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Opportunity For Small Town Mayors To Improve Community Health

Invitation to Small Town Mayors to Join Initiative to Curb Childhood Obesity and Improve Community Health Foundation for the Mid South and the National League of Cities invite the mayors of small communities (with populations up to 35,000) from Arkansas, Louisiana and Mississippi to apply and participate in an initiative focused on improving community health outcomes through a reduction in childhood obesity in their communities. 

Part of a larger project—Municipal Leadership for Healthy Southern Cities sponsored by the National League of Cities Institute for Youth, Education and Families—the initiative is focused on helping municipal leaders more effectively use their leadership positions to influence policy to improve community health.  Specifically, efforts will focus on increasing residents’ access to recreational opportunities and fresh, nutritious foods.

Small cities and towns selected to participate will benefit from peer networking and learning opportunities on improving community health led by their state municipal league and state health department. Selected municipal leaders will join a learning community of 5-10 cities in their respective states and assess how they can build healthier communities.  The goal is to increase leaders’ ability to effect health policy through individualized assistance, mentoring, as well as participation in learning site visits.

Local elected officials are required to apply for and participate in the initiative.  Either the mayor or a member of the city/town council will be expected to:
participate in a peer learning network; use their position to promote and implement policy changes to improve access to recreation and fresh, healthy foods; encourage community input and participation in policy changes; share their experiences/lessons with other local elected officials; and participate in an evaluation of the project. If your city is interested in applying to participate in this learning community initiative, please submit a letter of interest (not to exceed two pages), signed by the sponsoring mayor or city/town council member that responds to the following questions: Why are you interested in efforts to combat childhood obesity? How/why has this issue come to be a priority for you and other community leaders?

Is your city/town considering, or has it already pursued, any plans or strategies to address the childhood obesity problem?

Which key stakeholders or groups (e.g., school districts, county and state agencies, or community organizations) will need to be involved to make your community’s efforts a success?
How do you think peer learning and assistance from the National League of Cities, Foundation for the Mid South, state health department, and state municipal league will enhance and/or assist the city/town’s efforts?

What challenges or obstacles is the city/town likely to encounter in promoting physical activity and healthy eating among its residents?
Please email your letter of interest by Monday, October 4, 2010, 5:00 p.m. (CST) to Health and Wellness Program Officer, Foundation for the Mid South.
If you have any questions, please contact: 
Health and Wellness Program Officer , Foundation for the Mid South at 601-355-8167, or Leon Andrews, National League of Cities at andrews@nlc.orgor 202-626-3039.