Department of Health
John J. Dreyzehner, MD, MPH, Commissioner

Governor's Council on Physical Fitness and Health

General Programs

SHINING STAR AWARDS FOR PHYSICAL FITNESS AND HEALTH

The Tennessee Governor's Council on Physical Fitness and Health honors Tennessee programs and organizations for their efforts in the promotion of healthy lifestyles. The Governor's Council has established the Shining Star Awards designed to recognize the efforts of and contribution to the promotion of healthy lifestyles by an individual or group of Tennesseans in the following areas - Where we Live (communities), Work (employers), and Learn (educational settings).

The 2010 Shining Star Awardees are as follows:

Where we Live…Giles County Health Department, City of Cookeville’s The Power of Ten, Wayne County Health Council
Where we Work…Freed Hardeman University FHitness for U Wellness Program, McKee Foods Worksite Wellness Program
Where we Learn…Lawrence County Health Council, Roane County TNCEP Coalition Tasty Tuesday, The Fit Kids Ready for Action East Tennessee State University

The 2009 Shining Star Award recipients are as follows:

City of Johnson City
Eastman Chemical Co., Kingsport
Hamblen County Health Council, Morristown
Lewis County Health Council, Hohenwald
Orange Grove Center, Chattanooga
Outdoor Chattanooga Mobile Bicycle Fleet
United Way of Greater Chattanooga
The Urban League of Greater Chattanooga
Vanderbilt University, Nashville
WDEF News 12, Chattanooga

The 2008 Shining Star Award recipients are:

Blue Cross Blue Shield for Walking Works for Schools Program
City of Pigeon Forge Parks and Recreation for City of Pigeon Forge Employee Wellness Program
City of Jackson Parks and Recreation for Jumpstart Jackson
City of Knoxville Parks and Recreation for NEAT (Nutrition, Education, Activity and Training)
Tennessee Education Lottery for Lottery Employee Wellness Program
City of Bartlett Parks and Recreation for Step Up Shape Up
Blakeford at Green Hills for Blakeford Wellness Team
City of Bartlett Parks and Recreation for Bartlett Kids Triathlon

Adolescent and Young Adult Health Program
The purpose of this program is to devise strategies that enhance the overall health of youth, adolescents and young adults, ages 10 to 24 in the state of Tennessee. The Tennessee Department of Health would like to make available services and policies, which are formed by using a multifactor approach.

Get Fit TN
A campaign designed by the Governor supported by the Tennessee Department of Health to raise health awareness and encourage healthful living.

B.R.A.T.
Bicycle Ride Across Tennessee [BRAT) is an annual bike-riding event. Tennessee State Parks, The Tennessee Department of Transportation, and the Cumberland Trail Conference [CTC) sponsor the 2005 BRAT. On the website you will find more specific information regarding the program.

Metro Parks and Recreation
1. Step Up to Health
An initiative launched by the National Recreation and Parks Association. The signature event for Nashville will target youth community center summer enrichment participants to encourage active living through arts, sports, and recreation.

2. Youth Sports
Sports such as baseball, soccer, basketball, volleyball, T-Ball, and are offered in each of the Metro Parks Community Centers. Competitive youth leagues are organized for basketball, flag football, volleyball, soccer, tennis, golf, and many other sports. There is no charge for participation in Youth Sports Leagues. Contact Metro Parks Community Center or call the sports office for more information at (615) 862-8424.

Tennessee Coordinated School Health Programs
Coordinated School Health (CSH) is an effective system designed to connect health (physical, emotional and social) with education. This coordinated approach improves student's health and their capacity to learn through the support of families, communities and schools working together. The CSH approach consists of eight major components of . Coordinated School Health is currently active in all school systems throughout Tennessee.

Tennessee State Employee Wellness Program
The State Employee Wellness Program was initiated in 1992 for central state government employees as a result of savings incurred through the Flexible Benefits Program. Designed to improve awareness of the factors that can affect health and longevity and to enable employees to take increased responsibility for their health behaviors, the program offers a variety of components.

Contact Regina Ranish, Manager State Employee Wellness Program 615-741-8675

Tennessee State Parks
State Parks provide recreational activities such as biking, walking, boating, golfing, swimming, and horseback riding.

BlueCross WalkingWorks for Schools
Collaborative project of BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee and the Governor's Council on Physical Fitness and Health, Tennessee Department of Education, Tennessee Department of Health, and the Tennessee Association for Health Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance. This is a voluntary in-school walking program to teach children in grades K-5 the benefits of proper exercise as part of a healthy lifestyle. The program outlines a walking regimen of at least 5 minutes during the day in the classroom for a period of 12 weeks during the both the spring and fall semesters.

Contact: Dawn Entsminger, BlueCross WalkingWorks for Schools Administrative Assistant
615-460-5669 or WalkingWorksforSchools@bcbst.com

CDC Division Of Nutrition And Physical Activity
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Division of Nutrition and Physical Activity website includes news on nutrition, physical activity and public health programs, including science-based activities for children and adults that address the role of nutrition and physical activity in health promotion and the prevention and control of chronic disease. It also includes information on professional training opportunities, publications and information for consumers, and descriptions of programs and projects.

Programs and Curricula

WeCAN (Ways to Enhance Children's Activity and Nutrition)
A national program designed for families and communities to help children achieve healthy weight. The program focuses on three important behaviors improved food choices, increased physical activity, and decreased screen time. Promoted by the National Institutes of Health

Media Smart Youth
This is an interactive after-school education program for young people ages 11-13 years. It is designed to help teach them about the complex media world around them, and how it can affect their health-especially in the areas of nutrition and physical activity.

Bienestar
A culturally tailored school based diabetes mellitus prevention program for low income Mexican American Children. The program includes a curriculum for physical education, after-school health club, family activities. The 13 health classes are designed to promote self-esteem, diabetes mellitus, healthy dietary habits and increase physical activity among elementary school students.
Research tested -National Cancer Institute

Healthy Body Healthy Spirit
Community-based program designed to promote healthy dietary habits and increased physical activity. Research tested -National Cancer Institute