Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout05-10-2011 PRC Agenda Packet  City of Saratoga Parks and Recreation Commission AGENDA   DATE: Tuesday, May 10, 2011  TIME: 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.  LOCATION: Saratoga City Hall  Warner Hutton House   13777 Fruitvale Avenue  Saratoga, CA 95070    Call to Order    Roll Call    Report on Posting of the Agenda:  Pursuant to Government Code Section 54954.2, this meeting was properly  posted May 5, 2011.          Accept Agenda Items: No additional items may be added pursuant to Government Code Section 54954.2.    Oral & Written Communication: Any member of the public may address the Commission about any matter not  on the agenda for this meeting for up three minutes.  Commissioners may not comment on the matter,  but may choose to place the topic on a future agenda.    Approval of Draft Minutes: Draft Parks and Recreation Commission (PRC) Minutes for the March 8, 2011  meeting.    Joint Meeting with the Pedestrian, Equestrian, and Bicycle Trails Advisory Committee (PEBTAC): Discuss  collaborating on Saratoga Creek projects and the joint meeting with the City Council on May 18, 2011.     Old Business:  1. Joint Meeting Agenda  Issue:  The PRC and PEBTAC are scheduled to hold a joint meeting with the Saratoga City Council on May  18, 2011 at 6:00 p.m. in the Administrative Conference Room at City Hall. The purpose of the  annual meeting is to provide the Council with an update on the status of the Commission and  request approval of priorities and goals for the upcoming year. Because time is limited, it is  recommended that Commissions develop agendas for the Joint Meeting.   Action: Finalize an agenda for the City Council Joint Meeting.    2. Wildwood Cinema Movie Night   Issue:  In accordance with City Council direction given at the July 7, 2010 City Council meeting, the PRC  has been looking for an organization or group to coordinate the Wildwood Cinema Movie Night  in the future. Commissioner Wilson has been leading this effort.  Action: Discuss transitioning management of Wildwood Cinema Movie Night to another organization(s).     3. Let’s Move Cities/Move It Saratoga  Issue:  In February 2011, the City Council approved a resolution to become a Let’s Move City. The Let’s  Move Cities and Towns initiative is part of a nationwide initiate led by First Lady Michelle Obama  to reduce childhood obesity and help families make healthier choices. Council suggested the  PRC’s Move It Saratoga program could be part of the City’s effort to become a Let’s Move City.  Action: Discuss and finalize plans for the 2011 Move It Saratoga program.    4. Saratoga Park Videos  Issue:  In September 2010, the Commission released videos produced by Saratoga High School Media  Arts Program students to publicize City parks. Videos for Beauchamps, Congress Springs, Hakone  Gardens, Kevin Moran, Ravenwood, and Wildwood were produced. The Commission indicated  an interest in working with other Saratoga High School Media Arts Program students to create  additional videos.  Action: Develop plans to continue creating Saratoga park videos.     5. Community Event Calendar  Issue:  At the January 2011 PRC meeting, the Commission reviewed upcoming community events that  the PRC could participate and agreed to review opportunities to participate in community  events again at the May 2011 meeting.  Action: Review community event calendar.      Commissioner & Staff Reports (This includes committee updates and park reports. This section is informational  only; no actions will be taken.)    Agenda Items for Next Meeting  ‐ August 16, 2011 (July meeting rescheduled)    Adjournment    In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, if you are a disabled person and you need a disability‐related  modification or accommodation to participate in this meeting, please contact the City Clerk’s Office at 408.868.1269 or  ctclerk@saratoga.ca.us. Requests must be made as early as possible and at least one full business day before the start of  the meeting.    Parks and Recreation Commission Agenda Note:  In accordance with the Ralph M. Brown Act, copies of the staff reports and other materials provided to the Parks and  Recreation Commission by City staff in connection with this agenda are available at the office of the City Manager at 13777  Fruitvale Avenue, Saratoga, California 95070.  Any materials distributed by staff after the posting of the agenda are made  available for public review at the office of the City Manager at the time they are distributed to the Parks and Recreation  Commission.    Certificate of Posting of Agenda:  I, Crystal Morrow, Administrative Analyst II for the City of Saratoga, declare that the foregoing agenda for the meeting of  the Parks and Recreation Commission of the City of Saratoga was posted on May 5, 2011 at the office of the City of  Saratoga, 13777 Fruitvale Avenue, Saratoga, CA 95070 and was available for public review at that location. The agenda is  also available on the City’s website at www.saratoga.ca.us.     City of Saratoga Parks and Recreation Commission MINUTES   DATE: Tuesday, March 8, 2011  TIME: 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.  LOCATION: Saratoga City Hall  Warner Hutton House   13777 Fruitvale Avenue  Saratoga, CA 95070    Call to Order – 6:36 p.m.    Roll Call  Present: Bruno,  Goldberg, Johnson, Soukup, Wilson   Absent: None  Staff: Taylor, Morrow    Report on Posting of the Agenda:  Pursuant to Government Code Section 54954.2, this meeting was properly  posted March 2, 2011.        Accept Agenda Items: No additional items may be added pursuant to Government Code Section 54954.2.    Oral & Written Communication: Any member of the public may address the Commission about any matter not  on the agenda for this meeting for up three minutes.  Commissioners may not comment on the matter,  but may choose to place the topic on a future agenda.  ‐ No communications from the public    Approval of Draft Minutes: Draft Parks and Recreation Commission (PRC) Minutes for the January 11, 2011  meeting.  ‐ SOUKUP: MOVED TO ACCEPT MEETING MINUTES WITH CHANGES TO ITEM 4 TO ADD THAT THE  MEETING WITH THE VILLAGE MERCHANT GROUP, CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, AND SARATOGA‐MONTE  SERENO COMMUNITY FOUNDATION TOOK PLACE IN FEBRUARY.   ‐ VITA: SECOND  ‐ APPROVED: 4‐0‐1 WITH GOLDBERG ABSTAINING    Old Business:  1. Arbor Day  Issue:  At the November 2010 meeting, the PRC met with a Youth Commission subcommittee to discuss  opportunities to support the City’s annual Arbor Day event. Since then a PRC subcommittee,  including Commissioners Bruno and Wilson, has been working with the Youth Commission to  coordinate activities for Arbor Day.   Action: Continue Arbor Day coordination.    ‐ Morrow gave an update on the event, including the date, time, and location of the event.  ‐ The Commission discussed the event and offered speaker recommendations.    2. Nesting Box Project  Issue:  At the July 28, 2010 meeting, the Parks and Recreation Commission met with a representative of  the Audubon Society to identify nesting box locations in Saratoga. Locations for the nesting  boxes have been identified. Volunteer training was held on January 22, 2011 and placement of  the nesting boxes was planned for February.  Action: Share an update on the project and continue any necessary project coordination.  ‐ Johnson reported that volunteer training was done on January 22, 2011. A total of 11 volunteers  attended, along with 2 trainers. Volunteers placed the nesting boxes in February; 5 were located in the  San Marcos Open Space, 5 were placed in Kevin Moran Park, 3 added to Azule Park, and 5 added near  the Heritage Orchard and Wildcat Creek. Birds are now starting to move into the nesting boxes.   ‐ Soukup requested an update on use of the nesting boxes at the end of the nesting season.   ‐ Johnson said that a report on use of the nesting boxes would be available, since volunteers track use of  the boxes.   ‐ Soukup suggested that the Commission work with the Saratoga News to publish an update on the  nesting boxes at the end of the nesting season.   ‐ Johnson added that he would like to see this project grow and asked that the Commission revisit the  project at the August meeting to review the results of the first nesting season and discuss the project’s  future.     3. Wildwood Cinema Movie Night   Issue:  In accordance with City Council direction given at the July 7, 2010 City Council meeting, the PRC  has been preparing a guide on how to organize Wildwood Cinema Movie Night and has been  looking for an organization or group to coordinate the event in the future. Commissioner Wilson  has been leading this effort.  Action: Finalize guide for Wildwood Cinema Movie Night and identify an organization(s) to manage  Wildwood Cinema Movie Night events.    ‐ Wilson reported that he met with the Saratoga‐Monte Sereno Community Foundation and the group is  very interested in taking over Wildwood Cinema Movie Night. He will be meeting with the group again  to discuss transferring the event to the Saratoga‐Monte Sereno Community Foundation.     4. Wildwood Park Creek Habitat Restoration Update  Issue:  During recent PRC meetings, the Commission discussed opportunities to restore the natural  habitat of Saratoga Creek in Wildwood Park. The PRC indicated an interest in removing concrete  slabs located in the creek. During the January 2011 meeting, staff agreed to research available  grant opportunities for the project and will be presenting an update at the March meeting.  Action: Review and discuss information collected by staff.   ‐ Morrow shared information about grant funding through the Santa Clara Valley Water District.   ‐ Johnson emphasized that the project should be focused on fully restoring the creek, not just removing  concrete slabs in Saratoga Creek.   ‐ Goldberg noted that the Pedestrian, Equestrian, and Bicycle Trails Advisory Committee (PEBTAC) is  working on developing trails along Saratoga Creek and helped prepare the Water District grant  applications submitted in March 2011. Goldberg indicated that the project could be passed on to the  PEBTAC, since the group is familiar with the creek.   ‐ The Commission asked if the Saratoga Creek improvements could be included in existing grant  applications. Morrow said she did not think the improvements could be fully incorporated in the current  applications.   ‐ Goldberg added that she felt the PEBTAC would enjoy working with the PRC on the project and  suggested that the two groups discuss the possibility of working together on the project during the May  meeting.  ‐ Goldberg PEBTAC is going to be at the Joint Meeting, could have trails people give input. Trails  committee loves working with PRC.   ‐ The Commission agreed to invite the PEBTAC to attend the beginning of the May PRC meeting to discuss  the possibility of working together to develop a project scope to discuss with the Council at the joint  meeting in May.     5. Ravenwood Park Playground Equipment Design Modification  Issue:  Due to budgetary and accessibility concerns, the design of the Ravenwood Park playground  equipment must be slightly modified. Proposed changes will be presented at the March meeting  for the PRC to review.    Action: Review and approve design modifications.   ‐ Morrow presented design  ‐ BRUNO: MOVED TO APPROVE DESIGN MODIFICATION  ‐ GOLDBERG SECOND  ‐ APPROVED: 5‐0‐0    New Business:  1. Alcohol in City Parks and Facilities  Issue:  At the City Council Retreat on January 28, 2011, Council asked that the PRC review the City’s  policies related to alcohol in City parks and facilities and return with a recommended action.  Action: Review the different City policies regulating use of alcohol in parks and facilities and prepare a  recommendation for the City Council.   ‐ Taylor presented a report on inconsistencies in the City Code regarding alcohol use in parks. Taylor  indicated that there are discrepancies in the Code regarding the size of a group and alcohol use permits.  Taylor expressed a need for consistency and requested that the Commission provide a recommendation  for the City Council.   ‐ The Commission discussed inconsistencies in the Code regarding definitions of a group, requirements for  alcohol use permits, and how to streamline the City’s regulation of alcohol use in parks.    ‐ GOLDBERG: MOVED THAT THE PRC RECOMMEND THAT ALCOHOL BE ALLOWED IN ALL PARKS DURING  PARK HOURS, ALCOHOL USE PERMITS BE REQUIRED FOR GROUPS OF MORE THAN 12, AND EXISTING  POLICIES IN WILDWOOD AND EL QUITO BE OVERRIDDEN.  ‐ WILSON: SECOND  ‐ APPROVED: 4‐1‐0 WITH JOHNSON OPPOSED      2. Pedestrian, Equestrian, and Bicycle Trails Advisory Committee (PEBTAC) Update  Issue:  At the January 2011 meeting, the PRC requested an update on the PEBTAC.   Action: Informational only, no action required.  ‐ Goldberg shared that the PEBTAC is working with the City to prepare applications for Santa Clara Valley  Water District grant funding. Two applications will be submitted – one to design and plan the Village  Creek Trail and another to build a Saratoga Creek overlook. Goldberg gave an update on the status of  West Valley College’s efforts to build a trail on the campus. Goldberg indicated that the PEBTAC is  working on the circulation element and will be preparing recommendations to the City Council.  Additionally, the PEBTAC met with the Garrod family to discuss the trail implications of annexing the  Garrod property. Goldberg also noted that the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District land purchase  is moving ahead.     3. Let’s Move Cities Update  Issue:  In February 2011, the City Council approved a resolution to become a Let’s Move City. The Let’s  Move Cities and Towns initiative is part of a nationwide initiate led by First Lady Michelle Obama  to reduce childhood obesity and help families make healthier choices.     Action: Informational only, no action required.  ‐ Morrow presented information on the City’s proclamation to become a Let’s Move City.   ‐ Goldberg said she feels it would be fairly easy to expand Move It Saratoga to cover a longer period of  time and encompass the goals of the Let’s Move City program.  ‐ Soukup asked to have the Let’s Move Cities item added to the May agenda and requested additional  information about the program requirements.     4. City Council Joint Meeting Agenda  Issue:  The PRC and PEBTAC are scheduled to hold a joint meeting with the Saratoga City Council on May  18, 2011 at 6:00 p.m. in the Administrative Conference Room at City Hall. The purpose of the  annual meeting is to provide the Council with an update on the status of the Commission and  request approval of priorities and goals for the upcoming year. Because time is limited, it is  recommended that Commissions develop agendas for the Joint Meeting.   Action: Develop an agenda for the City Council Joint Meeting.   ‐ Johnson suggested that the PRC share a status update on the ongoing projects.  ‐ Soukup asked if the Commission should bring any park maintenance issues or infrastructure projects to  the Council’s attention. For example, the tennis court at Beauchamps Park needs to be resurfaced and  the pathway in Azule Park needs to be replaced.   ‐ Soukup suggested that the PRC hold neighborhood meetings with residents living near parks to get park‐ specific input on each park. The PRC could solicit feedback on parks and identify park‐related concerns.   ‐ Johnson suggested developing a form Commissioners can use when preparing park reports, so  information is consistently reported.   ‐ Soukup added that the PRC could start working on items on the Commission’s work plan that haven’t  been addressed yet, such as signage for trees in parks to indicate species of a tree.  ‐ Johnson noted that there are some other projects that the Commission has discussed, like the  suggestion to work with West Valley College to develop landscape designs for undeveloped sections of  City parks.    ‐ Soukup asked that the Joint Meeting Agenda be placed on the May meeting agenda to be finalized.     5. Form 700 Reporting Requirements  Issue:  Every year, California elected officials and appointed officials are required to disclose economic  interests by filing a Form 700 with the Saratoga City Clerk. The deadline to submit the Form 700  is April 1, 2011. Late filings are subject to a fine of $10 per day up to $100. More information,  including electronic copies of the Form 700, is available on the Fair Political Practices  Commission website at http://www.fppc.ca.gov/index.php?id=500.     Action: Informational only, no action required.    ‐ Morrow provided an update on Form 700 reporting requirements.     6. Election of Chair and Vice Chair  Issue:  The terms of the current Chair and Vice Chair expire at the May 2011 meeting. Per the City of  Saratoga Municipal Code, the Commission is required to elect a new Chair and Vice Chair.   Action: The PRC will elect a new Chair and Vice Chair, whose terms will begin at the May 2011 PRC  meeting.   ‐ Morrow reviewed the requirements of the Chair and Vice Chair positions and noted who is eligible for  each position.  ‐ WILSON: MOVED TO ELECT SOUKUP FOR THE POSITION OF CHAIR  ‐ GOLDBERG: SECOND  ‐ APPROVED: 5‐0‐0  ‐ BRUNO: MOVED TO ELECT JOHNSON AS VICE CHAIR  ‐ WILSON: SECOND  ‐ APPROVED: 5‐0‐0    Commissioner & Staff Reports (This includes committee updates and park reports. This section is informational  only; no actions will be taken.)  ‐ Morrow provided an update on City applications for Santa Clara Valley Water District Clean Safe Creeks  grant applications and Arbor Day  ‐ Goldberg notified the Commission that the City broke ground on the petanque court at Azule park  ‐ Soukup informed the PRC that there are new benches in Azule Park  ‐ Johnson said that work is being performed at El Quito. Turf is being removed in sections of the park and  trees are being planted. Johnson reported that there were several new incidences of graffiti in the park.   At Bellgrove, new picnic benches were put in. At Wildwood, several new trees were added along the  back of the park, there was some graffiti on one of the park signs, and repair work is needed for the  pedestrian bridge handrails.     Agenda Items for Next Meeting  ‐ May 10, 2011    Adjournment – 9:12 p.m.     Minutes submitted by:  Crystal Morrow, Administrative Analyst II  City of Saratoga – City Manager’s Office       City of Saratoga  Memorandum    To: City of Saratoga Parks and Recreation Commission  From: Crystal Morrow, Administrative Analyst II  City of Saratoga  Date: May 10, 2011  Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting  Subject: City Council Joint Meeting Agenda        The Parks and Recreation Commission (PRC) and Pedestrian, Equestrian, and Bicycle Trails Advisory  Committee (PEBTAC) are scheduled to hold a joint meeting with the City Council on Wednesday, May  18, 2011 at 6:00 p.m. in the Administrative Conference Room in the City Manager’s Office. The City  Council holds joint meetings with all the City Commissions to provide the Commissions with the  opportunity to share achievements over the past year and seek input on proposed goals or priorities for  the upcoming year. Because time is limited during the meetings, the Council has asked that all  Commissions develop an agenda for joint meetings.     The work plan below was prepared by the PRC in January 2010 and presented to the City Council during  the PRC’s joint meeting with the Council in March 2010.     Goal  Definition Proposed Activities  One Saratoga To get Saratoga  residents active in the  parks and recreation  system.  ‐ Help coordinate activities for Arbor Day in  collaboration with Youth Commission  ‐ Coordinate move in the park event  ‐ Participate in and attend community events (Tree  Lighting, Mustard Faire, Independence Day  Celebration, etc.)  Celebrate Nature To raise awareness and  involvement in  Saratoga’s  environment.  ‐ Provide Public Works Director with suggestions for  tree planting locations   ‐ Help coordinate activities for Arbor Day in  collaboration with Youth Commission  ‐ Label tree species in parks  ‐ Place bird nesting boxes in City parks with support of  Audubon Society  Healthy City To encourage a healthy  lifestyle in Saratoga  through parks and  recreation.  ‐ Coordinate Move It Saratoga (track miles residents  walk, run, or bike between Memorial Day and Labor  Day)  ‐ Coordinate a photo scavenger hunt using Saratoga  parks and trails     At the March 2011 PRC meeting, the Commission discussed the joint meeting agenda. During the  meeting, Commissioners proposed discussing the PRC’s status on the work plan items and plans for  items not yet completed. Commissioners also suggested getting City Council input on the following  items:  ‐ Developing a process by which the PRC can put forward recommendations for park maintenance  or infrastructure;   ‐ Holding community meetings for each of the City’s parks to solicit park‐specific feedback and  identify park‐related concerns;  ‐ Working with West Valley College to develop landscape designs for undeveloped sections of City  parks; and  ‐ Working with the Pedestrian, Equestrian, and Bicycle Trails Advisory Committee to develop a  project to restore the section of Saratoga Creek that runs through Wildwood Park.    City of Saratoga  Memorandum    To: City of Saratoga Parks and Recreation Commission  From: Crystal Morrow, Administrative Analyst II  City of Saratoga  Date: May 10, 2011  Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting  Subject: Wildwood Cinema Movie Night      During the June 2010 PRC meeting, the Commission agreed to move forward with plans to hold  a movie night in Wildwood Park. At the July 7, 2010 City Council Meeting, the City Council  allocated $1300 to the event, extended park hours for Wildwood Cinema Movie Night on  September 11, 2010 to 10:00 p.m., and authorized the Commission to seek funding and  organizational support from outside groups.      During discussion at the City Council meeting, the Council indicated that they wanted the PRC  to create a framework for the event so that a different organization would be able to easily  coordinate the event in future years. Consequently, the Commission discussed plans to create a  guide for the event during the September meeting. Commissioner Wilson volunteered to begin  compiling notes and documents for the event as a foundation for the guide.    At the November 2010 meeting, the PRC agreed to begin identifying an organization (or several  organizations) to continue organizing Wildwood Cinema Movie Night events in the future. Since  then, Commissioner Wilson has been working to identify a local organization to take over  management of Wildwood Cinema Movie Night.     City of Saratoga  Memorandum    To: City of Saratoga Parks and Recreation Commission  From: Crystal Morrow, Administrative Analyst II  City of Saratoga  Date: May 10, 2011  Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting  Subject: Let’s Move City/Move It Saratoga      On February 16, 2011, the Saratoga City Council approved a resolution to join the Let’s Move  Cities initiative. Let’s Move is a nationwide campaign led by First Lady Michelle Obama and is  intended to engage governments, schools, health care professionals, faith and community‐ based organizations, and the private sector in finding solutions to the problem of childhood  obesity.     Cities and towns can participate in the Let’s Move campaign through Let’s Move Cities and  Towns, which is designed to encourage local governments to develop long‐term, sustainable  approaches to reducing childhood obesity. Local governments can take part in Let’s Move Cities  and Towns by submitting a twelve‐month plan that describes how the city or town will achieve  at least one significant action towards one or more of the following goals:    1. Help parents make healthy family choices  2. Create healthy schools  3. Provide access to healthy and affordable food  4. Promote physical activity    At the end of the one year plan, prospective Let’s Move Cities and Towns must provide a year‐ end report detailing progress towards achieving the goals of their initial plan. Cities that make  progress towards accomplishing at least one significant action towards one or more of the  above goals will be recognized as a Let’s Move City.      The Council suggested the PRC could play a part in the City’s effort to become a Let’s Move City,  since the PRC has already coordinated activities that are in line with objectives of the Let’s  Move Cities campaign. For example, last year the PRC coordinated the Move It Saratoga  program to encourage the public to use Saratoga parks and trails to walk or ride bicycles. The  program could be slightly altered to include a greater focus on children and families to  accomplish the fourth Let’s Move Cities and Towns objective.       The PRC discussed this possibility at the March 2011 meeting and asked that the item be  discussed again at the May 2011 meeting when more information about the Let’s Move Cities  and Towns initiative was expected to be available. The Let’s Move Cities and Towns toolkit is  attached to this report.    Attachments:   ‐ Let’s Move Cities and Towns Toolkit    MARCH 2011 LET’S MOVE CITIES AND TOWNS Toolkit for Local Officials Table of Contents Welcome To Let’s Move Cities And Towns 1 Launching Your Community’s Let’s Move! Initiative . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Creating Your Own Childhood Obesity Task Force . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Four Strategic Focuses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Identify A Let’s Move! “Community Leader” In Your Community . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Include Young People In Your Planning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Learn From Municipal Leaders Who Are Succeeding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Publicly Launch Your Let’s Move! Initiative . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Important Contact Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Policy Changes And Programs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Pillar 1: Giving parents and caregivers the tools they need to make healthy choices in early childhood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Pillar 2: Improving Nutrition in Schools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Pillar 3: Increasing Physical Activity Opportunities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Pillar 4: Making Healthy Food Affordable and Accessible . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 Webinars . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 Private Resources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 Federal Grant Resources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 Empowering Parents & Caregivers in Early Childhood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 Improving Nutrition in Schools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 Access to Healthy, Affordable Food . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 Increasing Physical Activity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 1★★ Welcome To Let’s Move Cities And Towns Congratulations! Now that you have signed up your community as part of the Let’s Move Cities and Towns network, we are ready to help you take the steps necessary to create a healthier community . Over the past three decades, childhood obesity rates in America have tripled . Today, nearly one in three children in the United States is overweight or obese, which puts them at greater risk for health problems like diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, cancer, and asthma . Obesity costs Americans $150 bil- lion in added health care expenses every year . As you know, this epidemic affects every community in our country and every sector of our society, but there’s good news—the solutions are within our grasp . The First Lady launched Let’s Move! with one overarching goal: to solve the problem of childhood obesity within a generation, so that kids born today reach adulthood at a healthy weight . It’s fair to say that this goal is ambitious, but when our children’s health is at stake, we need to reach high . And as a municipal leader, you already understand how important your role is in helping your community implement sustainable change . You can provide the critical leadership to bring your community together to spur action, and to choose strategies that make sense for your community . In this toolkit, you will find: •Ideas for launching your own Let’s Move! campaign in your city, town or county •Contact information for federal government officials who are available to help •Detailed suggestions for changes you can implement in your community •Information about regularly scheduled webinars your team can join to learn about new opportunities and resources •Information about resources available to you to help you meet your Let’s Move! goals These resources are provided as a first step, to help you and other key stakeholders begin to envision how to address this issue in your community . The next step is for you to publicly commit to making at least one change in each of the four pillars of the Let’s Move! Initiative that call for action at the local level: 1. Giving parents and caregivers the tools they need to make healthy choices in early childhood; 2. Improving nutrition in schools; 3. Increasing physical activity opportunities; 4. Making healthy food affordable and accessible . Suggested policy changes are provided here in this toolkit, beginning on page 11. You can make this commitment on your city’s website, in a speech or an interview, or in a press release . We are asking you to let us know what commitments you make in a simple web form . Once you have made this commitment, you will receive a certificate officially welcoming you to the network of Let’s Move Cities and Towns, and the federal government will work with you to support your efforts . When LeT’s Move CiTies and ToWns 2★★ you’re ready to make your commitments and officially join Let’s Move!, log onto http://www .hhs .gov/ intergovernmental/letsmove/cities_towns .html and click the designated link to sign up your community . It should only take you about seven minutes to complete . Our goal is to be a resource to you as you embark on the challenge to make your community healthier . You have likely already been in contact with an administration official (such as a Regional Director at the Department of Health and Human Services) and we encourage you to continue these conversations and exchanges . In addition, please do not hesitate to reach out to the Let’s Move office at the White House by e-mail at letsmove@who .eop .gov with any questions, success stories, or challenges you have . We’re here to help . Sincerely, Robin Schepper Executive Director, Let’s Move! Initiative Office of the First Lady 3★★ Launching Your Community’s Let’s Move! initiative So, you have decided to sign up your city, town or county as a Let’s Move! community . Now what? This section will outline some suggested steps you can take to begin the process of helping your community become healthier! Creating Your Own Childhood Obesity Task Force In 2010, President Barack Obama established the first-ever Task Force on Childhood Obesity at the federal level . The Task Force was charged with developing and implementing an inter-agency plan that details a coordinated strategy, identifies key benchmarks, and outlines an action plan to end the problem of childhood obesity within a generation . The goal of the action plan is to reduce the childhood obesity rate to just five percent by 2030—the same rate before childhood obesity first began to rise in the late 1970s . The report presents a series of 70 specific recommendations, many of which can be implemented right away . You can obtain a copy of the full report, relevant pieces, or a summary of the recommendations at www .letsmove .gov/obesitytaskforce .php . Consider forming a childhood obesity task force in your own community . Feel free to use the federal task force as a model for your community’s efforts . Consider convening the relevant city agencies such as (but not limited to): •School Department •Department of Health •Department of Public Safety •Department of Parks and Recreation •Department of Transportation •Department of Housing •Zoning Department Also consider convening community stakeholders that can play a central role in tackling childhood obesity in your community . While mayors and elected officials have developed many of the ideas recom- mended in this toolkit, some of these ideas have come from community members . If you engage resi- dents and solicit ideas to make your process inclusive and collaborative, you increase your likelihood of success . Some mayors have found groups such as their local chapter of the American Heart Association, Boys and Girls Clubs, Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, YMCA/YWCA to be helpful, to name just a few . In addi- tion to organizations, reach out to individuals who are working in this space, such as pediatricians, chefs, PTA leaders, teachers, intramural coaches, after school program leaders, personal trainers, dieticians, social workers, green space advocates, and anyone else in your community who you feel can help you identify challenges and potential solutions that your city, town or county can take . LeT’s Move CiTies and ToWns 4★★ Four Strategic Focuses If you decide to organize your own childhood obesity task force, you may choose to focus your policy recommendations around the same pillars as the national Let’s Move! initiative: early childhood, empow- ering parents and caregivers, improving nutrition in schools, increasing access to fresh and affordable food, and increasing opportunities for physical activity . (www .letsmove .gov/obesitytaskforce .php) While the policy changes are what will make you a member of the Let’s Move Cities and Towns network, your initiative does not have to end there . The national Let’s Move! initiative is organized around four strategic focuses . Consider including some or all of them in your local initiative . Policy Systemic policy changes are at the heart of Let’s Move! While one-time events might attract publicity for the cause, only with structural changes to our communities will we expect to see an actual decrease in the rate of childhood obesity . This toolkit provides you with many ideas for systemic policy changes that will have an impact in your city, town or county . Communications Consider including a communications strategy in your local Let’s Move! initiative . The White House Let’s Move! team can provide you with some general fact sheets about the epidemic of childhood obesity that you can use to craft messages that will help your community make choices that will give young people a better chance at a healthier life . E-mail letsmove@who .eop .gov to request these fact sheets, or just download them at www .letsmove .gov/stakeholders .php . You may want to enlist local celebrities (sports stars, community leaders, entertainers) in a public awareness campaign . Your communications initiative might include information about how to make healthy choices, details about the changes your community is making to combat childhood obesity, and ways parents and caregivers can access tools and resources . Public—Private Partnerships Many business leaders are eager to do their part to help their community take on childhood obesity . Restaurant owners might be willing to create more healthy menu options . Health club owners might be willing to consider joint-use agreements that allow young people easier access to their facilities . Community businesses might be willing to fund community based projects like community gardens and playgrounds . Consider reaching out to business leaders in your community and enlist them in your Let’s Move! initiative . Community Engagement While the policy changes you enact will make an impact on childhood obesity rates in your community, you might see your efforts multiply if your community gets behind your initiative and commits to get- ting involved . For example, you might establish a walking school bus program (see details in the policy ideas section of this toolkit), but if you only recruit a few adult volunteers, you won’t have the breadth LaunChing Your CoMMuniTY ’s LeT’s Move! iniTiaTive 5★★ of impact that is possible if you recruit a large team . You might make it easier for community members to participate in community gardens, but without large-scale buy-in, your effort won’t have the same impact . Two non-profit organizations have launched efforts in support of Let’s Move! You might find them helpful in engaging your community: ServiceNation is a national organization committed to increasing volunteer service opportunities across America . They are a leader in creating community-based solutions to many of the problems facing municipalities . ServiceNation has launched several grassroots blueprints that support Let’s Move! that give community members ways to organize each other to make real change in their community . You can find these blueprints at www .servicenation .org PreventObesity .net is a social networking website launched by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation . On this site, individuals can create profiles and connect with others in a community who are interested in getting involved in projects targeting childhood obesity . Consider encouraging community members to log on and connect with each other to join with you, or create new projects that reinforce the goals of your local Let’s Move! initiative . Identify A Let’s Move! “Community Leader” In Your Community Many municipal leaders find it helpful to identify a city official or community stakeholder to be the main point of contact as your organize your Let’s Move! initiative . This individual might be a member of your staff, or an official in your municipal health department or school department, or they might be an engaged and trusted member of your community . It is helpful for you to identify someone you trust who can arrange meetings, facilitate discussions, organize your community, and help you decide which systemic policy changes will make the most sense in your city, town or county . If you have appointed a Let’s Move! community leader in your community and want this individual to receive the same updates and information from the federal government that we will send to you, include their name and contact information in the space provided on the web form where you report to us the commitments you are making in your community . We will make sure they receive information about webinars, networking opportunities, and other resources throughout the year . Include Young People In Your Planning As you determine what steps your community will take to combat childhood obesity, it is important to hear from the constituents you are actually trying to help: young people themselves . Find out from young people themselves what after-school programs they would use, what changes they might embrace at their school, and what changes would lead them to take better advantage of physical activity opportunities in your community . Some mayors across the country already have youth advisory councils, student cabinets, or other meth- ods of soliciting input from young residents . If your community has an existing mechanism, consider asking one or two members of that panel to co-chair a subcommittee that provides recommendations LeT’s Move CiTies and ToWns 6★★ for addressing childhood obesity in your community . If you don’t have an existing panel, consider reach- ing out to schools, after school programs, faith-based and neighborhood associations, student sports leagues, and other relevant associations of young people to find engaged youth who would advise you as you build your initiative . Youth Service America (www .ysa .org) has developed more ideas about forming youth advisory panels and some have found them a helpful group to consult . Learn From Municipal Leaders Who Are Succeeding When you sign your city, town or county up with Let’s Move!, you are immediately connected to staff in your regional office of the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) . Your HHS Regional Director is a key contact person for you as you develop your Let’s Move! initiative . One of the first steps the Regional Director can do is connect you with another mayor or municipal leader in your region who has successfully launched an initiative like yours . Mayors across the country are ready and willing to share their experiences and their lessons learned . Let us connect you with leaders who have already made progress . Publicly Launch Your Let’s Move! Initiative Many municipal leaders are launching their efforts with a kick-off event . Below are just a few ideas of what you can do to launch your initiative . These suggestions refer to some of the policy changes you will learn about in the Policy Changes and Programs section of this toolkit, beginning on page 11 . Feel free to combine parts of different ideas, or come up with something completely different . Contact your HHS Regional Director for help setting up your event, reaching out to stakeholders, and amplifying it through your local media . •Host an event at a school You can hold a school assembly, or a press conference at the school, where (for example) you announce that the school, or several schools in your district, is starting the process of joining the US Healthier School Challenge . (Find out more information about the Challenge on page 14 .) Have a well-known speaker join you to talk about the importance of staying healthy and preventing childhood obesity . If you are holding an assembly, you can lead some games and other physical activities with students . •Host an event at a recreation center, park, or private health facility If one of the policy changes you are pursuing is the creation of joint-use agreements so that children can use open spaces or recreation centers (or even health clubs) for physical activity, hold an event at the location where children utilize the space . You can announce the agreement (or the start of a program where you will have these kinds of agreements), and you can sign up volunteers to help with whatever programs will be utilizing the space . •Host an event at a child care center Many communities are working with child care centers to set new standards for limiting screen time, improving nutrition and increasing physical activity . You can launch your Let’s Move! initia- LaunChing Your CoMMuniTY ’s LeT’s Move! iniTiaTive 7★★ tive at a child care center that is adopting new standards . Hold a press conference highlighting the effort of the centers in your community, and announce the other steps you are taking as part of your initiative . •Host an event at a playground If playgrounds are part of your Let’s Move! initiative (more organized activity at playgrounds, more playgrounds being built, new transportation to existing playgrounds, etc), hold an event at an existing playground or at a groundbreaking of a new playground . Have a speaker talk about the importance of sixty minutes of active play each day, host some organized activities with children, and announce the changes you are making as part of your Let’s Move! effort in your community . •Host an event with a chef The Chefs Move to School program matches chefs with local schools . You can launch your Let’s Move! initiative at an event where a chef (or chefs) is paired with a local school (or schools) . Have the chef talk about nutrition and demonstrate preparing healthy snacks or a healthy meal, have a speaker talk about the importance of physical fitness, and present opportunities for community members to join your effort . 9★★ important Contact information The US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Regional Directors can be your first point of contact with any question regarding your Let’s Move! initiative . They are ready to help you create your plan, connect you with other municipal leaders who are engaged in this issue, help you amplify your messages, and connect you to federal and private resources that can augment your efforts . Region I—Boston, MA CT / ME / MA / NH / RI / VT Region I Director: Chris Hager christie .hager@hhs .gov Office: 617 .565 .1501 Region II—New York, NY NJ/NY/PR/VI Region II Director: Jaime Torres jaime .torres@hhs .gov Office: 212 .264 .3618 Region III—Philadelphia, PA DE / DC / MD / PA / VA / WV Region III Director: Joanne Grossi joanne .grossi@hhs .gov Office: 215 .861 .4648 Region IV—Atlanta, GA AL / FL / GA / KY / MS / NC / SC / TN Region IV Director: Anton Gunn Anton .Gunn@hhs .gov Office: 404 .562 .7888 Region V—Chicago, IL IL / IN / MI / MN / OH / WI Region V Acting Director: Jim Galloway James .Galloway@hhs .gov Office: 312 .353 .5160 Region VI—Dallas, TX AR / LA / NM / OK / TX Region VI Director: Marge Petty Marjorie .Petty@hhs .gov Office: 214 .767 .5467 Region VII—Kansas City, MO IA / KS / MO / NE Region VII Director: Judy Baker Judy .Baker@hhs .gov Office: 816 .426 .6782 Region VIII—Denver, CO CO / MT / ND / SD / UT / WY Region VIII Director: Marguerite Salazar marguerite .salazar@hhs .gov Office: 303 .844 .7299 Region IX—San Francisco, CA AZ / CA / HI / NV / Guam / Pacific Islands / American Samoa Region IX Director: Herb Schultz herb .schultz@hhs .gov Office: 415 .437 .8502 Region X—Seattle, WA AK / ID / OR / WA Region X Director: Susan Johnson Susan .Johnson@hhs .gov Office: 206 .615 .2012 11★★ Policy Changes and Programs Let’s Move Cities and Towns are communities that are making at least one lasting, systemic change in each of the four Let’s Move! pillars that call for local action . Some suggested policy changes and permanent programs that meet the Let’s Move! standard are included here . By no means are these the only policy changes or programs you can launch as a Let’s Move city or town . Many of the best ideas have come from innovative mayors and municipal leaders, and as the leader of your community, you are the best person to determine what changes will work best in your community . As you develop your ideas, consult your legal counsel as appropriate and ensure programs are consistent with relevant laws and regulations or make changes pursuant to local procedures as necessary . If you have any questions about implementing any of these ideas, or about any ideas of your own, please don’t hesitate to contact your HHS Regional Director . Pillar 1: Giving parents and caregivers the tools they need to make healthy choices in early childhood Parents and caregivers play a key role in making healthy choices and shaping lifelong healthy habits . Young people learn about healthy eating from the family and from what is served at home and in their community . Parents and community members can model healthy decisions about physical activity and nutrition . But in today’s busy world, figuring out the healthiest choices isn’t always easy . Parents and caregivers need a community of support . Here are some ways cities and towns can enact changes that give parents the tools they need to make healthy choices: 5 Work with local childcare providers and after-school programs to implement evidence-based standards for nutrition, physical activity and screen time within childcare settings Ask your local child care programs to complete a self-assessment and aggregate the data to identify areas for improvement . Self-assessment tools are available for your use (see below) . Work with local childcare providers to adopt standards including: •60 minutes physical activity/day, outside play is preferable; •No screen time for children less than 2 years of age and limit screen time for older children to 1-2 hours per day of educational programming or programming that fosters physical activity; •No sugar sweetened beverages; •Low fat or no fat milk for children older than 2 years •Provide water throughout the day and at all meals •Offer a fruit or vegetable at meal or snack time LeT’s Move CiTies and ToWns 12★★ Organize workshops and trainings for child care providers to learn, share best practices and support one another in making changes . And, include parents and other caregivers in educational outreach and programming . Resources and tools to help you get started: •Caring for Our Children National Health and Safety Performance Standards: http://nrckids . org/CFOC/index .html •Nutrition and Physical Activity Self-Assessment for Childcare Programs: http://www .center- trt .org/index .cfm?fa=opinterventions .intervention&intervention=napsacc&page=materials •Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, Promoting Good Nutrition and Physical Activity in Child Care Settings: http://www .healthyeatingresearch .org/images/stories/her_research_briefs/ her%20child%20care%20setting%20research%20brief .pdf 5 Improve food choices for children in public venues in your city There are many ways your community can improve food choices for children . Start by identifying the public service venues in your city where children are consuming food and beverages . Develop a healthy vending policy requiring that food and beverages sold in vending machines in public venues in your city meet nutrition standards . Increase availability of water in schools, parks, and all other venues serv- ing children . Utilize pricing strategies to incentivize the purchase and consumption of healthier foods and beverages . Work with local retailers to improve product placement of healthier food and beverage choices . Any of these ideas will create needed change, as well as meet the criteria of a systemic Let’s Move policy change . Resources and Tools to Help You Get Started: •CDC, Recommended Community Strategies and Measurements to Prevent Obesity in the United States: http://cdc .gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/rr5807a1 .htm . •National Policy & Legal Analysis Network to Prevent Childhood Obesity Model Healthy Vending Program: http://www .nplanonline .org/nplan/products/ district-policy-establishing-healthy-vending-program . •US Conference of Mayors, Mayor’s Guide to Fighting Childhood Obesity: http://www .usmay- ors .org/chhs/healthycities/documents/guide-200908 .pdf . 5 Improve restaurant meals for children in your city Meet with local restaurant owners to discuss portion size and request reductions or alternate smaller sized options . Ask restaurants to make changes such as using whole grain breads and pastas, eliminat- ing trans-fats, limiting saturated fat, only serving 1% or no fat milk and limiting free refills on sugary beverages . For “combo” meals, ask restaurants to make the healthy option—such as a low fat or no fat milk or a side order of fruit—the default choice whenever possible . Establish voluntary agreements with restaurants who agree to serve healthier children’s meals . PoLiCY Changes and PrograMs 13★★ Develop a healthy food campaign to help restaurants promote their children’s healthier options at a reasonable portion size . For example, offer a healthy eating designation for restaurants to use to support parents in making healthy choices . Acknowledge and promote participating restaurants through your community events, web sites, etc . Resources and Tools to Help You Get Started: •Working with Restaurants: Tips, Examples, Resources and Research: http://www .astphnd .org/ resource_files/59/59_resource_file1 .pdf •Howard County’s Model for Implementing a Healthy Restaurant Program: http://www .how- ardcountymd .gov/Health/docs/HealthyResToolkit .pdf •Advancing Policies to Support Healthy Eating and Active Living from Robert Wood Johnson: http://www .rwjf .org/files/research/20090508lhcactionstrategiestoolkit .pdf 5 Encourage hospitals in your community to become Baby-Friendly Hospitals The Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative is a program sponsored by the World Health Organization and the United Nations Children’s Fund . It encourages and recognizes hospitals that offer excellent levels of care for infant feeding . The Initiative assists hospitals in giving mothers the information, confidence and skills needed to initiate and continue breastfeeding . You can learn more at www .babyfriendlyusa .org . 5 Form a community coalition tasked with identifying local barriers to healthy living 5 Promote local community organizations that provide access to healthy activities 5 Launch a city website with information for parents on healthy living Pillar 2: Improving Nutrition in Schools Many children consume at least half of their daily calories at school . As families work to ensure that their children and teenagers eat right and have active play at home, we also need to ensure that young people have access to healthy food and opportunities to be physically active in their schools . With more than 95% of young people enrolled in schools, the school setting can offer multiple opportunities for students to engage in physical activity such as physical education classes, recess periods for unstructured play in elementary schools, after-school programs, intramural sports programs, and physical activity clubs . These opportunities are particularly important because they are accessible to all students, including those who are not athletically gifted and those with special health care needs . With more than 31 million children participating in the National School Lunch Program and more than 11 million participating in the National School Breakfast Program, good nutrition at school is more important than ever . It is our nation’s largest program for providing regular meals . Cities and towns can help students adopt healthy lifestyles by providing information and practical strategies . Here are some action step suggestions: LeT’s Move CiTies and ToWns 14★★ 5 Encourage local schools to participate in the Healthier US School Challenge Call on your local schools to take the Healthier US School Challenge . The Challenge is a certification pro- gram that recognizes schools that take specific steps to improve their school environment by providing physical education classes, serving healthy foods, and teaching nutrition . For more information on the Challenge, visit http://fns .usda .gov/tn/healthierus/index .html or call 866-348-6479 . 5 Support the development of a summer food service program One option is to create a BackPack Program . Partner with your local food banks to support a local BackPack Program to provide children with healthy food options when they are not at school . The BackPack Program gives hungry children food to take home on the weekends or during school vaca- tions . For information on the BackPack Program, visit http://feedingamerica .org/our-network/network- programs/backpack-program .aspx 5 Maximize participation in the national school lunch and breakfast programs Streamline or provide online application processes for school lunch and breakfast programs . Consider direct certification or greater use of broad-based categorical eligibility . Under direct certification, school districts could use information from other state assistance programs offices to certify children to receive free meals . Improve the marketing and quality of school meals . School lunches that look and taste good will increase customers—as well as more money for your program . Consider pricing; make the school lunch cost less than à la carte snacks . Make sure your local schools have a breakfast program to meet the nutritional needs of students, but also to help your schools receive maximum reimbursement . Resources and Tools to Help You Get Started from the Community Food Security Coalition: •Improving the School Nutrition Environment: http://teamnutrition .usda .gov/Resources/ changing .html •Discover School Breakfast Toolkit: http://www .fns .usda .gov/cnd/Breakfast/toolkit/Default . htm •USDA fact sheet for Afterchool snack programs: http://www .fns .usda .gov/cnd/afterschool/ 5 Engage local chefs in the Chefs Move to Schools program Good nutrition at school is more important than ever . Chefs Move to Schools, run through the U .S . Department of Agriculture (USDA), matches chefs with school districts to help schools improve health and nutrition . As a municipal leader, you can encourage chefs in your community to help your effort to curb childhood obesity by launching a Chefs Move to Schools program in your community . In the program, chefs adopt a school and work closely with teachers, parents, school nutritionists and administrators . They teach new techniques and recipes for healthier meals that meet the schools’ dietary guidelines and budgets . PoLiCY Changes and PrograMs 15★★ And, they engage young people about nutrition and making balanced and healthy choices . By creat- ing healthy meals that are also delicious, chefs have a unique ability to make good nutrition fun and appealing . So far, 1800 chefs and 1400 schools are participating . To get involved or learn more, visit http://www .letsmove .gov/chefs-step-1 .php . 5 Support upgrades or exchanges of school cafeteria equipment. For example, swap out a deep fryer for a salad bar Apply for your schools to receive new salad bars at http://saladbars2schools .org . 5 Encourage all schools to provide a school breakfast program 5 Promote the expansion or improvement of nutrition education in schools 5 Work to ensure that school cafeterias and vending machines are designed to encourage children to choose healthier snacks and meals, including a free or reduced price lunch or breakfast 5 Promote school gardens 5 Promote farm-to-school programs and the incorporation of fresh food into school meals Pillar 3: Increasing Physical Activity Opportunities Being physically active is just as important to health as eating right . Children need 60 minutes of active play every day to grow up to a healthy weight . If this sounds like a lot, consider that 8- to 18-year-olds devote an average of seven-and-a-half hours to using entertainment media including TV, computers, video games, cell phones, and movies in a typical day . Only one-third of high school students get the recommended levels of physical activity . To increase physical activity, children need physical education, safe routes to walk and ride their bikes to school, parks, and access to playgrounds and community centers . Children need access to sports leagues and dance or fitness programs that are exciting and challenging to keep them engaged . Let’s Move! to increase opportunities for kids to be physically active, both in school and in communities and to create new opportunities for families to be physically active together . In addition to being fun, regular physical activity strengthens bones and muscles, increases self-esteem, and provides many other health benefits . Physical activity, along with eating healthy foods, can help children live healthier lives and perform better in school . Cities and towns can help our nation’s children and youth get the physical activity they need in many ways . Here are some ideas: LeT’s Move CiTies and ToWns 16★★ 5 Implement Let’s Move Outside! programs in your community Regular exercise in nature is proven to improve children’s physical and mental health . Outdoor activity helps kids maintain a healthy weight, boosts their immunity and bone health and lowers stress . Let’s Move Outside, administered by the Department of Interior, was created to get kids and families to take advantage of America’s great outdoors—which can be found in every city, town and community . And together, these agencies oversee more than one-fifth of the nation’s land—including millions of acres of national forests, parks and trails . Young people need at least 60 minutes of active and vigorous play each day to stay healthy, and one of the easiest and most enjoyable ways to meet this goal is by playing outside . By linking parents to nearby parks, trails and waters—and providing tips and ideas—Let’s Move Outside can help families develop a more active lifestyle . Find out everything you need to know about the resources available to you through Let’s Move Outside at http://www .letsmove .gov/letsmoveoutside .php . 5 Participate, and encourage other groups and organizations to participate, in the President’s Active Lifestyle Award Program (PALA). The President’s Active Lifestyle Award program is part of the President’s Physical Fitness Challenge . It is a challenge for both children and adults to build healthy habits by committing to regular physical activity five days a week, for six weeks . Everyone can participate and you don’t need to be an Olympic athlete . You can walk, bike, run or garden . As long as children are active 60 minutes a day and adults 30 minutes a day, they are eligible to receive the award . Find out more information about the President’s Active Lifestyle Award program (and sign up yourself!) at http://www .presidentschallenge .org/celebrate/active-lifestyle .shtml . 5 Break down barriers to children’s physical activity through innovative joint-use agreements Assess community needs to identify unmet recreation needs and locations in the community where recreation needs can be met . Create a dialogue among parties to agree upon issues including which facilities to include in the agreement; whether to allow third parties to operate programs on the facilities; whether to open city properties to school use; and whether to consolidate scheduling of properties . Covering the facilities’ extended hours of operation will likely require some employees to work additional time . Resolve any employment-related issues and determine whether volunteers could be used to help . Consult with risk management professionals and legal counsel to determine insurance requirements, allocate risk, and ensure agreement is consistent with state and local laws and regulations . Determine the duration of the agreement, and the bases for cancelling or terminating the agreement before the term ends . Resources and Tools to Help You Get Started: •Although you will want to work with your own legal counsel on the appropriate frame - work for your community, the National Policy and Legal Analysis Network to Prevent PoLiCY Changes and PrograMs 17★★ Childhood Obesity has developed some model resources for developing a joint use agreement that some have found helpful: http://www .nplanonline .org/nplan/products/ checklist-developing-joint-use-agreements •Model Joint Use Agreements: http://www .nplanonline .org/childhood-obesity/products/ nplan-joint-use-agreements 5 Promote Safe Routes to Schools Convene a local working group of community partners interested in developing a Safe Routes to Schools program (find more details in the Action Ideas Appendix), knowledgeable about the key issues in your city, and willing to assist and secure appropriate partnerships . Gather the information and identify issues unique to your community: survey parents and students about transport patterns and concerns and complete traffic counts . Map the routes for walking and biking to schools . Identify and address safety issues in the routes . Promote safety awareness and develop a plan for safety enforcement; develop and implement an Escort Program . Plan and host “Walk and Bike to School” days to encourage students and their parents to walk to school . Recruit volunteers, parents or seniors in the community to escort students to schools to create a “walking school bus” or “rolling bike train” . Resources and Tools to Help You Get Started: •National Center for Safe Routes to Schools Toolkit: http://www .nhtsa .gov/people/injury/ped- bimot/bike/Safe-Routes-2002/index .html . •Getting Started: Steps to Safe Routes to Schools: http://www .saferoutesinfo .org/ getting_started/ . •CDC Kids-Walk-to-School Resources: http://www .cdc .gov/nccdphp/dnpa/kidswalk/ . 5 Establish a local fitness challenge that sets goals for physical activity 5 Encourage daily, high-quality physical education for students in kindergarten through grade 12 (150 minutes per week for elementary students and 225 minutes per week for secondary students) 5 Build physical activity into classroom lessons 5 Increase options for affordable transportation to parks and open spaces by discounting public transit, altering or expanding school bus routes, and incentivizing ride sharing 5 Incorporate physical activity into the planning and design of every physical improvement to the city—from municipal buildings and new parks to streets and sidewalks LeT’s Move CiTies and ToWns 18★★ 5 Incorporate pedestrian and bicycle lanes into street development 5 Enhance public safety near parks and other public spaces 5 Develop a “park deserts map” that indicates the distance from population centers to parks and green spaces 5 Offer physically active intramural sports for students of all skill levels and make sure that it is free and accessible for all children Pillar 4: Making Healthy Food Affordable and Accessible More than 23 million Americans, including 6 .5 million children, live in low-income urban and rural neighborhoods that are more than one mile from the closest supermarket . These communities, where access to affordable, quality, and nutritious foods is limited, are known as “food deserts .” In these com- munities, people either don’t have regular access to grocery stores that sell healthy foods such as fresh fruit and vegetables, or if they do, these items are too expensive . Lack of access to proper nutrition is one reason many people, including children, do not get recom- mended levels of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains . Food insecurity and hunger among our children is even more widespread . Let’s Move! to ensure that all families have access to healthy, affordable food in their communities . In our effort to fight obesity in children and adolescents, it is important that we focus on increasing access to healthy and affordable foods . Here are some ways that cities and towns can play an important role in providing access to affordable and healthy food options through activities such as the following: 5 Establish a Food Policy Council Food policy councils are organizations made up of many agencies and community organizations that look at the availability of affordable healthier food choices at the community level . Prepare a city or county resolution establishing a Food Policy Council . Develop a mission and charter for the food policy Council and identify appropriate membership, and charge the Council with complet- ing an assessment of your city’s food system . Using the findings from the assessment, ask the Council to develop a Food Policy Action Plan to explore opportunities to increase access to and promotion of healthy food options . The Council’s Action plan should explore: •Locations and infrastructure for farmers markets, community gardens, etc .; •Public-private partnerships to support farmers markets, community gardens, etc .; •Farm-to-institution and/or farm-to-school programs; and •Marketing strategies to promote consumption of healthier foods including fruits and vegetables . Create opportunities for residents to provide public input and comments into the work of the Council . PoLiCY Changes and PrograMs 19★★ Resources and Tools to Help You Get Started from the Community Food Security Coalition: •What’s Cooking in Your Food System? An Assessment Guide : http://foodsecurity .org/pub/ whats_cooking .pdf •Food Policy Councils, Lessons Learned: http://foodsecurity .org/pub/Food_Policy_Councils_ Report .pdf •Healthy Food, Healthy Communities: http://www .foodsecurity .org/CFPdecadereport .pdf •Healthy Farms, Healthy Kids; Barriers and Opportunities to Farm-to-School Programs: http:// foodsecurity .org/pub/HealthyFarmsHealthyKids .pdf 5 Increase enrollment in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) SNAP helps low-income people and families buy the food they need for good health .You can apply for benefits by completing a State application form at http://www .fns .usda .gov/snap/applicant_ recipients/10steps .htm or get more information by calling the SNAP Hotline at 1-800-221-5689 .Benefits are provided on an electronic benefits card (known as an EBT card) that is used like an ATM card and accepted at most grocery stores . Consider displaying SNAP posters, flyers, magnets, and other materials throughout your community . You can order these free materials from the U .S . Department of Agriculture (USDA) at http://snap .ntis .gov/ . 5 Support the sale of local foods across the community by offering incentives and encouraging the establishment of farmers’ markets Encourage local food retailers and farmers markets to accept SNAP benefits (food stamps) and WIC Program benefits . Encourage local foundations to sponsor Electronic Benefit Transfer matching programs at farmers’ markets . 5 Promote policies that support and protect community gardens Municipal leaders can work with local neighborhoods to convert blighted areas into green spaces that can be used for community gardens . 5 Adopt food policies that require food and beverages purchased with government funds to meet certain nutrition standards 5 Require access to free and safe drinking water in public places 5 Ensure that residents can access healthy and affordable food through public transportation—by realigning bus routes, providing free shuttles or other means 21★★ Webinars To help you implement policy changes and launch new programs as a Let’s Move City or Town, the Let’s Move team is hosting monthly webinars where members of your team can log on, learn about specific Let’s Move programs, ask questions, and be provided with new resources . The webinars occur monthly, on the first Friday of every month . They are hosted by the US Department of Health and Human Services, and are live broadcasts filmed at HHS studios in Washington, DC . They are available for download, so members of your team can watch at their convenience if unable to log on live . Webinars cover topics such as: •The Healthier US School Challenge •Creating Joint-Use Agreements in your community •Service Initiatives that you can launch •Chefs Move to Schools •Baby Friendly Hospitals •Let’s Move Outside The contact person you have designated to receive Let’s Move information will receive monthly invita- tions to these webinars . To learn more, or to request that a specific topic be covered, e-mail letsmove@ hhs .gov . 23★★ Private resources Opportunities for funding for healthy communities initiatives broadly, and obesity prevention more specifically, are becoming more available as both the public and private sectors realize the epidemic’s significant impact on productivity and quality of life . The following organizations have offered potential funding opportunities for communities interested in improving health and well-being of all residents through policy and environmental change strategies . This is by no means an exhaustive list of resources, but a starting point for your outreach . •The California Endowment—Building Healthy Communities in the State of California will select a limited number of communities for deep and comprehensive investments in preven- tion-oriented partnerships connecting leaders and residents of these communities as they strive to achieve healthier neighborhoods and school environments through community development . http://www .calendow .org/grant_guide/ •Convergence Partnership—The Convergence Partnership engages in limited targeted grant making, however the six philanthropies that comprise the partnership individually fund a variety of healthy eating, active living initiatives . http://www .convergencepartnership .org/ site/c .fhLOK6PELmF/b .6136243/k .2435/Who_We_Are .htm •Michael and Susan Dell Foundation—The foundation’s giving reflects a commitment to transforming the lives of children living in urban poverty through better health and educa - tion . http://www .msdf .org/Grants/default .aspx •The Foundation Center’s Requests for Proposals (RFP) Bulletin—The Foundation Center is a national nonprofit service organization recognized as a leading authority on organized philanthropy, connecting nonprofits and grant makers, supporting them with tools they can use and information they can trust . Its audiences include grant seekers, grant makers, researchers, policymakers, the media, and the general public . This listing of RFPs, which is published every Friday, provides a brief overview of current funding opportunities offered by foundations or other grant making organizations . http://foundationcenter .org/pnd/rfp/ •Robert Wood Johnson Foundation—The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation provides grants for projects in the United States and U .S . territories that advance their mission to improve the health and health care of all Americans . Childhood obesity is one of seven program areas of focus . http://www .rwjf .org/grants/ •Kaiser Permanente—Kaiser Permanente is dedicated to proactively helping people get and stay healthy . They take long-term, comprehensive programs into schools, worksites, and neighborhoods, while at the same time working to change policy and community conditions that affect people’s heath . Healthy Eating Active Living (HEAL) is a multifaceted approach to addressing obesity and related health conditions . Bringing fresh, locally grown food into low-income neighborhoods and improving public parks so that residents will have safe and healthy recreational spaces to play in are just two examples of HEAL at work . http://info . kp .org/communitybenefit/html/index .html LeT’s Move CiTies and ToWns 24★★ •W.K. Kellogg Foundation—The Kellogg Foundation helps children access nutrition, stimula- tion, healthy living conditions and quality health care by funding organizations that improve birth outcomes and first food experiences, creating access to healthy foods, improving health services, and educating families and communities about the inter-related factors that deter- mine well-being . http://www .wkkf .org/what-we-support/what-we-support .aspx •Kresge Foundation—Kresge seeks to promote the physical health and well-being of low- income and vulnerable populations by improving the environmental and social conditions affecting them and their communities . They also work to increase both access and quality of health-care services . http://www .kresge .org/index .php/what/health_program/ •Nemours Health and Prevention Services—Nemours is taking a leading role to help people understand the causes and health implications of obesity and to promote healthier lifestyles among children and families . http://www .nemours .org/service/preventive/nhps . html •Shaping America’s Youth (SAY)—Shaping America’s Youth is a nonprofit organization steering a nationwide initiative to identify and centralize information on the widespread efforts underway throughout all sectors of American society to reverse the rapidly increasing prevalence of overweight and inactivity among children and adolescents . SAY’s mission is to assure that the voices of families and communities are integrated into local and national policy to improve the nutrition, physical activity, and health of children and youth . http:// www .shapingamericasyouth .com/Page .aspx?nid=23 In addition to grant making institutions, there are many organizations committed to ending childhood obesity that can provide technical assistance to your community as you launch your Let’s Move! initiative . While we encourage you to reach out to your HHS Regional Director, we also encourage you to utilize these organizations to help you reach your goals . Your HHS Regional Director can also connect you to appropriate contacts . American Academy of Pediatrics www .aap .org American Association of School Administrators www .aasa .org Council of Great City Schools www .cgcs .org National Association of Counties www .naco .org National Association of County and City Health Officials www .naccho .org National Association of State Boards of Education www .nasbe .org National League of Cities PrivaTe resourCes 25★★ www .nlc .org National Parent Teacher Association www .pta .org National Policy and Legal Analysis Network www .nplanonline .org National School Boards Association www .nsba .org Policy Link www .policylink .org Prevention Institute www .preventioninstitute .org Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) Center to Prevent Childhood Obesity www .reversechildhoodobesity .org School Nutrition Association www .schoolnutrition .org United States Conference of Mayors www .usmayors .org 27★★ Federal grant resources One of the goals of Let’s Move! is to streamline the processes for municipal leaders to access federal grants available to help combat childhood obesity . This section of the toolkit is a collection of the grants across the different agencies of the federal government that relate to childhood obesity . Federal grants have different deadlines, and some are renewed year-to-year while some are not . This list is inclusive of the grants that are available in FY2010 . Use this list to start your research into potential funding opportunities for your city, town or county . Connect with your HHS Regional Director for more information about any of these programs . Check back with Let’s Move for updated information in future fiscal years . The grants below are organized according to the four pillars of the Let’s Move! initiative that call for local action . Empowering Parents & Caregivers in Early Childhood To promote increased physical activities and healthy food choices during the early years of childhood, the Head Start and Early Head Start programs include an “I am Moving, I am Learning” Initiative . The Department of Health and Human Services provides IMIL curriculum and program materials to all Head Start and Early Head Start grantees . Mayors and local officials can encourage State Head Start Collaboration Offices as well as local Head Start and Early Head Start providers to share IMIL resources with other local early learning centers and family daycare providers in their areas . •General information about IMIL is available at http://eclkc .ohs .acf .hhs .gov/hslc/ecdh/Health/ Nutrition/Nutrition%20Program%20Staff/IamMovingIam .htm . •Mayors and local officials can find their State Head Start Collaboration Office at http://eclkc . ohs .acf .hhs .gov/hslc/hsd/SCO/state_collaboration .html and a listing of their local Head Start providers at http://eclkc .ohs .acf .hhs .gov/hslc/HeadStartOffices . To ensure that more children in your city or town have access to nutritious foods during their early years, local leaders can work with public, private, and non-profit organizations to participate in the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) . Funds are distributed by the US Department of Agriculture to States who then reimburse participating child care providers for the nutritious meals and snacks they provide to young children and adults in day care homes and non-residential centers as well as to teenagers in afterschool programs in low income areas . Local sponsoring organizations often provide administrative and technical assistance functions and can encourage more local child care providers to participate in the program . Tribes should work with state agencies to access benefits . Local officials can also work with their State officials to ensure that state policies comply with USDA requirements without creating additional barriers to participation such as added requirements and complicated applications . •Mayors and local officials can find the state agency that manages CACFP for their state at http://www .fns .usda .gov/cnd/Contacts/StateDirectory .htm . LeT’s Move CiTies and ToWns 28★★ •Further information about managing and planning a CACFP program is available at http:// www .fns .usda .gov/cnd/care/ . To ensure that nutrients are available to children from the earliest stages of development and that pregnant women can maintain healthy bodies at a healthy weight, the Women, Infants, and Child Program (WIC) provides nutritious supplemental foods, nutrition education, and health referrals at no cost to low-income pregnant, postpartum, and breastfeeding women, to infants, and to children up to age 5, who are determined to be at nutritional risk . Additionally, within WIC totals, specific funds are available to support the implementation and expansion of breastfeeding peer counseling programs . States then distribute these funds to participating local health agencies . Mayors and local leaders can work with their local health agencies to influence how these funds are directed at a ground level . •Mayors and local officials can find their state WIC agency at http://www .fns .usda .gov/wic/ Contacts/statealpha .HTM •Contact information for the state and tribal nutrition and breastfeeding coordinators at http://www .fns .usda .gov/wic/Contacts/cooralpha .htm . To ensure that children in your community get a healthy start to life, Healthy Start grants support community-designed interventions to improve the health of pregnant women and young children . Healthy Start supports systemic and individual programs to improve quality of and access to health care and support services that impact perinatal and early childhood outcomes . Healthy Start grants are to local health departments, as well as to non-profit organizations and to States and Tribes . Supported projects involve both individual and community-based programs, including case management, home visitation, classes, and outreach to improve child health outcomes . Availability of the Healthy Start grants varies each year, depending on the nature of prior years’ grants . •Information about the Healthy Start program is available at http://mchb .hrsa .gov/healthys- tart/phase1report/profile .htm •Available HRSA grants can be found at http://www .hrsa .gov/grants/#Maternal . Additionally, communities interested in perinatal interventions should inquire with their state health officials about state participation in the Affordable Care Act Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting Program . To support nutrition education for families and youth eligible for SNAP, local officials can partner with state agencies that participate in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program-Nutrition Education (SNAP-Ed). The goal of SNAP-Ed is to improve the likelihood that persons eligible for SNAP will make healthy food choices within a limited budget and choose physically active lifestyles consistent with the Dietary Guidelines for Americans and My Pyramid . SNAP-Ed is implemented through partnerships with state agencies, land grant institutions, state and local public health departments, food banks, and tribal programs . Information about healthy food choices and physically active lifestyles is delivered through individual and group interactive education and through broader social marketing campaigns . Land-grant institutions often contract with SNAP agencies to deliver SNAP-Ed . Through the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act, Congress has also broadened the focus of SNAP-Ed to include obesity prevention . FederaL granT resourCes 29★★ •Local officials can find the state SNAP office or implementing agency for their state at http:// snap .nal .usda .gov/nal_display/index .php?tax_level=1&info_center=15&tax_subject=266 . •Additionally, the SNAP-Ed online resource center for state and local providers is available at http://snap .nal .usda .gov/nal_display/index .php?tax_level=1&info_center=15 and list of land grant institutions by State is available at http://www .csrees .usda .gov/qlinks/partners/state - text .html . Improving Nutrition in Schools To provide school-age children greater access to healthy meals and snacks, mayors and local officials can work through their state education agency to encourage schools to participate in the National School Breakfast Program . The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) and School Breakfast Program (SBP) provide nutritious meals in public and private elementary, middle and secondary schools . Additionally, schools with more than 50% of students receiving free or reduced price lunches can compete for Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program grants from their State to fund the provision of fresh fruit and vegetable snacks . USDA provides funds to States to reimburse school food authorities for meals and snacks pro - vided to children in participating schools . To maximize the purchasing power of your local school’s food budget while ensuring that students have access to fruits and vegetables, local officials can encourage their schools to participate in the Department of Defense Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program . Either states or schools, through their school lunch program, can place orders directly with the Department of Defense, Defense Logistics Agency . Tribal schools are also eligible to participate and should work with State education agencies to implement the programs . Local officials can also encourage local schools or school districts to compete in the Healthier US School Challenge . •Information and resources on the HealthierUS School Challenge is available online at http:// www .fns .usda .gov/tn/healthierus/index .html . •Local officials can find the agency managing the Child Nutrition Programs in their state at http://www .fns .usda .gov/cnd/Contacts/StateDirectory .htm . •Resources on expanding existing school breakfast programs are available at http://www .fns . usda .gov/cnd/breakfast/expansion/default .htm . •Detailed information about the Department of Defense Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program is available at http://www .dscp .dla .mil/subs/produce/school/index .asp . To better link local farmers with school meals, USDA has established a Farm to School Tactical Team . The team is conducting field work, identifying trends and best practices, and providing technical assistance to schools and producers . •Information about the Farm to School Team is available at http://www .fns .usda .gov/cnd/F2S/ f2stacticalteam .htm . To help children develop good nutrition and physical activity habits for healthier lifestyles, USDA pro - vides Team Nutrition training grants to states . States use the funds to provide schools with nutrition education materials and resources for students and parents as well as technical assistance and training LeT’s Move CiTies and ToWns 30★★ for food service providers and communities to make healthier school meals . Mayors and local officials should encourage their State to apply for the competitive program . Many grantees are using the money to support efforts to help their elementary and secondary schools apply for the Healthier US School Challenge . •More information on the HealthierUS Schools Challenge is available at http://www .fns .usda . gov/tn/HealthierUS/index .html . •Details on 2010 grantees are available at http://www .fns .usda .gov/tn/Grants/tnt10 .html . To promote school-based or community-based gardening for students in low income schools, local officials can encourage local schools and organizations to develop a school garden . The federal govern- ment is supporting this effort through the School Garden Initiatives Pilot Program . This is a $1 million pilot program to test the impact of school and community gardens on student dietary and educational outcomes . There may be opportunities for mayors and local officials to participate . •Information about the pilot program is available at http://www .fns .usda .gov/fns/outreach/ grants/garden .htm . •Information on starting a school garden in your community is available at http://www .fns . usda .gov/fns/outreach/grants/Checklist_for_Starting_a_School_Garden .pdf . To improve the capacity of local schools to store, prepare, and serve healthy and nutritious schools, local leaders can apply for grants and financing through the USDA Rural Development Community Facilities Program . The Rural Development Community Facilities Program provides financing for rural communities with a population of up to 20,000 . Financing is available in the form of grants, loans, and loan guarantees . •Information about the USDA Rural Development Community Facilities Program is available at http://www .rurdev .usda .gov/HCF_CF .html . Access to Healthy, Affordable Food To eliminate food deserts in your community and enable residents to access healthy foods, mayors and local officials can collaborate with public and private sector partners to bring supermarkets to neigh - borhoods and towns without access to grocery stores . Funds through the Healthy Food Financing Initiative will be distributed in the form of grants, loan guarantees, and tax credits . •To find the food deserts check: http://www .ers .usda .gov/FoodAtlas/ •Information about the overall Healthy Food Financing Initiative is available at http://apps . ams .usda .gov/fooddeserts/ To promote the production and consumption of healthy foods and increase opportunities for direct producer-to-consumer markets, local officials can apply for grants from the USDA Farmers Market Promotion Program . The Farmers Market Promotion Program provides grants targeted to improve and expand farmers’ markets, roadside stands, community-supported agriculture programs, agri-tourism activities, and other direct producer-to-consumer market opportunities . FederaL granT resourCes 31★★ •More information about the Farmers Market Promotion Program, including grant application resources, is available at http://www .ams .usda .gov/FMPP . To support science and research on improving nutrition and ending the epidemic of childhood obesity, the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative funds scientific research at a variety of institutions, including Tribal organizations and grants to individuals . Mayors and local officials can work with local institutions such as Land Grant Institutions, small businesses, and 501(c)(3) organizations to apply for this funding . •The request for applications, including for the childhood obesity prevention program, is avail- able at http://www .nifa .usda .gov/funding/rfas/afri_rfa .html . •Eligibility and further information about the Childhood Obesity Prevention program is avail- able at http://nifa .usda .gov/fo/africhildhoodobesityprevention .cfm . To increase access to fresh foods and improve the overall food system in low-income communities, local officials can encourage community organizations to apply for grants through the Community Food Systems program . The program provides for infrastructure improvement and innovative marketing activities that benefit food suppliers and low-income consumers . Funds are provided as one-time grants to private non-profit organizations and require a dollar-for-dollar match in resources . Awards range from $10,000 to $300,000 . Examples of funded projects include community gardening initiatives, supermarket development, and promotion of buying local produce . •Local officials can find more information about the program at http://www .csrees .usda .gov/ nea/food/in_focus/hunger_if_competitive .html . To improve access to healthy and local produce by SNAP recipients in your community, local officials can promote SNAP benefit redemption at farmer’s markets . Markets that conduct $100 or more in SNAP business per month are eligible for a free POS device for EBT transactions . The market must have a central location with electricity and a phone line to be able to utilize the free equipment . To accept SNAP benefits, the market must be licensed with the Food and Nutrition Service . The federal government estimates that only 20 percent of farmer’s markets currently have an EBT machine . The goal of the EBT Equipment for Farmer’s Markets program is to enable all Farmer’s Markets to accept SNAP benefits . •More information about accepting SNAP benefits at farmer’s markets is available at http:// www .fns .usda .gov/snap/ebt/fm .htm . •A handbook for facilitating the use of SNAP benefits at your community’s farmer’s markets is available at http://www .ams .usda .gov/AMSv1 .0/getfile?dDocName=STELPRDC5085298&acc t=wdmgeninfo . •Information on obtaining EBT equipment for your local farmer’s market is available at http:// www .fns .usda .gov/snap/ebt/fm-scrip-EBT_Equipment .htm . To ensure that mothers and young children have access to nutritious fruits and vegetables, local officials can work with their local farmers, farmer’s markets, and produce stands to promote participation in the Farmer’s Market Nutrition Program . Participating states receive funding from USDA along with the regular WIC funding . Special coupons are then issued to program participants along with their regular LeT’s Move CiTies and ToWns 32★★ benefits . The program operates on a state-by-state basis and in some cases, private organizations work with the state to match the value of the WIC coupon . Currently, 45 states and tribal governments participate in the FMNP . •Information on participation and detailed information about the program is available at http://www .fns .usda .gov/wic/fmnp/fmnpfaqs .htm . Increasing Physical Activity To increase physical activity in schools, mayors and local officials can work with their local education agencies and/or community-based organizations to apply for the competitive Carol White Physical Education Program . The PEP program provides grants to initiate, expand, and improve physical educa- tion for students in grades K–12 . Grant recipients must implement programs that help students make progress toward meeting State standards; preference is given to those organizations that provide BMI screening . LEAs and CBOs are expected to partner together to tie increased physical activity to other outcomes . Tribes can apply for grants as a local education agency . The average 3 year grant is $427,000 and grantees are required to match 10% in the first year and 25% in years 2 and 3 . •Further information about the Carol White Physical Education Program is available at http:// www2 .ed .gov/programs/whitephysed/index .html . Note: For Future years, the Administration has proposed consolidating the PEP program and other programs into a Safe, Successful and Healthy Students program which will focus on improving school climate, reducing and preventing drug use, violence, or harassment; and supporting the health, fitness, and mental well-being of students so that schools and students can succeed . The program would increase the capacity of States, districts, schools, and their partners to provide the resources and supports necessary for safe, healthy, and successful students, including programs designed to improve student physical health and well-being . To increase opportunities for physical activity by making bicycling and walking to school a safer and more appealing transportation alternative, the US Department of Transportation provides funds to State Departments of Transportation to fund Safe Routes to Schools projects . These funds can be used to build sidewalks, create pedestrian/bicycle crossings, and implement traffic calming and diversion methods within 2 miles of schools . Funds can also be used for public awareness, traffic education and enforcement, student information andthe administration of safe routes programs . Mayors and local officials can work with local schools and parents groups to assess the need for such programs in their neighborhoods and contact their State DOT SRTS Coordinator to learn more about the Safe Routes to School program in their state . Other transportation funding streams that flow through State DOTs may also be used to support such efforts as building sidewalks or bike trails and paths . •Each State has a designated SRTS Coordinator: http://www .saferoutesinfo .org/contacts/ index .cfm •The National Center for Safe Routes to Schools is a federally funded resource providing technical assistance to communities looking to build safe routes to school: http://www . saferoutesinfo .org/ . FederaL granT resourCes 33★★ •The federally funded Pedestrian and Bicycle Information Center provides information and resources to help realize opportunities for increased walking and biking in communities: http://www .pedbikeinfo .org/ . To improve infrastructure that encourages physical activity and active transportation, local officials can work with their State Departments of Transportation to identify projects for Transportation Enhancement funding . Funds are apportioned to State DOTs, and generally must be matched 80%/20% . Mayors and local officials should contact their State TE programs to apply for funds . •Eligibility requirements for Transportation Enhancement projects are available here: http:// www .fhwa .dot .gov/environment/te/eligibility .htm . •Guiding principles for the program are available here: http://www .fhwa .dot .gov/environ- ment/te/principles_pt1 .htm . •State contacts and project examples are listed here: http://www .enhancements .org/ . To increase opportunities for physical activity outdoors through the use of recreational trails, the US Department of Transportation provides funds through the Recreational Trails Program to State agen- cies (usually State resource agencies) to develop and maintain recreational trails and trail-related facilities for both motorized and non-motorized use . Funds are apportioned to the States, and generally must be matched 80%/20% . Mayors and local officials should contact their State trail programs to apply for funds . •Eligibility requirements for Recreational Trails Program projects are available here: http:// www .fhwa .dot .gov/environment/rectrails/ . •Each State has a designated RTP administrator listed here: http://www .fhwa .dot .gov/environ- ment/rectrails/rtpstate .htm To increase opportunities for outdoor physical activity, the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) State Assistance Program provides matching grants to States and local governments for the acquisition and development of public outdoor recreation areas . The formula grant is distributed to states; local and Tribal governments can then work with states to identify projects and receive funds . •Complete information about the LWCF State Assistance Program is available at http://www . nps .gov/lwcf/manual/lwcf .pdf   City of Saratoga  Memorandum    To: City of Saratoga Parks and Recreation Commission  From: Crystal Morrow, Administrative Analyst II  City of Saratoga  Date: May 10, 2011  Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting  Subject: Saratoga Park Videos        During the Parks and Recreation Commission meeting on September 14, 2010, the 6 videos  produced by Saratoga High School Media Arts Program students, Arya Parhar, Alex Chan, and  Abner Inzunza were unveiled. The videos feature some of the activities you can do in 6 of the  City’s parks.     Beauchamps Park: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IE‐dOzEgVO4  Congress Springs Park: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g5TVF0h‐xf4  Hakone Gardens: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sLKXuJJlv6c  Kevin Moran Park: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pAHWFyx65js  Ravenwood Park: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eWNg2YalSLo  Wildwood Park: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CXEcOdahEPk    Since then, the Commission decided to continue working with the Saratoga High School Media  Arts Program to produce videos of other City parks. If the Commission would like to move  forward with production of additional park videos, the PRC will need to develop a plan for  producing the videos and reach out to the Saratoga High School Media Arts Program before the  end of the school year.    City of Saratoga  Memorandum    To: City of Saratoga Parks and Recreation Commission  From: Crystal Morrow, Administrative Analyst II  City of Saratoga  Date: May 10, 2011 Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting  Subject: Community Event Calendar      At the September 2010 meeting, the Commission agreed to discuss annual community events and  opportunities to participate in or have a presence at these events. During the November meeting, staff  presented the list below of annual community events. At that time, the Commission decided to focus on  Arbor Day during the first part of the year and then Wildwood Cinema Movie Night during the second  half of the year. Additional discussion was scheduled for the January 2011 meeting. During the meeting,  the PRC indicated an interest in participating in the Art and Wine Festival if the City decides to host a  booth at the event. Further discussion was scheduled for the May 2011 meeting. At this time, no new  information about the City’s participation in the Art and Wine Festival is available.      Community Event Date  Mustard Faire February – March  Saratoga Love Notes February  SVDC St. Patty’s Day Party March  Savor Saratoga: Wine & Wisteria April  Arbor Day  April  Village Pet Parade April/May  Rotary Art Show May  Memorial Day Celebration May  Heritage Day June  Independence Day Celebration July  Bollywood August  Wildwood Cinema Movie Night September  Art & Wine Festival September  Witchy Walk‐A‐Bout October  Annual Tree Lighting & Village Open House November