Promising Practices Across Georgia

Movements Across the U.S.

Community Tools

Healthy Congregations

Healthy Community Projects

Resources for
Communities-at-Large

Resources for
Faith-based Communities

Community Projects

Currently, the program provides funds to several community organizations through the Communities Putting Prevention to Work grant program in order to increase access to healthy foods in various communities around the state.

Learn More About the Projects

• Center for Pan Asian Community Services, Inc.
  Project presentation
   
• East Atlanta Village Farmers Market
  Project presentation
   
• Federation of Southern Cooperatives
  Project presentation
   
• Georgia Organics, Inc.
  Project presentation
   
• HABESHA, Inc.
  Project presentation
   
• Project Open Hand
  Project presentation
   
• Truly Living Well Center for Natural Urban Agriculture
  Project presentation

GEORGIA NUTRITION AND PHYSICAL ACTIVITY DEMONSTRATION PROJECTS
The Initiative funded seven local communities to implement policy, systems, and environmental change strategies to address at least one of the Initiative�s target areas. Communities were funded up to $50,000 over a two year period. During the first year, communities were charged with establishing partnerships to develop a Community Action Plan to address obesity and other related chronic diseases. During year two, communities were charged with implementing the strategies outlined in their community action plan. The demonstration projects achieved the following noteworthy accomplishments:

BULLOCH CHILD DEMONSTRATION PROJECT � SMART CHOICES
The Bulloch CHILD Demonstration Project implemented six �Smart Choices� policies in Bulloch County Parks and Recreation Facilities. The Smart Choices policy offers healthy food and beverage options as an alternative to other traditional concession options. This policy is intended to decrease the consumption of calorie dense foods. For more information: http://bullochcountychild.com/


SATILLA KIDS DEMONSTRATION PROJECT - ADOPTION OF THE CHILDERS FAMILY YMCA HEALTHY FOODS
The Satilla KIDS Demonstration Project implemented a healthy foods policy in its local YMCA. The policy defines a nutritional standard for YMCA programs that choose to supply food. Programs are required to provide nutritious meals and snacks of a quantity and quality to meet the daily nutritional needs of the children. This intervention is intended to increase consumption of fruit and vegetable and to the decrease the consumption of calorie dense foods. See their nutrition policy (http://ymcawaycross.com/nutrition-policy.pdf). For more information about the ongoing efforts of this project: http://www.satilla.org/kids/about.html

LOWNDES COUNTY DEMONSTRATION PROJECT - EXERCISE IS MEDICINE
The Lowndes County Demonstration Project implemented �Exercise is Medicine� as a healthcare systems change within ten physician offices. Lowndes County promoted �Exercise is Medicine� as a way for physical activity to be treated as a vital sign at every patient visit. This intervention reached approximately 3500 persons and was designed to increase physical activity. For more information about the ongoing efforts of this project: http://www.lcpfh.org/

CLAYTON COUNTY - COMMUNITY GARDENS
The Clayton County Demonstration Project implemented six community gardens in various community settings reaching more than 1,300 persons. The community gardens were established to increase fruit and vegetable consumption by developing mechanisms for communities to plan, grow, and consume healthy food options. The community gardens also allow participants to perform moderate physical activity while gardening. View Community Garden Presentation (http://www.slideshare.net/GPHA/community-gardens-nutriion-at-your-fingertips). For more information about ongoing efforts through this project:

COBB COUNTY � DEMONSTRATION PROJECT
In addition to becoming a WE CAN Community (Syrma, GA) the Cobb County Demonstration Project implemented a farmers market (opened in August 12, 2010) in Mableton, GA. The Cobb County Demonstration project also implemented a walkability assessment at a local elementary school. The results of these efforts included receiving the commitment for the future installation a traffic signal and cross walk. Furthermore, this demonstration project was able to secure a Safe Routes to School grant to advance its Safe Routes to School efforts in Mableton, GA.

JEFFERSON COUNTY � DEMONSTRATION PROJECT
Jefferson County mobilized their faith community. Representatives attended the �Live Healthy in Faith� toolkit training and were able to implement the following policies:
4 faith organizations adopted physical activity policies
4 organizations adopted 100% tobacco free policies
1 organization adopted a breastfeeding policy

COOK COUNTY � DEMONSTRATION PROJECT
Cook County established the Cook County Family Connection Collaborative. The Collaborative worked with community partners and landowners to establish community gardens. Through this project the Collaborative has planted two community gardens at the 4H Club Office and at the House of Grace homeless shelter. They also installed raised beds at Cook Primary School. Through joint use agreements, families will have access to the gardens at the 4H Club, the House of Grace, and Cook Primary School. For more information about ongoing efforts, please see: http://www.cookcountyfamilyconnection.org/collaborative-programs/