Healthy Bodies, Healthy Minds Grant Award
Tracy Russell Executive Director Mother and Child Health Coalition
Tracy Russell
Executive Director
Mother & Child Health Coalition

Child obesity/overweight rates have been steadily climbing for the last thirty years nationwide. Today, one in three children is overweight or obese, a percentage that has doubled since 1990 and quadrupled for adolescents. Weight impacts risk for heart disease, type 2 Diabetes, asthma, sleep apnea, and psychological stress. Despite a slight decline in obesity rates among 2-4 year olds enrolled in WIC from 2010-2014, the state of Missouri is still among the lowest performers in childhood obesity rates. 

Why is MCHC getting involved in driving down the rates of obesity among children in Kansas City? Family health is a continuum that does not end with the birth of a child. Missouri rates for overweight and obesity among low-income children is 27%. These children often live in food deserts, do not have adequate infrastructure to play outside safely at home, and cannot afford nutrient-dense, fresh food. The quality of a child’s food and access to physical activity are delivered and determined by the early child care providers during most of the child’s waking hours for the majority of a given week. 

I am pleased to announce that MCHC has received a Health Forward Foundation Healthy Communities grant to begin reversing these trends by building community support to enact a city ordinance that establishes evidence-based strategies around healthy food, physical activity, and reduced screen time for children at our early care facilities. This project, titled Healthy Bodies, Healthy Minds will bring together community partners, parents, and providers to establish a more level playing field when it comes to developing good health habits for all of our children. 

The Kansas City Council has made the health of this community a priority for several years. Passage of prevention policies such as this initiative are so important to improving the overall health of Kansas City’s youngest, and bending the curve on health outcomes tied to place. 
This August, in honor of National Breastfeeding Month , we’re sharing tips and resources to help women start and continue to breastfeed. Visit  womenshealth.gov  for information from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Office on Women’s Health (OWH) on the benefits of breastfeeding, how to overcome common challenges, and why building a support system of family and friends is an important step for breastfeeding success. You can even download a free copy of  Your Guide to Breastfeeding , an easy-to-read guide that covers everything from making the decision to breastfeed to getting a good latch to weaning your baby. Join the conversation on social media throughout the month using #BreastfeedingTips4Mom and follow OWH on  Twitter  and  Facebook . And if you're not already registered for the Chocolate Milk film screening, scroll down to learn more!
Kansas City Healthy Start Initiative
The Healthy Start program is ready to help pregnant women and families to have a healthier pregnancy and successful birth. Check the web page for details and to apply for the program. You may also contact Cristina Sanchez, Outreach Worker, at csanchez@mchc.net to learn more and to get signed up! Apologies- the previous version had an incorrect email for Cristina Sanchez, KCHSI Outreach Worker.
Safe Kids Metro KC joins up once again with the Jackson County Sheriff's Department and Fox4 Love Fund for Children for the huge annual Back to School Bash!
Come on out on Saturday, August 10, 10-2:00 at Silverstein Eye Centers Arena in Independence. Safe Kids will provide booster seats and professional installation to the first 200 families. First come, first served! Partner organizations will offer free information, school supplies and many other great resources. You don't want to miss this one! Questions? Contact DuJuan at dhord@mchc.net
It's HOT!
If you think you couldn't possibly forget a child in a car, think again. It can and does happen to people from all walks of life. 2018 was the worst year since 1998 - 52 children died in hot vehicles last year. As of August 1, 24 have died so far this year, including one in Kansas and one in Missouri. Two of the latest were twin one-year-olds in the Bronx when their father forgot them and went to work. Why does this keep happening?? Read about it and take steps to make sure it doesn't happen to you or your loved ones. (See www.noheatstroke.org )
Coming Events - Mark Your Calendar

Saturday, Aug. 10 - 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.: Jackson County Sheriff /Fox 4 Love Fund Back-to-School Bash with Safe Kids Metro KC, Silverstein Eye Centers Arena, 19100 E. Valley View Parkway, Independence, MO 64055

Wednesday, Aug. 14 - 1:30 - 4:00 p.m. Chocolate Milk: A Documentary (see below)

September - Watch next month for fall flu clinic information!

Wednesday, Sept. 4 - 11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Mid America Immunization Coalition (MAIC) Quarterly Meeting Johnson County Arts & Heritage Center

Friday, Oct. 25 - Annual MAIC Symposium (see below)

Friday, November 15 - 8:00 -11:30 a.m. Mother & Child Health Coalition Quarterly Meeting (the annual Legislative Meeting.)

Partner Event: 2019 Breastfeeding Conference Oct. 24 & 25, Wichita KS
CHOCOLATE MILK:
A DOCUMENTARY
FILM SCREENING

Wednesday, August 14, 2019
1:30 - 4:00 p.m.
Please use the link below to register.


Told through the narratives of three African American women: a new mother,
a midwife and a WIC lactation educator, the film seeks to answer the longstanding question of why more African American women are not breastfeeding.

By creating an engaging narrative centered around the challenges of breastfeeding, Chocolate Milk will spark public discussion on how communities can better support black mothers.

Join us for a free screening and panel discussion with breastfeeding experts from Women, Infants & Children (WIC) and breastfeeding moms.

Co-hosted by Mother & Child Health Coalition and Samuel U. Rodgers WIC.

Samuel U. Rodgers Health Center
825 Euclid Ave KCMO 64124
Lower Level Community Rooms A & B
Light refreshments will be served
Please use the link below to register.

Mid America Immunization Coalition's
ANNUAL IMMUNIZATION SYMPOSIUM
"Vaccines: Then and Now"
Friday, October 25, 2019
7:15 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Children's Mercy Park
1 Sporting Way, Kansas City KS

Registration is NOW OPEN - sign up today!

To Our Members, Volunteers and Partners, for All Your Support: We appreciate you.

The following wonderful people recently joined or renewed their membership:

NEW MEMBERS : Britanny Cline, Elizabeth Elling, Lauren Fenstermann,
Stacy Fletchall, Heather Gripka, Kara Hinrichs, Sara Paul, Marilyn Perego, Antonio Ruiz and
Kylene Yelton. WELCOME!

RENEWING: Mariah Chrans, Beth Diebold, Rachael Elmore, Cheryl Herzog Arneill, Mary Grace Lanese, Ann Mattison,
Amanda Paulson, Jody Petersen, Edna Perez-Koury (since 2004), Mary Sweat,
Kathy Waage and Karen Wambach.

THANK YOU!! 
JOIN TODAY
Join or renew your membership today.
Thank you for your support!
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Any amount helps us continue our work helping Kansas city area families to be safer and healthier.
Mother & Child Health Coalition
(816) 283-6242 | (816) 283-0307 Fax
info@mchc.net
www.mchc.net