The Livingston County Department of Health (LCDOH) Healthy LIVINGston Grant Coordinator and the Genesee Valley Health Partnership (GVHP) HIP HOP Initiative Coordinator have begun the third year of the Healthy LIVINGston Project which focuses on reducing obesity in children and youth ages 5-17.

The Healthy LIVINGston grant, which is funded through the Greater Rochester Health Foundation, and the HIP HOP initiative focuses on childhood wellness and childhood obesity prevention by integrating three main goals: 1) increasing physical activity; 2) increasing fruit and vegetable consumption; and 3) decreasing screen time-television, video game, and non-essential computer use. Children and parents are also educated about health issues and chronic diseases associated with obesity by empowering the target populations to make healthy lifestyle choices throughout their life span.

As part of the School Health Challenge, Fit Kits were distributed to Dansville Central School and Cal-Mum Central School for parents and students in grades K-5. The School Health Challenge consists of classrooms competing for prizes by having the highest student participation based on the completion of the tracking forms. The Fit Kits includes age appropriate items such as frisbees, mini-soccer balls, nutrition materials, tracking forms and family pledges to increase healthy eating habits, physical activity and decrease screen time.

A Fitness Club was implemented for middle school student at York Central School. The students are up and moving, learning how to make healthy choices and earning incentives for their participation.

The annual HIP HOP for Health Poster Contest was conducted for K-5 grade students in February. The contest focused on providing children with a fun opportunity to learn about physical activity, proper nutrition and limited screen time. The winners of the poster contest received $25.00 gift certificates from Swain Sports.

Displays will be set up in various public libraries and school libraries in the county in the month of February to provide information for families on childhood wellness and childhood obesity prevention with a focus on the three main goals: 1) increasing physical activity; 2) increasing fruit and vegetable consumption; and 3) decreasing screen time-television, video game, and non-essential computer use.

All Livingston County Schools will again be providing physical fitness data and the Body Mass Index (BMI) data. Overall, a review of the BMI data shows in year 2, an increase of 3% in the healthy weight category, a decrease of 3% in ht overweight category and a slight increase of 1% in the obese category.

This year, Avon Central School and Caledonia-Mumford Central School will receive nutrition and physical activity funding for their completion of the School Health Index (SHI). The grant provides additional resources, which includes funding to use for improvements of their SHI nutrition and physical activity status.

Additionally, a nutrition consultant will again provide basic nutrition and sports nutrition training to the coaches/athletic directors of two Livingston County Schools.

Technical assistance and funding was also provided to coordinators of concession stands to provide recommendations regarding healthy food items to be sold at concession stands.

As we work toward our goal of a reduction in obesity rates among Livingston County youth, the Livingston County Department of Health will continue to implement the above initiatives.

As we approach the end of the grant, a final report, including the recognition of best practices will be provided to all schools.

For more information regarding the Healthy LIVINGston grant, please contact June Webster at jwebster@co.livingston.ny.usor 243-7299.

The Caregiver Resource Program, funded by the Office for the Aging and located at Noyes Hospital has some exciting opportunities for caregivers in the next few months!

Matter of Balance—the MOB class!

Caregivers - if you are worried about falling, tend to isolate yourself and have not taken steps to begin an exercise program, this is for YOU! Beginning on March 10 at Morgan Estates in Geneseo, the 2 hour - 8 session program will meet twice/week and begin at 10 AM. This is an educational opportunity to exercise and to learn about how to lessen the chance of falling and begin to increase muscle tone and endurance. This is a researched base program allowing participants to examine their personal concerns about falling and to make life positive life changes. Seating is limited, the 16-hour program is FREE but you must register NOW to secure a spot in the class – call Caregiver Resource Center at 335-4358. Participants must be 60 or older to attend.

Powerful Tools for Caregivers Workshop

Caregivers feel helpless with their overwhelming responsibilities. This researched based program offers lessons on how to lessen the challenges during the caregiving journey. This program is a six week class offered once a week for 2.5 hours. Treat yourself to learning ways to communicate with your family members, to learn how to take care of yourself, and to learn about local resources while facing the challenges of caregiving. Because this program is FREE of charge and provided by funding from the Office for the aging, participants must be at least 60 years of age to participate. This program will begin April 7 and will continue for 6 consecutive Thursday afternoons. The location is yet to be determined but it is most likely going to be held in Mt. Morris. Call Caregiver Resource Center to register: 335-4359.

Caregivers, get pampered!! Caring for the Caregiver Event!

The 2^nd Annual Caring for the Caregiver Event is scheduled for April 26 from 3:00 to 7:00 PM at Celebrate Family Church in Leicester (former Peter’s Party House). An afternoon of education, fun, pampering (facials, massages), door prizes and some laughter! Kaaren Smith, Director for the Office for the Aging, the keynote speaker will share her personal caregiving journey. David Midland, CEO/President of the Alzheimer’s Association of Rochester, will present opening remarks. Many community resources will be available to share ways they can help carepartners during their challenging journey. A FREE spaghetti dinner will also be served to all attendees.

Caregivers can bring their care partners to the event and care will be provided for them in order to allow the caregiver the opportunity to relax and take advantage of the program. REGISTRATION is required and program is FREE to all caregivers. This is for Caregivers of all ages… children caring for parents, grandparents taking care of grandchildren, parents caring for adult disabled children and those who care for the elderly, disabled and individuals with Alzheimer’s. RESERVE YOUR SPOT NOW!!!

To learn about the opportunities offered for Caregivers or to register for any of the programs offered, call Dale Sells, Caregiver Coordinator at Noyes Hospital at 335-4358.

Carepartners…do you have a loved one with Alzheimer’s/dementia?

The successful “Meet Me at the MAG” (Metropolitan Art Gallery) carepartner program is being duplicated to fit Livingston County through a partnership with the Genesee Valley Council on the Arts! Chris Norton from GVCA, in partnership with the Alzheimer’s Association of Rochester, has organized training for volunteers to work with carepartners who are dealing with issues of dementia. Sometimes it is difficult to find places to take loved ones to share an experience. Chris has orchestrated the opportunity which will allow carepartners to tour the GVCA Art Gallery and have trained facilitators work with them to experience expression and feelings viewing works of art.

This has been a highly successful program in Rochester and throughout other parts of the country. We are proud and pleased to have this opportunity in Mt. Morris. The gallery is small and features a variety of art work. The program will be offered starting this spring. Tours for the carepartners and the intimate interaction to relate to the art work will take place once a month. For further information and to reserve a spot for caregivers and their loved one, call Chris Norton at the GVCA at 243-6785. What a great opportunity to share this time with a loved one as you both embark on the journey of dealing with dementia!