Ontario Launches the Healthy Kids Community Challenge
Posted: January 27, 2014
Categories: Edible Education Network / Food in the News / Food in the News / Funding Opportunities / Good Food Ideas for Kids
On Jan. 24, Premier Kathleen Wynne and the Ontario Minister of Health and Long-Term Care kicked off the Healthy Kids Community Challenge at the Wellesley Community Centre in Toronto.
The challenge is a new initiative that aims to help children be more active and healthy. Supporting community-based activities to promote healthier living is a key recommendation of the Healthy Kids Panel report.
The province will provide 30 communities with funding, training, advice, social marketing tools and other resources over four years to develop and implement community-based programs and activities that promote healthy habits.
Communities are encouraged to partner with schools, public health organizations, local businesses and other organizations to submit an application to participate in the challenge. If selected, they will plan and implement initiatives together that promote healthy eating, physical activity and adequate sleep.
A backgrounder has been provided, going over the steps to join the challenge.
Applications will be accepted from municipalities, Aboriginal Health Access Centres and Aboriginal Community Health Centres on behalf of their communities until March 14, 2014. More information and the application template can be found on the Ontario Health.Gov website here.
Oakville is one community that is hoping to benefit from the new initiative – this article details their intentions, as well as the challenge a bit more.