The SHIP program works to create a healthier community—and sponsors fun events like last fall’s “Walking School Bus.”
The program that brought safe routes to school efforts, healthy school lunch initiatives and a local bike rodeo to fruition in Cook County has been funded once again.
The Carlton-Cook-Lake-St. Louis Community Health Board, in partnership with the Aitkin-Itasca- Koochiching Community Health Board recently received state funding of nearly $1 million. This funding began in January 2012 and runs through June 2013. The funding is part of $15 million that was appropriated by the state in the latest legislative funding to continue the Statewide Health Improvement Program (SHIP) activities.
The goal of the SHIP grant is to target tobacco use, physical inactivity and poor nutrition in communities throughout the state. Through SHIP, communities are able to implement programs that will make it easier for their members to make healthy choices in their daily lives.
The SHIP grant will target six strategies around the seven-county region. These include school nutrition, community active living, Safe Routes to School or Active School Day, breastfeeding in health care facilities, tobacco-free postsecondary campuses, and smoke-free multi-unit housing.
Many of these strategies are a continuation of the work that was started with the first round of SHIP funding awarded to our region in 2009 ($2.4 million over two years), which was part of the $47 million health care reform, passed by Gov. Pawlenty in 2008.
For more information about the SHIP Grant or opportunities for involvement, contact Kristin Wharton, Cook County SHIP coordinator at Kristin@sawtoothmountainclinic.org.
In 2009-2011, the Cook County SHIP program worked with:
. The Cook County School District to make healthy changes to elementary snacks, school lunches, breakfasts and a la carte foods, and to create a Sawtooth Elementary courtyard garden/outdoor classroom.
. The Grand Marais Safe Routes to School group to create a safer walking and bicycling environment in the school zones near ISD 166 and Great Expectations schools, and to host an annual Bicycle Safety Rodeo in 2010 and 2011 with more than 100 kids participating each year.
. City of Grand Marais and Northwoods Food Project to create a Community Garden at the Grand Marais Rec Park, and pass a resolution supporting Active Living principles.
. The Active Living Steering Committee to host an annual “Get Active Cook County!” week in May promoting the health benefits of walking or biking to work, school or for recreation.
. Bluefin Bay Resort and the Cook County North Shore Hospital to pilot a worksite wellness program for employees.
. Cook County Higher Education to promote a smoke-free campus.
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