2012-2013

Childhood Obesity Policy Workgroup

The Connecticut Coalition Against Childhood Obesity is comprised of over 30 health and advocacy organizations that are focused on fighting the childhood obesity epidemic and improving academic achievement by improving children’s health.  The coalition’s Coordinated School Health program recognizes the link between nutrition, physical activity, physical education, and academic performance; better nutrition and increased physical activity in schools will improve academic performance.  The coalition has several priorities they are working to implement; including scheduled 20 consecutive minutes of physical activity in grades K-5, expanded use of school athletic facilities by communities, and the establishment of a state council on childhood and adult obesity.  Members of the coalition are furthering these priorities by testifying to legislators, policy, regulation, and other reform actions. 

If you would like to receive the latest news and information on the efforts to fight childhood obesity please provide your contact information at the Coalition website. 

2011 Policy Initiatives

August meeting documents and resources

Legislative Action 2010

The Speaker's Task Force on Children and the Recession

As members of Speaker Chris Donovan’s Task Force on Children and the Recession, EHC! played a vital role in ensuring that SNAP and child nutrition programs were integrated throughout legislation that was the end result of the Task Force.  The Task Force, chaired by State Representatives Karen Jarmoc and Diana Urban, with help from the Connecticut Commission on Children, crafted legislation making Connecticut the first state in the nation to take a comprehensive approach to addressing the needs of children during an economic downturn.  Triggered by an 8 per cent or higher unemployment rate state policy requires a leadership team from across state agencies to coordinate a response to children's needs, such as increased hunger.  For more information please visit the Task Force website. 

This very comprehensive legislation contains significant provisions for good nutrition.  Along with coordination of nutrition services, an outreach plan is included to increase participation in school breakfast (both in-classroom and after school bell), summer feeding programs and after school snacks and suppers.  Food security and the need to assure children and their families are well nourished are main components of this legislation. 

Sustinet Obesity Task Force

EHC! executive director Lucy Nolan co-chaired the SustiNet Child and Adult Obesity Task Force with Marlene Schwartz of the Rudd Center for Food Policy and Obesity at Yale. The task force is charged with studying “childhood and adult obesity through examination of evidence-based strategies for preventing and reducing obesity and develop a comprehensive plan that will result in a reduction in obesity.”  A report is due to the General Assembly on July 1, 2010. For more information visit the Susinet website.

Other Partnerships

EHC! continues to work with the Working Lands Alliance and supports their legislative work to preserve Connecticut farmland and EHC! works with Better Choices for Connecticut on revenue enhancements.