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Healthy Kentucky Communities is a collaborative alliance of YMCAs across Kentucky. In July 2009, Kentucky was selected by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation to receive funding for a statewide alliance to address the childhood obesity epidemic through policy and environmental changes that will have implications for communities, states and the nation.
Six local YMCAs were chosen as recipients of the grant including, YMCA of Burlington/YMCA of Greater Cincinnati, Frankfort YMCA, Hopkins County Family YMCA, YMCA of Owensboro/Daviess County, Paris-Bourbon County YMCA and Pikeville Area Family YMCA. As recipients of the grant, their mission is to create healthier and more active environments for the citizens of Kentucky.
With the grant, the Alliance and the six community YMCAs intend to focus on three areas to enhance the lives of Kentucky children including menu labeling in chain restaurants, more physical activity in schools and BMI reporting in schools. The Alliance is building a team of supporters from across the Commonwealth who can help make these changes.
To achieve our goal of solving the childhood obesity problem, the Alliance will work with individual YMCAs to create dynamic community teams that can work at the local level to enact changes. The Alliance will also work to adopt legislation at the state level that makes a difference in childhood obesity.
For more information on the work of the Alliance and your local YMCA, or to become a registered user of our forum, please contact Emma Brown at emma@kyymca.org.
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