Mocan Schools Work Group Meeting

MOCan Schools Work Group Meeting November 9, 2015

Attendees: Janice Rehak, Ellen Wheeler, Deidre Griffith, Martha Smith, Denise Strehlow, Cindy DeBlauw

MSBA Model Wellness Policy Revision In 2004, the Child Nutrition and WIC reauthorization Act required schools that participate in the NSLP develop and adopt a Wellness Policy. A multi-agency group including MSBA, developed a model policy that was adopted by MSBA and made available to their members. Denise will follow-up with MSBA and MARE to see if they are interested in participating in a revision of the model policy. Scott Summers at MSBA and Ray Patrick at MARE could be good contacts.

MOCAN Meeting Strategic Planning Update 4 evidence-based strategies were adopted: 1. Increase fruit and vegetable intake 2. Increase water access and consumption and decrease SSB. 3. Promote breastfeeding 4. Increase physical activity The activities for each strategy need to be added. The Plan is expected to be finalized at the next MOCAN meeting. The work groups need to meet and develop their annual work plans. The group discussed focusing more on projects in a task force format.

Updates: Extension October 20th was the Farm to School Conference. Attendance was 145. There is a greater demand for local products than the food system is prepared to provide.

DESE The CSH conference is coming up December 3-5th at the Lodge of Four Seasons.

DHSS The state materials for the Obesity Prevention Program have been released. Training for the LPHAs on the Healthy Lifestyle Initiative and Fitastic is being negotiated with Children’s Mercy Hospital.

MFH Annual Grantee training was held in October. Sustainability was a focus of one of the sessions. The training evaluations indicated participants Evaluation data have indicated a 1% decrease in obesity. A decrease in 5,000 misconduct episodes was reported in the schools. 33 school districts are participating in Healthy Schools, Healthy Communities. The most recent additions include JC, Hickory R-I, Willow Springs, Caruthersville, Ferguson-Florissant, Riverview Gardens and some more STLPS.

Dairy Council Grants for next school year for breakfast promotion are being promoted now. Schools can apply for up to $2,000. Last year 56 schools received an award. The application is online and an easy 2 pages.

BJC The school program is an MFH partner with some of the St. Louis Public Schools. An increase in participation by community members has been observed.