As 2013 comes to an end, we take a look at what we’ve accomplished this year:
- IAPO members successfully advocated to maintain Illinois’ daily physical education instructional requirement in the spring 2013 legislative session, despite attempts by some to weaken this requirement.
- IAPO members developed and disseminated a Worksite Wellness Resource Guide in early 2013, which included tips for developing a wellness committee at worksites and promoting nutrition and physical activity within employment settings.
- IAPO advocated for the passage of the Illinois Enhance PE Task Force in 2012, and several IAPO members were appointed to the Illinois Enhance P.E. Task Force to help make recommendations to the state for improving physical education in schools across Illinois. The Task Force released a report with recommendations for enhancing P.E. and proposed revisions to the Illinois’ Learning Standards for Physical Development and Health in August 2013.
- Five healthcare systems in DuPage County, a large medical group and the DuPage County Health Department and one system in Cook County have pledged to reduce sugar-sweetened beverage availability and consumption on their campuses, and many more hospitals, municipalities, and workplaces are interested in learning how to do the same. IAPO workgroup members are providing technical assistance and advocacy in support of these efforts.
- IAPO members have helped to ensure inclusion of a question on the updated IL School Report Card that captures information about how much physical education students are receiving in school.
- The Illinois Department of Children and Family Services worked via a health subcommittee of the Early Learning Council (which includes several IAPO members) to publish proposed rules for improved physical activity and nutrition in the licensing standards for child care centers, which were released for public comment in August 2013. IAPO provided comments to the agency on the proposed rule, and developed sample comments through an action alert to support IAPO members to do the same.
- IAPO members had two meetings with the Director and staff of the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS) to advocate for policies within Medicaid to improve obesity prevention and early intervention services for pediatric obesity.
