Apply Now for Healthy Community Champion Recognition

Contact:
Communications Office
NewsMedia@flhealth.gov
(850) 245-4111

Tallahassee, Fla. — The Florida Department of Health is accepting submissions for the 2018 Healthy Community Champion Recognition Program. Over the past four years, the department has recognized more than 142 new and returning champions for their efforts to increase physical activity and improve nutrition as part of the Healthiest Weight Florida Initiative. Last year alone, 98 cities and counties were recognized. The application window will be open through April 30, 2018.

“The Healthy Community Champion Recognition program is a chance to commend local governments for the tremendous work they have done to improve the health of their residents” said State Surgeon General and Secretary Dr. Celeste Philip. “We look forward to acknowledging communities for their efforts to implement policies that empower residents and visitors to improve their health and create healthy environments throughout Florida.”

Formerly known as the Healthy Weight Community Champions Recognition Program, the department has expanded the focus of this effort to better align with agency strategic goals, while also allowing for more interagency collaboration. Now dubbed the Healthy Community Champions (HCC) Recognition Program, this program is based on the Health in All Policies (HiAP) approach defined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). HiAP is a collaborative approach that integrates health considerations into policymaking across sectors to improve the health of all communities and people. This approach recognizes that health is created by a multitude of factors beyond healthcare and, in many cases, beyond the scope of traditional public health activities. This includes activities related to community-level policy adoption and implementation, facilitated through interagency partnerships and community member engagement.

The HCC Recognition Program is now a two-year designation with opportunities to receive technical assistance to further the adoption and implementation of HiAP. State partners include the Florida Department of Transportation, Florida Department of Economic Opportunity, Florida Department of Environmental Protection, the University of South Florida Center for Urban Transportation Research and others.

The goal is to support local governments in implementing policies that promote healthy behaviors and environments that make it easier to have access to healthy foods and engage in physical activity. The program recognizes best practices related to Complete Streets Policies in communities, County Health Departments’ engagement in community planning and outreach and community involvement.

All of Florida’s 412 active municipalities and 67 counties are eligible and encouraged to apply. Unincorporated areas are also eligible to apply under the sponsorship of the county in which they are located. The application window will open February 12, 2018 through April 30, 2018. Healthy Community Champions will be recognized in June 2018. Please visit Healthiest Weight Florida for more information.

About Healthiest Weight Florida

Healthiest Weight Florida is a public-private collaboration bringing together state agencies, not-for-profit organizations, businesses and entire communities to help.

Florida's children and adults make consistent, informed choices about healthy eating and active living. To learn more about how to be active and make nutritious food choices, visit www.healthiestweightflorida.com.

About the Florida Department of Health

The department, nationally accredited by the Public Health Accreditation Board, works to protect, promote and improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county and community efforts.

Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter at @HealthyFla. For more information about the Florida Department of Health please visit www.FloridaHealth.gov.