Featured Tools, Resources & Data

General Resources

Healthy Communities/Healthy Eating and Active Living Initiatives

Community Strategies to Prevent Obesity: National Reports and Toolkits
Recommendations and toolkits from the Centers for Disease Control, Institute of Medicine and other national experts to support local level action to prevent childhood and adult obesity.

Nutrition and Physical Activity Policy and Legislation Databases
Searchable databases of state and local level bills and policy initiatives that aim to improve access to healthful foods, increase opportunities for physical activity, and create healthy community environments.

Featured Resources by Objective

Nutrition Objective I
Increase Access to Health Promoting Foods

Show Me the Money: A Guide to Selling Healthy Foods at School
Tools and resources to help school districts develop healthy and profitable fundraising strategies. Includes materials to coordinate a revenue replacement workshop, product selection and marketing strategies, healthy products guide, and success stories from schools in Washington. (Washington State Action for Healthy Kids Team, 2007)

Nutrition Objective 2
Reduce Food Insecurity in Washington

Parenthelp.123
Interactive web site that helps families find out if they may be eligible for state benefit programs and fill out program applications on-line. Provides a single access point to free and low-cost health insurance, food assistance and other resources all in one place. (WithinReach)

Nutrition Objective 3
Increase the Proportion of Mothers Who Breastfeed Their Infants and Toddlers

Increasing Breastfeeding Success: Why it Matters and What the Research Shows
A two CD set with ten lactation presentations created by the Physician Lactation Education Collaborative to educate physicians and their staff in the in-patient or out-patient setting. Free to Washington residents and groups. (Breastfeeding Coalition of Washington, 2008)

International Breastfeeding Symbol
Copyright free image provides an alternative to the baby bottle symbol that is often used to designate nursing rooms in public places.

Working & Breastfeeding: It's Worth it!
Free packet designed to help mothers who return to work. Contains suggestions for finding supportive daycare, tips for transitioning back to work, support services, and information for employers about why and how to support their breastfeeding employees. (Breastfeeding Coalition of Washington)

Physical Activity Objective 1
Increase the Number of People Who have Access to Free or Low Cost Recreational Opportunities for Physical Activity

Parks and Recreation/School District Joint Use Agreements from Washington Communities
Examples of joint use agreements addressing liability issues and other management issues associated with sharing recreational facilities available in a Web-based document library. (Municipal Research and Services Center)

Physical Activity Objective 2
Increase the Number of Physical Activity Opportunities Available to Children

Research Review: School-based Health Interventions and Academic Achievement
A report of research analyzing the link between health risks and academic risks, using 2006 Healthy Youth Survey data.

Healthy Schools...Successful Students
Web Site provides information and resources to support policy makers, school staff, parents and advocates as they work to ensure that students are healthy and ready to learn.

Child Care & Obesity Prevention Issue Briefs
Three issue briefs for early childhood professionals, policymakers, public health officials and others. Summarize current research and offer practical strategies and policy recommendations.

Active Bodies Active Minds
Web site, toolkit and training materials to minimize screen time and maximize physical activity in environments for preschool children.

Physical Activity Objective 3
Increase the Number of Active Community Environments in Washington

Active Community Environments Backpack
The Active Community Environments “Virtual Backpack” offers a variety of tools to plan active community environments and advocate for safe walkable communities.

Comprehensive Plan Policies to Support Physically Active Communities
Example policies that communities can use to plan for and support physical activity. From comprehensive plans, development regulations, and other plans adopted by local governments in Washington. (Washington State Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development, 2007)