The Virginia Foundation for Healthy Youth is offering RFP #852P013, which will provide funding to improve healthful nutrition and physical activity to prevent and reduce childhood obesity in the Commonwealth of Virginia.

These VFHY grants will fund Healthy Communities Action Teams comprised of community groups, partnerships and coalitions to build and sustain state and local capacity through the implementation of promising practices and activities emphasizing policy and environmental change.

Completed online proposals are due by Aug. 23, 2010.

Visit the VFHY website at http://www.HealthyYouthVA.org for more information.  Contact Donna Gassie, Director of Programs, at dgassie@healthyyouthva.org if you have any questions.

The VFHY has just released an RFP for childhood obesity prevention. More info available here: http://ping.fm/d9TO5

Education policymakers and professionals are critical partners for Safe Routes to School. But, they can sometimes be reluctant to get involved in Safe Routes to School due to pressures on budgets and staff, plus a desire to remain focused on student academic achievement. To help overcome this barrier, the Safe Routes to School National Partnership has issued a new resource guide, Getting Students Active through Safe Routes to School: Policies and Action Steps for Education Policymakers and Professionals.

The guide provides a detailed examination of the most up-to-date and relevant research linking physical activity and academic achievement, and presents Safe Routes to School as a means of increasing students’ physical activity levels. It also includes policies and action steps that can be implemented at the state, school district and individual school level in several key areas specific to the education sector. Stories from states and communities across the nation provide real-life examples of how Safe Routes to School programs and policies can be adopted and implemented. Key topic areas include:

• Building effective partnerships
• Addressing traffic safety through infrastructure and enforcement
• Incorporating Safe Routes to School into school wellness policies
• Ensuring school transportation policies are inclusive of walking and bicycling
• Creating neighborhood schools and joint use policies

Given the guide’s specific focus on issues of concern and relevance to the education sector, the Safe Routes to School National Partnership hopes that it helps equip more education policymakers and professionals-at state, school district and individual school levels-with the knowledge and tools necessary to implement and sustain successful Safe Routes to School programs and supportive policies. The guide can also be a good tool for SRTS volunteers and professionals looking for ways to engage their local school leaders.

The Partnership is grateful to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the American Public Health Association for their support of this publication.

It can be downloaded at http://www.saferoutespartnership.org/media/file/EducatorsGuide.pdf.

Prevention Connections, a Virginia non-profit organization dedicated to preventing tobacco use and childhood obesity, is in the process of hiring a program manager to oversee the organization’s activities related to Safe Routes to School (SRTS). The SRTS Program Manager will be responsible for overall operation of the SRTS program, including oversight of the implementation of all project activities related to the SRTS mini-grants.  The position facilitates the partnerships between PC, VFHY, VDH, VDOT, and VDOE.  This position will also implement and maintain the SRTS grants management system and manages requirements of the memorandum of agreement with the funding source, including writing and submission of all required reports and fiscal management. More information.

Fit4Kids is a non-profit organization created to improve the health of children through leading a regional effort to increase physical activity and healthier diets.  This effort will improve health and reduce childhood obesity in the greater Richmond area.

The Program Coordinator will prepare a written analysis and evaluation of existing youth obesity programs in the Richmond Region.  The coordinator will develop and maintain relationships with key program partners, as well as coordinate and organize support for the Fit4Kids philosophy and programs.  The coordinator will direct the development of the Fit4Kids program and help produce an implementation plan.

Candidates must have experience in Needs Assessment and Program Evaluation as well as experience working with school systems, government officials and with diverse community groups.  A successful candidate must possess the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.  Strong communication and public speaking skills required.  Additional qualifications include proven success with small and large group facilitation and knowledge of health behaviors, health education and/or health management.  A Master’s degree in a related field is preferred.

The Program Coordinator will report to the Interim Executive Director and will work directly with the Fit4Kids Board of Directors and community partners.

This is a full-time position for an initial 18-month contract period, with an opportunity to extend the position as the program develops.  The salary is commensurate with experience.  Please mail cover letter and resume by Tuesday, June 30 to Townley Goldsmith-Ray at Fit4Kids, 100 Avenue of Champions, Richmond, VA 23230.  Online information.