Simple Summer Days to Get in the Action
Dear FORWARD Coalition Members,

As a child, I remember that the warmer summer weather brought with it a sense of adventure and play, a desire to return to simpler times like being close to nature for a game of tag in the neighborhood or crunching on a cob of freshly harvested corn. FORWARD kicked off the summer season with a successful Coalition Meeting. On June 7th, FORWARD hosted over 80 coalition members and partners gathered at Danada House in Wheaton to explore how Behavior Modification can be used as a tool for obesity prevention, treatment and healthy lifestyle management. The presentations from our panel of local experts reminded the audience that getting back to the basics - through movement, eating healthy fresh food, getting enough rest and being in nature are important and simple steps toward improving our health. Click here for more details on the meeting presenters, sponsors, meeting presentations and pictures.
 
As we move into the “Dog Days” of Summer, FORWARD will, for a second year, assist the DuPage County Fair organizers with a more healthier venue. Mark your calendars for FORWARD’s second “Get in the Action” Day at the DuPage County Fair on July 25th. From 10am to 4pm, FORWARD and our partners will be at the DuPage County Fairgrounds to offer a variety of active and healthy options during the fair. For more details on the FORWARD's activities click here . This first day of the DuPage County fair is tailored towards families. All Kindergarten through 8th grade children in DuPage County qualify to receive a free ticket to attend. The ticket must be secured prior to the event. Free tickets are not available onsite. Click here to get your free ticket.

Looking ahead, this Fall FORWARD’s Board of Directors will be engaging in a Strategic Planning Retreat. The goal will be to define the future direction for FORWARD for the next 3-5 years. The planning process will include a variety of inputs, including surveying FORWARD Coalition members regarding their thoughts and desires for FORWARD. Please be on the lookout for this survey this summer and take the time to give us some honest feedback. Your opinion counts!

In the meantime, we hope you have the chance to slow down a bit this summer and celebrate the season by spending time with your family and friends and enjoying the sights and scents that nature has offered all around us. If you would like to get more involved with FORWARD and help influence positive changes regarding nutrition, physical activity, and the built environment through one of our strategies (Healthy Schools, Worksite Wellness, Healthy Municipalities and/or Healthy Early Childcare) please contact Tonia Batogowski at [email protected] .

Ann Marchetti
Consulting Director
FORWARD DuPage
Community Spotlight
FORWARD's Board of Directors share their time and talents to guide and advise FORWARD and many other noteworthy DuPage efforts. While they are all deserving of our gratitude, this month, Tammy Pressley, Director of Community Relations for Northwestern Medicine is in the FORWARD spotlight. Crain's Custom Media has named Ms. Pressley one of "Chicago's Notable Women in Healthcare 2018" and continued, "Over the recent decade, Tammy Pressley has been a key leader in multiple groundbreaking health collaborations that distinguish DuPage County". Click here for the full article.

FORWARD would like to recognize Ms. Pressley's energy, personal commitment and her professional expertise that she has generously shared with FORWARD for nearly 10 years. Her resolve, wisdom, guidance and support has been essential to our forward progress. Congratulations Tammy on this well-deserved recognition and thank you to all the FORWARD Board members for your dedication to making DuPage County a healthier place to live, work and play!
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The DuPage Foundation supports programs that raise the quality of life for DuPage County residents. This spring, Action For Healthy Kids , FORWARD’s lead partner on our Healthy School Strategy, was awarded funding to help students in three DuPage County schools develop lifelong healthy behaviors by providing education, equipment acquisition and technical assistance to implement nutrition and physical activity programs. Thank you to the DuPage Foundation , the Donald and Dianne Skeet Fund and Sindelar Family Fund for supporting our students and a healthier DuPage County!
Legislative & Advocacy Update
As a part of FORWARD’s commitment to healthier lifestyles, we advocate for sustainable and lasting policy, system and environmental changes. We are asking for your attention to the following and if so inclined, please take action.

HB 4568 , a bill that would make permanent the Healthy Local Food Incentives Fund, has passed both the Illinois House and Senate and has now been sent to the Governor for consideration! Take action!  Ask the Governor  to sign HB 4568 to support healthy eating and the local farming economy.  
 
Senate Bill 2572 , which would change the current requirement for schools to provide a minimum of 3 days per week of P.E. to a requirement that schools provide students at least 150 minutes per week of P.E., more closely aligning Illinois to national best practices for elementary students, passed both the Illinois House and Senate and has now been sent to the Governor for consideration! Take action:  Ask the Governor  to sign HB 2572 to support healthy and active kids!
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Upcoming Opportunities
The Resiliency Institute
Forest Therapy/Shinrin-yoku

Tuesday, July 17
10:00am to 12:00pm

Come and learn about the practice of spending time in nature and forested areas for the purpose of enhancing health, wellness, and happiness. To register or see a schedule of upcoming classes, click here .
Healthy Eating Research
2018 Call for Proposals

 Submissions Due
Wednesday, July 18

The call features two types of awards aimed at promoting the health and well-being of children through nutritious foods and beverages. Click here for details.
Forest Preserve
Discover Mayslake

Saturday, July 21
10:00am to 2:00pm

Take a self-guided tour of Mayslake Hall and enjoy live music and theater, art, nature hikes, archery and fishing. Click here for more information.
GardenWorks
Fall Seedling Talk & Sale

Thursday, July 26
7:00pm to 9:00pm

Ensure a consistent harvest through the fall and early winter with a new supply of fall seedlings from One Seed One Plant. Enjoy a free packet of seeds just for coming by! Click here for more information or to shop the pre-sale today.
Harvest Canning Workshop

Wednesday, August 1
7:00pm to 8:30pm

Let's take the harvest from YOUR garden and turn it into healthy food for family for the off season. Learn the principles of canning in simple terms and get started this season! Register now.
Food Growers Network Garden Tour

Saturday, August 4
9:00am to 2:00pm

Join us for the first annual GardenWorks Community Garden Tour. The tour highlights a few of the many community gardens within our region. Click here to learn more or to register today.
America Walks
The Growing Call for Slower Speeds

Wednesday, August 8
2:00pm to 3:00pm

Hear from those leading the call for slower speeds and communities putting people first in the call for safer streets. To register click here .
Natural Health Learn & Share
Health Optimization in a Toxic World

Tuesday, August 14
6:45pm to 8:00pm

Learn about reversing or controlling any health concern naturally with food and lifestyle adjustments. Click here to register.
ProActive Kids
Fall Session
Session Begins
Monday, September 17

ProActive kids is a local (Lombard and Woodridge) health promotion and education program offered free of charge to children ages 8-14 that are struggling with their weight. For more information, click here .
Chicago Metro Agency for Planning
ON TO 2050

Wednesday, October 10
8:30am to 5:00pm

Come celebrate the launch of ON TO 2050, our region’s blueprint for a resilient, inclusive, thriving future. C lick here to register.
Seven Generations Ahead

Harvest of the Month &
The Great Apple Crunch
Thursday, October 11

Want school to ​promote healthy, local fruits and vegetables while educating your kids about the fresh foods they are enjoying? Click here to learn more.
B.R. Ryall
Healthy Lifestyle Educational Presentations

Thursday, September 6 - 6:30pm to 7:30pm
Walking: Why You Have to Make it Happen
Thursday, October 4 - 6:30pm to 7:30pm
Nutrition and Your Metabolism
Diabetes Educational Series

Thursday, September 13 - 6:30pm to 7:30pm
What is Pre-Diabetes? Get the Facts
Thursday, September 20 - 6:30pm to 7:30pm
Impact of Healthy Eating and Physical Activity
Diabetes Prevention Program (DDP)

Sessions Begin
Thursday, September 27 - 6:00pm to 7:00pm

Program includes 16 weekly sessions and additional monthly sessions that combine education and physical components.
Check. Change. Control.

New Session Begins in September

Reduce your risk for developing a stroke, heart attack or heart failure. Enroll in this 16-week management program. Learn more by attending an informational session on September 12th at 6:30pm or September 15th at 10:00am.

For more information or to register for B.R. Ryall events call
Katie Sivak at 630.547.2022 or click here .
Do you subscribe to the IMPACT DuPage Newsletter?
Impact DuPage is a county-wide initiative of partner organizations working to influence change in the areas of affordable housing, access to health treatment, behavioral health treatment, substance abuse and healthy lifestyles. FORWARD is Impact DuPage’s vehicle to help influence residents and partners to make positive choices regarding nutrition, physical activity, and the built environment
to improve healthy lifestyles.

For more details and to stay up to date on local progress, subscribe to their twice a month newsletter.  
Help Us Get the Word Out!
Do you know of an upcoming event or health fair in DuPage County?

5-4-3-2-1 Go! ® is a public education message with recommendations for children and families to promote a healthy lifestyle.
  • 5 servings of fruits and vegetables a day
  • 4 servings of water a day
  • 3 servings of low-fat dairy a day
  • 2 or less hours of screen time a day
  • 1 or more hours of physical activity a day
For helpful resources and ideas on how to incorporate this message in your DuPage County organization click here .

If you are interested in distributing health and wellness materials at an upcoming event call 630.221.7550 or email [email protected] or Tonia Batogowski at [email protected]