History of the Los Angeles Collaborative for Healthy, Active Children

The Los Angeles Collaborative for Healthy, Active Children was formed in February 18, 2003 to address the epidemic of overweight and unfit children and their families in Los Angeles County. With leadership from the Los Angeles County Children’s Power—Play! Community Coalition, Los Angeles Region Project LEAN (Leaders Encouraging Activity and Nutrition) Coalition and support from the Network for a Healthy California – California Department of Public Health, the collaborative is made up of over 100 stakeholders including school districts, Head Start providers, health care providers, community-based organizations, DPH Programs, Department of Parks and Recreation and faith-based organizations, the American Heart Association, American Diabetes Association, American Cancer Society, Dairy Council of California and California Food Policy Advocates. By sharing their resources, expertise and influence, members are expanding the reach of their individual programs and addressing crucial nutrition and physical activity health issues and disparities in the County.

The initial goal of the Collaborative was to address the epidemic of unfit and overweight children in Los Angeles County by putting into action recommendations of The Los Angeles County Physical Fitness and Nutrition Task Force Paving the Way for Physically Fit and Healthy Children Findings and Recommendations Report, August 2002.

Support for the LA Collaborative is provided by the County of Los Angeles Department of Public Health, Nutrition Program with funding from the US Department of Agriculture Food Stamp Program, an equal opportunity provider and employer, through the Network for a Healthy California.

Vision

Children and families of Los Angeles County are physically active, eat healthy foods, and live in communities where policies and environments promote a healthy lifestyle.

Mission

To reduce the epidemic of unfit and overweight children and families in Los Angeles County by increasing innovative partnerships in order to plan and implement initiatives that make it easier for underserved populations to adopt lifestyles that include healthy eating and physical activity.

Actions

1. Bring together and mobilize diverse interests including low-income consumers, government agencies, non-profit and charitable organizations, advocates, community leaders, businesses, social service offices, and others with expertise in nutrition, physical activity and nutrition assistance programs in underserved Los Angeles area communities to form a dynamic, proactive regional collaborative.

2. Plan, coordinate, implement and evaluate countywide campaigns and initiatives, consistent with the Los Angeles Collaborative for Healthy Active Children vision and mission that increase access to and availability of fruits and vegetables, safe physical activity and food security.

Coordination Committee 2007-2009

Irene Kratz, Chair
School Nurse, LAUSD

Dipa Shah, Vice Chair
ABC Unified School District

Mandy Graves
Roybal Comprehensive Health Center

Valerie Ruelas
Keck Diabetes Prevention Initiative

Ismael Aguila
Physical Activity Specialist, Network for a Healthy California--Los Angeles Region

Lily Voong
Rosemead School District

Nicola Edwards
Registered Dietitian

Joyce Nakashima
California Project Lean

Martha Walker
USC Community Diabetes Initiative

Jamie Sanchez
LACOE Educational Programs

Dr. Paul Simon
Office of Health Assessment and Epidemiology, Public Health Department, County of Los Angeles

Jean Tremaine
Director, Nutrition Program, Public Health Department, County of Los Angeles

Suzanne Bogert
Project Director, Network for a Healthy California--Los Angeles Region

 Lauren Neel
 Coordinator, Los Angeles Collaborative for Active Healthy Children

This material was produced by the California Department of Public Health, Network for a Healthy California, with funding from the USDA Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (formerly the Food Stamp Program). These institutions are equal opportunity providers and employers. In California, food stamps provide assistance to low-income households, and can help buy nutritious foods for better health. For food stamp information, call 877-847-3663. For important nutrition information visit www.cachampionsforchange.net.