Thursday, February 7, 2008
9:00 am
North Naples Government Center
In
attendance:
- Bill Goulding CCPS
- Sheila Sheridan CCPS
- Renee Hardy CCPS
- Eileen Vargo CCPS
- Sandra P. Giraldo CMS Health Care
- Charlotte Thompson CCHD
- Matthew Frahur Trinity Chiropractic
- Deb Millsap CCHD
- Isa Fields CCHD
- Sharon Downey Housing & Human Services
- Silvia Casabianca Eyes Wide Open
- Introductions were made.
- New member Matthew Frahur explained he is working with Deb Ogden (CCPS) to implement a program on healthy living for a wellness lifestyle for high school students.
- Bill Goulding and Sheila Sheridan mentioned they are arranging a staff Wellness workshop which will be held on March 7th. Anyone who has a wellness-oriented topic they would be interested in speaking on should contact Bill.
- Bill discussed how one of the CCPS teachers is teaching healthy eating & active living to her students by asking them to “adopt” (and coach) her.
- Charlotte Thompson mentioned Dr. Caliguiri has a specialty in asthma & obesity and is interested in volunteering with the schools. Contact Charlotte if you need more info.
- Silvia Casabianca mentioned there is a Latino festival and health fair on April 26th from 12pm to 6pm at the Golden Gate Community Center with tests for hearing, blood pressure, vision, spinal screening, etc. She handled out booth registration forms. Contact Sylvia if you are interested.
- ‘What Women Want to Know’ seminar will be at the Edison College Conference Center, Collier County campus, on Saturday, 2/16. Admission is $40/$50.
- Wednesday 2/13 Senior Expo at the Golden Gate Community Center was announced. The Coalition will be represented by Sybil John.
- On 2/22 there will be a SALT (Seniors & Law Enforcement working together) expo. Sharon Downey mentioned File of Life badges will be provided for those who attend. These badges can be placed on refrigerators, doors & in wallets.
- Sandra Giraldo brought brochures which outline the services CHS offers and the locations. The services include medical and dental and are an excellent resource for the underinsured and low income populations in Naples and Immokalee. CHS is looking for health care providers for diabetes.
- Lobbying question was raised about obesity education regarding nutrition, walking & general fitness. It was explained many of us hold positions which do not allow us to lobby, but Sheila mentioned, as a member of the Governor’s Council on Fitness, she is able to give input which is considered by the Governor. Thank you Sheila! We are so glad you help to give us a voice!
- Sheila informed us there is a Governor’s website about health information including ‘Farm to Schools’ program for buying produce from local growers, since the Federal Government recently lifted previous buying restrictions. Sarasota County is experimenting with the new guidelines and CCPS are also being proactive and trying to find a way to utilize our local growers. The farmer’s market in the corner of Livingston & Pine Ridge Roads can distribute produce to schools, so there is a plan to use them for food service to local schools.
- Deb Millsap stated another way the coalition can promote our mission of policy and environment al change regarding healthy eating and active living is to offer a ‘Smart Growth’ workshop for our local leaders. Smart Growth incorporates many of the ideals we encourage through the coalition. Deb is working on arranging a speaker. We will just need to time the workshop when many of our leaders are in town. If we can arrange it in the Spring we will, but with several other projects going on, it may need to wait until the Fall.
- Silvia brought up a point about the United States being near the bottom of the list for preventing preventable diseases like obesity because of corporate & political interests.
- Deb passed out Women’s Health Forum brochures and asked people to help spread the word. The Forum will be on March 1st at the Health Department. It is free, but reservations (530-5332) are necessary due to limited seating.
- Matthew informed the group about a Healthy Heart event on February 13 & 14 with blood pressure testing & body fat testing, and expressed a need for help in promoting the event which is held at Trinity Chiropractic behind the 7-Eleven on Immokalee Road just east of I-75.
- The Marco Eagle has a new publication called ‘Etc.’ that needs healthful article ideas for the target area of SR951 towards Marco Island. Silvia said she may write about the schools and how the newer ones are built to encourage walking and biking to school.
- Next meeting will be held on March 6th at 9:00am at the same location.
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