LIVE WRIGHT NEWS AUGUST 2012

Live Wright Does its Best to Pitch the Commissioner of Health

30 people welcomed the Commissioner of Health, Dr. Ed Ehlinger to Beebe Lake Regional Park on July 31 to Pitch with the Commissioner. While the skills of everyones horseshoe throwing varied, the passion and energy among everyone seemed to make an impression upon the Commissioner. Check out our blog to see the pictures and click here or on the photo below to hear what the Commissioner had to say about his visit to Wright County.

In This Edition:
- Commissioner Visit Recap; check out photos and video online! - Wright County Public Health submits CTG application $581,000! - Calendar of Events - A Measure of Success: Return on Investment with Park and Trail Planning - News & Stories about Health

The event at the park was just part of a very busy day for the Commissioner of Health. Dr. Ed Ehlinger attended the Wright County Board meeting, had lunch with Public Health/Human Services Supervisors, met with a variety of local partners and presented to a group of health care professionals at Buffalo Hospital. It is reassuring to know that when the Commissioner of Health left Wright County, he was well aware of our great partnerships and work being done here. Additionally, he is able to better understand our needs and the challenges we face. Thank you to everyone who participated in this special day. It was really important to share Live Wrights successes with the Commissioner. We accomplished that and more; he really liked our name and now has one of our polos to wear!

Subcommittee meetings are being scheduled so that we can start working on the tasks identified at our July planning session; 1. School Gardens - 8/21 at 2:30pm, Human Services Building 2. Health Food/Reward/Expert List - we are hoping to meet before school starts. Just waiting on the groups availability

Community Transformation Grant - Small Communities Program Update

Wright County Public Health submitted the grant application on behalf of Live Wright for the amount of $581,000. It would be a two year grant from Oct. 2012 - Oct. 2014. Awards will be announced at the end of September. The main objectives of our proposal include: 1. By Sept 2014, each school district (10) in Wright County will implement a Safe Routes to School or active school day strategy in at least one school site per district. 2. Create and disseminate a Healthy Snack List to all school districts by the start of the 2013-2014 school year. 3. Support the creation of a school garden on at least one school site within each school district by Sept. 2014. 4. Implement at least 5 policies and/or change 5 practices at the city and county level to create active communities by increasing opportunities for non-motorized, active transportation by Sept. 2014.

ROI: $$$ for Infrastructure, Creating Active Communities for the Future
Did you know that several local cities have been working with Wright County Parks and other partners to secure grant dollars to strengthen our park and trail system? - Wright County adopted a Trail, Bikeway and Active Living Plan in 2011 with a $46,000 grant. Since the plans adoption the county has received $923,000 in grant funding for park acquisition and trail corridor acquisition! - The City of Monticello also completed a Park and Pathway Plan in 2011, their grant was for $52,000. They have received $677,000 in funds since their plan adoption for park acquisition and to complete local trail connections. - The City of St. Michael and Hanover worked with Wright County Parks in following the county plan to apply for and receive $1,225,500! This funding will go directly towards building trail infrastructure. A local investment of SHIP dollars amounting to $96,000 helped to secure a total of $2.8 million in additional grant funding since 2011!!!

(We understand that other cities and projects may have also been able to access additional funds with the work started under SHIP. Please be sure to send us that information so we can continue to share these successes with the group.)

Latest News and Research on Obesity, Obesity Prevention

Allina Health Funds a Number of Local Projects Through the Neighborhood Health Connection CDC: Prevalence of Self-Reported Obesity Among U.S. Adults State Health Commissioner promotes some healthy discussion (Wright County Journal Press 8/3/2012) CDC Vital Signs: Walking (New Public Health Blog 8/7/2012) Blue Cross: Fighting Obesity is just a walk in the parking lot (Star Tribune 8/7/2012)