Via CSPI -- CDC’s Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Obesity (DNPAO) leads our nation’s efforts to prevent chronic diseases by promoting good nutrition, regular physical activity, and a healthy weight. DNPAO invests in effective strategies that support active living and healthy eating in states and communities across the nation.

The Physical Activity Alliance is currently circulating an organizational sign-on letter requesting $125 million in FY 2022 funding for the DNPAO that will allow CDC to fund all 50 states and D.C., and would include $10 million for Active People Healthy Nation and $15 million for the High Obesity Program initiative.

Assoc. Director of Health and Population Specific Programs, Greater Chicago Food Depository

The Associate Director of Health and Population Specific Programs has strategic and operational responsibility for food access program partnerships with health care entities and other organizations uniquely focused on the needs of older adults, people with disabilities and veterans. Often individuals coping with food insecurity have the double burden of managing diabetes, high blood pressure, asthma, and depression. Disproportionately Black and Brown communities are impacted. This role will prioritize -evolving equitable program interventions addressing social determinates of health, including food insecurity screenings and nutrition education as well as produce and prepared meal distribution programs. The Associate Director is responsible for partner management, program processes and execution.

Aligned with the mission and vision of the Cook County Department of Public Health (CCDPH), the Community Engagement Manager will be responsible for management of the Suburban Cook County Health Equity initiative in an assigned region of suburban Cook County that advances programs addressing COVID-19 and policies, systems or environmental level improvements that minimize social and health inequities. The Community Engagement Manager will maximize coordination and promotion of corresponding efforts at all levels. This is a grant funded position expiring June 1, 2023. Learn more here (PDF).

Common Threads is seeking a passionate and enthusiastic candidate to add to its Chicago Board to volunteer to support Common Threads via event-based fundraising and the creation of awareness to support its mission. Board members’ responsibilities include quarterly participation in Chicago Board and committee meetings, fundraising, community support, promoting the mission of Common Threads, and recruiting future Chicago Board members, donors, and champions. This position requires candidates to know the mission and goals of Common Threads and the Chicago Board, to understand the strengths and needs of Common Threads, and to actively engage in the mission by volunteering on an annual basis. Participation will begin in October 2021.

Today! "Austin Forward Together" Documentary Release

Wednesday, August 18, 6:00 PM on Facebook Live

Austin is the largest community area in Chicago, with the second-largest population— nearly 100,000 residents. From its earliest years in the late 1800s through the 1950s, Austin was developed piece by piece. Today, we are one community that contains many neighborhoods— North Austin, South Austin, Galewood, the Island, and even smaller neighborhoods within these areas— each unique but interconnected.

Over decades of government neglect and a decline in Austin residents, the community continues to face setbacks. With the absence of fresh grocery stores, limited career options, and several Chicago Public Schools being shut down, Austin has not attracted the public and private investment that builds a strong neighborhood.

But things are changing. Austin’s community residents, social services, and a variety of leaders from local and citywide organizations decided to rewrite the narrative by creating Austin’s first-ever quality-of-life plan called Austin Forward. Together. (AFT). From the Austin Eats Initiative addressing food insecurity and bringing farmers’ markets to the community, to Austin getting its first International Baccalaureate® Program for a high school with Michele Clark, dozens of volunteer leaders have been hard at work bringing opportunities to our neighborhood. Click here to get more updates on this work.

Via the U.S. Breastfeeding Committee and NACCHO

Virtual Event, August 24th, Noon CT

Continuity of Care in Breastfeeding Support: A Blueprint for Communities, will be released via webinar August 24th at 1pm ET. Developed with a public health lens, the Blueprint aims to increase local capacity to implement community-driven approaches to support chest/breastfeeding, centered on the needs of populations disproportionately impacted by structural barriers that lead to low rates of breastfeeding. Its goal is to ensure that chest/breastfeeding support services are continuous, accessible, and coordinated, and that community spaces are consistently supportive of chest/ breastfeeding families. The Blueprint is intended for any local-level organization and individual that interacts with pregnant and postpartum families.

Webinar, September 1, Noon-1 PM

Adding Link, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) will help provide access to healthy food for your community and increase sales for vendors selling Link eligible products. Offering Link and LinkMatch is a win-win for customers and vendors. Funding is available for the Link Match program. Link Match doubles the value of Link purchases at farmers markets by providing matching currency redeemable at the market for fresh local fruits and vegetables. This webinar will also discuss resources available to help markets begin their program. Need help taking the next step, or need more information on how the program works? Hear from market managers offering Link and Link Match programs at their markets. As we look to winter markets and 

Connect with CLOCC's network of nearly 3,000 childhood obesity prevention advocates by listing your organization's upcoming events or current job openings on the Consortium's website. Upon submission, postings will be approved by CLOCC staff; events and careers applicable to the CLOCC network may also be featured in this newsletter. If you have questions or are not able to access the webpage, contact info@clocc.net. CLOCC will not publish for-profit services or events, or products for sale.

For questions related to testing criteria and general information about COVID-19 and children, please contact the COVID-19 Call Center at Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital at 312.227.5300. The Call Center is staffed by Lurie Children’s nurses and is available Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.