From Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) - As Congress negotiates a continuing resolution for FY2022, CSPI is circulating an organizational sign-on letter urging Congress to remove the school meal riders in the final FY2022 Agriculture and Rural Development Appropriations Bill. Specifically, the letter addresses the following riders:

While schools currently can waive from the nutrition standards due to COVID-19, these riders are inconsistent with the law that requires the nutrition standards be based on the Dietary Guidelines for Americans and would regress the overall progress toward healthier meals. CLOCC prioritizes and advocates for policies that protect and improve nutrition standards in federally-funded food programs. We encourage our partner organizations to join us in signaling our opposition to these riders by signing on to the CSPI letter.

Read the letter here.

From the Food Research & Action Center (FRAC) - Urge your Members of Congress to protect the overall Build Back Better Act, especially the child anti-hunger and anti-poverty provisions. The House Build Back Better Act is a historic investment in these programs, and the critically-needed anti-hunger provisions would ensure children have access to the nutrition they need year-round during and after the impacts from the pandemic.

This is a critical time to act. Efforts to reduce the overall size and scope of the reconciliation package could severely reduce the effectiveness and impact of the nutrition and anti-poverty provisions. Tell Congress that support for low-income children and their families is non-negotiable.

FRAC has provided a form to email your members of Congress to support the Build Back Better Act.

Fact Sheet: Biden-⁠Harris Administration Commit to End Hunger and Malnutrition and Build Sustainable Resilient Food Systems - Whitehouse.gov

CUE is searching for a soulful writer, creative strategist, and collaborative team manager

in a new role that will oversee our narrative and civic transformation strategy. This position aims to integrate narratives, numbers, and artful design to expand civic imagination and build public accountability for civic transformation.

You should apply if:

Learn more here (.pdf).

Common Threads will utilize the NHC Chicago member to lead virtual nutrition and healthy cooking classes for student, adult, and families living in underserved communities in Chicago, with potential to implement classes for families in person as the city begins to open back up.

In addition to teaching lessons, the member will be expected to build relationships at the district, school, and community level to schedule classes and ensure they are meeting local needs and interests as well. The member will be responsible for maintaining a high quality of implementation, scheduling, auditing and communication with school administrators and staff, community partners, and the Common Threads team.

Virtual Event, Registration Required

The DNPAO Seminar Series showcases the latest research, guidelines, and successes. The Seminar Series is for partners, public health practitioners, and other professionals interested in nutrition, physical activity, and obesity.

For the September 30 session, we will discuss a new report that reviews 20 years of physical activity in the United States. Overall, adults are more physically active than they were 20 years ago. Yet important differences exist among some racial groups, across income levels, and among people with chronic health conditions. We'll also discuss what can be done to improve physical activity for everyone.

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, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM CT, and Saturday, 8:00 AM to 1:00 PM CT.

The COVID-19 pandemic has made it clear that parks and green spaces are a vital part of a healthy community. Yet, due to systemic racism, parks are still not enjoyed evenly. A 2020 study found that parks serving communities of color are—on average—half the size of parks located in majority-white communities and five times as crowded. The unequal distribution and investment in parks—and the unjust experiences that many people of color have in the outdoors—can be righted.

RWJF is currently seeking letters of interest from community-based organizations and base-building groups working to increase park equity and advance racial justice through local policy and systems change in urban, low-income communities of color across the nation. This effort is part of People, Parks, and Power, a joint initiative with the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation led and managed by Prevention Institute. Learn more about eligibility and selection criteria here.

Join us on September 29, 2021 for an applicant webinar to learn what we're looking for and hear answers to frequently asked questions.

The Community Change Grant program supports the growing network of advocates, organizations, and agencies working to advance walkability. Grants are awarded to innovative, engaging, and inclusive programs and projects that create change and opportunity for walking and movement at the community level. Applications for grants open in the fall and are awarded for the full calendar year following. The number of grants awarded varies each year, depending on available funds. Applications will be accepted through Thursday, September 30th at 9:00 PM CT.