27
9:00am to 12:00pm
Explore, enjoy and protect the planet. This is an easy 2-mile walk on the Illinois Prairie Path to Hill Avenue and back. Contact Quinton Jenson at 630.550.0023 for more information.
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Forest Preserve
Fall Festival at Danada
Sunday, October 14
11:00am to 5:00pm
Join a free celebration of the horse and the season. Enjoy a parade of breeds, hayrides, face painting and more. All ages welcome. Click
here
for more details.
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Will County Sustainability Network
Joliet Jr College Renaissance Center
Friday, October 26
8:30am to 4:30pm
Join others in our region to connect communities and resources to make lasting improvements to the economy, ecology and social equity. Register
here
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Active Transportation Alliance
Bike Walk Every Town: Annual Suburban Advocacy Summit
Saturday, October 27
11:00am to 2:30pm
The summit is designed to help community groups and residents gain advocacy experience to advance local and regional walking and biking goals. Residents can register
here
for free and lunch is included.
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Seven Generations Ahead
Illinois Farm to School Network
Harvest of the Month
November
Would you like your school to promote healthy, local fruits and vegetables while educating your kids about fresh foods? It's a free and flexible way to buy, grow and serve more local food. To learn how you can participate click
here
.
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Resiliency Institute
Shinrin-yoku
Friday, November 2
5:30pm to 6:30pm
A practice of spending time in nature and forested areas for the purpose of enhancing health, wellness and happiness. Click
here
for more information.
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Natural Health Learn & Share
Meet-Up of Downers Grove
Tuesday, November 13
6:45pm to 8:00pm
Learn about natural ways to maintain and restore your health. Uncover research that directs you to optimum health using natural means. Click
here
to RSVP.
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B.R. Ryall
Healthy Lifestyle Educational Presentations
Thursday, November 8 - 6:30pm to 7:30pm
Stress: How Much is Too Much? - Managing the Holidays
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Diabetes Educational Series
Tuesday, January 29 - 6:00pm to 7:00pm
What is Pre-Diabetes? Get the Facts
Tuesday, February 5 - 6:00pm to 7:00pm
Impact of Healthy Eating and Physical Activity
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Diabetes Prevention Program (DDP)
Sessions Begin
Tuesday, February 19 - 6:00pm to 7:00pm
Program includes 16 weekly sessions and additional monthly sessions that combine education and physical components.
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For more information or to register for B.R. Ryall events call
Katie Sivak at 630.547.2022 or click
here
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America Walks
2018 Community Changes Grants
Application Deadline
Friday, November 2 by 5:00pm
The program will award grantees $1,500 in stipends for projects related to creating healthy, active, and engaged places to live, work, and play. Click
here
to apply.
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Where Do We Go Next?
Sunday, November 11
2:00pm to 3:00pm
Learn how advancements in technology have allowed for increased mapping and tracking of data that can help improve walkability. Register
here
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IL Department of Transportation
Safe Routes to School Funding
Application Deadline
Monday, November 19
100% funding is being offered and municipalities and school districts are invited to apply for the benefit. For more information, click
here
.
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ProActive Kids
Winter Session
Session Begins
Monday, January 14
This is a health promotion and education program offered free of charge to children ages 8-14 that are struggling with their weight.
For more information, click
here
.
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Do you subscribe to the IMPACT DuPage Newsletter?
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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 built environment
to improve healthy lifestyles.
For more details and to stay up to date on local progress, subscribe to their twice a month newsletter.
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Help Us Get the Word Out!
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Do you know of an upcoming event or health fair in DuPage County?
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
.
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