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Governor's Council on Physical Fitness and Health

General Programs


General Programs

2008 SHINING STAR AWARDS FOR PHYSICAL FITNESS AND HEALTH

The Tennessee Governor's Council on Physical Fitness and Health honored seven Tennessee programs and organizations on Monday, May 12, 2008 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 Shining Star Award recipients received their awards during the Shining Star Award dinner hosted during National Physical Fitness and Sports month.

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.

Search Your Heart
American Heart Association and the Tennessee Department of Health have created a faith based cardiovascular health prevention and control initiative targeting African Americans and Hispanic communities, which is being implemented in African American and Hispanic churches and communities across the state of Tennessee. Of the six activity modules the "Activities for Life" highlights the importance of incorporating regular physical activity into everyday lifestyles.

Contact: Zahid Samad, Director Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention Program phone 741-0390 zahid.samad@tn.gov

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.

Regional Community Activities


Regional Community Activities

Walk Across Tennessee which is an eight week program where Health council members teamed up with elementary school children walking over 3,000 miles. Participating counties are as follows:

Johnson County
Contact: Beth Rader, Acting Health Promotion Coordinator / Community Services Director
423-979-3267
beth.rader@tn.gov

Cannon, Clay, and Overton County
Contact: Beverly Madwell, Director, Community Services
931-520-4229 or Beverlv.madwell@tn.gov

CHANGES program [Choosing Health and Nutrition, Going Extra Steps) a program seeking to encourage health council members to make small changes in their lives to influence others in their immediate contact. The following counties are participating:

Cannon and Warren County Beverly Madwell, Director, Community Services
931-520-4229 or Beverlv.madwell@tn.gov

Shapes Up Program is an ongoing initiative to encourage community members to improve their health through physical activity, better, nutrition, and stress relief.

Warren County Contact:
Beverly Madwell, Director, Community Services
931-520-4229, Beverly.madwell @tn.gov

May National Physical Fitness and Sports Month

Programs and Cirriculums


Programs and Cirriculums

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

Wheeling Walks
Designed to increase physical activity among sedentary individuals in Wheeling, West Virginia. A community wide campaign creating and enhancing access to places for physical activity with an informational outreach and Mass Media campaign. Research tested -National Cancer Institute