People are ultimately responsible for the lifestyle choices they make related to health. However, the best predictor of health behavior and long-lasting successful behavior change is often the community in which a person lives. Physical Environments, social norms, policies, regulations and laws impact behaviors of individuals. Part our focus is to work with communities to create policy, environmental, and system (PSE) change to facilitate increased psychical activity, healthy eating, and reduced tobacco and exposure within our communities.
Current MMS SHIP Interventions
Active Communities
Partner with communities to create PSE changes that increase opportunities for walking and biking and increased access to community recreation facilities.
Various communities in Meeker, McLeod and Sibley Counties are working on initiatives that include: Walkable Community Workshops, trail and sidewalk development and connectivity, Safe Routes to School, and community planning for long-term walkability/bikeability.
Resources:
- Minnesota Complete Streets Coalition
- Minnesota Department of Health Safe Routes to School Program
- Opening School Grounds to the Community After Hours: A toolkit for increasing physical activity through joint use agreements
- Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Recreation (including trail) grants
Active Child Care
Partner with preschools and licensed child care providers to assist them in implementing policies and practices that increase opportunities for the children to be physically active during the day.
Resources:
- Head Start Body Smart Monthly Activity Calendar
- Peaceful Playgrounds
- Finding Fun in Physical Activity
- Movement Activities and Programs for Preschoolers
- Nutrition and Physical Activity Self-Assessment for Childcare (NAPSACC)
- Parent Handouts English
- Parent Handouts Spanish
- SHIP Community Sector Fact Sheet
For resources specific to your county, please go to Meeker, McLeod, and Sibley County’s individual resource pages.
