July 25, 2017
Healthy Chicago 2.0 Seed Grant Recipients Poised to Further Obesity Prevention Work 
 
The Coalition for a Better Chinese American Community (CBCAC) and the Inner-City Muslim Action Network (IMAN) were among five community-based organizations recently named as Healthy Chicago 2.0 seed grant recipients.

The Public Health Institute of Metropolitan Chicago (PHIMC) and the Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) instituted the grants to reduce health inequities as part of the city's four-year community health improvement plan. The aim of the funding opportunity is to support catalytic projects that advance the  Healthy Chicago 2.0 vision to improve health for all of Chicago's residents.

Through the grant funding, CBCAC will complete a walkability audit in the Armour Square neighborhood, as well as a report that chronicles conditions and develops recommendations for improvements to the built environment. CBCAC has already made progress in its  efforts to make Chinatown more pedestrian friendly, partnering with the Consortium to Lower Obesity in Chicago Children (CLOCC) this past Spring to train community members on use of CLOCC's second-generation Neighborhood Walkability Assessment Tool, launched in 2016.  

Moving forward, IMAN will expand on its previous food access work by implementing a Corner Store Distribution System Pilot to increase availability to fresh produce at corner stores, strengthening local food ecosystems, and increasing the nutrition education offered at the farmer's market and IMAN Health Clinic. CLOCC has previously collaborated with IMAN to develop and expand healthy food options available through corner stores in the Englewood and West Englewood neighborhoods.  

Additional organizations named as seed grant recipients include Build, Inc., The Montessori School of Englewood and the Southwest Organizing Project.

See the release here.

In the News:
 
CLOCC to Host Combined Meeting of the Food and Beverage Access and the Health Promotion and Public Education Interest Groups
 
Join the Consortium to Lower Obesity in Chicago Children on Friday, August 4th, for an opportunity to explore the intersection of food access and health promotion. This invitation has been extended to the Health Promotion & Public Education and the Food & Beverage Access Interest Groups, however if additional partners wish to attend, please contact Elizabeth Gonzalez, CLOCC Health Educator.

Date: Friday, August 4th, 2017
Time: 2:00 - 3:00 p.m.
Location: YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago,
1030 W. Van Buren, 7th Floor

This meeting will feature guest speaker Nyahne Bergeron, recently named the Health and Nutrition Community Program Manager at the Greater Chicago Food Depository. 
 
Some metered street parking is available. The YMCA of Metro Chicago is located near the UIC-Halsted and Racine stations on the CTA Blue Line  
 
 
Cook County Sweetened Beverage Tax Update: Judge's Decision Expected by Friday, July 28th
  
Cook County's sweetened beverage tax was originally scheduled to go into effect on July 1st. Four days before the effective date, the Illinois Retailer Merchants Association filed a lawsuit against Cook County claiming the tax violated the Illinois constitution. While the lawsuit was not unexpected, the timing was purposely very late in order to enable the plaintiffs to request a delay in implementation, and the judge did grant a temporary restraining order (TRO) stopping implementation pending further litigation.
 
A hearing was held on Friday, July 21st, regarding the County's motion to dismiss the lawsuit from the Illinois Retail Merchants Association. The judge will issue his decision on the dismissal of the entire case on Friday, July 28th at 1:30 p.m.

Cook County has already sent layoff notices to roughly 300 public safety employees and is preparing to cut the fiscal year 2017 budget by 10% if the sweetened beverage tax is not implemented.

CLOCC partners are urged to continue pushing for a timely implementation of the tax, which represents a healthy source of revenue for the health and public safety services in Cook County. Please share this infographic and highlight the issue on social media using the hashtag #onesmallchange.
 
 
    
Healthy Kids Town Hall Events Begin Tonight, Tuesday, July 25 
 
The Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) has released a new Healthy Chicago Spotlight: Healthy Kids report, focused on youth health. Moving forward, CDPH will host a series of Town Hall meetings centered on five key areas: improving homes, empowering working families, promoting vaccines, reducing obesity and mitigating trauma. The Healthy Kids Spotlight report shows that even though there has been progress in each key area, significant health disparities remain.

Events are open to the public and CLOCC partners are encouraged to share the opportunity with your local networks. Download the flyer here. Residents are also encouraged to provide feedback through a CDPH online survey.

Tuesday, July 25, 2017  
West Pullman Library, 830 W. 119th Street
6:00 to 8:00 p.m.

Monday, July 31, 2017    
Shields Middle School, 4250 S. Rockwell Street
9:30 to 11:30 a.m.
This meeting will be available in English and Spanish

Tuesday, August 8, 2017   
Rowan Park Field House, 11546 S. Ave. L 
6:00 to 8:00 p.m.
This meeting will be available in English and Spanish
 
Wednesday, August 16, 2017  
Legler Branch Library, 115 S. Pulaski Road
5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
  
Meeting attendees are not required to RSVP, however it is encouraged. Use the button below to access the short RSVP form. 
 

 
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5-4-3-2-1 Go! Resources
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CHILDHOOD OBESITY IN THE NEWS
FUNDING & RECOGNITION OPPORTUNITIES
  • The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Minority Health has released a new funding opportunity announcement, Empowered Communities for a Healthier Nation Initiative.  The initiative "will seek to reduce significant health disparities impacting minorities and disadvantaged populations through the implementation of evidence-based strategies with the greatest potential for impact." The deadline is July 31. 
  • Nike Community Impact Fund (NCIF) annual grants of $5,000-$10,000 are being offered to eligible organizations that give kids positive experiences through physical activity, sport and play to help them unleash their potential. Up to $50,000 in grants will be awarded during this award cycle. The Nike Community Impact Fund, in partnership with Charities Aid Foundation of America (CAF America), is an innovative approach to grant making that engages a committee of Nike employees and Nike Community Store athletes from across the United States to directly impact the local communities where they live and work. Applications are due July 31, 2017 with funds being awarded in November.
T he Consortium to Lower Obesity in Chicago Children (CLOCC) is a nationally recognized leader for community-based obesity prevention. We support, coordinate, and unite partners to promote healthy and active lifestyles for children and families. Our multi-sector approach emerged in Chicago and can be adapted for use anywhere.