Leadership Council
Meeting Minutes
5.11.09
Attendees: Wilma Wooten, Nick Yphanitides, Kristin Garrett, Christine Wood, Maria Sebiane, Sue Botos, Chris Edwards, Dana Richardson, Aaron Byzak, Katie Shultz, Tracy Delaney, Randall Marks, Mary Blackman, Naomi Butler, Paula Ingrum, Steve Eldred, Cheri Fidler, Christine Lafontant, Stephanie Gioia, Phil Nader, Tia Anzellotti, Cheryl Moder (via phone), JuliAnna Arnett, Erica Salcuni
Welcome and Introductions
Update—COI Evaluation Phil Nader
· Phil reported that the Core Evaluation Committee is continuing to leverage existing resources and looking for new funding resources.
· Cheryl informed members that Phil Nader will present at a policy roundtable discussion held by the Altarum Institute in Washington D.C. on May 13. The topic is leveraging public health infrastructure to fight childhood obesity, and he will present on his collaborative work with an initiative in Michigan on the addition of BMI to the Immunization Registry and related policy needs. He would be happy to share this presentation with anyone who is interested. The Healthcare domain has decided to adopt the Immunization Registry project to support putting it into operation. A Memorandum of Understanding may have to be issued between HHSA and the Altarum Institute to facilitate the operation of the project with the small amount of funding given for the project. Currently, the pilot is being planned.
· The Core Evaluation Committee is looking at proximal outcome indicators for domain work plans and also indicators for the progression of COI’s goals for obesity prevention. A document is being created that could serve as a precedent for addressing other health issues in the community.
Discussion—COI Internal Business
· The ad hoc nominating committee organized to fill Dr. Nick’s position as co-chair will have their first discussion on May 13 to establish criteria for the position. The committee includes Kristin Garrett, Cheryl Moder, Naomi Butler, Nick Yphantides, and Aaron Byzak. Cheryl requested that that anyone interested in nominating someone or issuing a self-nomination contact her. More information on this will be available at the next meeting.
· Chris Wood reported on the refocusing of the Media and Marketing domain work plan, which will now include acting as a media ‘watchdog,’ surveying local news and awarding countywide journalism that highlights childhood obesity in a desirable way. Currently the group is figuring out a system for review of stories. Members of the council are encouraged to submit anything they find for screening. For now, anyone who locates any articles of interest should forward them to Erica Salcuni.
Conference Updates Cheryl Moder
· CDC Weight of the Nation Conference in Washington DC (7/27-7/29)-Cheryl reported that of the 7 abstracts COI submitted for review, 3 were selected. Immunization Registry was selected for poster presentation, and the Government domain and CX3 projects were selected for plenary panel sessions.
· The Childhood Obesity Conference in LA (6/10-6/12)- There is also a pre-conference hosted by the CA Convergence, the focus is on sustainability. COI was invited to attend and can bring 2 partners. Naomi Butler will attend and Tracy Delaney is still deciding. Stephanie Gioia expressed interest in attending. Leadership Council members and COI staff planning to attend include Cheryl, Naomi, Tracy, Phil Nader, Steve Eldred, Stephanie Gioia, Dana Richardson, Wilma Wooten, and JuliAnna Arnett.
Funding Cheryl Moder
· Robert Wood Johnson Foundation: Healthy Kids, Healthy Communities—COI is under consideration for one of these grants. Due date is 5/14. Cheryl should be hearing back in July to see if we have been invited to participate in a conference call/site visit.
Discussion: Request from Angel Being JuliAnna Arnett
· A for-profit fundraising organization called “Angel Being” (www.angelbeing.com) has contacted the COI to put its logo on their web page. This organization sells a number of items in an online store and donates 90% of the profits to a nonprofit organization of the buyer’s choice. By agreeing to Angel Being’s request, the COI would be one of the organizations that receive donations through the site. JuliAnna asked if the council would be interested in this. The group expressed that they would be interested in learning more about the organization (i.e. its partners, business model) before reaching a decision. Kristin Garrett recommended that council members draw up a list of questions for JuliAnna so that she can provide an information sheet to help the group reach a decision.
Update: Legislation Tia Anzellotti, JuliAnna Arnett, Naomi Butler
· AB351 (Salas, D-79)- This bill would provide PE exemptions to students who participate in alternative physical activities such as band and color guard. Dana Richardson, JuliAnna, and Kim Butler (Sweetwater High School) met with Salas. JuliAnna reported that Salas is working with Senator Torlakson to make adjustments. On the evening of 5/13, the County Board of Ed will have another meeting regarding the passage of this bill. Kim Butler, a PE Specialist from Sweetwater High School District, will present. The Leadership Council decided a physician should be present as well, either Wilma Wooten or Dean Sidelinger, if available. In addition, the COI staff will draft a letter which will express grave concern for the board’s support of the bill. JuliAnna will follow up with Salas’ staffer to find out what amendments are being made to the bill before completing the letter.
· AB 346 (Torlakson, D-11)- Bill would expand the types of projects available for joint-use funding and allow schools to place projects on government-owned property across from a school facility.
· AB 537 (Arambula)- This bill would require all farmers’ markets, certified farmers’ markets, and open-air markets in CA to operate an EBT terminal at their market by January 1, 2012. Kristin Garrett warned that the council should take precautions in supporting legislation that includes an unfunded mandate or financial burden.
· AB 627 (Brownley)-This bill would require licensed daycare/childcare providers to meet revised nutrition stands and establish screen time limits for all children under their care.
Media Training Katie Schultz
· The media training on Friday, 4/24- Elements of the session included general media tips, childhood obesity messaging, and on camera interviewing. Katie reported that 9 members of the council participated and according to a post-training survey, all found it very successful. The group found the on-camera interviewing lesson, given by former NBC news anchor Bill Menish, to be particularly helpful. It is hoped that a second training will be conducted with participation from additional COI partners.
DOMAIN REPORTS
Media & Marketing (Christine Wood)
· ICANSANDIEGO will be wrapping up at the end of this month. 400 people have enrolled online to participate in the program, which exceeds the goal by 100 people. There are 3 more events before the wrap up. Campaign info will continue, but on a less frequent basis.
· Chris Wood will be attending a sports fitness expo on June 13 from 10-2pm hosted by Doug Hix (Editor of Sports Fitness Magazine) and sponsored by Children’s Hospital. She will discuss the PUSH toolkit with the partners at the event, and asked the council if it would be OK to use the COI logo.
· The Padres program magazine, which is distributed at games, includes information about FriarFit, COI, and ICANSANDIEGO this month.
Government (Tracy Delaney)
· There is a full-day workshop on Friday, May 15 in Spring Valley on bicycle and pedestrian safety. A flier containing more information will be distributed to the group for anyone interested in attending, the event is free.
· On Wednesday, May 13, interviews are being held for the program manager position for Health Equity by Design.
· Worksite lactation policy has been approved by County HHSA.
· HHSA is working on the development of a letter announcing the County’s intent to apply for the CA Healthy Purchase Pilot funds, which provides incentive money to customers that purchase produce items.
· Horticultural Therapy—Naomi reported that a nonprofit organization called Ag Pals is taking the lead to begin this project in East Mesa
School (Naomi Butler)
· Schools domain has partnered with KUSI Radio San Diego in their “Get Fit & Thrive Challenge” program.
· The Healthy and Ready to Learn Awards were held on April 30, San Diego Jr. League contributed $7,500 for mini-grants distributed at the event, which was held at Rady Children’s Hospital, another sponsor of the event.
· Mary Blackman announced her retirement at the end of June, but will remain on the Leadership Council until December. She hopes to transition her replacement into her role.
Healthcare (Cheri Fidler)
· The WIC program has announced some changes. Laura Alvarado, who partners with COI on behalf of WIC, has offered to make presentations about these changes. Info will be posted on the healthcare domain listserv, which all Leadership Council members will be added to.
· The domain has adopted Phil Nader’s BMI registry, members of the subcommittee that will market the program include Chris Wood, Shaila Serpas, Tanya Dansky, and Chris Searles.
· Partnership for Primary Prevention team led by Phil Nader, consisting of providers from SDSU, RCH, & UCSD are still working on recruiting OB/GYNs for training on topics such as childhood obesity and breastfeeding education.
· Wilma Wooten informed the group about the County’s webinar service called ‘WebEx’ in case anyone working on any committees is interested in conducting their meetings over the web. It is something the Leadership Council may look into for future meetings.
Childcare (JuliAnna Arnett)
· Preschool gardens are being launched; gardens are currently being installed at 4 Preschool-for-All sites. First 5 is providing the funding.
· Occidental College is piloting a farm-to-preschool effort and is interested in piloting and funding a project in San Diego County. They are also interested in the development of preschool gardens.
· The domain is trying to connect with faith-based communities that have preschool sites; Kim McDougal is working on involving them.
· Also checking with county school districts that have preschools on site to be sure that the district wellness policies are applied to the preschools.
Community Engagement & Empowerment (Tia Anzellotti)
· There is a possible partnership being discussed with the San Diego Food Bank regarding summer lunch sites for the Summer Lunch program.
· A subcommittee under the direction of Beverly Tuzin is developing a training manual for CX3 projects, aiming for completion by the end of June.
Business (Cheryl Moder)
· The next domain meeting will be held on May 21, the goal for the meeting is to get the domain work plans updated.
· Paula Ingrum informed the group that The Children’s Initiative has been contacted by Children Now (www.childrennow.org) to collaborate with the organization on its report card project, which rates each county in the state on overall health of children. San Diego County was given a ‘C’, no counties have received an ‘A’.
Next Meeting: Monday, June 8th from 11am-1pm in the Executive Room at the HHSA Rosecrans Complex.
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