2014 All-IAPO Conference: Recap, Resources and Opportunities for Continued Engagement

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This fall, nearly 170 partners from across the state came together to celebrate the Illinois Alliance to Prevent Obesity’s (IAPO) successes, network and connect, and provide input into the strategic direction for IAPO in the years ahead.

County-specific conference representation* *Statewide organizations constituted 30% of attendees

County-specific conference representation*
*Statewide organizations constituted 30% of attendees

A diverse array of nonprofits, local health departments, state agencies, hospital systems, community-based organizations, academics and health providers hailing from 30 counties – representing the entire length and breadth of Illinois, including organizations that work statewide – convened in Bloomington-Normal to celebrate the 4th anniversary of IAPO’s formation.

Partners networking!

Partners networking!

The IAPO Obesity Action Roadmap priorities were discussed throughout the event, including: Active transportation, increasing access to local foods, improving school nutrition, promoting worksite wellness, reducing consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages, enhancing physical education, and supporting local-level coalitions. IAPO works to reduce obesity rates in Illinois by 2018 through changes in our policies, systems and environments that influence health.

The conference opened with welcomes from Julie McCoy, McLean County Wellness Coalition, Normal Mayor Chris Koos and Alma Rodríguez, The Chicago Community Trust.

IAPO's Executive Director welcomes the crowd

IAPO’s Executive Director welcomes the crowd

Elissa Bassler, IAPO’s Executive Director and CEO of the Illinois Public Health Institute, gave an overview of IAPO and led a panel in a discussion on IAPO’s progress, which included Ann Marchetti, DuPage County FORWARD Initiative, Malik Nevels, J.D., Illinois African American Coalition for Prevention, Sandra Noel, Governor’s Council on Health & Physical Fitness and Marjorie Sawicki, St. Louis University.

Keynote Speaker Jim Hightower

Conference attendees then heard an inspiring keynote address by populist radio personality, writer and former Texas Agriculture Commissioner Jim Hightower, networked and connected throughout the day, and participated in an array of exciting breakout sessions, including:

Click on session titles to access information and resources:

Morning session: Healthy and Active Communities Network (HACN)
Presented by the Healthy and Active Communities Network

HACN co-chair Christy Filby

HACN co-chair Christy Filby

Facilitator: Christy Filby, Two Rivers YMCA / Statewide Alliance of YMCAs

Description: The Healthy & Active Communities Network (HACN) is a peer learning network of local coalitions and community partnerships working towards sustainable improvements in healthy eating and active living through policy, systems and environmental change. To strengthen the connection and foster further alignment between local, community-based efforts and statewide work, HACN and IAPO merged in 2014. This session provided partners with an overview of HACN, followed by an interactive discussion on how HACN can best support local obesity prevention initiatives. This early morning session primed partners for a day of discovering new opportunities to collaborate, exploring innovative initiatives occurring across the state and networking.

Presenter: Jackie Lanier, Illinois State University / McLean County Wellness Coalition

Opportunities for engagement:

  • To learn more, the next HACN quarterly call on Thursday, November 13, 1:00-2:00pm.
  • Interested in getting involved? Email for more information.

Trending: Best Practices and New Opportunities for Improving Community Nutrition
Presented by IAPO’s workgroup on Nutrition in Community & Other Institutional Settings

Nutrition workgroup co-chair Michael Isaacson

Nutrition workgroup co-chair Michael Isaacson

Facilitators: Adam Becker, Consortium to Lower Obesity in Chicago Children & Michael Isaacson, Kane County Health Department

Description: This session explored best practices in creating healthy food and beverage environments in worksites, parks and municipalities, and hospitals. New state and local opportunities for limiting the marketing of unhealthy food to children were also explored and participants had a opportunity to discuss their work and provide input into IAPO’s work in these areas for the year ahead.

Presenters: Adam Becker, Consortium to Lower Obesity in Chicago Children; Amanda Kelley, American Heart Association; Colleen Lammel, Chicago Park District; Michael Walker, Aramark Retail Manager for Advocate Health

Session Highlights:

A) Welcome & Overview by workgroup co-chairs Adam Becker, Consortium to Lower Obesity in Chicago Children & Michael Isaacson, Kane County Health Department

Institutional Changes to Reduce SSB Consumption:

  1. Overview and worksites: Presentation by Amanda Kelley, American Heart Association
  2. Healthy municipal/park environments: Presentation by Colleen Lammel, Chicago Park District

Resource: Preventing Chronic Disease Community Case Study

2. Healthy Hospital Environments: Presentation by Michael Walker, Advocate Health System

Resource: Healthy Beverage Toolkit for Healthcare

B) Limiting marketing of unhealthy foods: Presentation by Adam Becker, Consortium to Lower Obesity in Chicago Children

Resources:
Sugary Drinks F.A.C.T.S. Food Advertising to Children & Teens Score
Cereal Food F.A.C.T.S. Food Advertising to Children & Teens Score 2014
Fast Food F.A.C.T.S. Food Advertising to Children & Teens Score 2013

Opportunity for continued engagement:

  • Interested in joining this workgroup? Contact for more information.

Advancing School Wellness Policies: Tools and Best Practices for Implementing Enhanced P.E., Healthy Fundraising, and Nutrition Standards in School

Presented by IAPO’s workgroup on Childhood Nutrition and Physical Activity in Educational Settings

Childhood workgroup co-chairs Mark Peysakhovich & Sandra Noel with Dr. Dale Brown

Childhood workgroup co-chairs Mark Peysakhovich & Sandra Noel with Dr. Dale Brown

Facilitator: Mark Peysakhovich, American Heart Association, Midwest

Description: Participants in this session learned about new state requirements related to school wellness, including several changes underway to enhance physical education (P.E.) and work to implement the USDA’s Smart Snacks in schools requirements, specifically the requirements around healthy fundraising in schools. An interactive panel of P.E. and fitness experts from across the state discussed best practices in enhancing P.E. and led participants in a discussion about how to best work with schools to improve P.E. practice. State advocacy opportunities around healthy school fundraising, as well as tips for implementing healthy fundraisers, were also discussed.

Presenters: Mark Bishop, Healthy Schools Campaign; Dale Brown, Illinois State University; Erin Kennedy, OSF Healthcare; Heidi Knoblock, Action for Healthy Kids; Sandy Noel, Governor’s Council on Health & Physical Fitness; Dan Phelps, Hononegah High School; Deb Vogel, Illinois Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance; Paul Zientarski, DuPage FORWARD Initiative

Session Highlights:

Welcome & Overview by workgroup co-chair Mark Peysakhovich, American Heart Association, Midwest

Section One: From Program to Policy: An overview

  • Presentation: Overview: The learning connection by Heidi Knoblock, Action for Healthy Kids
  • Workgroup progress: Updates on P.E. (including the new IL P.E. laws!) and healthy fundraising by workgroup co-chairs Mark Peysakhovich, American Heart Association, Midwest and Sandra Noel, Governor’s Council on Health & Physical Fitness

Section Two: Enhancing Physical Education in Schools, Local Implementation Panel

Resources:

Section Three: Healthy Fundraising and Foods

Resources:

    • Healthy fundraising handout
    • Alternatives to food rewards handout
    • Healthy celebrations handout

Opportunities for continued engagement:

      • Interested in joining this workgroup? Contact for more information.
The Integration of Community-Based Obesity Prevention and Clinical Care: Referral Systems, Data, and Payment Models
Presented by IAPO’s workgroup on Clinical Interventions & Access to Care

Clinical workgroup co-chair Mary Elsner with Keynote Jim Hightower

Clinical workgroup co-chair Mary Elsner with Keynote Jim Hightower

Facilitator: Meg Cooch, Statewide Alliance of YMCAs

Description: This session looked at innovative and evidence-based models that integrate community-based obesity prevention and treatment services with clinical health systems through new data collection and referral systems, and integrated payment models. An overview of statewide health system transformation efforts was provided and participants discussed the integration work happening in their own communities, challenges they face, and a vision for the future.

Presenters: Elissa Bassler, Illinois Public Health Institute; Mary Elsner, Illinois Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics; Kara Gallagher, Kish Health System; Enrique Salgado, Harmony Health Plan; Connie Spreen, Experimental Station

Session Highlights:

A) Overview of Clinical Workgroup Goals around integration by workgroup co-chair Mary Elsner, Illinois Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics

Resources:

B) Integration of Community-Based Obesity Prevention and Clinical Systems:

Presentations by Mary Elsner, Illinois Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics, Kara Gallagher, Kish Health System, Enrique Salgado, Harmony Health Plan and Connie Spreen, Experimental Station

Resources:

  • Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services, Informational Notice to Providers
  • Summaries of community-based obesity prevention programs:
  1. Description of YMCA Diabetes Prevention Program
  2. Description of MEND
  3. Description of Complete Health Improvement Program (CHIP)
  4. Description of SHAPEDOWN

Opportunity for continued engagement:

      • Interested in joining this workgroup? Contact for more information.

Increasing Access to Healthy Local Foods: Aligning Local Food Systems, Food Insecurity and Nutrition Efforts in Illinois
Presented by IAPO’s workgroup on Local Food Systems/Access

Wes King, session presenter

Wes King, session facilitator

Facilitators: Marjorie Sawicki, Saint Louis University & Wes King, Illinois Stewardship Alliance

Description: This session examined the intersection of nutrition, local food systems, and food security initiatives and laid the groundwork for IAPO’s work in this area for the year ahead. Agricultural leaders shared practices for extending the growing season to increase the availability of local foods to consumers throughout the year. Four initiatives from across the state shared their experiences in developing innovative partnerships for improving food security and access to healthy locally-produced food. Following the presentations, participants discussed strategies for continuing to expand this work across the state

Presenters: Dave Bishop, PrairiErth Farm; Kerri Calvert, Illinois State University; Donna Camp, Eastern Illinois Foodbank; Dan Kenney, DeKalb Community Gardens; Deborah Halperin, Illinois Wesleyan: Action Research Center; Elizabeth Patton-Whiteside, East Side Health District

Session Highlights:

  1. Welcome and overview by workgroup chair Marjorie Sawicki, Saint Louis University & session facilitator Wes King, Illinois Stewardship Alliance
  2. Strategies for extended growing season

3. Cross-sector efforts on healthy food access

Resources:

Opportunity for continued engagement:

      • Interested in joining this workgroup? Email for more information.

Opportunities for Improving Active Transportation in Communities
Presented by IAPO’s workgroup on Physical Activity in Community & Institutional Settings

Physical Activity co-chair Melody Geraci leads the session

Physical Activity co-chair Melody Geraci leads the session

Facilitator: Melody Geraci, Active Transportation Alliance

Description: Interested in learning about how to change the built environment? This session provided insights on how communities can assess their built environments, create plans and policies that support active transportation and health, and implement changes to the built environment that enhance health and well-being. The session walked through components of the change process, provided information on some assessment tools, policy and planning methods, and examples of change, and also provided information on upcoming advocacy opportunities at the federal and state level.

Presenters: Jamie Arteaga, Consortium to Lower Obesity in Chicago Children; Marissa Dolin, Active Transportation Alliance; Melody Geraci, Active Transportation Alliance; Gabe Lewis, Champaign County Regional Planning Commission; Joanne Mitrenga, Tri-Town YMCA

Session Highlights:

  1. Intro: The Connection Between Built Environment and Health

Presentation: Active Transportation for a Healthier World by workgroup co-chair Melody Geraci, Active Transportation Alliance

2. Changing the Built Environment: Assessment, Planning, Policy, and Implementation

a) Assessment: CLOCC walkability assessments

Presentation: CLOCC’s Neighborhood Walkability Assessment by Jamie Arteaga, Consortium to Lower Obesity in Chicago Children

b) Assessment: CHLI assessment

Presentation: The CHLI Process: Community Healthy Living Index by Joanne Mitrenga, Tri-Town YMCA

2. Planning: Municipal pedestrian/bike planning

Presentation: Planning 101 by Marissa Dolin, Active Transportation Alliance

3. Policy: Complete Streets

Resource: The Illinois Bike Plan

4. Putting it all together: Implementation

Presentation: Implementation of Active Transportation in Champaign-Urbana by Gabe Lewis, Champaign County Regional Planning Commission

Opportunity for continued engagement:

      • Interested in joining this workgroup? Contact for more information.

LINK Up Illinois: Doubling the Value of SNAP Dollars at Farmers Markets Across the State
Session facilitator Adam Becker & IAPO partner Dedra Ries

Session facilitator Adam Becker & IAPO partner Dedra Ries

Facilitators: Adam Becker, Consortium to Lower Obesity in Chicago Children & Connie Spreen, Experimental Station

Description: Many states and communities, including Illinois, have demonstrated convincingly since 2008 the impact of double value coupon programs in helping to increase fruit and vegetable purchases by SNAP (LINK) participants. This session explored the link between farmers markets and obesity prevention, and presented national and local outcomes and current efforts related to doubling the value of fresh and healthy foods sold at farmers markets. LINK Up Illinois program managers, local farmers, and health advocates led participants in a discussion about how Illinois can expand and fund this incentive program for LINK participants across the state.

Presenters: Adam Becker, Consortium to Lower Obesity in Chicago Children; Danny Burke, Corey Chatman and Connie Spreen, Experimental Station; Marjorie Sawicki, Saint Louis University

Session highlights:

  1. The link between farmers markets and obesity by Marjorie Sawicki, Saint Louis University
  2. National best practices and evidence on double-value

Presentation: LINK UP Illinois by Connie Speen, Experimental Station

3. Local efforts, progress & outcomes by Danny Burke and Corey Chatman, Experimental Station

Opportunities for continued engagement:

      • To stay in touch on this topic, email .
Getting the Message Right: Talking to the Media about Rethink Your Drink and the HEAL Act
Johnathon Briggs leads a section on effective communications strategies

Johnathon Briggs leads a section on effective communications strategies

Facilitators: Elissa Bassler, Illinois Public Health Institute & Johnathon Briggs, Public Communications Inc.

This session provided an overview of the IAPO Rethink Your Drink campaign and the Healthy Eating Active Living (HEAL) Act, including an overview of the research that supports the campaign, key information about the contents of the HEAL Act legislation, and a summary of coalition strategies for the months ahead. Public Communications Inc. (PCI) helped participants build the skills they need to talk about the campaign in their communities, networks and the media, including information on key messages, techniques for engaging with the media, and how to answer tough questions about the campaign.

Resources: Rethink Your Drink campaign

Resources: Healthy Eating Active Living (HEAL) Act

      • Bridging the Gap report – Taxing Sugary Drinks: Will this really result in job losses?
      • Estimating the Potential Impact of Sugar-Sweetened and Other Beverage Excise Taxes in Illinois

Opportunities for continued engagement:

You Can Do It! Policy, Advocacy & Lobbying 101
Trainers: Bukola Bello, VISION M.A.I. & Samir Tanna, Illinois Action for Children

Description: Are you interested in policy, systems and environmental change, including legislative change, but don’t know where to start? This session was for you! Bukola and Samir demystified the policy-making process in this workshop by teaching the ins-and-outs of policy-making and the Illinois legislative process. Participants learned the difference between advocacy and lobbying, how to talk to legislators, and how they can participate in the policy-making process at the state level.

Opportunities for continued engagement:

 Telling Your Story: Using Data and Crafting Stories to Engage Funders, Advocates, and Legislators
Trainer: Susy Schultz, Community Media Workshop

Description: If you can tell your story and connect to others, you can create an impact. This session helped participants learn what makes a story compelling, what types of stories they can tell using their process and outcome data, and how to craft their stories for use with funders, advocates, media and decision-makers.

Addressing Disparities in Obesity: Practices for Taking a Health Equity Approach
Facilitator: Patricia Canessa, Illinois Public Health Association

Patricia Canessa, session facilitator, and Esther Sciammarella, conference speaker, in deep discussion

Patricia Canessa, session facilitator, and Esther Sciammarella, conference speaker, in deep discussion

Description: There’s often an implicit assumption that obesity prevention efforts will address obesity disparities since low-income and minority populations are disproportionately impacted by obesity, but how can we be sure we’re taking an approach inclusive of structural factors contributing to obesity? This session featured a panel of experts researching and practicing at the intersection of obesity and health equity discussing their work, approaches, tools and resources for addressing obesity disparities. The panelists led participants in a discussion about their work and how we can work together to achieve health equity.

Presenters: Allison Hasler, Illinois Department of Public Health; Angela Odoms-Young, University of Illinois at Chicago; Malik Nevels, J.D., Illinois African American Coalition for Prevention; Maria Oquendo-Scharneck, AgeOptions

Presentations:

Resources:

      • CDC Health Equity Toolkit
      • Seattle King County Equity Assessment

IAPO: Opportunities for continued engagement

So many ways to engage with IAPO

A partner examines the many ways to engage with IAPO

From engaging in workgroup discussions on topics that matter to you and your community, to visiting legislators to ask for their support of legislation, there are many ways to participate in the Illinois Alliance to Prevent Obesity.